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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 !
Sometimes, some places coul not be named. You can never be sure in which country you are, at what century you are… Balat is just like a movie scene of which you can not stop taking photos. Totally a distinct area which does not belongs to anywhere.
I would recommend using this company when you visit Istanbul!
Thank you to Gokhan for sharing Istanbul with us with wonderful narratives, humor, and heart. He made our first experience in Istanbul a lasting impression. We haven’t stopped talking about our new friend Gokhan and have taken away with us a broader view of Turkey, the beautiful people, and life there in the past and the present. If you do one thing while in Istanbul, don’t hesitate to take a tour with this man….he will make your visit feel alive. Thank you for treating us Californian’s with such kinship and ease….it was a spectacular experience that we will recommend to all our friends.
Great guides. Great information! Don’t take the cruise line tours they are so expensive!
En istanbul lo mejor que se puede hacer es un tour privado ya que es una ciudad muy grande y un poco desordenada por eso lo recomiendo y hay que ver eata ciudad
Viajamos muchas horas para esto y la verdad quedamos fascinados con istanbul y el tour privado
We Just Wanted To Let You Know We Had A Wonderful Time. Istanbul Was Amazing !
We spent a week end in Istanbul and decided to book a walking a tour of Istanbul. We thoroughly enjoyed our time. I would definately recommend this tour to anyone who wants to visit Istanbul!
听来过土耳其的朋友们说，一天是不够看完伊斯坦堡的。于是我们加入一个两天的私人旅遊.第一天逛了该看的所有景点，蓝色清真寺，艾亚索菲亚博物馆，TOPKAPI皇宫、、等等。第二天我们要求导游带我们看看土耳其人的一般日常生活。他领我们洗了土耳其浴，吃了路边的烧烤羊肉串，喝了酰酸奶，逛了位于黄金大市集后方的香料市场.还有在MERCAN，你能买到各式各样家用所需要的东西.
Ahrida Synagogue