Istanbul Trip Overview
Explore the most popular Synagogues of Istanbul with an expert Jewish guide. Learn as Jews have not only found religious asylum in Turkey but also become part of its society and assumed important roles in different fields. Today over 26,000 Jewish people live in Turkey. The vast majority live in Istanbul. Walk on the Sultanahmet historical peninsula and visit the monuments such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome of Constantinople, and Grand Bazaar. Learn history about Byzantines, Ottomans, Jewish and Modern Turks from your expert local guide, Experience shopping with locals in Grand Bazaar, Taste typical Turkish food in a local restaurant.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Istanbul Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey
Explore the most popular Synagogues of Istanbul with an expert Jewish guide. Learn as Jews have not only found religious asylum in Turkey but also become part of its society and assumed important roles in different fields. Today over 26,000 Jewish people live in Turkey. The vast majority live in Istanbul. Walk on the Sultanahmet historical peninsula and visit the monuments such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome of Constantinople, and Grand Bazaar. Learn history about Byzantines, Ottomans, Jewish and Modern Turks from your expert local guide, Experience shopping with locals in Grand Bazaar, Taste typical Turkish food in a local restaurant.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Istanbul
Stop At: Istanbul Airport, Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the guide will greet you and drive to your hotel. After check-in leisure day to explore the city.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Istanbul (4*)
Day 2: Jewish Heritage Tour
Stop At: Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul, Müeyyedzade, Yüksek Kaldırım Cd. No:27, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Upon breakfast at the hotel depart for first visiting – “Ashkenazi Synagogue” is favored for its imposing facade with three oriental arches and octagonal rosette windows. Inside, the floors are of marble, the lofty blue dome is painted with stars, and the elaborately-worked ark of dark wood blends eastern European and Arabesque style
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ahrida Synagogue, Kurkcu cesme Sokak Balat, Istanbul Turkey
Ahrida Synagogue is in the Balat district and is the oldest synagogue of Istanbul from the 1400s. The pulpit in the shape of Noah’s Ark is exceptional here. “Komando Staircase” is a graceful curved double staircase built in the nineteenth century on the order of the Kamondos, the Jewish community’s most prosperous family.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Neve Shalom Synagogue, Buyuk Hendek Cad. No:61 Karakoy, Beyoglu, Istanbul Turkey
“Zulfaris Synagogue” is dating from 1671 and is presently being restored as a museum of Turkish Jewish life. After lunch proceeds to “Neve Shalom Synagogue” is where the Turkish Jews attend Shabbat prayers, weddings, and funerals. Our guide explains to us about a few historical facts about the synagogue and the Turkish Jew’s history here.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Galata Tower, Buyuk Hendek Cad. 2, Istanbul Turkey
We view “Galata Tower” from outside which dominates Istanbul’s skyline since 1348. We wander through the daily life of picturesque Galata District viewing workshops, groceries, housewives hanging out laundry, children playing in the narrow streets or making their way to and from school. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Istanbul (4*)
Day 3: Treasures of Istanbul
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Meaning Divine Wisdom, Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Today’s Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Justinian in 537AD. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. It was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years, In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk it was converted into a museum and since it is open to the visitors.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe palace was built. In 1924 it was converted into a museum. Today it is famous with harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkey
Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet surrounded by Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace, today it is home to The Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column (Burma sütun), The Constantine Column and German Fountain.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, it is located opposite the Hagia Sophia. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Although it is officially called Sultanahmet Mosque, the name Blue Mosque was given to it by the visitors because of the amazing blue tiles decorating the interior walls.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Grand Bazaar, Sokak 12, Kapalicarsi, Istanbul 34126 Turkey
With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the world. It was built between 1455-1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling the same kind of merchandise tend to be congregated in their own streets or inns as it was the original Ottoman system.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Istanbul (4*)
Day 4: End of our service
Stop At: Istanbul Airport, Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Upon breakfast at the hotel, check out and according to your flight time drive to Airport.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
