Private Istanbul Hans Tour: Hidden Courtyards
Behind the shop fronts of the old bazaar quarter, Ottoman trade inns open onto courtyards of workshops.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Duration
- Half day (about 3 hours)
- Region
- Istanbul
- Walking
- Moderate
- Starts
- Morning
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code IST-H12
The essence
A private Istanbul hans tour takes you behind the shop fronts of the old bazaar quarter. With your guide, you walk up Çakmakçılar Yokuşu into the courtyards of the Ottoman trade inns, from Kürkçü Han of the 15th century to Büyük Valide Han and Büyük Yeni Han. Then you see Rüstem Pasha, a mosque built above shops, and end at the Spice Bazaar.
Highlights
- Büyük Valide Han and its three courtyards
- Büyük Yeni Han, three stories high
- Kürkçü Han, one of the first hans of Istanbul
- Rüstem Pasha above its shops
- Courtyards behind the shop fronts
Program
-
Morning
Meet your guide
At your hotel, or by the Grand Bazaar.
Opening hours & dress code -
Morning
Büyük Valide Han on the Istanbul hans tour
The three courtyards on Çakmakçılar Yokuşu.
Opening hours & dress code -
Morning
Büyük Yeni Han and Kürkçü Han
Two more hans down the slope toward Mahmutpaşa.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late morning
Rüstem Pasha
The mosque above its shops.
Opening hours & dress code -
Midday
The Spice Bazaar
The end of the walk.
Opening hours & dress code
In depth
Between the Grand Bazaar and the Golden Horn, the old streets hide Ottoman trade inns, the hans, behind plain doors. A private Istanbul hans tour takes you into their courtyards, with your own guide.
Büyük Valide Han on the Istanbul Hans Tour
Three courtyards
First, you walk up Çakmakçılar Yokuşu to Büyük Valide Han. Kösem Sultan, mother of Sultan Murad IV, built it to fund her charities. Inside, a small triangular court leads to a second court of about 63 by 66 meters, and then to a third.
The old tower
At the corner of the third court stands a ruined square tower about 25 meters high. It may be older than the han itself.
From our guides
Our suggestion In Büyük Valide Han, walk through to the third court to see the old tower in its corner.
More Hans on the Istanbul Hans Tour
Büyük Yeni Han and Kürkçü Han
Next, you walk down the same slope to Büyük Yeni Han, built for Sultan Mustafa III in the 1760s. Unusually, it rises three stories. You reach Kürkçü Han in Mahmutpaşa, one of the first trade hans built in Istanbul, in the 15th century.
Rüstem Pasha and the Spice Bazaar
Finally, you see Rüstem Pasha, a mosque by Mimar Sinan raised above vaulted shops. The walk ends at the Spice Bazaar. For the bazaar itself, see our Grand Bazaar tour. From the same base, our Istanbul photography walk takes in Galata and the New Mosque.
Would you like to find the hidden courtyards of old Istanbul? Choose your day, and we will plan the three courtyards of Büyük Valide Han and the hans down to the Spice Bazaar.
Before you go
-
- Open
- Monday to Saturday, closed on religious holidays; ask us to confirm the times before you go
- Closed
- Sundays and religious holidays
- Entry
- No ticket needed
-
- Entry
- No ticket needed; a working building with offices and workshops
-
Hours: your guide confirms them locally.
-
- Open
- Open daily; visits pause at prayer times
- Closed
- Visitors wait outside during prayers
- Dress
- Shoulders and knees covered; women cover their hair; shoes off
- Entry
- No ticket needed
-
- Open
- Open every day, with shorter hours on Sundays
- Closed
- Religious holidays
- Entry
- No ticket needed
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
- Pick-up from your hotel, if you wish
- 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
“We had great conversations, learned so much and laughed a lot along the way.”
From your guide
What to wear
Comfortable shoes for steep streets. Cover shoulders and knees for the mosque.
Best time
Weekday mornings, when the hans are at work.
Photos
Ask before you photograph craftsmen at work.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Morning
- Ends
- The Spice Bazaar, or your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel, or the Grand Bazaar
- Walking
- Moderate: about three hours on steep streets.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs. The streets are steep and the hans have steps.
- Cancellation
- If a han is closed on the day, we change the route.
Frequently asked questions
What is a han?
An Ottoman trade inn, built around a courtyard, where merchants stored goods, worked and stayed.
How is the Istanbul hans tour different from your Grand Bazaar tour?
The Grand Bazaar tour stays inside the bazaar. This tour walks the slope outside it, into the hans around Çakmakçılar Yokuşu.
Can we go up to the roof of Büyük Valide Han?
No. We stay in the courtyards.
Is the Istanbul hans tour suitable for kids and seniors?
Yes, for older children and seniors who are steady on their feet. The streets are steep, so tell us your needs.
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 3 hours. It is your own day, so you choose how long to stay at Büyük Valide Han, Büyük Yeni Han and Kürkçü Han and the Spice Bazaar.
What about lunch?
Meals are separate. Ask your guide, and you get a local tip for a table nearby.
Which language does the guide speak?
Whichever you prefer. We have licensed guides for every language our guests ask for.
Do you pick us up at our hotel?
Yes, if you wish. Your guide collects you at your hotel, or you meet at the Grand Bazaar.
