Private Istanbul Antiques and Vintage Tour: Çukurcuma
The antique and vintage shops of Çukurcuma and Cihangir, the Museum of Innocence, and the Feriköy antique market on a Sunday.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Duration
- Half day (about 4 hours)
- Region
- Istanbul
- Walking
- Moderate
- Starts
- Late morning
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code IST-H37
The essence
A private Istanbul antiques tour takes you into the steep lanes of Çukurcuma, below Cihangir, where antique and vintage shops fill old houses. Your guide shows you Orhan Pamuk's Museum of Innocence, a museum made from the objects of a novel. On a Sunday, you can also browse the stalls of the Feriköy antique market.
Highlights
- The antique shops of Çukurcuma
- Vintage finds in Cihangir
- Orhan Pamuk's Museum of Innocence
- The Feriköy antique market
- Help with bargaining and shipping questions
Program
-
Morning
Çukurcuma on the Istanbul antiques tour
Antique and vintage shops in the old lanes.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late morning
The Museum of Innocence
Orhan Pamuk's museum, if open.
Opening hours & dress code -
Midday
The Feriköy antique market
On Sundays, when the market sets up.
Opening hours & dress code -
Afternoon
Back to your hotel
Your guide takes you back.
In depth
Istanbul has collected things for centuries, and many of them end up in the lanes of Çukurcuma. A private Istanbul antiques tour takes you shopping there, with your own guide.
Çukurcuma on the Istanbul Antiques Tour
First, you walk down from Cihangir into Çukurcuma, where antique and vintage shops fill old houses. In the same quarter, the Çukurcuma Hamam, a bath from the 1830s, works again as a hamam for couples and friends. Your guide helps you ask about prices and shipping, so you can decide in peace. In Çukurcuma itself, the Hammamhane Hotel fills a restored building next door to a neighborhood hamam of 1831.
The Museum of Innocence
Next, you visit the Museum of Innocence, if open. Orhan Pamuk planned it together with his novel of the same name. The novel came out in 2008, and the museum opened in spring 2012.
Feriköy on the Istanbul Antiques Tour
The Feriköy antique market sets up on Sundays, so on a Sunday you can also drive there and browse its stalls.
From our guides
Our suggestion Come on a Sunday if you can, when the Feriköy antique market sets up its stalls. Between the antique shops, the Çukurcuma Hamam of the 1830s makes a warm end to the walk.
For more of Beyoğlu, see our Beyoğlu and Galata tour. Would you like to hunt for antiques in Istanbul? Sunday is market day in Feriköy, so tell us if your stay covers one and we will add it after Çukurcuma.
Before you go
-
- Entry
- Public neighborhood; the mosque is open outside prayer times
-
- Entry
- Ticketed private museum
-
- Open
- Check with us
- Closed
- Open on Sundays only (market day)
- Entry
- No ticket needed; municipal market ground
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
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Anything you buy
- Entrance tickets, unless agreed in your program
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
“We had great conversations, learned so much and laughed a lot along the way.”
From your guide
What to wear
Comfortable shoes for steep lanes.
Best time
Late morning, when the shops are open.
Photos
In Çukurcuma, the shop windows are full of old signs, lamps and toys.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Late morning. We collect you at your hotel.
- Ends
- Your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Istanbul
- Walking
- Moderate: steep lanes in Çukurcuma.
- Accessibility
- The lanes are steep. Tell us your needs.
- Cancellation
- Visiting status can change; we confirm it before your date.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Feriköy antique market on the Istanbul antiques tour?
On Sundays. Book your tour for a Sunday, and we add the market to your day.
What is the Museum of Innocence?
A museum by Orhan Pamuk, built together with his novel of the same name. The novel came out in 2008 and the museum opened in spring 2012.
Can you help us bargain?
Yes. Your guide helps you ask about prices and shipping, and you decide.
Can we add Galata?
Yes. See our Beyoğlu and Galata 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?
Half a day, about 4 hours. Since it is private, we can spend longer in Çukurcuma or keep the Feriköy antique market short.
Can children join?
Yes. Bring sturdy shoes for the walks. Tell us their ages, and we plan the pace around them.
What about lunch?
Meals are not included. Your guide can suggest a place nearby before or after the tour.
Which language does the guide speak?
Any language you ask for. We match you with a licensed guide who speaks it.
Where do we meet?
Your guide meets you at your hotel in Istanbul.
