Alternative Walking Tour; Daily Life, Customs, Stories

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. We will begin our tour with an old madrasah, a religious school from the time of the Ottoman Empire. It reflects the period before the separation of education and religion, which took place with the founding of the Republic.

   15 min

2. We will explore the backstreets of the Grand Bazaar first, and then take a brief look inside to get a glimpse of items related to daily local life. Please note that our visit to the Grand Bazaar will be very short, and keep in mind that the bazaar is closed on Sundays.

   15 min

3. We will visit the historic Old Book Bazaar, where we’ll talk about Turkish literature and I’ll share some recommendations of notable Turkish authors.

   15 min

4. We will visit the interior of Beyazıt Mosque and learn about how Muslims pray, while exploring the different sections of the mosque

   10 min

5. We will visit Beyazıt Square, which was once a significant gathering place where many protests began and spread throughout Turkey. There, we’ll also discuss the current situation in the country.

   10 min

6. We will see Istanbul University and learn about the education system in Turkey

   15 min

7. We will walk past several university faculties and stop in front of the Faculty of Economics and the hospital to talk about Turkey’s economy and healthcare system.

   5 min

8. We will see some old houses, many of which have been turned into non-profit organizations. Here, we’ll talk about daily life in the past, traditional weddings, and much more.

   10 min

9. We will visit one of the most beautiful mosques in Turkey, and from its garden, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. This spot will also help you better understand the city's unique geography.

   25 min

10. We will see this Turkish Bath from outside and talk about the Hamam Culture. At this point, you may choose to leave or continue with your guide for a short 2-minute walk to enjoy a complimentary sampling of Turkish Delight with fruit tea. This is not a shopping stop—no one will try to sell you anything. Instead, you'll experience a peaceful atmosphere with access to a free rooftop view.

    10 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 37 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Istanbul

• Its from-price is 89% below the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 496 of 3649.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Istanbul

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.

The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.

Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).

See all 3649 experiences in Istanbul