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 neighborhoods.

Tour Details

At the designated time, we'll meet at the Fener bus stop to begin the tour of the neighborhoods of Fener and Balat. These neighborhoods have been home to many nationalities, including Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Bulgarians, who experienced significant historical events.

Our first stop will be at the Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, tracing its origins back to Hagia Sophia. This site is significant as the official residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, a key figure in the Orthodox Church.

Next, we’ll visit the Phanar Greek Orthodox College and 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 for photo opportunities.

After that, we’ll explore the Palace of Dimitrie Cantemir and the Panagia Paramythia Church, the last of its kind in the area. Then, we’ll walk along the colored houses of Balat for scenic photographs.

Finally, we’ll conclude our tour at the Church of Sveti Stefan, also known as the Iron Church, a masterpiece of the Bulgarian community, wrapping up our three-hour exploration of these neighborhoods.