Fener and Balat districts stand out with their centuries-old churches, mosques, synagogues and colorful houses. As a licensed guide, I organize private guided tours in Istanbul and you can discover the hidden treasures of these districts on my Fener Balat walking tour. On the Fener and Balat tour, you can learn a lot about the life of non-Muslims in Istanbul during the … [Read more...] about FENER and BALAT Things to DO & Walking TOUR [2023]
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Theodosius Cistern Ticket Price & Hours [Updated 2023]
Theodosius Cistern is located in Sultanahmet, one of the most popular touristic centers of Istanbul. There are light shows every hour in the cistern, which was recently restored and opened to visitors. The most famous cistern in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern from the reign of Emperor Justinian. But Theodosius Cistern is essentially even older than Basilica Cistern. This … [Read more...] about Theodosius Cistern Ticket Price & Hours [Updated 2023]
20 Byzantine SITES & History TOUR in Istanbul [2023]
There are still many Byzantine sites worth seeing in Istanbul. Most of these structures, built between the 4th and 15th centuries, are located in the Historic Peninsula (former Constantinople). As a licensed tour guide, I organize private walking tours in Istanbul and my Byzantine Istanbul tour can help you get to know these structures better. In this article, you can find … [Read more...] about 20 Byzantine SITES & History TOUR in Istanbul [2023]
Istanbul Private HALF DAY Walking Tours [Updated 2023]
Hello, I am Serhat Engul, I have been a private tour guide in Istanbul since 2004. In this article, I will introduce you to the private half-day walking tours in Istanbul that I offer. Over the years, I realized that my most productive and most enjoyable tours are half-day tours. Each of these walking tours, lasting approximately 4 hours, introduces different parts of … [Read more...] about Istanbul Private HALF DAY Walking Tours [Updated 2023]
Grand Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2023]
Grand Bazaar draws attention with its gigantic dimensions and hosts more than 3000 shops spread over 67 streets. Although Istanbul is famous for its modern shopping centers, shopping in the unique atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar is one of the must-do things in Istanbul. In this article, you can find insider tips you need to know about the Bazaar. About Grand Bazaar The … [Read more...] about Grand Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2023]
Spice Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2023]
Spice Bazaar is located in Eminonu, one of the busiest districts of Istanbul. You can experience the traditional shopping style of the city in this 350-year-old historical bazaar. In this article, you can find insider tips you need to know about the Spice Bazaar. About Spice Bazaar Spice Bazaar was originally a place where only spices were sold during the Ottoman … [Read more...] about Spice Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2023]
10 Best PLACES TO VISIT in Istanbul [Updated 2023]
There are many mosques, churches and museums among the best places to visit in Istanbul. In this article, you can find 10 of the most popular historical monuments in the city. As a private tour guide in Istanbul for many years, I accompanied hundreds of tourists. In this article, I have selected the most preferred places among tourists visiting the city. Thus, I believe that … [Read more...] about 10 Best PLACES TO VISIT in Istanbul [Updated 2023]
Top 10 TURKISH BREAKFAST in Istanbul [Updated 2023]
The best Turkish Breakfast places in Istanbul are on the shores of the Bosphorus (Ortakoy and Bebek), in Beyoglu (Karakoy, Galata, Taksim) and Sultanahmet (Old City). When you go to these districts on the weekend, you can see that Istanbulites enjoy their delicious breakfasts. It is a great pleasure to have breakfast in Istanbul, especially with the view of the Bosphorus. … [Read more...] about Top 10 TURKISH BREAKFAST in Istanbul [Updated 2023]
MUSEUM PASS Istanbul Worth It? (September 2023)
The Istanbul Museum Pass is a very useful card for those who come to the city for a cultural trip. Those who will visit several museums can easily cover the money they pay for the museum card. So is the Museum Pass Istanbul worth it? You can find insider tips about the museum card in this post. The museums in Istanbul are very crowded between April and November, the city's … [Read more...] about MUSEUM PASS Istanbul Worth It? (September 2023)
HISTORY of ISTANBUL (Summary in 5 Titles with Maps)
The history of Istanbul officially goes back 2700 years. The history of the city consists of multiple layers and has the heritage of Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations. In this article, you can find a brief history of Istanbul under five headings. Short History of Istanbul Istanbul has been known by three different names throughout the course of … [Read more...] about HISTORY of ISTANBUL (Summary in 5 Titles with Maps)