Historic Off the Beaten Path Tour: Experience Authentic Istanbul and Local Hidden Gems
4.9
201 Ratings
Fatih

See Turkey like a local on this historic off-the-beaten-path tour of the real Istanbul. Go where the locals go, and experience life in the back streets of Istanbul. Wind through the hills of Fener, home to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Church and colorful Greek and Ottoman Houses. Meeting point is Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Serefiye Sarnici - The Theodosius Cistern is one of many ancient cisterns of Constantinople that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Please note: Depending visiting times, it may be changed with Binbirdirek Cistern
What's Included
  • Light refreshment
  • Professional guide
  • Lunch
  • Public transportation; ferry and bus
  • Practice of hookah at favorite local hangout
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Drinks
Additional Information
  • Meeting point is Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant to departure the walking tour
  • Minimum capacity is 2 persons. We reserve the right to cancel a tour due to insufficient reservations. We will do all we can to reschedule your tour or a refund will be provided.
  • A maximum of 10 people per booking
  • Our tours are done by public transportation and walking so if you have any serious mobility issues, we advise you to book a private tour
  • Parents of children under 6 years are advised to book a private tour
  • On Religious Fests Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed; May 2nd, 3rd, 4th, July 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th in 2022
Location
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Divan Yolu Caddesi
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant - For further explanation perhaps use the Sultanahmet tram stop as a reference. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines run through Sultanahmet, approximately 1-minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(201 Ratings)
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Dan_r
Dec 25, 2023
Tour guide was excellent.... - Tour guide was excellent. He kept the tour interesting and fun. The tour was the perfect complement to the standard tours of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Grand Bazaar.
Review provided by Viator
Cross_a
Nov 28, 2023
Good tour - The guide took us to very places that are off the beaten path. Witouth her we could easily miss these places. She was kind and was always very polite and helpful.
Review provided by Viator
Sundar_v
Nov 17, 2023
The past and present of Istanbul - This is a must do tour of Istanbul. This one had a little bit of everything including visiting the spice bazaar, Fenwr, Balat neighborhoods, Sultaniyeh mosque and an Orthodox Church. The tram ride and the ferry rides were memorable too. Huge shoutout to Ogze the guide. Even though I was the only person in the tour she still showed up and it was a memorable time walking through history and the present of Istanbul. Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Rolandmio_f
Nov 16, 2023
Fun day! - Imran was great! Very knowledgable and gave great tips about city. Tour was great way to see the city. Would definitely recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Lindsay_r
Nov 12, 2023
Amazing experience of the city - I’m so glad I did this tour, I really enjoyed getting to see some of the less crowded and touristy places and felt like my experience of Istanbul was very different today. I enjoyed our tour guide Atta very much and learned a lot. You get your steps in for sure!
Review provided by Viator
Renae_f
Oct 30, 2023
Amazing feel of the local Istanbul - Kenan was an amazing guide he showed us the true Istanbul and we felt like family.He is very knowledgeable and took us to places we would not have found on our own. We had an amazing lunch and got to experience the tram and the ferry . He went out of his was to ensure we had an amazing local experience one that we will always cherish.I would highly recommend this tour
Review provided by Viator
Connie_a
Oct 29, 2023
Adventurous - Wonderful adventure touring places I may not have seen otherwise in Istanbul! The guide made a great connection with you and provide a good sense of pacing. He was very knowledgeable, kind and caring.
Review provided by Viator
Graham_b
Oct 28, 2023
Atahan and Istanbul, the perfect combination! - Atahan was a very attentive but easy going gentleman with excellent english. We choose the off the beaten path tour because it took us to places that we probably wouldn't have found ourselves on a short stay. Having Atahan with us made the whole experience smoother and he encouraged us to visit other places which were not on the tour and took his time to explain the tramway and boats available, which we did use the following 2 days of our remaining time in Istanbul. It's a great way to see a portion of a very beautiful but busy city. Atahan, thank you. You made our experience of Istanbul all the more special.
Review provided by Viator
Rachel_s
Oct 22, 2023
Great experience and wonderful lunch - Want to escape the standard tourist spots and crowds? This is the tour for you! Get a more authentic feel for Istanbul. Less Disney, more Turkey. Awesome information and sights. Great tour director.
Review provided by Viator
Venuse_12
Nov 10, 2023
Satisfied - The tour was nice but I guess for us we should have researched more as for us I didn’t understand why did we use the ferry to go to no where and not have at least a destination after the ferry to c And we were already full after first meal so we couldn’t enjoy the restaurant for the second one Our guide was very sweet and helpful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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