Istanbul Modern City Walking: Taksim to Galata With Secret Passages
Description
This tour takes you into the heart of the modern section of Istanbul to be shown the unmistakable icons as well as the hard-to-find secret spots that make Beyoğlu so captivating. Veer away from the hustle and bustle of Istiklal Avenue to discover the beautiful side streets and historical passages that get missed by tourists and Turks alike. See the Pera district through a local’s eyes and learn about its cosmopolitan history. Area is also famous across Istanbul for its outstanding street food but discovering good eateries in a big city is not always easy. Not to worry, as we stroll Istiklal Avenue, your guide will point out best local eating places, cafés and bars, as well as show you the main points of interest along the way. • Let your guide take you to the hidden backstreets and passages of Beyoğlu • Discover the secret haunts of locals, best local eating places and bars • Sample top-notch Beyoğlu Chocolate suggested by your guide • Enjoy the relaxed pace of a walking tour
Tour Options
Itinerary
Every great city has a central square, and Istanbul does not disappoint. Taksim square has a little bit of everything and is worth a trip to witness people and their interactions.
Taksim Gezi Park
Situated at Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul, commemorate the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923
A must see street full of amazing bars and fish meze restaurants.
Get to know the cosmopolitan culture of Istanbul on this guided walking tour. Explore the out of the beaten path of Beyoğlu neighborhood and learn where local people hang out, eat and drink.
Beyoğlu was the primary neighborhood of the foreign community as well as non-Muslim Ottoman subjects. You will learn about how cosmopolitan the neighborhood once was.
Beyoglu is famous for its "passages", or arcades – part covered and part free in the sun – abounding with shops and restaurants. The most famous of these, the Çiçek Pasajı.
Beyoglu the old European quarter of the city is Istanbul’s bohemian quarter, full of cafes, street performers and trendy young people.
Passage Hazzopulo
Venetian Neogotic Style largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul and has the largest community following its masses.
In the Ottoman era, Beyoğlu (then known as Pera) was the European Quarter of Istanbul. Home to embassies and trading centers, as well as fine 19th-century, Parisian-style apartment houses.
Pera Museum
Beyoğlu (formerly Pera) was the primary neighborhood of the foreign community as well as non-Muslim Ottoman subjects and gradually attained an European look with the arrival of foreign embassies.
One of the city's most distinctive sights, this great fortification dating back to 1348 was erected by the mercantile Genoese Italians.
Kamondo Stairs
The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.
Karaköy is one of the oldest and most historic districts of the city, and is today an important commercial center and transport hub.
The bridge, which spans the two sides of the Golden Horn is an important place in the the daily life of the city.
Halic (Golden Horn) means inlet in English separates the old and new sections of Istanbul.
Istanbul
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not suitable for stroller
Reviews(59)
Our guide was very knowledgable, helpful and friendly!He took us to the most amazing places of Istanbul and he really helped us the history behind them!So much worth it!
Erol was a great guide and took us to some very interesting places we would never have found by ourselves. He also gave us a good overview of where the locals go and what they eat.
Erol was an excellent guide, took us around from taskim to Galata. Introduced us to the history; buildings, food place. We got a good gist of the city - places to eat and shop at. It was good pace, walking and did not get tired.
Delving into the back streets was fascinating. Our guide had the most amazing insight and knowledge to share and was enthralling. I learnt so much despite having lived in Istanbul many years ago. My only suggestion to her would be to use headsets as she is quietly spoken and it is a busy area.
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful feedback! 🌟 We’re so glad you enjoyed our Istanbul Modern City Walking Tour: Taksim to Galata With Secret Passages and discovered fascinating details hidden in plain sight. It’s wonderful to hear that even after living in Istanbul, our guide’s knowledge and insights brought you a new perspective on the city’s history and culture. We also truly appreciate your constructive suggestion regarding the use of headsets in busier areas — feedback like yours helps us improve our guest experience. We hope to welcome you back soon for another journey through Istanbul’s history, food, and culture — whether it’s exploring the Old City, enjoying a Bosphorus cruise, or sampling delicious Turkish street foods.
Fabulous tour in areas we would have never known about - we were in a small group and so it was very informative. Kim, out guide was lovely and explained all areas of interest in a very entertaining and joyful way.
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌟 We’re delighted you enjoyed the Istanbul Modern City Walking Tour: Taksim to Galata With Secret Passages. Exploring hidden corners of the city with a small group allows for a more personal and insightful experience, and we’re thrilled that Kim’s joyful and informative guiding style made the tour memorable for you. Istanbul is full of fascinating stories and secret gems, and it’s wonderful to hear that this tour helped you discover places you may not have found on your own. We’d love to welcome you back to explore more of the city — from the historic Old Town to culinary adventures across two continents.
Great experience, our tour guide was very kind and knowledgeable. Ideal way to familiarise oneself with the city and the hidden gems of the laneways. Highly recommend 😊
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed discovering the hidden gems of Istanbul with our guide. Walking through Taksim and Galata’s secret passages is such a special way to connect with the city, and we’re glad it gave you a great introduction. Your recommendation means a lot to us—hope to see you again for more Istanbul adventures!
Great tour, with hidden gems. Super knowledgeable tour guide, best experience in Istanbul! We would recommend this tour to everyone visiting Istanbul for the first time!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed discovering Istanbul’s hidden gems with our knowledgeable guide. It’s wonderful to know that your experience stood out as one of the best in the city. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in Istanbul!
Purely by chance, I was the only one on this tour--a private tour for the price of a group tour. Guide was knowledgeable, personable, enjoyable and helpful.
What a fantastic coincidence! We are so glad you got to enjoy a private Istanbul tour and that our guide made it such a wonderful experience. It’s great to hear that our guide was knowledgeable, personable, and helpful. We strive to make every tour special, and it's clear that your guide delivered. Thank you for your kind words! We hope to welcome you back on another tour soon.
I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing the Taksim to Galata Secret Passage Tour with Tolga, and I cannot recommend him enough! From the very beginning, his warm and engaging personality made the tour feel less like a typical guided experience and more like an exciting adventure through the heart of Istanbul. Tolga’s knowledge of the city is unparalleled. He didn’t just take us through the usual tourist spots—he revealed hidden gems, secret passageways, and fascinating historical anecdotes that you wouldn’t find in any guidebook. His storytelling was so captivating that I felt like I was stepping back in time, witnessing the city’s rich history unfold right before my eyes. Beyond his expertise, what truly sets Tolga apart is his passion. You can tell he genuinely loves sharing Istanbul’s magic with others. He answered every question with enthusiasm, tailored the experience to our interests, and even shared personal recommendations for places to eat and visit after the tour. His attention to detail made the entire journey feel seamless and immersive. One of my favorite parts was how he effortlessly blended history, culture, and fun into the experience. Whether it was pointing out tiny architectural details with incredible significance, sharing local legends, or introducing us to tucked-away spots with breathtaking views, he kept us engaged every step of the way. If you’re visiting Istanbul and want to truly experience the city rather than just see it, Tolga is the guide you need. He made this tour unforgettable, and I can confidently say it was one of the highlights of my trip. Highly, highly recommended! Thank you, Tolga, for an incredible experience—I’ll definitely be back for another tour!
Thank you for sharing such a detailed and heartfelt review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that your Taksim to Galata Secret Passageway Tour with Tolga was a highlight of your trip to Istanbul. Your description perfectly captures what we aim to provide: a tour that feels like an authentic adventure, filled with hidden gems and captivating stories. It’s wonderful to hear that Tolga's passion and expertise brought the city's rich history and culture to life for you. We are incredibly proud of his ability to connect with guests, answer their questions with enthusiasm, and tailor the experience to their interests. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we'll be sure to pass on your wonderful compliments to Tolga. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable Istanbul tour!
Tolga is an excellent guide. He was on time for both the start and the end of the tour. He’s knowledgeable about the history of Taksim, and explained to me the story behind each location’s name. Along the way, he introduced to me some local foods so I wouldn’t stay hungry and helped me communicate with the venders, all without veering off much from the planned route and without delays to the schedule. At the end of the tour, he helped me find where I needed to go next. If anyone wants a tour with some local insight and flexibility, this would be a good choice.
Thank you for this fantastic review! We are so glad to hear that you had an excellent experience on our Taksim tour with Tolga. It's great to know that Tolga's punctuality, deep knowledge of the area, and thoughtful assistance with local food and communication made your tour so enjoyable. We are especially proud that he was able to provide such a personalized and flexible experience while staying on schedule. Your recommendation for others seeking local insights is invaluable. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Tolga.
