Tour of the Fener & Balat Neighborhoods

Are you interested in discovering Istanbul's most colorful neighborhoods? On this tour of Fener and Balat, you'll explore these historic and charming neighborhoods.

Tour Details

At the designated time, we'll meet at the Fener bus stop to begin this tour of the neighborhoods of Fener and Balat. These neighborhoods have a rich history of diverse communities, including Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Bulgarians, who have lived here through various historical events.

Our first stop will be at the Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, the official site of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, a key figure in the Orthodox Church. Next, we will visit the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, representing the resilience of the Greek community, followed by the Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols, the oldest active Orthodox Church in Istanbul. We will also see the famous colorful stairs of Balat.

Afterward, we will visit the Palace of Dimitrie Cantemir, reflecting the area's multicultural history, and then the Panagia Paramythia Church, where we can see its remaining vestiges. Continuing, we will stroll through the colored houses of Balat, perfect for photography. Finally, we will conclude our tour at the Church of Sveti Stefan, known as the Iron Church, a masterpiece by the Bulgarian community. This three-hour tour will provide a deep insight into the history and cultural diversity of these neighborhoods.