Istanbul - beauty and the beast: the romance and slums of the city on the Bosphorus
About this experience
"City of the soul", "magnet of humanity", "eye of the East", "seven-hilled lord", and also "cruel Istanbul", "breaking destinies". Istanbul has many names - and many faces. During a walk in the districts of Bebek, Beşiktaş and Arnavutköy, we will show you the city of real contrasts. You will see how the gloss and beauty of elite neighborhoods coexist with the poverty of slums. And you will hear very different stories from its life.
What to expect
The city on the Bosphorus can appear as an elegant beauty, but it can also frighten like a fairytale beast. We will talk about the reasons for such strong contrasts. You will hear stories about ancient Istanbul, its former and current inhabitants, heroes and villains.
You will admire the majestic Ottoman mansions, the turquoise smoothness of the Bosphorus, the emerald city hills, the perspective of bridges and skyscrapers. And you will see how close the line between wealth and poverty, beauty and ugliness is here.
You will learn how noble sultans and poor concubines lived, how to rise from the very bottom to the shining crown. In addition, there will be stories about the curse of eunuchs, the cruel fate of Ottoman princes, betrayal and cunning, loyalty and love.
Tales come to life in this place for a reason - and new ones are written here for a reason.
Istanbul has many names. And perhaps you will give it one more.
Organizational details
- You will need to get to the meeting point on your own
- There will be several short trips on public transport. You will need a city transport card, it is sold at machines at all tram stops and metro stations. Approximately 100 lira ($3.5) per person.
- I or another guide from our team will conduct the tour for you
