Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Bosphorus Ferry
- Asian side
- Bosphorus Strait
- Kuzguncuk Neighborhood
- Uskudar Neighborhood
Photos & Highlights
- Explore the off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods of Istanbul
- Cross the mighty Bosphorus via public ferry with a local expert
Select a date
Tour Description
Escape from the bustle of the touristy city center, and explore the most vibrant and off-the-beaten-track area of Istanbul: the cozy and multi-ethnic Asian side. Separated from Europe by the mighty Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul’s Asian side often feels like its own distinct city.
Guided by a historian or architect with deep local knowledge of the area, you will begin this exploration by taking one of the public ferries across the Bosphorus, enjoying some of the best and most iconic views of Istanbul. During the 15-minute-long ride, your guide will explain how the city developed around this body of water throughout the centuries, and the role of the strait in trade, politics, and the history of the city.
Life on the Asian side is significantly distinct from the European side: it revolves around weekly markets, intimate neighborhoods, and local traditions. Explore two of the former villages—now neighborhoods of Istanbul—on the Asian side: Uskudar and Kuzguncuk. Uskudar is the conservative part of town, dotted with mosques of a beauty that rivals those on the European side. Colorful Kuzguncuk originated as a small fishing village where Ottoman viziers and notables built their villas. Today, it maintains its original calm village charm and pace, while simultaneously hosting some of the most diverse and cosmopolitan traditions. For centuries, Jews, Greeks, and Armenians have coexisted in Kuzguncuk, forming the dense multi-ethnic fabric that you can see today.
By venturing into this off-the-beaten-path journey, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural layers of traditions, architecture, and community that are intertwined with Istanbul's rich history.
- You want to feel like a local and board the public ferry to the Asian Side with a local expert as your guide.
- You're tired of the noise and bustle of Istanbul's tourist districts and want to discover the beauty of the city's off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods.
- You are interested in learning about the multicultural traditions of Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Strait
- Asian side
- Kuzguncuk Neighborhood
- Uskudar Neighborhood
Tickets
There are no pre-purchased tickets included in this tour, but there may be nominal site entrance costs or other fees to pay on-site. It is a good idea to have some local currency on hand for these.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information on planning your travels to Istanbul, take a read through our Context Stories.
Accessibility
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
We do cover extensive territory on this tour, and the streets in Istanbul tend not to be the easiest for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues or wheelchairs due to the hills and cobblestones. If you have mobility concerns, please feel free to contact us before booking, and we can discuss modifications to the route if necessary.
Is there a dress code for your tours in Istanbul?
Yes, sites visited on this tour are considered holy places. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Dresses and shorts must be below knee level, and shoulders must be covered (zip-on jackets or scarves are acceptable). We recommend bringing along scarves or shawls to be able to cover those body parts. These rules may seem unduly strict, but remember, you are a guest visiting sites that are regarded as a religious sanctuary.
Can we add a car service to drive us from our hotel to the start of the tour?
Yes, absolutely. You may add a car service directly at checkout, or simply send us an email, and we will be happy to arrange it for you. Please note that due to new regulations at the Port of Istanbul, we are unfortunately unable to offer pick-up services directly from the port. However, if your hotel is located within Istanbul, we will be very happy to accommodate your transfer needs and ensure a smooth start to your tour.
Can we add a car service to drive us from our hotel to the start of the tour?
Yes, absolutely. You may add a car service directly at checkout, or simply send us an email, and we will be happy to arrange it for you. Please note that due to new regulations at the Port of Istanbul, we are unfortunately unable to offer pick-up services directly from the port. However, if your hotel is located within Istanbul, we will be very happy to accommodate your transfer needs and ensure a smooth start to your tour.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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141 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Everything worked. Katie was early and easy to meet. She was a great guide, friendly and very knowledgeable. I do not have any recommendations for changes.
Doug
Reviewed on:
Jul 13, 2012
Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and personable. She kept a good pace so that we maintained our interest in the information and sites that we saw. We enjoyed the tour so much that we asked her to sign us up for a walking tour when we reached our final destination in Athens.
Mark
Reviewed on:
Jul 5, 2012
The docent was encyclopedic and robotic in her knowledge and delivery. Not engaging at all. We could have read several pages in a guide book and gotten the information, delivered in the same manner.
Also, most importantly, the trip was billed as a tour of the Bosphorous, and we went to only one place, the first stop on the ferry. The description of the trip was so misleading--we thought it was a tour of the Bosphorous, but it was a tour of one neighborhood in Istanbul. We would not have booked this trip if we had known. It was expensive, and we almost contacted you to ask for our money back. We've been on a number of walking tours in many cities, and never have been misled like this before. To be accurate, we think that the description should be rewritten to be accurate.
Deane
Reviewed on:
Jun 5, 2012
