Hidden on a backstreet just outside gate 16 of the Grand Bazaar is the cozy and charming Keyf-i Mekan Cafe and Restaurant. Here you can watch both Black Sea and Bosphorus with spectacular views. Social media highlights the colorful houses of Fener and Balat a little too much. These colorful houses of Balat will fascinate you. &, Caferaa Mahallesi, Damac Sk. Choose from the menu of mezes, or meat dishes or peek at the mouthwatering specials of the day on the counter. The old Jewish quarterBalat, situated on the southern shores of the Golden Horn, have very rich historical heritage, with the neighboring former Greek neighborhood of Fener. Today, you can visit the interior of this mosque and see the traces of late Byzantine church architecture. We could not enter because it was closed. Haunted Places in London cost 220 Lira, which I feel is ok for Istanbul, maybe a touch above average. Enjoy your picnic at one of the small tables, or take it outside and dine with a Bosphorus view. Weekends are considerably busier so keep this in mind. Balat is famous for its colorful cafes and restaurants, antique and vintage shops, traces of Jewish heritage, various synagogues and churches. The mosque is built on a terrace on the crest of one of Istanbuls seven hills, inukurbostan. However, this is not its only feature because the cafe is actually located in the courtyard of a church ruin dating back to the Byzantine period. Although the Church of Saint George was rebuilt later, it is one of the most important places to visit to grasp the Byzantine heritage in Istanbul. But when I go out the beautiful Golden Horn view was just 5 minutes walk away from me passing through The Sultan Cistern: https://goo.gl/maps/F1VFjtdgeQT8ADY28 and going through the 15th century Yavuz Selim Mosque to the balcony area to reach the view. 5.Kat (Floor 5), in Istanbuls upscale Cihangir neighborhood, boasts a menu of gourmet cuisine and magnificent views of the Bosphorus in an elegant setting. Polonezkoy has an interesting history that the village was established after Poland was invaded by its neighbors Russia, Austria and Prussia in 1775. Cennet (Heaven) Neighborhood - Fener Klhan Street 4. According to them, it has the best coffee in all of Istanbul, so I was disappointed to have missed it. Yuvakimyon Highschool is located at the top of the hill, which you can reach via the stairs of the Merdivenli Mektep Street. Where Is Balat In Istanbul? Balat neighborhood. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Camc emeci Yokuu (Glassman Fountain Slope) Colorful Doors, 9. If youre looking for a place to have a quick coffee break and a Turkish delight, then this is the perfect place. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Theyre preparing and cooking Turkish savory pancakes called gzleme. If you have tickets to see a show at Hodjapasha Cultural Centre or need refueling before spending up at the Spice Bazaar, then Constantines Ark is an ideal place to stop. Many locals flock to the village at weekends to have a great day out at its quality hotels, pensions, restaurants, gardens, barbecues, village breakfasts, etc. As soon as you walk next to it, there is no chance that you will miss it. Everyone was cranky and hungry by the time we found it, but I knew the second we walked in, the trek was worth it. The name of the building, which is thought to have been built in the 11th century, was the Church of Saint Theodosia. Simit, Ama, and atal. This place was so good, that we tried desperately to make space in our luggage so we could squeeze in as many baklavas as possible. 447 reviews #44 of 1,653 things to do in Istanbul Neighborhoods Write a review About One of the hottest districts in Istanbul, Balat is home to beautiful architecture and a vibrant culture. Because on the northwest side of the Red School, there was another school for the girls of the Greeks living in the Fener district. Your email address will not be published. Located on the southern shore of Golden Horn, Balat is one of the oldest and most spectacular districts of stanbul. Iskender Kebap. How far is Balat from Istanbul? 2. The last students were transferred to the Red School. They had two different vegetarian options (potato or mushroom) and three meaty options, all of which come with a liberal covering of special yogurt-based sauce and a drizzle of their secret manti sauce. The Church of Saint Stephen has been recently restored and is in very good condition. It was used to carry water to the city. It is a great pleasure to take a break in these retro-style cafes and watch the people passing by on the street. Required fields are marked *. At that time, I was not a full-time tour guide and did not think that one day the Fener Balat walk would be an important part of my job. The Rhythm of the Dance Show, also called as Hammam, also called Turkish Bath, is a traditional bath Are you thinking of moving to Istanbul? Discover Fener and Balat (Things to do and see) - Istanbuljoy.com These are just our top 5 best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul. Literally drooling as Im writing this! Balat is one of the most important tourist areas in Istanbul, as it contains many historical and architectural monuments, which are considered one of the most important cultural landmarks in Turkey. The red bricks of the school reminiscent of Byzantine architecture and its magnificent castle-like appearance excite my guests. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, I was more interested in some of the other shops I found, like the Electrician of Havana shop where antique electrical items like lamps and telephones are converted into contemporary art, and Balat Bahce, where they sell more than fifty different kinds of homemade jams, jellies and spreads, mostly featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Hoca Paa, bni Kemal Cd. 1 Day London Itinerary We will walk around the mosque, inside, the Tomb of Suleiman The Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan (Roxalana), the hall area with never seen details, and more Where is Suleymaniye Mosque? Check out most loved Istanbul attractions by HeyTripster readers: This is for you if you love not only colorful houses but also colorful doors, colorful doors lined side by side on this slope will welcome you in Balat streeet. Click here to discover unbeatable deals and discounts on hotels and tours that will help you create unforgettable memories without breaking the bank. When the belly is full and the plates are cleared, wander to the back of the terrace and find the entrance to one of Istanbuls best-kept secretsthe well-preserved Byzantine ruins of Magnaura Palace. I can say that the pastel colored houses here are one of the two most famous instagram spots of the districts. While some of the more famous streets (like the hilly Merdivenli Yokus) can get crowded with Instagrammers and amateur photographers, you can still find colorful side streets with few crowds (like the one I snapped above). Because there are hidden gems on this walking route that are outside of Istanbuls tourist route and surprise travelers. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media, The Marmara Pera Merutiyet Caddesi 15 34430, Beyolu, stanbul, Asmal Mescit Mahallesi, 34430 Beyolu/stanbul, Turkey, Known for its elevated approach to Turkish cuisine, as well as its elevated views of Istanbul from atop the Marmara Pera hotel, Mikla is ranked 51st in the Worlds Best Restaurants and should be at the top of your list for a memorable night out in Istanbul. the travelers wishing to experience istanbul's old tissue and witness its history step by step . However, in the 15th century, the Sephardics who were exiled from Spain settled in Balat. Best Viewpoints in London As fascinating as it is to explore a new place, we all want a good meal at the end of the day. You can also have a pleasant time in these two cafes located side by side. It was this university that started the domino effect in opening Fener and Balat districts to tourism in recent years. How to get to Balat in Istanbul Walk Walking to Balat from main touristic areas in Istanbul such as Eminn or Karaky is more than doable. 1. In the Fatih area, the streets are usually very narrow and there are not many distances between the building. If you want to go a little off the tourist route and visit Fener Balat districts with a guide when you come to Istanbul, you can contact me by filling out the form on the CONTACT page. The current school building is located near theChurch of St. Georgein the neighborhood ofFener(Phanar in Greek), which is the seat of thePatriarchate. Just two and half kilometres from the southern side of Istanbul's famed Galata Bridge is Balat, a historic neighbourhood often overlooked by time-poor travellers. Table bookings, and chef experiences are only featured through our partners. The Million Stone was considered to be the zero point of the world. Continue reading, Located close to Grand Bazaar in the Mahmutpasa ramp, Fatih district of Istanbul, the 17th century Inn with more than 300 shops. The prices are a little more than what you pay elsewhere, but then theres not many places in Istanbul where you can enjoy high-quality dishes such as oven-baked lamb shank, sea bass, and seafood linguine from a rooftop location. Continue reading. Tourists visiting Istanbul focus on Sultanahmet, the royal district of the Historical Peninsula (former Constantinople). Merdivenli Mektep Street. Where to Eat in Istanbul - AFAR Google Map. Suleymaniye Mosque Complex From Local Eye, Amasya Travel Guide: Food, History & Culture, Suleymaniye Mosque: Plan Your Trip - Turkish Food Travel, Galataport Istanbul Guide - Turkish Food Travel. It is a popular winter drink for locals. Author of this blog, Serhat Engul, is a licensed tour guide based in Istanbul. Best Turkish Baths in Istanbul Caferaa Mh Moda Cd. Top 13 Hidden Gems in Istanbul even Locals don't Know - Istanbeautiful In 2009, Kathisma, a streetside terrace restaurant next-door, was added. As authentic as it gets. Located on the northern coasts of Istanbul, by the Black sea, Sariyer district, about 30 km. It is also called as Roman Millarium Aureum or Golden Milestone. Heritage Soho London To get to Fener and Balat from Eminonu, walk to the bus exchange that is labeled Eminn (Turyol) on Google Maps (zoom in and you can see four small lanes of bus stops) and hop on board one of the frequent buses traveling northwest along Abdulezelpasa Cadesi. Balat is a neighbourhood within Istanbul's Fatih district. NEW MOSQUE (Yeni Cami) Istanbul [Updated 2023], STREET FOOD TOUR in Istanbul (Self-Guided) 2023, Things to Do in FENER and BALAT (Istanbul) 2023, Rustem Pasha Mosque (Istanbul) Updated 2023, Private GUIDED TOURS in Istanbul (Updated 2023). Gul Mosque is actually a church built during the Byzantine Empire era. Here, youll find many hidden gems, off-the-beaten-track treasures, beautiful buildings, historic corners and best kept secrets of Istanbul, even locals dont know. I would also like to add that as a licensed tour guide in Istanbul, I organize private Fener Balat walking tours that focus on the history of these districts. It is the only church from the Byzantine period, it was protected by the sultans decree by not turning it into a mosque. ), 10 Things to Know About Visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Be sure to try their Ottoman casseroles and kebabs. You and your kids can have a great day out here and experience the old Istanbul in the historical streets of Balat. Here, you can expect a polished experience along with a selection of regional cuisine from Turkey, Ottoman specialty dishes, and international favorites. Wash it all down with a glass of Ayran, a salty yogurt drink adored by many Turks. However, there are many hidden treasures in the Historical Peninsula, especially on the shores of the Golden Horn. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Balat is a district that has traditionally been home to minorities in the city, with many Jewish families and . If youre like us and food is a big part of the experience when you visit a new place, then continue reading to find out which are the best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul. Constantines Ark has racked up great reviews since its 2015 opening on a cobbled side street of Sirkeci, where it stands out amid the mostly casual dining options. If you want to take a picture without people in the background, you may have to wait a lot, like I did. Choose what appeals from the days menu of salads, meats, and other savory dishes, but save room for the baked goods and desserts, as well. You can unsubscribe at anytime. Explore Balat - Istanbul's most colorful neighbourhood We aim to provide up-to-date, quality info and advice for your trip to our city Istanbul. All Rights Reserved (2015-2023) - By Serhat Engul. Although some blogs mention Saint Mary of the Mongols Church, its actually located behind a pretty big wall and rarely open to the public. I will answer them in detail via email today. ), 5. weird times we live in Balat, stanbul, Trkiye - Instagram Guide to Arnavutkoy, Istanbul's Most Beautiful Neighbourhood - Wander-Lush Explore Fener & Balat (Top Things to Do, Sights, Where - Istanbeautiful Your email address will not be published. Full with local people, a good indicator. Church of Saint Theodosia was converted into a mosque after the conquest, that is, at the end of the 15th century. Your email address will not be published. Balat is probably the most photogenic district of istanbul. The Best Hotels in Albufeira, Portugal (Boutique, Budget, Pools & More! 16. Google Map. If youve been pacing up and down the passages of the Grand Bazaar contemplating that perfect purchase, chances are youll need refueling eventually. The name of this place, called Atolye Kafasi, has a humorous meaning in Turkish, but when translated into English, it gives a meaning like Workshop Mood. You can easily reach Merdivenli Yokus Street from Kiremit Street by going around the back roads. Keyfi means merriment, but in Turkey keyfi is also a way of life, one thats full of pleasure. Similarly, to enter the Gul Mosque, which was built in the eleventh century as the Saint Theodosia Church, you will have to track down the groundskeeper and convince him to let you inside, which Ive read is not an easy feat.