expedia
Skip to main content

Istanbul Balat & Chora Mosque Guided Tour with Sunset Experience

By Yacht Cruises: Bosphorus
Free cancellation available
Price is €100 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 5h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

I joined a 5-hour Istanbul tour combining a walking tour and a Bosphorus yacht cruise. First, we explored Balat and the Kariye Museum with a live guide. Walking through Balat’s colourful streets, I saw historic churches and synagogues, and at Kariye, I admired the Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Next, we enjoyed a yacht tour along the Bosphorus, seeing Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Rumeli and Anadolu Hisarı fortresses, and the elegant mansions of Bebek and Beylerbeyi. The views from the sea offered a peaceful and scenic perspective of Istanbul’s skyline.
In just 5 hours, I experienced historic areas on foot and the stunning Bosphorus by yacht, making it an unforgettable tour.

Activity location

  • Chora Museum
    • Kariye Mahallesi, Kariye Camii Sokak, No: 18 EdirnekapI, Fatih
    • 34087, Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Kariye Mosque
    • 18 Kariye Camii Sokağı
    • 34087, Derviş Ali, İstanbul, Türkiye

Check availability

Istanbul Balat & Chora Mosque Guided Tour with Sunset Experience

  • Activity duration is 5 hours5h
    5h
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 15:30
Price details
€100.00 x 1 Adult€100.00
Paid at activity€25.00
Total
Price is €125.00
Until Sun, 7 Jun

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    2 hours sunset bosphorus cruise
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Some snacks during sunset cruise such as cookies, baklava and nuts
  • What's includedWhat's included
    professional local english tour guide
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Public Transport Tickets and Expenses
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Admission and Entry Tickets for Chora Museum

Know before you book

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
  • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Chora Museum

  • 1h
  • Admission ticket not included
Kariye Mosque, originally known as the Chora Church, is a historic Byzantine building located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the 4th century and is famous for its well-preserved mosaics and frescoes that depict scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary. During the Ottoman period, it was converted into a mosque, and later became a museum in the 20th century. In recent years, it has been reopened as a mosque again. Despite the changes, it remains one of the finest examples of Byzantine art and architecture.

Ahrida Synagogue (Pass by)

The Ahrida Synagogue is one of the oldest and most important synagogues in Istanbul, located in the Balat district. It was built by Jewish settlers from Ohrid (Ahrid) in the Balkans, most likely in the 15th century. The synagogue is known for its distinctive boat-shaped bimah, symbolising either Noah’s Ark or the Ottoman ships that brought Jews to safety. Today, Ahrida Synagogue remains an active place of worship and an important part of Istanbul’s Jewish heritage.

Yanbol Synagogue (Pass by)

Yanbol Synagogue is a historic Jewish synagogue located in Balat, Istanbul. It was founded by Jews who came from Yambol (Yanbol), Bulgaria. The building, rebuilt in the 18th century, is known for its wooden interior and painted ceiling. Recently restored, it is one of Balat’s few remaining active synagogues and an important part of the area’s Jewish heritage.

Balat (Pass by)

Balat is a historic area located on the Golden Horn in the Fatih district of Istanbul. It is known for its multicultural past, where Greek, Jewish, and Armenian communities lived for centuries. The area is famous for its narrow streets, colourful houses, and historic religious buildings such as churches and synagogues. Today, Balat has become a popular destination with its cafés, art studios, and vibrant street life, attracting both locals and tourists.

Colorful Stairs (Pass by)

The Renkli Merdiven (“Colourful Stairs”) in Balat, Istanbul, is a popular photo spot known for its brightly painted steps and lively atmosphere. It connects steep streets in the area and adds a vibrant, artistic touch to Balat’s historic setting. Today, it is one of the area’s most visited street-art landmarks for both locals and tourists.

Mother Mary Catholic Church (Pass by)

The Meryem Ana Greek Orthodox Church, located in Balat, Istanbul, is one of the important religious buildings of the Greek Orthodox community. It is known for its traditional Byzantine-style architecture, ornate iconostasis, and rich interior decorations. The church has served the local Rum (Greek) community for centuries and remains an active place of worship, reflecting the multicultural history of Balat and the Golden Horn.

Private Fener Greek High School (Pass by)

The Fener Greek Orthodox Secondary School and High School, located in Balat, Istanbul, is one of the oldest and most prestigious minority schools in Turkey. Founded in 1454, it has served the Greek Orthodox (Rum) community for centuries. The school is famous for its impressive red-brick building, often called the “Red Castle” or “The Castle of the Phanar.” Today, it continues to operate as a private minority school, preserving Greek culture, language, and educational traditions.

Venerable Patriarchal Church of St. George (Pass by)

The St. George Cathedral (Aziz George Katedrali), located in Fener, Fatih, Istanbul, is the spiritual centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, making it one of the most important churches in the Eastern Orthodox world. Although modest from the outside, the cathedral has a richly decorated interior with significant religious relics, icons, and a historic patriarchal throne. It continues to serve as the main church of the Orthodox Patriarchate and is a key symbol of the centuries-old Greek Orthodox presence in Istanbul.

Saint Stephen’s Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Pass by)

The Sveti Stefan Church, also known as the Iron Church, is located in Balat, Istanbul. Built by the Bulgarian Orthodox community in the late 19th century, it is entirely made of prefabricated cast iron, making it unique in architecture. The church is a significant landmark for Istanbul’s Bulgarian Orthodox community and stands out for its unusual metal structure and historic charm.

Kabatas Square (Pass by)

This location is our meeting and starting point for the sunset cruise.

Dolmabahce Palace (Pass by)

Dolmabahçe Palace, located in Istanbul along the Bosphorus, was built in 1843–1856 during the Ottoman Empire. It served as the main administrative centre and residence of the Ottoman sultans, replacing Topkapı Palace for daily operations. The palace is famous for its European-style architecture, grand ceremonial halls, crystal chandeliers, and the largest collection of Bohemian crystal in the world. Today, it is a museum and a major tourist attraction, showcasing Ottoman luxury and history.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski (Pass by)

Çırağan Palace, located on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, was originally built in 1871–1872 as an Ottoman royal palace. It is known for its lavish architecture, grand halls, and beautiful waterfront gardens. After falling into ruin in the early 20th century, it was restored and now operates as a luxury hotel while preserving its historic charm and Ottoman elegance.

Ortakoy (Pass by)

Ortaköy is a vibrant area located on the European shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It is famous for its Ortaköy Mosque, bustling waterfront, cafés, art markets, and lively street life. The area is popular with both locals and tourists for boating, shopping, and nightlife, combining historic charm with a modern, trendy atmosphere.

Bosphorus Bridge (Pass by)

The Bosphorus Bridge, officially called the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, is one of the three bridges connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, Turkey. Completed in 1973, it was the first bridge to span the Bosphorus. The bridge is a suspension design, about 1,560 metres long, and serves both vehicular traffic and symbolic importance, linking two continents and Istanbul’s cultural and economic life.

Bebek (Pass by)

Bebek is an upscale area on the European side of Istanbul, located along the Bosphorus. It is famous for its waterfront cafés, restaurants, and parks, attracting locals and tourists for leisure, dining, and nightlife. Bebek is also known for its historic mansions and scenic views, making it one of Istanbul’s most charming and lively areas.

Rumeli Fortress (Pass by)

Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı) is a historic fortress on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II to control naval traffic on the Bosphorus before the conquest of Constantinople. The fortress features tall towers, thick walls, and strategic positioning. Today, it is a popular tourist site and cultural landmark, offering panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Pass by)

The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, is a suspension bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, connecting the European and Asian sides of the city. Completed in 1988, it spans approximately 1,510 metres over the Bosphorus. The bridge is a vital part of Istanbul’s transport network, handling heavy vehicular traffic and linking two continents.

Anadolu Hisari Fort (Pass by)

Anadolu Hisarı is a historic fortress located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1395 by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I to control maritime traffic along the strait. The fortress features towers, thick stone walls, and a strategic location facing Rumeli Hisarı on the European side. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and an important symbol of Istanbul’s Ottoman history.

Kucuksu Pavilion (Pass by)

Küçüksu is a area along the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, known for its historic waterfront and natural beauty. It is famous for the Küçüksu Palace (Küçüksu Kasrı), an Ottoman-era summer palace with elegant architecture and scenic views of the Bosphorus. The area is popular for strolling, sightseeing, and enjoying the waterfront.

Kuleli Military High School (Pass by)

Kuleli Military High School, located in Üsküdar, Istanbul, is a historic military academy founded in 1845 during the Ottoman Empire. Situated on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, the school is known for its strategic location, impressive architecture, and long tradition of training military officers. It has played an important role in Turkish military education and remains a symbol of Ottoman and Republican-era military heritage.

Beylerbeyi Palace (Pass by)

Beylerbeyi is a area on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, famous for the Beylerbeyi Palace, an Ottoman summer residence. The area is known for its historic mansions, waterfront views, and scenic streets, making it a popular spot for sightseeing and photography. Beylerbeyi combines historic charm with a peaceful Bosphorus atmosphere.

Uskudar (Pass by)

Üsküdar is a historic district on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey, along the Bosphorus. It is known for its Ottoman-era mosques, seaside promenades, and traditional areas. Üsküdar serves as a cultural and transport hub, offering ferry connections to the European side and stunning views of the Bosphorus and the historic skyline of Istanbul.

Maiden's Tower (Pass by)

The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a historic tower located on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built in ancient times and rebuilt several times, it has served as a lighthouse, watchtower, and defence post. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction with a café and restaurant, offering panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.

Galata Koprusu (Pass by)

The Galata Bridge is a historic bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Golden Horn and connecting the districts of Eminönü and Karaköy. The current bridge is the fifth version, completed in 1994, and is famous for its fishermen, restaurants, and lively street life. It serves as an important transport link and a cultural symbol of Istanbul.

Galataport Istanbul (Pass by)

Galataport is a modern waterfront development in Istanbul, Turkey, located along the historic Karaköy and Galata coastline. It features a cruise terminal, shopping areas, restaurants, and cultural spaces, blending contemporary architecture with the historic harbour. Galataport has become a major tourist and leisure destination, revitalising Istanbul’s waterfront.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Chora Museum
    • Kariye Mahallesi, Kariye Camii Sokak, No: 18 EdirnekapI, Fatih
    • 34087, Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Kariye Mosque
    • 18 Kariye Camii Sokağı
    • 34087, Derviş Ali, İstanbul, Turkiye

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Istanbul your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Istanbul

With so many things to do in Istanbul, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Istanbul. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Istanbul to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.