Touching down in a new city is fun and exciting, no matter how experienced you are as a traveler. While visiting popular sites is a great way to explore a city’s culture, sometimes we want a little more of what’s to offer. If you’re visiting Istanbul, then you might want to think about heading out on one of its more unusual tours, giving you the option to see the city from a completely different perspective.
The best way to do this is by taking part in a free walking tour of Istanbul, with many options giving you the chance to stroll through the city like a local. Your guide will take you off the beaten track and to all the best spots for views of the city and local food.
One of the most recommended tours on GuruWalk for Istanbul is this one, which takes you around the unknown parts of the city. Along with Istanbul’s more historical sites, such as the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Blue Mosque, you’ll also be able to visit a hidden shisha spot and an ancient book bazaar.
Nothing is going to make you feel more like a local than visiting a lesser-known shisha bar, where you can sit back, sample the flavours, and give your feet a well-deserved rest. If you’re a bookworm, then what’s more exciting than visiting a book market that’s been around since Ottoman times? It’s also the perfect place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones.
As a city filled with so much culture, Istanbul is going to have some incredible art to view. If you want a tour that’s completely different from the usual sightseeing experiences, then you might want to think about immersing yourself in the city’s incredible art. It’ll give you the chance to explore some of the stunning architecture that Istanbul has to offer and help you learn about the history behind it.
Highlights of this tour include visiting the Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols, also known as the Bloody Mary Church, which is the only church that wasn’t turned into a mosque during the Ottoman period. Along with this, you can also visit the Greek Orthodox Church of the Panagia Paramythia, which was built in 1578 and has huge amounts of historical significance.
If you want to explore Istanbul as though you were a Turkish resident, then this is the tour to do so. You’ll be able to visit more unknown sights while also learning about what it means to me Turkish, including everyday routines, marriage, and religion.
Key places the tour visits include the Suleymaniye Mosque, built in 1557, which is considered to be one of the finest pieces of Ottoman architecture. You’ll also have the chance to do a spot of shopping at the market of Tahtakale and Mahmutpasa, where you’ll be sure to find some bargains outside of the main tourist area.
Are you a foodie? If so, you shouldn’t think twice about heading out on this tour. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample the local street food of Istanbul that only locals know about. You’ll also be taken down exciting back alleys and markets, with opportunities to try Turkish delight, traditional spices, and fish at a local market.
The tour starts off at the Atatürk Meydanı and will then take you to key spots such as the Moda iskelesi and Yanyalı Fehmi Lokantası, which is a traditional Turkish restaurant.
As with any major city, there’s so much more to see than the typical tourist attractions and to fully learn about its culture, you need to head deeper into the city. With these walking tours of Istanbul, you can do just that, allowing you to shop, eat and understand the daily routines of local residents. With Istanbul being such a lively city, you’re sure to learn a huge amount.
