Istiklal Street and Galata – Genoese Walk Tour

Tour Info:

Tour Days: Everyday – All year round
Duration: Half-day (Morning)
Status: Regular (also available in private basis)
Pick up time: To be confirmed

Highlights:

• Cercle D’Orient
• British Consulate
• French Consulate
• St Antony Church
• Galatasaray High School
• Tunnel
• Galata Tower (from outside)

Itinerary:

Istiklal Street is the liveliest and most colorful street in Istanbul. The street has been pedestrianized since 1988 and for over 150 years has been the center of the nightlife of the city. Hundreds of bars and clubs shake this downtown area in the evenings.

During daylight, Istiklal is home to many historical embassy buildings, fancy hotels, apartment buildings, streets, theatres, restaurants, shops.

Our tour begins in the heart of Istanbul – the Taksim Square– where you meet your tour guide. You will stroll on the exiting little side streets of Istiklal Street, sit in one of the intriguing coffee shops and talk with your guide, see the amazing Embassy buildings, visit Armenian and Romaic churches, ancient districts, impressive walkways and much more. Now it is time to have lunch in a local restaurant tasting Turkish cuisine.

In the Byzantine period, the hillside where Galata is today was covered with orchards and was named Sykai (The Fig Orchard), or Peran en Sykais (The Fig Field on the Other Side), referring to the “other side” of the Golden Horn.

It was in the Byzantine period that the area began to be called Galata and a fortress was built by Emperor Theodosius II.

Galata was a Genoese colony from the 6th to 15th centuries. Our tour will be around the famous Galata Tower and covers the area, where you will be able to see many churches, synagogues, hospitals, bank buildings, ancient walls, schools.

Stories, myths, and legends are a bonus from your guide during your shortstops in your tour. After the tour, we will transfer back you to your hotel.