Fener Balat Tour - Istanbul’s Historic Neighborhoods Day Trip 2026
Tour Detail
FENER – BALAT – AYVANSARAY TOUR
A Journey Through History and Culture in Istanbul's Historic Neighborhoods | Day Tour 2026
Price Information
Per Person: 1,750 TL
Ages 12–07: 1,550 TL
Ages 0–06: 1,350 TL
Tour Route
Keşan → Malkara → Tekirdağ → Istanbul → Rezzan Has Museum → Cibali Gate → Cibali Police Station → Gül Mosque → Ayakapı Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) Church → Ecumenical Patriarchate of Fener → St. George Church → Fener Streets → Remains of Kantemiroğlu Palace → Sancaktar Slope → Greek Orthodox Fener High School → Mevlevi Lodge (Mesnevihane) → Church of St. Mary of the Mongols → Yovakimyan School → Balat → Çana Synagogue → Yanbol Synagogue → Ahrida Synagogue → Bulgarian Church → Surp Hraştagabed Armenian Church → Ferruh Kethüda Mosque → Ayvansaray → Hz. Cabir Mosque → Blachernae (Panagia Blachernae) → Pierre Loti → Keşan
About the Tour
Are you ready to explore Istanbul's most characteristic and historic neighborhoods?
The Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray Tour offers the opportunity to closely get to know the historic districts of Istanbul, which carry together the traces of different cultures, beliefs and civilizations.
On our day tour, we will explore, on foot and with our guide, the streets of Cibali, Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray, including historic structures, religious centers, old school buildings, synagogues, churches and important sites that shed light on Istanbul's past.
Our tour offers a comprehensive historical route starting at the Rezzan Has Museum, passing through the streets of Cibali to Fener, from Fener to Balat, and then extending to Ayvansaray. At the end of the day, after free time at Pierre Loti Hill, we begin our return journey to Keşan.
History and Transportation Information
Departure Points and Times
Keşan, opposite the Former Government House: 05:30
Malkara Bus Terminal Traffic Lights: 06:00
Tekirdağ: 06:30
At the specified times and departure points, we meet our valued guests and begin our journey toward Istanbul.
Transportation: Carried out with comfortable tour vehicles.
Depending on the number of participants, vehicles may be planned as minibus, midibus or bus.
Tour Program
After picking up our guests from the specified departure points, we head toward Istanbul.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, our tour begins with the Rezzan Has Museum within Kadir Has University, a former tobacco warehouse restored and converted into an educational and cultural space. After the museum visit, we continue our walk through the streets of Cibali.
Among our first stops are the Cibali Gate and the Cibali Police Station. Then we see the Gül Mosque, one of the important Byzantine structures that was converted into a mosque after the conquest of Istanbul.
Continuing the tour, we move on to the Ayakapı Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) Church. Here we listen to our guide tell the story of Saint Nicholas and the historical significance of the area.
Next, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Fener and St. George Church await us. We receive information from our guide about the Patriarchate, one of the important centers of world Orthodoxy.
After the Patriarchate visit, we continue our walk through the historic streets of Fener. In order, we see the remains of Kantemiroğlu Palace, Sancaktar Slope, the Greek Orthodox Fener High School and the Mevlevi Lodge (Mesnevihane).
Then we visit the Church of St. Mary of the Mongols, which stands out with its architecture and historical story. After seeing the Yovakimyan School as well, we give free time for lunch.
After the lunch break, our direction is Balat.
Walking through the historic streets of Balat, we closely observe the area's distinctive architecture and historic buildings. In Balat, one of the important settlements of the Jewish community in old Istanbul, we see the Çana Synagogue, Yanbol Synagogue and Ahrida Synagogue from the outside and listen to their stories from our guide.
Continuing the tour, we see the Bulgarian Church, Surp Hraştagabed Armenian Church and Ferruh Kethüda Mosque.
Then we move on to Ayvansaray, the last neighborhood of our tour. After seeing the Hz. Cabir Mosque here, we visit Blachernae, known as Panagia Blachernae and considered one of the important holy water sites of the Greek world.
In the final part of the tour, we ascend to Pierre Loti Hill. After free time here, we meet at the designated time and begin our return journey to Keşan.
The basic route and stops of the tour program are consistent with the program in the tour document you have uploaded.
Why Tatildeyiz Tour?
With our experience in the tourism sector since 1993, we aim to offer our guests a safe and well-planned travel experience.
- TÜRSAB-licensed and reliable travel agency
- Many years of experience in the tourism sector
- Comfortable and modern tour vehicles
- Experienced and professional guide team
- Affordable price advantage
- Safe and well-planned travel organization
- A service approach that prioritizes guest satisfaction
Frequently Asked Questions
How is information provided before the tour?
Before the tour, departure time, departure point and necessary tour-related information are conveyed to our guests via WhatsApp and/or phone.
How is the seating arrangement determined?
The seating arrangement inside the vehicle is determined according to the reservation order and operational planning. No specific seat is guaranteed.
Can we sit next to people we booked with together?
For joint reservations, we assist as much as possible in seating together. However, depending on the vehicle layout and occupancy, seating together cannot be guaranteed.
Can the departure time or point change?
If necessary, the departure time or point may be changed due to traffic, operational reasons or changes in tour organization. In such a case, our guests are informed in advance.
How early should I be at the departure point on the day of the tour?
It is recommended that you be present at the departure point at least 15 minutes before the departure time on the day of the tour.
Is there a lot of walking during the tour?
Yes. In the Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray sections, the areas will be visited mainly on foot. Therefore, wearing comfortable shoes is important.
Is food included in the price?
No. Lunch and other meals provided during the tour are not included in the price. During the meal break, our guests can meet their food needs according to their own preferences.
Are museum and archaeological site entrance fees included in the price?
No. Entrance fees for museums, archaeological sites or paid visit points included in the program are not included in the tour price.
Can the tour program change?
Yes. Depending on traffic, weather conditions, crowding at visit points and operational conditions, the order or timing of the program may change. The guide may make necessary adjustments to the flow of the tour while preserving the main content of the program.
Who is responsible for personal belongings lost during the tour?
The agency is not responsible for personal belongings forgotten or lost during the journey. Therefore, you need to take care of the security of your personal belongings.
Tour Program
Gezi Rotası
Keşan → Malkara → Tekirdağ → Istanbul → Rezzan Has Museum → Cibali Gate → Cibali Police Station → Gül Mosque → Ayakapı Santa Nicholas (Aya Nikola) Church → Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener → Church of St. George → Fener Streets → Remains of the Kantemiroğlu Palace → Sancaktar Slope → Fener Greek High School → Mevlevi Lodge (Mesnevihane) → Church of St. Mary of the Mongols → Yovakimyan School → Lunch → Balat Streets → Çana Synagogue → Yanbol Synagogue → Ahrida Synagogue → Bulgarian Church → Surp Hraştagabed Armenian Church → Ferruh Kethüda Mosque → Ayvansaray → Hz. Cabir Mosque → Blachernae (Panagia Blachernae) → Pierre Loti → Free Time → Keşan
General Information
Since there will be intensive walking throughout the tour, comfortable shoes are recommended.
There are steep and stony streets in the Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray areas.
As historical mosques, churches and religious buildings will be visited, appropriate clothing should be chosen.
The tour program may vary depending on traffic, weather conditions and crowding at the visit points.
Entry conditions for museums, places of worship and other visit points may change.
Please be present at the departure point at least 15 minutes before the specified departure time.
During the tour, guests must adhere to the meeting times and points specified by the guide.
Our guests are responsible for the security of their personal belongings.
Entrance fees not included in the tour price and personal expenses are the responsibility of our guests.
What to bring with you?
Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Sunglasses and a hat
Umbrella or raincoat in case of rain
Water bottle or water
Phone and camera
Personal necessities
Identity document
Pocket money and cash or card for personal expenses
Departure Points
- Opposite the Old Government House in Keşan, Edirne
What's Included
Comfortable transportation by vehicle throughout the tour
Professional guide service
In-vehicle refreshments
Travel insurance
All panoramic tours specified in the program
Guided walks through Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray
Not Included
Lunch
Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Extra activities not specified in the program
Pierre Loti cable car fee
Other entrance and transportation fees not specified