Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Chora Church (Kariye Camii)
- Fatih district
- Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
- Tekfur Saray Palace
- Walls of Istanbul
Photos & Highlights
- Explore hidden Byzantine treasures with the insights of an expert guide
- Visit the recently reopened Chora Church and its precious frescoes
Select a date
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Tour Description
The traces and signs of the old Byzantine Empire have been largely lost in history and urban development: a church becomes a mosque, a palace becomes a museum and a park, and sometimes the traces of the old past are hidden inside a parking lot, or a football field, or a modern hotel. Join our experienced historian guides in this 3-hour tour in the historic Fatih neighborhood, where you will learn how to peel back the surface of the complex history of Istanbul and uncover what remains of ancient Byzantium.
The heart of the Byzantine Empire currently rests right beneath the feet of those who walk the streets of modern Istanbul. This tour takes you in the Fatih neighborhood, which is often missed by tourists but is full of history, with its narrow streets, lively markets, and charming vibe.
Led by an expert guide, you will embark on a fascinating journey in time: from the grand Mihrimah Sultan Mosque to the reconstructed Tekfur Saray, once the seat of Byzantine emperors, every site visited reveals a chapter of Istanbul's complex history. The final stop of the tour is the recently reopened Chora Church, now called Kariye Mosque. After four long years of restorations, the beautiful church has been turned into a mosque while keeping its incredible 14th-century frescoes intact, a Byzantine masterpiece finally enjoyable to the public again.
This tour provides an immersive, educational experience that will leave you with a profound appreciation for Istanbul’s rich and layered past. You'll learn to see the city through a new lens, and uncover the Byzantine Empire’s hidden and discover the hidden signs of the Byzantine Empire, giving you a better understanding of how this ancient civilization influenced what Istanbul is today.
- If you're a history enthusiast or just curious about how cities transform over time and want to learn more about the Byzantine Empire.
- It is your first time in Istanbul, or you are returning to the city to explore lesser-known neighborhoods.
- You’d like to visit the Chora Church/Kariye Mosque and see its preserved frescoes, which are among the best examples of Byzantine art.
- Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
- Tekfur Saray
- Walls of Istanbul
- Edirnekapi Gate
- Location of the Cistern of Aetius
- Chora Church/Kariye Mosque
Tickets
Tickets for Chora Church (Kariye Camii) are included in the price of the tour. Tickets for other sites will be purchased on-site by the clients, with assistance from the guide.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
A few things that pair well with this tour:
- Some comfy walking shoes to keep you going strong
- A camera to snap those beautiful details of Byzantine art
- An open and curious mind, ready to discover all the hidden stories along the way
- If you're looking for tips on planning your trip to Istanbul, don’t miss our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Istanbul prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.
Can we include Hagia Sophia in this tour?
While we totally understand the appeal, we recommend sticking to the current itinerary. This tour is all about discovering the lesser-known, yet historically rich spots in Istanbul, especially those tied to the Byzantine Empire. While you won't visit all the major monuments of Istanbul, you'll experience some of the city's most significant and hidden gems, such as the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Tekfur Saray, and the Chora Church/Kariye Mosque. This tour is designed to offer a unique perspective on Istanbul's history, away from the typical tourist path.
What should I wear? Is there a dress code I need to follow?
For your comfort, we suggest wearing comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Additionally, when visiting mosques, modest attire is required. Since these sites are considered holy, it’s important to cover your shoulders and knees. Dresses and shorts should be below knee level, and shoulders should be covered. We recommend packing a scarf or shawl to help cover those areas. While these rules might seem a bit strict, just remember that you're a guest in these beautiful spaces that are viewed as religious sanctuaries.
Is this tour suitable for children?
While this tour isn't officially part of our family program, we can arrange for a family-friendly guide. For a more tailored experience, families might enjoy our Topkapi Palace Tour for Kids, which is specially designed to engage and entertain younger learners.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Navigating Istanbul, especially the old town, can be extremely challenging for people with mobility issues due to the rough, uneven cobblestone streets and the near-complete lack of proper sidewalks. The terrain is tough to manage, and the steep hills only add to the difficulty. While it's technically possible for someone in a wheelchair to take this tour, with the help of a strong companion, it would be incredibly hard. There are ramps at Kariye, and an elevator at Tekfur Saray, however, reaching the roof for the view would not be possible due to the stairs.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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63 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.
Again the docent was outstanding and knew here range the only thing that I missed out on was a walk on the walls but time constraints made it impossible. Maybe that needs to be a little longer more time is needed on that walk. This is by no way a critism of the what we did see, in other words I'm not suggested any of the other bits be cut as I wouldn't want to have missed anything that I saw. It's just that to do the Golden Horn fully more time should be added.
Graham
May 6, 2015
Clare was amazing.
Anthony
Dec 8, 2014
There is a lot of restoration going on historic sites in Istanbul; almost all major sites had areas we couldn't go into due to restoration, and we understand that. On our Context tour, the guide would walk us to a place she wanted to discuss, but we could only stand next to an old wall for example, and she would say "we cant go in due to restoration". It seemed a little waste of time to walk that far to be told that. I would have preferred perhaps a brief discussion explaining where we couldn't go first, then going to areas and spending time where we could.
Sam
Jul 15, 2014