Multi Cultural Istanbul: Galata Tower - Fener and Balat - Golden Horn by Ferry
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
We have a passion for uncovering this unique city’s lesser known historical treasures on foot. Our tour starts with imposing Galata Tower which is overlooking to beauties of Bosphorus and the Old-City. We take you off the major tourist trail to multi-cultural Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray. These are the old Istanbul neighborhoods where Constantinople officially ends which means we admire surviving city walls of Byzantines and discover historic churches, mosques, synagogues, traditional houses and even the remnants of a palace. Finish off our tour with a relaxing ferry journey along the Golden Horn.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Galata Tower entry fee (30 EUR pp) is not included in the tour price.
Not stroller accessible
There is a moderate amount of walking involved
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Galata Tower
We will see great Istanbul panorama from top of this tower. One of the city’s most distinctive sights, this great fortification dating back to 1348 was erected by Genoese Italians.
The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews
Museum of Turkish Jews, where artifacts chronicling the history of Jewish people in Turkey, plus an art gallery & synagogue. Great to understand the history of Jewish people in Turkey
What‘s Included
Donations
Galata Tower entry ticket (*if all-inclusive option selected)
Small Group
Transport by Ferry, Tram, Bus
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Options
Tour Without Entry Tickets
Pay on the Tour: Galata Tower Entry Fee (30 EUR pp) is not included in this option.
All Inclusive Option
Entry Tickets Included: All the entry fees, Tram & Ferry fees, Church & Mosque donations are included in this option. Save time with priority access
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Multicultural Istanbul
Louise B,,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved the Galata Tower and its fascinating history. Erol gave us a great deal of interesting information about the entire area including its history and its architecture. We also stopped for some delicious sweets. Erol is a great guide. He spoke so passionately and knowledgeably about the area and answered all our questions very thoroughly. Some of the streets were rather steep, which made walking a little difficult at times but Erol was very thoughtful and helpful. Thank you for an interesting tour.
Fantastic
Michael G,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous tour with our guide Erol. Very knowledgable and provided us with a fun full day. Definitely a tour to take.
Tour
joe s,,Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00There was no ferry , that was very disappointing , but our guide (Icil) was fantastic and did a wonderful job!
Could not fault.
Ken M,,Oct 28, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything was great. Wonderful guide Isliy? Explanations were so comprehensive. Any/all questions answered. Thanks you.
Cultural discovery
Marc S,,Feb 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Discovered the fusion of cultures Roman expansion to Ottoman capture and everything in between. We were also lucky enough to see the patriarch of the Orthodox Church
Great multi-cultural tour
Kay G,,Oct 4, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour. Our tour guide Gamze Aksin was awesome. We enjoyed our time so much. I definitely would recommend this tour. Lots of great walking and getting to see the different cultures of the city.
So many colors
Kara H,,Jul 14, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the best tour we’ve been on! We got a personalized tour of some off the beaten path neighborhoods in Istanbul. It would have been hard to find these areas on our own. We absolutely loved our tour guide, Gamze and will always think of her as our beautiful Turkish friend. She was so informative and flexible with our family’s needs. We felt like we were walking around with one of our friends.
Beautiful picturesque adventure
Tony L,,Mar 27, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful afternoon with our amazing guide, Can (John). We felt very lucky as our family were the only one's booked in for the afternoon so we had our very own tailred adventure. We started by exploring the Galata tower area then took the ferry across to Fenner and Ballat a very architecturally colourful area. We took lunch at a local restaurant and saw the Iron Church. Can then saw us safely back to our hotel as the weather cancelled our afternoon ferry. Thankyou to our amazing guide who gave us a wonderful experience in Istanbul.
Galata, Fener and Balat
riddaali,,Aug 29, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing tour and as there was only 2 of us we felt we had a very personalised experience. Erol our tour guide is amazing at his job and very knowledgeable. There are so many hidden gems in Istanbul and without this tour we would have passed them without knowing. Highly recommend this tour and our guide Erol. Looking forward to booking again in the future.
Cultural history and architecture
Darcy G,,Aug 11, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00Erol was an excellent guide. We felt like we were with a professor of Istanbul history. The tour was exactly as we hoped.
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Operated by Tematique Tours