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Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul

9 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 9 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Turkey, Turkey
Book online or call us

from $899 per group (up to 6)

Lowest Price Guarantee
Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul Image 1
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Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul Image 3
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

We ensure that each Jewish Heritage Tour leaves you with treasured memories. Our itinerary combines explorations of Jewish history in Asia Minor; important local sites of interest; cultural delights, and the company of like-minded travelers. You’ll enjoy ease, camaraderie, and in-depth educational content with our knowledgeable guides.
Visiting Ahrida Synagogue can be done only with appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We send a request letter to management with passport details and full names of visitors as an official Travel Agency latest one week before than tour date.
The visitors have to share passport details after booking this tour. Visiting the Synagogues and the Jewish Museums requires permits from Chief Rabia and you will need to present your passport during the visits.
Also Ahrida Synagogue is a functional Synagogue and is not a museum. They charge donation 25USD per person. When we send our guest passport reservation, we send donation via bank.

What's Included

  • Private Minivan with driver
  • Proffesional Guidance who has enough knowledge about Jewish Heritage
  • Parking
  • Lunch All drinks and meals are excluded
  • Admission fee of Ahrida Synagogue ( 25USD per person)
  • Admission fee of Jewish Museum 9USD per person
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We can pick up our guests from their hotels in city center

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability.
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Ahrida Synagogue

Ahrida Synagogue was built by Romaniotes (Greek Jews), dating back to the 1430s, from the city of Ohrid (called 'Ahrid' in Greek) in what was then the Ottoman Empire and is now North Macedonia. Neve Shalom is said to have moved to Constantinople more than 550 years ago Sephardi Jews arrived in the Ottoman Empire from the Iberian peninsula beginning in 1492, and soon were a larger group of Jews in population than the Romaniotes. The Romaniotes of Istanbul, as in many communities, including Thessaloniki became assimilated into the Sephardic culture and adopted the Sephardic liturgy as well as the language of the Sefardim, Judezmo. The Ahrida synagogue building, one of the two ancient synagogues in Istanbul's Golden Horn. Ahrida Synagogue is known for its boat-shaped tevah (the reading platform, known in Ashkenazi communities as a bimah). It is also the only synagogue in Istanbul at which Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement, prayed.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Yanbol Synagogue (pass by)

Yanbol Synagogue was built by Sephardi Jews who moved from the Bulgarian town of Yambol to Istanbul during the 15th century. The synagogue is also known as the Bulgarian Synagogue owing to the origin of the community. It was constructed in the 18th century. However, it underwent repairs during the end of the 19th century thus the structure today is not the original. Today, the synagogue is only open for Shabbat services due to a decrease in the Jewish community in the area.
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Balat

Balat district is in the old city on the European side of Istanbul, on the western shore of the Golden Horn. Historically, it was the center of the Jewish community in Istanbul. As in neighbouring Fener, Balat's back streets are lined with colorful small stone two and three-storey terraced houses and a few grander mansions. It is one of highlights of Istanbul to visit. Many of the houses have been repainted in bright colours to give a distinctive feel to the neighborhood.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Neve Shalom Synagogue

Neve Shalom is the central and largest Sephardic synagogue of Istanbul. It is open to service especially on Shabbats, High Holidays, bar mitzvahs, funerals and weddings. The synagogue was built in response to an increase in the Jewish population in the old Galata neighborhood in the late 1930s. A Jewish primary school was torn down in 1949 for that purpose and the synagogue was built on its ruins. The construction completed in 1951.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews

Jewish Museum in Istanbul includes sections on the intermingling cultures of Jewish and Muslim Turks and ethnographic articles that depict the traditions of Turkish Jews, as well as the historical accounts of the Jewish odyssey from Spain to Turkey. So It is totally different museum than other museums in western countries.
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Galata Tower (pass by)

The Galata Tower is an old Genoese tower in the Galata part of the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey. It was built as a watchtower at the highest point of the (lost) Walls of Galata district. the tower is now an exhibition space and museum of Tourism Ministry. It is a symbol of Beyoğlu and Istanbul.
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Kamondo Stairs

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family. Kamondo Family had built these stairs for their kids in 1860s to go to the school.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Chora Museum

Chora is best presented as a place that illustrates the shared roots of Judaism and Christianity. It offers inside; -The Jewish origins of Christianity -Biblical figures revered in both traditions -Jerusalem and the Temple's significance. -The continuity between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament in Byzantine Art Chora is very famous with mosaic and frescoes Late Byzantine Art. It was converted to mosque in 2020. Main gallery is functional mosque. Because of that it is closed on Fridays. Corridors of Chora where we can see mosaics and frescoes used as museum and can be visited. by paying admission fee which is 20EURO per person
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • This tour can be done only on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Because of Shabbat, Synagogues do not give appointments to visit on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-356429P2

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
9 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 9 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
9
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul?
A:
This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Private Minivan with driver.
  • Proffesional Guidance who has enough knowledge about Jewish Heritage.
  • Parking.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch. All drinks and meals are excluded.
  • Admission fee of Ahrida Synagogue ( 25USD per person).
  • Admission fee of Jewish Museum 9USD per person.
  • Admission fee of Chora Museum.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Full-Day Private Guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Istanbul will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Private Minivan with driver
  • Proffesional Guidance who has enough knowledge about Jewish Heritage
  • Parking
  • LunchAll drinks and meals are excluded
  • Admission fee of Ahrida Synagogue ( 25USD per person)
  • Admission fee of Jewish Museum 9USD per person
  • Admission fee of Chora Museum

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • This tour can be done only on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Because of Shabbat, Synagogues do not give appointments to visit on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Report Product Issue

Activity name