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.
this walk didn't really turn out like I envisioned based on the description. Perhaps it was because folks on our tour asked too many questions/spent too much time at the cafe. We only crossed the Bosphorus with the guide once, to the Asian side, and as far as I could tell we only went to 1 village and didn't go inside any mosques or really talk about secular vs religious Turkey. One couple on the tour was also trying to help lead it, in a way, and I just wanted to hear the guide. The other couple ordered food at the cafe which took too long. We did see an Armenian church service which was the best part of the visit because it was unique, and learned some interesting things about the one village, but I would have preferred no stop at the cafe & less advice about restaurants, etc. and more history or insights into Istanbul. I guess I should not do the more "overview" type trips. I think Claire is great and nice and knowledgable but because of the personalities on the tour and the time taken at the cafe it didn't really turn out like I had hoped.
Donna
Reviewed on:
May 8, 2012
Sevil did a fine job, we liked her very much. However, the walk itself was pointless. It was great being out on the Bosphorus and it was great being away from the hustle and bustle of the City; but otherwise there was not much substance to this tour. We would have been better off taking the ferry by ourselves and saving our $142.
Before we took your tour, we had a private guide in Istanbul for three days...so maybe part of the reason we didn't like your tour is that we had already heard much of what Sevil had to say. Nevertheless, we were really expecting something different and interesting, and were disappointed not to get it.
Alisa
Reviewed on:
Mar 26, 2012
This was a glorious day. We were leisurely about the pace but appreciated the flexibly and everything was great. Just as the site describes, this is an incredible way to get an informed vantage point on the city, the two sides of the Bosphorous, and there was ample opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the areas culture and history. It was a nice opportunity to get tips and suggestions about how to manage other days of our visit. Ample
availability of things to run around and explore. Perfect for the kids.
Mira
Reviewed on:
Feb 27, 2012
