FULL DAY ISTIKLAL STREET & GALATA - GENOESE WALK TOUR (Seat on coach)

Istiklal Street is the liveliest and the most colorful street of 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. Istiklal is home to many historical embassy buildings, fancy hotels, apartment buildings, streets, theaters, restaurants, shops.

Our tour begins in the heart of Istanbul – the Taksim Square – where you meet your 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. 

In the Byzantine period, the hillside – where Galata is today – was covered with orchards and was name 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 till the 15th century. 

This walk is around the famous Galata tower and covers the area, where we see many churches, synagogues, hospitals, bank buildings, ancient walls, schools. 

Stories, myths, and legends are a bonus from our guide.

Notes:Price per person joining a cosmopolite English speaking group with already a reduction for bigger families or parties.

No entrance fees involved 

The Participants must be able to walk long distances over uneven and cobblestone surface under the sun. Therefore bringing Comfortable footwear and clothes, hat, sun cream and sun glasses are recommended.  

Winters in some regions of Turkey can be quite cold. Hence appropriate clothes are recommended.