Walking Tours

Guided Tour of Galata, Taksim, Istiklal Karaköy Walking Tour

Visitors on the balcony of Galata Tower, Istanbul, viewing the cityscape.

Galata Mevlevihanesi Museum entrance with ornate green ironwork, Istanbul.

Woman overlooking the Golden Horn from Galata Bridge, Istanbul with Suleymaniye Mosque in view.

Kamondo Stairs in Istanbul with people walking and exploring the historic site.

Duration

3 hr

Open today

08:30am - 06:15pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Discover Istanbul’s cultural crossroads on a guided walking tour through Galata, Taksim, Istiklal Street, and the vibrant Karaköy neighbourhood.

Explore with a local expert as you journey through some of Istanbul's districts, learning about the city's rich blend of European and Ottoman influences along the way.

Admire Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s oldest landmarks, and stroll through the ancient Genoese district, once home to 14th-century merchant communities.

Walk down İstiklal Avenue, the lively, pedestrian-only boulevard at the heart of Istanbul’s modern culture, before crossing the Galata Bridge.

Visit the Genoese New Mosque, a hidden gem known for its Ottoman design, detailed tilework, and Arabic calligraphy, then wander through Karaköy’s maze of side streets.

3-hour guided walking tour of Galata, Taksim, Istiklal and Karaköy

Professional English-speaking tour guide

Entry to Galata Tower

Hotel transfers

Gratuities

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.2
128 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Nishanth
Nov 2024
Verified booking
5/5
Excellent. Mr. Burak is well-spoken, knowledgeable about the city and the world, and a beautiful, humble soul. I highly recommend him to anyone exploring the city.
Archana
Sep 2024
Verified booking
5/5
We had Buraq as our guide and he was amazing. He is a very knowledgable and energetic person who goes into the details of history while also speaking about contemporary events. We had a lovely experience. I would recommend this trip with a guide. Without a guide, the experience is just spaghetti without sauce.
Andrew
Aug 2024
Verified booking
5/5
Barak is a very knowledgeable and interesting guide with a breath of thoughts and ideas on most aspects of Istanbul history, culture and current affairs. We learnt so much about the city from many angles and he gave us as much of his time as we wanted. We never felt rushed and his local knowledge meant we got to see things we would never have found on our own. It was an excellent and varied tour and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Gergye
Jul 2024
Verified booking
5/5
The guy who showed us around has an icredible knowledge about History, not just Turkey but about whole Europe. He was entertaining and very kind, also his talkative personality makes it easier to go with the flow.
Maria
Jun 2024
Verified booking
5/5
the best view of istanbul with sunset we had it from there and the company of Barak (Our guide) was cherry on the top

Discover Istanbul’s Galata and Genoese quarters on a guided 3-hour afternoon walking tour with expert insights.

Getting started

Meet your professional guide at Caribou Coffee for a brief introduction and overview of the route. After gathering the group, you’ll set off together to explore Galata’s historic streets.

What to expect

Galata and Genoese districts

These neighbourhoods are celebrated for their layered history, lively markets, and architectural treasures shaped by centuries of Genoese and Ottoman influence. Your guide will share stories that bring the area’s vibrant past and present to life.

Features:

Storied districts: Explore the streets of Galata, dating back to Byzantine and Genoese times; the Genoese Quarter which features unique architecture born of European influence; the Taksim and İstiklal Avenue, the cultural and modern-day heartbeat of the city; and Karaköy, a waterfront district.

Galata Tower: See this medieval stone tower, a city icon, and learn about its role in Istanbul’s skyline. Entry tickets are not included, but your guide will highlight its history and panoramic vantage point.

İstiklal Avenue: Walk along this bustling avenue, famous for its boutiques, cafés, and art galleries, and experience the pulse of modern Istanbul.

Galata Bridge: Cross this historic bridge, observing local fishermen and enjoying direct views of the Golden Horn.

Genoese New Mosque: Discover this lesser-known mosque, admired for its Ottoman design and detailed calligraphy.

Karaköy promenade: Stroll the waterfront, taking in the energy of the Bosphorus and the dynamic cityscape.

Quaint streets and cafés: Immerse yourself in the area’s local culture, with opportunities to capture photos along the way.

Galata Tower

Monday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm
Tuesday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm
Wednesday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm
Thursday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm
Friday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm
Saturday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm
Sunday	08:30am - 06:15pm	last entry 06:00pm

What to bring

Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking.

Dress in comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather and walking.

What’s not allowed

The experience is not suitable for children under 4 years of age.

Due to tour restrictions, pets are not permitted.

Accessibility

This experience is not wheelchair or pram/stroller accessible.

Additional information

The meeting point is Caribou Coffee, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Rıhtım Caddesi, Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye.

Entry tickets for Galata Tower are not included in your booking.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any dela

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Caribou Coffee.

Address: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Rıhtım Cd. No: 1, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Landmark: IHA Istanbul Studio.

Get directions to the meeting point