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Duration : Half day 4-5 hours || Full day 7-8 hours (approx.)
Galata Tower
Neve Shalom Synagogue
Ashkenazi Synagogue
Zulfaris Synagogue (Jewish Museum of Istanbul)
Balat
Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue
Jewish Cemetery
Galata Tower
Neve Shalom Synagogue
Ashkenazi Synagogue
Zulfaris Synagogue (Jewish Museum of Istanbul)
Schedule details
Jewish Heritage Tours in Istanbul, begin of Sephardic history at the Galata Quarter, a region which had been almost completely Jewish for more than 400 years. Today, Galata is known throughout the world by its huge tower, built in 1303 by the Genovese. Visit the Galata Tower, the office of the Chief Rabbinate is also located in Galata today, there are 16 Synagogues in Istanbul that are still in use.
First, visit the Neve Shalom Synagogue, used for most of the community functions today, as well as the Ashkenazi Synagogue dating from the nineteenth century and the only Ashkenazi Synagogue in Istanbul, originally built by the Austrian Jews. Stop at the Zulfaris Synagogue, which now also serves as the Museum of Turkish Jewish Museum since 2001. Its name comes from the street where it is located, which was called Zulf-u arus (present day Percemli Sokak) in Karakoy, which means “Bridal Curls” in both versions, as it was here that the brides, over the centuries, would walk by to go to the synagogue to get married. “Half day tour returning to where the tour concludes”.
” Full day tour ; You will continue to Lunch at a local Seafood Restaurant. (Lunch fee is not included) Drive to Balat, a Jewish working-class district on the shores of the Golden Horn, which absorbed most of the settlers in the fifteenth century from Spain.
Visit the recently restored Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue, originally built in the 15th century and is the earliest synagogue in Istanbul. The original 20-foot long oak bimah (teva), shaped either like Noah’s Ark or, like the Ottoman ship which brought the Sephardim to freedom from Spain to Turkey, can still be seen. Then visit the Jewish Cemetery before returning to where you tour concludes.
Inclusions
Pickup and drop-off included
Half Day Tour Price
Full Day Tour Price
Payment
Additional information
- Some Synagogues may not be accessible at the time of your tour. We need your full name, birthday and passport copies by email or fax in order to get the special permission for visiting the Synagogues in Istanbul.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability.
- At time of booking, Cruise Ship passengers must provide the following details under Special Requirements: Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time.
- Children 6-18 years must be accompanied by an adult
- Please enter your preferred pickup time in the Special Requirements box at the time of booking, and reconfirm 48 hours prior to the tour’s departure time.
- Ephesus requires walking long distances over uneven surfaces, comfortable clothing and closed toe, sensible walking shoes are recommended. Sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.
- We will ensure your timely return to the Kusadasi or Izmir port for this activity. If you are not returned to the ship in time to board, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call.
Make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding one !
We really enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to others. The visits to the Synagogues were pre arranged and without any hassles. We are really grateful and will definitely be going back to Istanbul!
We so appreciate Taylan’s arranging a guide for us at the last minute. We got a wonderful review of his services from a neighbor just as we were leaving for Istanbul. He was able to reach out to a guide he trusted and arrange for two days in Istanbul visiting the most important Jewish sites.
We had a great full day tour of Istanbul. The tour was booked as from a cruise ship arrival for 10 people. I must say we realy enjoyed we had a great time.
Travelled to turkey last week and decided to book a private tour for my family, it was excelled. Brilliant sites and ruins, tour guide spoke brilliant English and was a lot of fun.
Istanbul es la maravilla el puente me gusto muchisimo las mezquitas se ven de todas partes es magico
Balat is really a very beautiful district of Istanbul. In the past there were seaports opening directly to The Golden Horn. Around these seaports trades people were selling their goods and fishers were making delicious fried fish sandwiches for the people coming from their work. Throughout history the Golden Horn coasts were safe ports for the people living in Balat. These ports were playing an active role both for fishery and trade.
Resettled nowadays after renovation works, one of the oldest districts of OLD city.
El mercado de las especies en istanbul me volvio loca y repetire el tour privado este año
Wonderful tour! Our guide Taylan was very informative, pleasant and was able to guide us to the major sites that we wanted to see.. He took us to a great restaurant where we enjoyed great Turkish food in a wonderful atmosphere and with very good service.. We loved Turkey and the people we met were very friendly…We highly recommend this tour!
Alice Cones
What a great experience! I would like to return some day.