Karaköy Jewish District: A Walking Tour

Discover the Istanbul Jewish District on a captivating walking tour, immersing yourself in Turkish history and culture. Explore charming streets, marvel at architectural gems, and learn about Jewish Turkish culture and heritage.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Karakoy - Karaköy, Istanbul
  • The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews - Jewish Museum in Istanbul
  • Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul - Ashkenazi Synagogue
  • Beyoglu - Beyoğlu Istanbul
  • Kamondo Stairs - Camondo Stairs, Beyoglu
What's Included
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Hotel drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Exploring a city by walking is an intimate way of getting to know it, and there is no better way to learn about the Karaköy Jewish District than to the walk around it. You will go on a group walking tour around modern day Galata and be charmed by its colorful streets, all while learning about daily life over there as you walk by the Jewish Apartments….

Location
Caribou Coffee
Rıhtım Caddesi
Caribou Coffee Karaköy
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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839lisaf
May 12, 2025
There is more Jewish history in Istanbul than you think! - The tour was excellent. Our guide Barack was extremely knowledgeable. He informed us above Jewish history in Turkey from 70AD until today. He also gave us general history of Turkey from the 1200’s through the time of Christopher Columbus, thru both world wars and today’s politics. The Jewish Museum and Nuve Shalom Synagogue were both beautiful and interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peter
Apr 20, 2025
An Enjoyable and Informative Experience - An excellent experience. We really enjoyed the tour even though some of the planned sites were closed as it was the last day of Passover. Our tour guide, Fatih, was a wonderful and very knowledgeable and informative guide. He was able to add additional highlights in place of the ones we missed and catered to our preferences. He was somewhat formal initially, but after we got to know each other better during the course of the tour, he was very friendly, warm and open, as well as adding candid comments and humour based on his understanding of us (both my wife and I and our friends who were also on the tour). Overall, I would highly recommend Fatih as a tour guide. Peter
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mindy_m
Mar 9, 2025
Jewish Istanbul - An interesting morning learning about the Jewish presence in Turkey. Although the Ashkenazi Synagogue was closed, the Quintessential Foundation Museum and Neve Shalom Synagogue were open. The Comando steps were beautiful to see. My guide was well informed and good company!
Review provided by Viator
165evelynw
Aug 26, 2024
Excellent - Burak is very knowledgeable, which makes for a great experience. I would definitely recommend this tour to other travellers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyran
Aug 17, 2024
The understanding of the Jewish Quarter & Museum, Galata - The trip gave us a good insight on the area of Galata and Karakoy, especially in the Jewish Quarter. The museum of Turk Jews was securely tucked away and hidden from the tourists to avoid distractions and the guide, Borat (not the actor) was surprisingly talkative and intellectual.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amybc389rz
Jul 4, 2024
Absolutely fabulous tour - Fabulous tour! We take a Jewish tour of most cities that we visit, and this was a truly excellent one. Our guide, Burak, was extremely knowledgeable about both Jewish history and the history of Turkey/Istanbul. Highly recommend this tour for anyone with interest in European history generally and Jewish history specifically.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenny_f
May 20, 2024
The cobbled streets came to life with stories of the Jewish families over time - The tour revealed the rich history of the Jewish community, or rather, communities, of Istanbul over time… from their presence in the Byzantine era, to their significance in Ottoman times, to the more recent history. Our guide described the stories of individuals and families, the social and economic contribution as well as their cultural practices and daily lives. A terrific your with an excellent guide!
Review provided by Viator
Jennyferber
May 19, 2024
The streets came alive with stories! - Our guide led the way through the complex streetscape bringing to life individual houses, shops and districts with tales of the lives of the families who had lived there. Over the centuries whole communities rose, fell, came and went, and the stories of their businesses, from pirates to hat makers, from bankers to shoemakers enrich the experience of the ancient streets, once again alive with new industry. In just a few hours you feel like you’ve traveled through time and met our adventurous and enterprising ancestors! What fun! A terrific tour with a brilliant guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anonymous
May 11, 2024
Great trip to see the Old Jewish Quarter - I enjoyed visiting the old Jewish quarter in Istanbul. My guide duscussed the old homes owned by famous Jews, and the Jewish Museum and Synagogue were great@.
Review provided by Viator
Robert_t
May 11, 2024
Interesting tour - Our guide Burak was very well informed about a variety of topics including Turkish and Ottoman history, architecture, Jewish history in Istanbul and the surrounding regions. He showed us the difference between gentrified parts of the city and completely ungentrified areas which gave us a real sense of how things have changed over time. Learned a lot. Thanks Burak
Review provided by Viator
From $25
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).