Europe
Türkiye
Istanbul
Things to do in Istanbul
Balat
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Balat

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See all things to do
Balat
4.5
About
One of the hottest districts in Istanbul, Balat is home to beautiful architecture and a vibrant culture. Once the city’s Jewish quarter, Balat is still dotted with centuries-old synagogues, as well as historic churches and mosques. Here, you can browse quaint antique shops, cozy tea rooms and brand-new cafes, and walk down to the waterfront to take in the views of the Golden Horn. The neighborhood is also a popular spot for street photography. Join a walking tour to learn about Balat's rich history and wander through its narrow cobbled streets to view the colorful townhouses and impressive mansions. – Tripadvisor
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The area
Neighbourhood: Fener & Balat
This sleepy and rather socially conservative area of Istanbul hosts a small but thriving Jewish community, the patriarchate of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some of the most beautiful churches and Christian art in the world. Much of what’s most interesting to witness in Fener and Balat sits between the surviving ancient city walls of Constantinople and the serene shores of the Golden Horn. Despite the many splendid sights, historic attractions, stunning vistas, and warm Turkish welcome, the area remains largely unperturbed by the tourist trade that characterizes the atmosphere in nearby Sultanahmet and around the Grand Bazaar. Travelers that like to explore off the beaten track will reap big rewards for making the effort to visit this low-key part of town.
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,795 within 5 kms
New Balat Cafe Restaurant
203
0.2 km$ • Cafe • Turkish • Healthy
Pier Cafe Restaurant
404
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Barbecue • Turkish
Cafe Naftalin K.
147
0.1 km$ • Cafe • Turkish • Vegetarian Friendly
Velvet Cafe Balat
91
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Turkish • Healthy
Cumbali Kahve
121
0.5 km$ • Cafe • International • Contemporary
Forno Balat
154
63 m$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Turkish • Vegetarian Friendly
Primi Balat
35
0.1 km$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Barba Vasilis Rum Meyhanesi
97
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Mitis Manti ve Cafe
29
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Turkish
Casa Cooklife
27
62 m$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • European
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Attractions
1,116 within 10 kms
St. George
74
0.2 kmReligious Sites
Meryem Ana Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi
48
80 mChurches & Cathedrals
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
113
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Church of St. Mary of the Mongols
11
0.1 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Tevki-i Cafer Cami
1
0.2 kmReligious Sites
Mesnevîhâne Mosque
1
0.1 kmReligious Sites
Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
7
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Fethiye Muzesi (Pammakaristos Church)
107
0.3 kmReligious Sites • History Museums
Tahta Minare Camii
6
0.3 kmReligious Sites
Merdivenli Yokuş Evleri Balat
1
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
471 reviews
Excellent
269
Very good
137
Average
46
Poor
9
Terrible
10
Norok E
6 contributions
Balat
Nov. 2023 • Family
It an amazing place. Very colorful, worth the walk. we came at a right time. There was no crowd. Loved it
Written November 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josemike
Alexandria, VA85 contributions
Balat—A Jewel Not to Miss
Oct. 2023 • Family
Balat is a simply beautiful little colorful town in Istanbul. Here you’ll find many wonderful tea houses, small shops and restaurants. We had a typical Turkish breakfast here and loved it. Most of all, I loved the quaintness and smallness of the town with a mix of people of different religions, the shopping is great because the stores are all small and authentic. If you come to Istanbul, I would highly recommend visiting Balat.
Written November 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ1,009 contributions
Colorful
Oct. 2023 • Solo
One of the most instagrammable places in all of Istanbul, and not too crowded on account of being well away from the city center. After seeing the colorful houses, go down the painted steps towards the waterfront for one of the best quays in the city.
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria Elena
Miami, FL30 contributions
Balat is beautiful
Oct. 2023 • Friends
Interesting town to many coffee shop little stores to buy presents and to many cats for spend two or three hours was perfect
Written October 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UJ
11 contributions
Balat is Balat
Oct. 2023 • Solo
Must see place when you are in Istanbul. Just love te vibe of this area, nice coffe shops, a lot of cats, nice people, very colorfull.
Written October 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Omar D
Malmö, Sweden67 contributions
Nice houses
May 2023 • Solo
Colorful and cozy neighborhood in the old parts of Istanbul, european side. Full of trendy cafes and nicely painted houses. A different vibe than Taksim, for example.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aida68
Miami, FL457 contributions
Beautiful neighborhood
Jun. 2023 • Friends
We decided to have dinner in Balat our first night in Istanbul. Beautiful neighborhood, full of color and historical buildings. Great to walk, eat, or just have a cup of tea.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacation818319
2 contributions
Lovely old part of Istanbul
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Loved this area with its little cafes & colourful houses - very pretty & worth a visit if in Istanbul. We went in the day, but imagine the area comes alive at night 👍🏼
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JOSE MAURICIO M
7 contributions
Good visit for 3 days Istanbul
Jul. 2023 • Solo
If staying 3 or more days in Istanbul, I definitely recommend going!!! You can walk the golden horn, very nice views, and have some lunch at Balat.
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronel E
Durban, South Africa57 contributions
Charming beautiful neighbourhood of Balat
May 2023 • Solo
Visited Balat on 5 May 2023. My advice - if you're looking for a specific place like the Rainbow Steps ask one of the locals for directions. The people of Turkey are super friendly and always willing to help. Walking around in Balat felt like walking around in one of the Turkish series that are on many TV channels in various countries. If you're a cat lover you will love all the cats that roam around the neighbourhood. The steep streets pose quite a challenge but is worth it to get a beautiful view. Taxis are plenty at the entrance to the neighbourhood so getting back to my hotel in Sultanhamet was no problem at all.
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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BALAT - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Balat