Sights · 33 of the best in Istanbul
Balat & Fener
Colourful lanes on the Golden Horn
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Jwslubbock · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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About Balat & Fener
Balat and Fener, on the southern shore of the Golden Horn, were for centuries home to Greek, Jewish and Armenian communities. Today their steep lanes of painted houses, small antiques shops and cafés are among the most photogenic in Istanbul. Look for the red-brick Phanar Greek Orthodox College on the hill, the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Church of St George and the cast-iron Bulgarian St Stephen’s Church on the shore.
Why it's on our list
- Colourful houses
- Historic churches
- Cafés and antiques
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Balat & Fener before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Balat & Fener are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- BalatT5500 m6 min walk
- FenerT5550 m7 min walk
- AyvansarayT51.2 km15 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Aynalı Kavak Caddesi1.2 km16 min walk
Key sights
- Süleymaniye Mosque2.0 kmWalk 25 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Galata Tower2.2 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Galata Bridge2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Spice Bazaar2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 10 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.5 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Grand Bazaar2.6 kmWalk 33 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Taksim Square3.2 kmWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Basilica Cistern3.5 kmWalk 43 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Hagia Sophia3.6 kmWalk 44 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Topkapı Palace3.6 kmWalk 45 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 14 min
Getting around
- Istanbul Airport (IST)32 kmCar or taxi 99 min
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)34 kmCar or taxi 104 min