Istanbul Hidden Gems Walking Tour: Chora, Tekfur Palace & Balat

Discover Istanbul’s hidden Byzantine treasures on this 3–3.5 hour walking tour. Begin at Chora Museum, renowned for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and frescoes that bring the history of Constantinople to life. Continue to Tekfur Palace, the last surviving Byzantine imperial palace, and learn about the final centuries of the Eastern Roman Empire. Visit the historic Ayazma Church, famous for its sacred spring and religious significance. Walk through Balat’s colorful streets, lined with charming Ottoman houses and reflecting the area’s rich Jewish, Greek, and Armenian heritage. Stop at the unique Bulgarian Iron Church, built entirely from prefabricated cast iron shipped from Vienna in the 19th century. The tour concludes at the iconic Greek Orthodox College, known as the Red School, one of Istanbul’s most impressive landmarks overlooking the Golden Horn.