About this activity
Designed for guests who enjoy exploring at a relaxed pace, this tour requires no private transportation and offers an authentic, immersive encounter with the city’s European side.
Experience Duration:
Available Languages: 
Great For: 
Perfect For: 
Transportation: 
Price Range: 
Best Time to Visit: 
Itinerary
- Suggested Start Time: Flexible between 09:30 am – 11:00 am
- Meeting Point: Guests make their own way to Taksim Square, where the licensed professional guide will be waiting.
- Meeting at Taksim Square: Meet your guide at Taksim Square, the symbolic heart of modern Istanbul. After a short introduction, begin your walk down the legendary Istiklal Avenue.
- Istiklal Avenue Walk: Stroll along Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian street, surrounded by historic façades, passages, cafés and cultural landmarks. Along the way, visit and view:
- Hagia Triada (Aya Triada) Greek Orthodox Church – a striking example of 19th-century religious architecture
- St. Anthony of Padua Church (San Antuan Kilisesi) – the largest Catholic church in Istanbul
- Underground Passage Experience: Explore one of Istiklal’s lesser-known underground passages, offering a glimpse into the hidden layers beneath the avenue and the city’s evolving urban fabric.
- Tünel & Galata Quarter: Reach the historic Tünel area, home to one of the world’s oldest underground funiculars. Continue walking into the Galata district, known for its artistic spirit and Genoese heritage.
- Galata Tower (Panoramic Visit): Arrive at Galata Tower for a panoramic exterior view and photo stop. Your guide shares the tower’s story and its role in Istanbul’s skyline — without entering the tower.
- Walk to Karaköy & Galataport: Descend on foot toward Karaköy, passing through atmospheric streets that connect old trading quarters with the modern waterfront. The walk concludes at Galataport, Istanbul’s contemporary harbor complex.
Highlights
- Walk the full length of iconic Istiklal Avenue
- Visit Aya Triada and St. Anthony of Padua Churches
- Discover hidden underground passages
- Enjoy a panoramic view of Galata Tower from the outside
- Experience the transition from historic neighborhoods to modern Galataport
Includes
- Licensed professional walking tour guide
- Guided walking experience from Taksim Square to Galataport
- Visits to key landmarks along Istiklal Avenue, Tünel, Galata, and Karaköy
- Panoramic exterior visit and photo stop at Galata Tower
- Transportation to the meeting point (Taksim Square)
- Food and beverages during the tour
- Entrance fees to attractions (no interiors visited)
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Details
Discover Istanbul on foot, where every street tells a story and history unfolds step by step. This walking-focused experience follows one of the city’s most iconic routes from the heart of modern Istanbul to the revitalized waterfront of Galataport, blending culture, architecture and everyday life.
Designed for guests who enjoy exploring at a relaxed pace, this tour requires no private transportation and offers an authentic, immersive encounter with the city’s European side.
Know Before You Go
This is a fully walking tour; no private vehicle is used
Guests are responsible for reaching the meeting point at Taksim Square
Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended
Route and pacing may be adjusted by the guide based on guest preferences
What To Bring
Comfortable walking shoes suitable for long urban walks and downhill routes
Weather-appropriate clothing
A light jacket, especially for windy or cooler days near the waterfront
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat on sunny days
A camera or smartphone for photos along Istiklal and the Bosphorus
A small bag or backpack for personal belongings
