Istanbul Nostalgia Tour by Bus from Ankara (Fener, Balat, Galata): 1 Night 2 Days
Tour Detail
On this 1-night, 2-day tour that starts from Ankara by bus at midnight, we explore Istanbul’s historic neighborhoods on foot. What sets this tour apart is the neighborhood walk along the streets of Cibali, Ayakapı, Fener, and Balat along the Bosphorus, followed by a walking route on the second day from Pierre Loti Hill to the Galata Bridge. The program concludes with a Bosphorus boat tour included in the tour price.
Istanbul’s multicultural districts, which served as the capital during the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods and feature mosques, churches, and synagogues side by side, are at the heart of this route. Unlike typical city tours focused on museums, this experience emphasizes the street atmosphere, old wooden houses, and local community life.
Highlights
- Neighborhood walk in Cibali, Ayakapı, Fener, and Balat
- Fener Orthodox Greek Patriarchate and Aya Yorgi Church
- Pierre Loti Hill reachable on foot from Eyüp Square with views of the Bosphorus
- Walk along İstiklal Street from Taksim to the Galata Tower
- Bosphorus boat tour included in the tour price
- Free time at Ortaköy beach
Places to Visit
- Ortaköy: Free time on the beach
- Cibali:Cibali Tobacco Factory (from outside), Cibali Police Station (panoramic view), Cibali Gate
- Ayakapı:Ayakapı Police Station (panoramic view), Gül Mosque, Church of Saint Theodora
- Fener: Streets of Fener, Fener Orthodox Greek Patriarchate, Aya Yorgi Church, Kantemir Palace (from outside), Yuvakimyon Girls’ High School (from outside), Church of Bloody Mary, Armenian Boys’ High School (from outside), Mesnevihane (from outside)
- Balat: Old wooden houses, Tahta Minare Mosque (from outside), Armenian Surp Hıreşdagabet Church, Armenian School (from outside), Ahrida Synagogue (from outside), Agora Tavern (from outside), Ferruh Kethüda Mosque, Cabir Mosque
- Eyüp:Pierre Loti Hill
- Taksim and Beyoğlu:İstiklal Street, Çiçek Passage, Nevizade, French Street (Algeria Street), Asmalı Mescit, Tünel Square, Galip Dede Slope, Galata Tower
- Eminönü:Galata Bridge
- Bosphorus:Boat tour
Accommodation
- 1st night: Istanbul, Dragos Elite Hotel
Meals
The itinerary includes a breakfast snack in the vehicle on the first morning, a buffet breakfast at the hotel on the second morning, and one dinner at the hotel (buffet or set menu). Lunch breaks are provided, but lunches are not included in the tour price.
Meeting Points
- 00:15 Opposite Kızılay AVM, in front of Yapı Kredi Bank
- 00:20 National Library
- 00:25 Armada AVM
- 00:50 Opposite Optimum AVM
Tour Program
Ankara – Ortaköy – Cibali – Ayakapı – Fener – Balat
At 00:15 in the night, we meet in front of the Yapı Kredi Bankası on Atatürk Bulvarı and set off from Ankara toward Istanbul. After stopping along the way, we arrive in Istanbul in the early morning hours. After picking up our breakfast items served on the vehicle, we start the day with free time at Ortaköy beach.
Next, we head to the shores of the Golden Horn and begin our walking tour. Our first stop is the Cibali Tobacco Factory, which was the first modern cigarette factory of the Ottoman Empire and is visible from the outside. After taking in a panoramic view of the Cibali Police Station and seeing the Cibali Gate that gives the neighborhood its name up close, we proceed to Ayakapı. There, we see the Ayakapı Police Station (in panoramic view), the Gül Mosque, and the Church of Saint Theodora.
While walking through the narrow streets of Fener, we visit the Fener Orthodox Greek Patriarchate and the Church of Aya Yorgi, then take a break for lunch. After the break, we pass by the Kantemir Palace, Yuvakimyon Girls’ High School, the Greek Boys’ High School, and Mesnevihane from the outside, as well as the Church of Bloody Mary on our route, before heading to Balat.
In Balat, we walk among the old wooden houses; we see the Tahta Minare Mosque (from the outside), the Armenian Surp Hıreşdagabet Church, the Armenian School (from the outside), the Ahrida Synagogue (from the outside), the Agora Tavern (from the outside), the Ferruh Kethüda Mosque, and the Cabir Mosque. At the end of the day, we return to our hotel.
Breakfast: Breakfast items are served on the vehicle.
Lunch: A break is taken in Fener; it is not included in the tour price.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Accommodation: Dragos Elite Hotel
Pierre Loti Hill – Taksim – Galata Tower – Galata Bridge – Bosphorus Boat Tour – Ankara
After having breakfast at the hotel, we head to Eyüp first. From Eyüp Square, we walk up to Pierre Loti Hill to enjoy the view of the Golden Horn.
Next, we go to Taksim and start our walk along İstiklal Street. Along the way, we pass by Çiçek Pasajı, Nevizade, Fransız Sokağı (Cezayir Sokağı), Asmalı Mescit, Tünel Square, and Galip Dede Yokuşu before seeing the Galata Tower. From there, we walk to Eminönü and across the Galata Bridge for a lunch break.
After the break, we board our boat for the Bosphorus boat tour included in the tour price. We complete our tour along the waterfront, passing by mansions, palaces, forts, towers, and castles, on the Anatolian side before setting off toward Ankara. After several stops en route, we arrive in Ankara in the evening.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Lunch: A break is taken in Eminönü; it is not included in the tour price.
Departure Points
- 00:15 Opposite Kızılay AVM in front of Yapı Kredi Bankası
- 00:20 National Library
- 00:25 Armada Shopping Mall
- 00:50 Opposite Optimum AVM
What's Included
- 1 night of hotel accommodation
- A breakfast pack consisting of sandwiches and drinks in the vehicle on the first day
- 1 buffet breakfast at the hotel
- 1 dinner at the hotel (buffet or set menu)
- Transport via tourist shuttle buses
- Excursions as specified in the itinerary
- Professional guide service
- Compulsory travel insurance
- Boat tour on the Bosphorus
Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Lunches
- Admission fees for museums and historical sites
General Information
- The tour is organized with a minimum of 25 participants. If sufficient attendance cannot be secured, the final cancellation notice is given 20 days before the tour departs; tours canceled due to insufficient participation are notified by the agency.
- In cases where the hotel name is not specified in the program only a category is given, or when there are multiple hotel options for the same destination, the hotel where guests will stay will be informed by the agency 2 days before departure.
- Some sites in the program can be viewed from outside or as panoramas: Cibali Tobacco Factory, Cibali and Ayakapı police stations, Kantemir Palace, Yuvakimyon Girls’ High School, Greek Boys’ High School, Mesnevihane, Tahta Minare Mosque, Armenian School, Ahrida Synagogue, and Agora Tavern.
- Book Now & Pay Later. · Make your reservation now, pay anytime before the tour starts.