Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are at the top of the list of tourists visiting Istanbul. For this reason, the eastern side of the Old City is frequently visited. However, there was a lively life on the west side of the Old City in both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. I suggest you book a Fener and Balat walking tour with a private guide to trace this period. I’m Serhat … [Read more...] about Private Guided Tour of FENER & BALAT (Istanbul)
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THEODOSIUS CISTERN (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) 2022
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 (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) 2022
Private BYZANTINE HISTORY TOUR in Istanbul (2022)
Istanbul a city steeped in history that dates back around 2,700 years. It’s a city that is home to over 15 million people and served as the capital for the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. Although Istanbul has become a modern city today, churches, walls, monuments and ruins from the Byzantine period can still be seen. Private Byzantine History Tour of Istanbul will help … [Read more...] about Private BYZANTINE HISTORY TOUR in Istanbul (2022)
Private HALF DAY Walking Tours in Istanbul (Updated 2022)
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 Private HALF DAY Walking Tours in Istanbul (Updated 2022)
Grand Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2022]
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 2022]
Spice Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2022]
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 2022]
10 Best PLACES TO VISIT in Istanbul (Updated 2022)
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 2022)
Top 10 TURKISH BREAKFAST in Istanbul (Updated 2022)
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 2022)
MUSEUM PASS Istanbul Worth It? (November 2022)
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? (November 2022)
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)