Balat and Fener, walking tour in English: the diverse and colorful neighborhood of Greeks, Sephardic Jews, and Armenians.

I'm Jan Kalip. I am a professional English-speaking tour guide. I was born in Istanbul and I organize cultural tours in various districts of my city. My main areas of interest are the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and the history of Orthodox Christianity. I invite you to discover this ancient city of civilizations!

Exploring Balat on a walking tour takes us to discover much more than the corner that has become popular as the most "bohemian" in Istanbul. Fener-Balat is the place where history transports us to the late 15th century, when two historical events occurring at both ends of the Mediterranean Sea gave rise to the most colorful and intense neighborhood in the city.
We will visit spectacular Orthodox Christian temples such as the Church of St. Stephen and the Orthodox Cathedral of St. George. We will have the opportunity to take photos next to the impressive Fener Orthodox College and the Instagrammable Colorful Houses. You can visit the garden of the old Dimitri Cantemir Palace, now a café, and the famous Colorful Stairs. We will see the Ahrida Synagogue and delight in the cafes, vintage shops, and antique stores that have breathed new life into its historic streets. We will witness the rebirth of a neighborhood.
A melting pot of peoples and religions, the steep streets of Balat hold secrets and stories that we invite you to discover with us.

NOTES:
~Istanbulkart is recommended for public transportation~
~appropriate footwear is advised for the steep cobblestone streets of the neighborhood~
~appropriate attire is required to enter Christian temples, especially during hot weather. Specifically, legs, arms, and shoulders should not be overly exposed~ATTENTION MEN: the Orthodox Patriarchate requires long pants up to the knee for men. 
The expected payment for the guide is €15 per person, however, it is reminded that the payment is voluntary due to its nature as a free tour. 
~for groups of more than 6 people (adults) there are particular conditions. Consult with the provider~
The final part of the tour involves climbing a steep hill and then descending it. It does not require much physical effort as it is only about 200 or 300 meters in total. The rest of the tour is completely flat.