Private Byzantine Churches Tour in Fatih: Hidden Istanbul
Three Byzantine churches that became mosques, and one that never did, in the old streets of Fatih, Çarşamba and Fener.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Duration
- Full day (about 6 hours)
- Region
- Istanbul
- Walking
- Moderate
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code IST-D25
The essence
A private Byzantine churches tour takes you into the old streets of Fatih, beyond Sultanahmet. You see Kalenderhane under the Valens Aqueduct and the Fenari İsa Mosque, both once Byzantine churches. Then your guide walks you up to the Pammakaristos and down to Saint Mary of the Mongols, the church that never became a mosque.
Highlights
- Kalenderhane under the Valens Aqueduct
- Fenari İsa, a convent church of the 10th century
- The Pammakaristos, seat of the patriarchs
- Saint Mary of the Mongols in Fener
- Hidden streets of the old city
Program
-
Morning
Pick-up at your hotel
Your driver collects you in the old city or in Beyoğlu.
-
Morning
Kalenderhane on the Byzantine churches tour
The church under the aqueduct, if open, outside prayer times.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late morning
Fenari İsa Mosque
Two joined churches, if open, outside prayer times.
Opening hours & dress code -
Lunch
Lunch in Fatih
Lunch in a local restaurant, paid on the spot.
-
Afternoon
The Pammakaristos
The church and its chapel, seen from outside.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late afternoon
Saint Mary of the Mongols
The church in Fener, seen from the gate, or inside if open.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late afternoon
Back to your hotel
After Saint Mary of the Mongols, the car takes you back.
In depth
Behind the great mosques of the old city, smaller Byzantine churches still stand in the side streets. A private Byzantine churches tour takes you to four of them, with your own guide and driver.
Kalenderhane on the Byzantine Churches Tour
First, your driver takes you to the Valens Aqueduct, where Kalenderhane stands by its arches. Frescoes found inside name the Virgin as Kyriotissa, and a Gothic inscription recalls Saint Francis of Assisi from the time of Latin rule. After the conquest, Mehmed II gave it to the Kalenderi dervishes. Today, it is a working mosque, so you visit it if open, outside prayer times.
The Fenari İsa Mosque
Next, you drive to Vatan Street and the Fenari İsa Mosque. Here, the admiral Constantine Lips founded a convent in the early 10th century. Empress Theodora added a second church beside the first, and the Palaiologos family chose it for their tombs. In the late 15th century, it became a mosque, and you visit it if open.
The Pammakaristos on the Byzantine Churches Tour
After lunch, paid on the spot, you climb to Çarşamba and the Pammakaristos. After the conquest, the Orthodox patriarchs moved here, and they stayed for about a century and a half. Later, Murad III made it the Fethiye Mosque. Its museum chapel stays closed at present, so you see the church from outside.
Saint Mary of the Mongols
Finally, you walk down to Fener and Saint Mary of the Mongols, near the Red School. Maria Palaiologina, a daughter of Michael VIII and the wife of the Mongol ruler Abaqa, restored its convent in the 13th century. After the conquest, a decree of Mehmed II protected it, and it is the only Byzantine church in the city still in use as a church. So you see it from the gate, or inside if open.
From our guides
Our suggestion In the lanes of Fener, look up: the Red School and the church domes rise above the Golden Horn.
Our Istanbul guide has more of the city. Would you like a day among hidden churches? Kalenderhane, the Pammakaristos and Saint Mary of the Mongols are hidden in Fatih; we know the doors, you choose the day.
Before you go
-
- Entry
- A working mosque; visit outside prayer times
-
- Entry
- Working mosque; visit outside prayer times
-
- Entry
- Museum chapel with a ticket; the mosque needs none outside prayer times
-
- Entry
- Working church; ring the bell at the gate
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- Car and driver when the route or your group needs one; we plan this with you.
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Entrance tickets, unless agreed in your program
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
“Everything was well organized, and Soner was always available whenever we needed anything.”
From your guide
What to wear
Modest clothes: shoulders and knees covered, and a scarf for women.
Best time
Weekday mornings; on Fridays, we visit after the midday prayer.
Photos
From the lanes of Fener, the Red School and the church domes rise above the Golden Horn.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
- Ends
- Your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Istanbul
- Walking
- Moderate: hilly lanes in Çarşamba and Fener.
- Accessibility
- The lanes in Fener climb steeply. Tell us your needs, and we drive closer.
- Cancellation
- Visiting status can change; we confirm it before your date.
Frequently asked questions
Which churches does the Byzantine churches tour visit?
Kalenderhane, the Fenari İsa Mosque, the Pammakaristos and Saint Mary of the Mongols, all in the district of Fatih.
Can we go inside the churches on the Byzantine churches tour?
Not all of them. Kalenderhane and Fenari İsa are working mosques, so you go in if open, outside prayer times. The Pammakaristos museum chapel is closed at present, so you see it from outside.
Why is Saint Mary of the Mongols special?
It is the only Byzantine church in the city that has kept its first use, as a church, until today.
Can we add the Chora?
Yes, ask us. See also our Byzantine Istanbul tour.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
How long does the tour take?
A full day, about 6 hours. Because it is private, we can give Kalenderhane more time and move faster through Saint Mary of the Mongols.
Do you pick us up at our hotel?
Yes. Your guide meets you at your hotel in Istanbul, and we add a car and driver when the route needs one.
Can children join?
Yes. Sturdy shoes help on the walks. Send us their ages, and child seats are ready in the car.
What about lunch?
Lunch is paid on the spot. Your guide knows good places on the route, and you order what you like.
Which language does the guide speak?
The language you ask for. We find a licensed guide who speaks it.
