Chora, Balat and Fener: A Thousand Years in a Day

Where else in the world does so much cultural diversity live side by side? To answer that in a single day we follow an unusual route: we start at Edirnekapı, at Chora, and walk down to the Golden Horn.

In the morning we see the mosaics and frescoes of Chora, the Tekfur Palace of the last emperors, the Holy Spring of the Virgin of Blachernae in Ayvansaray and the mosques along the walls. Then we walk down into Balat: Panagia Balinou, the Ferruh Kethüda Mosque, the Armenian Church of the Holy Archangels, the Ahrida and Yanbol synagogues and the old market with its Agora tavern.

From the stepped streets we reach the Iron Church of St. Stephen on the Golden Horn and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. After the Patriarchate we pass the colourful stairs, the Red School and the Mesnevihane Mosque, step inside St. Mary of the Mongols and the Church of Panagia Paramythia, walk through the colourful houses of Fener to the garden and outer narthex of the Church of Agios Georgios Metochion, and finish at Paper Cafe on Vodina Street. It is a long day on foot, but you hear the whole story of multicultural Istanbul, on the streets where it happened.

Tours run on request, in English or Turkish, for groups of up to 30, guided by Osman Altay or one of our guides. Lunch is a free-time break at a convenient point. Entrance fees for Chora and the Tekfur Palace are paid by guests. €100 per person, minimum 2 travellers; children under 12 free. Private tours for your own group: €250 per group. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.