Full Day Tour of Istanbul by Boat
Description
We are off the path tour of Istanbul that is meant to challenge ideas and foster discussion, while at the same time, be incredibly casual, intimate, and educational. Our itinerary offers a full day of immersion into the local life of Istanbul with a wide range of activities such as a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, neighborhood visits, school visits, local street markets, board games at local cafes, with Istanbul's best food and drinks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arnavutköy, literally means 'Albanian village' and it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods along the Bosphorus with its unique architectural character.
We enter the campus of the most prestigious university in the country and check out the wonderful views it offer of the Bosphorus.
Arguably the best park in Istanbul and it overlooks the Bosphorus. We enjoy the fresh air and a short walk.
Famous with its traditional yoghurt, Kanlıca is a cute little neighborhood on the asian of Istanbul. We jump off the boat and taste the yoghurt and check out the vibes.
Istanbul's historic Jewish quarter on the Asian side with beautiful architecture and unique atmosphere.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The total duration includes travel time.
Reviews(8)
A day with Fethi is illuminating - the Other Tour is exactly what it says, an alternative to the cookie cutter tours you’ll find elsewhere. If you are looking for impersonal: this is not it. If you are looking for rich conversation and a chance to explore the real Istanbul; this is definitely the place to come. Fethi is a generous, hospitable guide with great insights to the history and juxtaposition of Istanbul. I had a real walking tour - and we rode of ferries and public transport so prepare to be active. Thanks a lot for showing me Istanbul Fethi.
The tour days with Monti, Omer and Tolga was amazing. He is so fascinated by Istanbul and its history that you can truly feel the city through his passion. The experience is spontaneous and flexible, which makes it even more enjoyable. He even took us out for drinks at night, which was a great touch. Would definitely recommend.
Thank you so much, Tomás — it truly means a lot to us. It was such a pleasure to host you and your friends in Istanbul. We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with Ömer Çelik and Tolga, both of whom are professional licensed tour guides, as well as your Kadıköy night out with Berra. Your kind words about the spontaneity, flexibility, and passion behind the experience mean a great deal. We always try to make Istanbul feel not just like a city being visited, but a city being genuinely felt — and we’re so glad that came through during your time with us. Thank you again for your generosity, and we hope to welcome you back to Istanbul one day. Warm regards, Fethi Karatas (Monti) Founder of The Other Tour
Probably the best tour I've ever had in Istanbul yet. Our tour guide (Fethi) personally ensured that we are having a wonderful time and reach safely back to our hotel. Definitely recommend!
Thank you so much, Shaheer — this truly means a lot to us. It was a real pleasure to spend the day with you, and we're very happy to know you had such a strong experience. We always try not only to show Istanbul in a meaningful way, but also to make sure the day feels smooth, enjoyable, and genuinely memorable. Thank you again for your generosity and recommendation. And beyond the tour itself, I’m really glad to have gotten to know you — you are a brilliant young man, and I’m very happy our paths have crossed here in Istanbul.
Spent almost 10 days in Istanbul with Fethi/Monti. Its an experience!!!!! I can't say this enough, it's like u LIVE the city, u feel it, every nook and corner. Indepth, the shops, the dealers, the history. Been to a lot of countries, Monti made this city amazingly enjoyable and made me feel at home. Made me feel apart of this city. Can't recommend this experience strongly enough. Huge shoutout to Ömer Çelik and Zeynep Karatas, The Other Tour’s professional guides, who led the museum visits and historical sightseeing, while Fethi led his team and coordinated everything with the drivers and other staff. It felt like I had a live in experience with my best buddy. Am going to be back as often as I can cause of him. My kids had a blast, and got a good feel for the city and Turkey. Felt at home.
We did this tour on our last day and wish we had found Fathi on day 1. We spent the day exploring different areas of Istanbul we would have never known existed without Fathi. We not only learned much about Istanbul’s (and Turkey’s) history, but even more about their culture and what makes them the people they are today. After this tour, we came to realize the amazing quality Turks have in not only caring for their families, but also for others. Fathi runs tours that are real … not just what people think tourists want to hear. If you enjoy frankness, truth, and a little humor when learning about Istanbul - all while traveling all over the city, then this is the tour for you. Don’t miss it!
Dear Tracie, I loved reading this – thank you. It was such a pleasure spending that last day of your trip together, and I only wish we had met on Day 1 like you said! I’m really glad the conversations about family, culture, and what life here is really like resonated with you as much as the views from the boat. If you ever make it back to Istanbul, I’d be very happy to pick up right where we left off.
We spent our last 2 days in Turkey in Isatnabul and Fehti made us fall in love with the city. His enthusiasm and love of his city and culture were infectious. From the beginner felt like we were being shown around town by a very knowledgeable friend and not a tour guide. The first day he walked us around all 3209.10.0000 different neighborhoods and gave my foodie family a taste of all the different street foods in the city. The second day we visited the main sites and he kept us entertained and shared a lot of history and anecdotes about each one. We can’t wait to come back to Turkey and will definitely use Fehti for all our planning
Off the beaten path neighborhoods, particularly on the Asian side. A lot of insight into the culture of each area. Great to see Bosphorus by small boat.
De and I were lucky enough to find Fethi when we were particularly frazzled trying to organise our trip. He and colleagues organised flights, a cruise on yacht and a fantastic hotel in Rhodes for us when he worked out what sort of people we were. We had a fantastic day and night on Fethi’s Other Tour. Just the three of us went on the local ferries and saw a great variety of areas in Istanbul, not the typical tourist spots. A perfect passionate and hugely knowledgeable tour guide for non typical tourists like ourselves. Highly recommend. Julie and De