Private Jewish History and Synagogues Tour in Istanbul

Experience the abundant Jewish history in Istanbul by visiting many of the city’s thriving Jewish quarters and synagogues. Visit the Neve Shalom, Ahrida and Ashkenazi Synagogues or Jewish Museum steeped in history. Take a stroll in the colorful streets of the Jewish community in the quarters of Balat and Galata along the Golden Horn. Our private tour can be tailor-made depending on your interests. Below is a sample itinerary that is very popular with our guests:

We pick you up at your hotel in the morning and proceed to the Beyoglu and Pera districts where we stroll down the famous Istiklal Avenue on our way to the Galata quarter, a Jewish neighborhood for centuries with a bustling street life and many synagogues. In this quarter, we will visit the Ashkenazi Synagogue. We continue to the Galata Tower where we can see spectacular views over the city. On our way to the tower we pass historic diplomatic posts, stately old houses and many fashionable cafes and boutiques. Afterwards we visit the Neve Shalom synagogue, the largest modern synagogue in the city center and home to a strong Jewish community. After the Neve Shalom synagogue, we visit the Jewish Museum.

We continue our tour by crossing the western shore of the Golden Horn and take a stroll through the quaint and historic old streets in the Jewish quarter of Balat, where many Jewish immigrants settled to help repopulate the city under Sultan Beyazit II. Today the Star of David can still be seen on many of the façades. To conclude our private Jewish History tour of Istanbul, we visit the Ahrida Synagogue with its interesting Ottoman-Baroque-style architecture and a bema (pulpit) shaped like the prow of a ship. We deliver you back to your hotel in Istanbul or to your ship’s port.

The daily tour rate for the above tour is 150 Euros per person based on a minimum of 2 people for the tour. If you would like a tour for one person, please inquire about our rates. The rate includes professional English-speaking tour guide, private transportation in non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles, petrol for the vehicles and all taxes.

Not included: Entrance fees and lunch.

Advanced reservations are advised as all Synagogues require advanced permissions - our agency handles permission applications for you.

Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) to book the Jewish Heritage Tour