Hagia Theodosia Church is one of the most important stops on my walking tour covering Cibali, Fener and Balat districts. The building, which is essentially a 1000-year-old church from the Byzantine period, is today known as the Gul Mosque. St Theodosia was an iconophile woman who was killed by Roman soldiers during the Byzantine iconoclasm. When the period of anti-iconism, which lasted about a century, ended, the Eastern Church declared this woman a martyr and saint. The Byzantines built this church in the 11th century in honor of this female saint who was believed to heal people. The building ..read more

Kadir Has University is essentially a tobacco factory built in the 19th century. Located on the southern shores of the Golden Horn, this structure is also known as Cibali Tobacco Factory, as it is identified with the name of the district it is located in. In the 19th century, tobacco was one of the main export products of the Ottoman Empire. For this reason, tobacco factories were built on the most beautiful shores of the city, such as the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, due to easy ship transportation. One of these iconic tobacco factories, located in Uskudar (Asian Side), hosts state theaters ..read more

If you are fond of fermented grape wine, you can visit various local wine bars where you can find different and delicious kinds of wine in Istanbul. I have updated the list of the best wine shops in Istanbul again in 2024 and I am introducing you to the 7 wine bars that Istanbulites love the most. At these shops, you can find international wine selections aside from local wine and also enjoy delicious cousins that go well with wine. In this post, you can find the best wine bars both in the European and Asian side of Istanbul. Best Wine Shops & Bars in Istanbul 2024 The best wine shops & ..read more

The Church of the Holy Apostles was the second largest church in Constantinople (Istanbul) during the Byzantine period. The most important emperors in Byzantine history were buried in this church. The church dedicated to the Holy Apostles was destroyed during the Ottoman period and Fatih Mosque was built in its place. In this article you can find information about the history and architecture of the Church of the Holy Apostles. We will have to go on a journey through Roman history to tell the story of the church in all its details. Christianity in the Roman Empire Christianity spread all over ..read more

The heart of Istanbul’s colorful nightlife beats in Beyoglu, Sisli, Besiktas and Kadikoy districts. The best nightclubs in Istanbul are also located in these areas. Istanbul’s stylish nightclubs also stand out with their higher prices compared to regular bars and pubs. However, in a city like Istanbul, it is possible to say that there is entertainment for everyone. Even though the nightlife in Istanbul has been hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, you will want to go somewhere to have fun when everything returns to normal. In this article, you can find information about the most popular nig ..read more

New Mosque (aka Yeni Cami) is located in Eminonu, one of the liveliest districts of Istanbul. Adjacent to Spice Bazaar, the mosque was built in the 1660s as part of the same complex. Eminonu has been one of the busiest port districts of the city for centuries. For this reason, some of Istanbul’s most famous local restaurants and dessert shops are located here. Eminonu is also one of the districts where locals shop the most. Since the New Mosque is located in the middle of Eminonu, tens of thousands of people pass through the streets around it every day. NEW MOSQUE (Yeni Cami) in Istanbul The ..read more

No visit to Istanbul is complete without a tour of the local street foods. This Turkish city boasts a wonderful array of different tastes and delicacies that are sure to delight the taste buds of any visitor. After reading our Istanbul street food guide, you will know exactly which foods and drinks should be on your checklist. Towards the end of the article, you can also find our suggestions for a street food tour in Istanbul. Here’s all you need to know about the Turkish street food in Istanbul. And when you’ve discovered what to eat in Istanbul, why not read out our guide on where to find th ..read more

Fener and Balat were districts where distinguished Greek and Jewish families lived during the Ottoman period. These districts, which lost their importance in the 20th century, are now popular again with their colorful houses and boutique cafes. One of the triggers for Fener and Balat to rise again and open to tourism was the restoration of the old tobacco factory from the Ottoman Empire. Located in Cibali as Kadir Has University, this iconic building is also the starting point of Cibali, Fener and Balat walking tours. As a professional tourist guide operating in Istanbul, I take great pleasure ..read more

Rustem Pasha Mosque is located in Eminonu, one of the liveliest districts of Istanbul. The mosque is located very close to Spice Bazaar and although it is a true architectural treasure, it is not well known by tourists. Rustem Pasha was the Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) in the 16th century. Rustem Pasha, who was married to Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Suleiman, was one of the wealthiest people of the period. Rustem Pasha had the mosque built by Mimar Sinan, the most famous Ottoman architect of the time. Although the dimensions of the mosque are not very large, it is one of the most ..read more

Hello, my name is Serhat Engul. I have been working as a private tour guide in Istanbul since 2004. I organize private walking tours in Istanbul focusing on Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. In this article, you can find information about my private guided tours in Istanbul. As a tour guide, I founded Istanbul Clues to provide detailed answers to my guests’ questions. There are 200 articles about Istanbul on the travel blog you are visiting right now. In case of need, you can find reliable insider tips about hotels, food, transportation and activities in Istanbul on the site. Do I Need a P ..read more