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. Many nationalities have lived in these neighborhoods before and after the Ottoman Empire, including Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Bulgarians who have witnessed significant historical events.

Our first stop will be at the Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, the official site of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, significant within the Orthodox Church.

Next, we'll visit the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, representing the Greek community's perseverance in Istanbul, followed by the Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols, the oldest active Orthodox Church in Istanbul, and the colorful stairs of Balat.

We will then visit the Palace of Dimitrie Cantemir, reflecting the area's multicultural history, and the Panagia Paramythia Church, the last remaining remnants of this Orthodox Church.

Continuing our tour, we'll explore the colored houses of Balat, ideal for memorable photos, and conclude at the Church of Sveti Stefan, known as the Iron Church, created by the Bulgarian community. The tour lasts three hours, showcasing the rich history and cultural diversity of these neighborhoods.