Istiklal Street & Galata, Genoese Small-Group Walking Tour with Lunch

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Duration: 8h
Location: Istanbul, Turkey | Istanbul, Turkey


Category: Tours & Sightseeing

Highlights:
Liveliest & most colorful street of Istanbul—Istiklal Street
Culture, history & art at the imposing Taksim Square
Discovering the Byzantine monuments at Galata area
Stories, myths & legends from your expert local guide
Limited capacity with maximum of 15 people per group

Inclusions:
Guided tour of Istiklal Street and Galata
Lunch
Admission fees
Roundtrip transportation to and from your Istanbul City Center hotel
Live tour commentary provided in English

Description:

Explore Istiklal Street, one of the liveliest and the most colorful streets of Istanbul. The avenue became a pedestrian street in 1988 and has been the center of the city nightlife for more 150 years. With stories from your expert local guide, see Galata Tower on a memorable tour of Istanbul.

During daylight, İstiklal is known as home to many historical buildings, fancy hotels, theatres, restaurants, and shops. Meet your guide at Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul. Stroll on exciting little side streets near Istiklal Street, sit in one of the intriguing coffee shops, and talk with your guide. Admire embassy buildings and visit Armenian and Roman churches, ancient districts, and impressive walkways.

In the Byzantine period, the hillside—where Galata is today—was covered with orchards and was named Sykai (The Fig Orchard) or Peran en Sykais (The Fig Field on the Other Side), referring to the “other side” of the Golden Horn. It was in the Byzantine period that the area began to be called Galata and a fortress was built by Emperor Theodosius II. Galata was a Genoese colony from the 6th to 15th centuries.

This walk is around the famous Galata Tower and covers the area where you see many churches, synagogues, hospitals, bank buildings, ancient walls, and schools. Stories, myths, and legends are a bonus from your guide.