Fener and Balat Things to Do

What if you get to know that you can visit a few places during your Istanbul tours that have an immense cultural heritage yet are not known by many? As you know, there are many things to do in Istanbul. We are talking about two districts of Fener and Balat, which carry a rich history with their entry on the UNESCO Heritage Sites.

Updated Date : 15.03.2022

Fener Balat Things to Do

This area has all its beauty intact as it does not experience much footfall throughout the year. The not-so narrow streets with colorfully painted houses enhance the beauty of the area. These two districts are becoming increasingly popular as people are getting to know about them.
The districts are located on the southern shore of the Golden Horn. The areas are filled with antique shops, religious buildings, and Ottoman architecture.

How to get to Balat Istanbul

Going to the Balat district is not very difficult. There are multiple ways to get to the district of Balat Istanbul. One way is to get a ferry from Karakoy, or Uskudar, which will take you to Ayvansaray. After reaching there, you have to walk back a little along the cost Golden Horn to reach your destination. The other way is to take a bus from the Eminonu bus stop, near Galata bridge. Finally, you can hop on to one of the many buses towards the Fener and Balat District.

Fener Balat Neighborhood Istanbul

If you want to take a break and get away from the rush and noise of the city during your Istanbul tour, you will like the districts and find many things to do in Balat and Fener. A day spent in the historical streets of these districts will be a day well-spent at the end.
The washing lines hung between the colorfully painted house, the kids playing in the street and older people sitting together gives a homely feel to the whole area. This area is where you will see a fascinating combination of various communities, including Jewish, Armenian, and Orthodox. Their remnants in Balat Street Istanbul give you a quick sneak peek into the history.

Fener Balat walking tour

People wanting to spend some time walking through the traces of history will find the Fener Balat walking tour an excellent retreat. There are many dissimilarities in the architecture of the Fener and Balat District Istanbul. They are quite easy to point out, even though they are not very far from each other. The itinerary for the walking tour starts from the Kadir Has University in the Cibali Neighborhood in the Fener district. As you walk through the Fener streets, your final meeting point ends at the historic Balat neighborhood. You will see how this one district amplifies the fun of your Istanbul sightseeing trip. When gearing up for the tour, make sure you have a window of three to four hours for a relaxed visit through the streets.

Fener Greek Patriarchate

During your tour through these two districts, you will have a chance to visit the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. This church holds immense importance; in some way, it might be known as the Vatican of Eastern Orthodox Church. The church has been enjoying prestige and privilege since the 1600 century, so it would be pretty interesting to visit such a place.

Fener Greek High School

This school is another sneak peek into the corridors of history. It is well-respected for its history and the towering building overlooking the district. This is the oldest Greek Orthodox School still present today. The school is so big that you can spot it even with a look towards the Fener district from afar. The silhouette of this Red School and the impressive architecture is a sight to behold, and you won't want to miss it on your Istanbul walking tour.
The place is a favorite spot for visitors as they like to take photos and the magnificent background of the red building. The building was constructed in late 1800, but its grandeur and magnificence are still intact.

Bulgarian Church

The Bulgarian Church, Aya Istefano, or Sveti Stefan, is also known as the iron church. It is located closer to the Fener district on the coast of the Golden Horn. This church is a majestic building made with generous use of iron mold. It was brought from Vienna, Austria, back in 1871. More than a century has passed, but the structure still retains its beauty with all its stature. It is an attractive location to visit for the tourists visiting the two districts.

Fener Antiques Auction place

As Fener and Balat districts hold a rich history of various religious groups, it is also famous for its antiques. Tourists visiting the place love to shop for souvenirs to keep as a reminder of their visit to these beautiful places.
The Fener antique auction place is located on Vodina Street. The auction of the antiques start after 3:00 pm every day and goes on for five hours.

The Final Word

From the beauty of the Balat Colorful Houses to the architecture of Fener, these two districts are worth paying a visit. Your walking trip through the streets of Fener and Balat will take you through a quick ride of history. The architecture is gripping, and the homely setting is attention-grabbing. You can also book a walking trip with Private Istanbul tours that take you to the most famous sites during the walk. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Balat Safe?

    Balat is one of those areas that turned into an economic center from an unsafe place. However, now it is safe to visit. Kids usually play in the yard, and clothes can be seen hanging between the houses. 

  • How to get to Fener and Balat

    The easiest way to get to Fener and Balat is by taking a tram or bus from the Eminonu bus station. You can choose from different routes to reach your destination. The buses follow the coastal road. You can take one going from Taksim. 

  • Where are the colorful houses in Balat?

    The colorful houses in Balat are one of the most attractive tourist places in Balat. They are located on Kiremit street. The houses painted in yellow, orange, and vibrant hues make a lovely sight for visitors. 

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