From EURO
per person
€ 141.00
Price varies by group size
Adult (Age 0-90)

Private Guided Tour of Istanbul Jewish Heritage

4.5 / 5 total 1900 reviews
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Product code: 2400
Overview

Start your private Istanbul's Jewish Heritage tour by being collected from your centrally located hotel in Istanbul. Board your vehicle and cruise to the old Jewish neighbourhood of Galata, learn how the fourth crusade captured and demolished the area in the year 1203.

Admire the elegance of the Galata Tower. Hear how this famous Istanbul monument and vantage point was constructed in the 14th century as part of the colonial expansion into Constantinople by the Genoese.

Next, walk over to the Ashkenaz Synagogue, today the only active synagogue of its kind in Istanbul.

Get to know everything about the Austrian Jews who established it in 1900 for the Ashkenazi Jewish sect. Today the synagogue still celebrates bar mitzvahs, weddings, other religious ceremonies and is available to visitors and those who wish to pray.

With your expert guide continue through the Beyoğlu neighbourhood to the Jewish Museum of Turkey formerly known as the Zülfaris Synagogue.

Discover how this 19th-century religious building was renovated and rebuilt as a museum in 2001. This was to honour the 500th anniversary of Sephardic Jews coming to the Ottoman Empire.

See how Jewish culture and tradition blended with Turkish history in the Museum.

Plus, learn how Muslims and Jews lived with one another, see a display that explains the successful Jewish quest from Spain to Turkey.

Finally, visit Etz Ahayim Synagogue also referred to as the Ortaköy Synagogue. Located in the Beşiktaş district in the neighbourhood of Ortaköy, gain an insight into how various ethnicities and religions such as Greeks, Turks, Armenians, and Jews were all able to live together in harmony during the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Even in the present day, this neighbourhood is a perfect example of how colours and creeds can live in peace.

Leave Ortaköy with new knowledge of Jewish history in Turkey and head back to your hotel where your tour concludes.

Highlights
  • Discover everything about the centuries-old history and culture of Istanbul’s Jewish community
  • Admire the Galata Tower
  • Visit two prominent synagogues: Ashkenazi Synagogue, and Etz Ahayim Synagogue
  • Get a better understanding of Jewish and Muslim coexistence at the Jewish Museum of Turkey
Good to Know
  • Scheduling Scheduling: This is a Private Tour That is Run Exclusively for the Person or Group Who Booked the Tour.
  • Languages offered on the Activity / TourLanguages offered on the Activity / Tour: English, Spanish
  • Duration Duration: 3 to 5 hours
  • Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • All participants pay the adult priceAll participants pay the adult price
  • A minimum of 2 adults is required to book this tour A minimum of 2 adults is required to book this tour
  • Pick-up service Pick-up service
    Pick Up and Drop Off from Istanbul Hotels
  • Easy Cancellation Easy Cancellation
    There is no cancellation fee once Customers Cancel at least 7 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
    There is 50% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 3 and 6 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
    There is 100% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 2 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
  • Confirmation will be received within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability Confirmation will be received within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Cut-off TimeCut-off Time
    Available to be booked until 2 days before the tour starts. We reserve the option to confirm the tour or not due to availability.
Inclusions
  • Parking Fees
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Luxurious Vehicles For Transportation
Exclusions
  • Gratuities (Optional)
  • Food And Drinks
  • Personal Expenses
  • Entrance Fees
Pickup and Drop-off
Pickups and drop-offs from Istanbul hotels
Know Before You Go
  • Adult pricing applies to all travelers
  • Please note you MUST provide your full passport details at time of booking. This information is required in order to obtain permission to enter the synagogues
Customer Reviews
  • Excellent 5
  • Very Good 4
  • Average 3
  • Poor 2
  • Terrible 1
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Excellent

4.5

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Reviewed by J Ferro ES   January 16, 2024
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Excellent tour! With our guide. He is very knowledgeable and easy-going person- a great guide. The tour itself is very intense but really worth it. greetings.
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Reviewed by Jake the Lad US   January 16, 2024
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Our guide was just wonderful, She was great at explaining in depth. Our group was wonderful as well. We had a great time overall and learned quite a bit. We look forward to booking our future tour.
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Reviewed by Gadischa NL   January 16, 2024
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I had previously done this tour and had a great experience. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and engaging, which means you get to see much more than meets the eye. ENJOYED IT!!
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Reviewed by Dara2000 US   January 16, 2024
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Absolutely fantastic tour! Our guide was so passionate, so helpful and so enthusiastic - she absolutely made our trip! She shared so much knowledge - and then more general advice as well - she was first class! Highly recommended!
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Reviewed by Sandra and Paul US   January 16, 2024
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Lovely guide. One of the best tours I've had in a long time. Definitely recommend it.
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Reviewed by Ivan Hollands US   January 16, 2024
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he guide was great. Flexible with the timetable, good on the roads, helpful with advice on the food, efficient with the narrative. Absolutely enjoyed our tour yesterday and we recommend this tour thanks.
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Reviewed by Lynette T AU   January 16, 2024
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I have never written a review before, but our guide was such a nice person I had to voice how good she was. she was polite and had so much information about the places we saw. we were very pleased with the tour and booked again. I highly recommend this tour.
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Reviewed by Frederika S FI   January 16, 2024
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I would very, very, highly recommend them with absolutely no hesitation. Well done
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Reviewed by Veronica Adams US   January 16, 2024
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A wonderful tour guide. She did an excellent job. I would recommend this tour company to anyone who comes to this city.
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Reviewed by tom b IE   January 16, 2024
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I had an absolutely lovely tour with my tour guide who was a gem of a tour guide! He was so knowledgeable, engaging, and friendly, and was so great at finding me photo opportunities! Overall, it was great experience, and I would definitely recommend.
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