Alternative Istanbul Tour: Süleymaniye Mosque, Spice Bazaar & the Golden Horn
A look at everyday Istanbul beyond Sultanahmet, through the bazaar and university quarters to the Golden Horn. We walk from Istanbul Universitesi via Süleymaniye Mosque to Eminönü – Rustem Pasha Mosque, the Spice Bazaar and Galata Bridge.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 45m
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Corlulu Ali Pasha Madrasah, Yeniçeriler Cd. No 39/1, Mimar Hayrettin Mah, Beyazıt, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul Nearest public transport: Beyazıt - Kapalı Çarşı tram stop; Çemberlitaş tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Free Istanbul Tours guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
The former Constantinople, a cultural and religious melting pot, was a gigantic city, from Hagia Sophia to the city walls is as much as 5 kilometres in a straight line! And all this already existed in ancient times! Today’s Istanbul is still one of the largest cities in the world, with an official population of 16 million people. Despite this, most tourists do not visit anything but the strict city centre in Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar. They leave Istanbul now knowing much about modern Turkey, its people and their culture. This is a big mistake and our tour aim is to change that! Join us then to delve into places most tourists don’t visit and get an insight to the life of modern Istanbul!
Colourful, noisy, full of flavours and smells, the Grand Bazaar is a remarkable place on a global scale and has been a temple of commerce for centuries long. But just behind it, spreads another temple – the temple of science – the oldest Turkish university. This will be our first point of interest. We will talk about the Turkish education system, regular life in Turkey and Turkish (in)religiosity. We will then visit a true pearl of Ottoman architecture – the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent. This grand building is definitely something you can’t miss while visiting Istanbul. Crownin one of the city’s seven hills, despite being a huge construction, it impresses everyone with its delicate beauty.
From the mosque we will walk through the narrow streets, winding streets of Istanbul and finally get to an authentic bazaar, used only by the locals. A place where you buy not souvenirs and scarves, but tools, food, toys, electronics… The list is long! We’ll conclude our tour with a true spectacle for the eyes – at the Eminönü Square, by the waters of the Golden Horn, overlooking the majestic Galata Tower across the bay.
Join our Alternative Istanbul tour for splendid views, great stories and joint discovering the true face of this remarkable city!
Haven’t done a tour of the main part of the old town with us yet? Join the Old Istanbul Tour, you won’t regret it!
Highlights
- 1
Istanbul University
The oldest Turkish university, a gateway to understanding modern life, culture, and education.
- 2
Süleymaniye Mosque
A pearl of Ottoman architecture crowning one of Istanbul's seven hills with delicate beauty.
- 3
Local Bazaars
Authentic markets used by locals for everyday shopping, a true spectacle of Istanbul life.
- 4
Old Book Bazaar
A historic courtyard market dedicated to the sale of new and secondhand books.
- 5
Rustem Pasha Mosque
An impressive Ottoman mosque known for its stunning interior filled with exquisite tilework.
- 6
Spice Bazaar
A vibrant, colourful, and aromatic covered market, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar.
7Eminönü Square
A bustling waterfront square offering majestic views of the Golden Horn and Galata Tower.
Map
Corlulu Ali Pasha Madrasah, Yeniçeriler Cd. No 39/1, Mimar Hayrettin Mah, Beyazıt, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul Nearest public transport: Beyazıt - Kapalı Çarşı tram stop; Çemberlitaş tram stop
Our customers said about us
Istanbul
5.0Mick and Debbie Collis
Excellent walking tour
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour today at 14.30. The guide was so informative and we were able to ask lots of questions. Highly recommended.
Istanbul
5.0Tetiana
Absolutely worth the time
We had a great guide. An Awesome discovering of the city with bunch of humour and a bit aside from the masses.
