Istanbul Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour, Turkey - Cihangir Tour, Culture, Shops & Food
Places: 20 POIs
Distance: 0.94 mi
Duration: 58m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Tour #1613
About this English self-guided 58m walking tour in Istanbul
Hello!
I'm Sue from Virginia, and my husband and I lived in Cihangir (pronounced chee HAN geer) for three months and learned all about the shops and little restaurants in the arts and antique district of the city. We absolutely loved our neighborhood and learned it inside and out while we were here. This tour starts a quick walk or tram ride from the tourist area and right across the street from where the cruise ships dock, but you'll quickly be in a fun and thriving area with very few tourists and the best antiquing in the city. Also an amazing bakery. And Sesame Street. The real one.
https://youtu.be/eA7SpoSA8yc
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.05mi
, Attraction : Tophane Haman
Hacımimi, Boğazkesen Cd. No:1, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Tophane Tram Station
If you're riding the tram to the beginning of the tour, get on the tram that says to Kabatas, and get off the second stop after you cross the Galata bridge. It's just to the south of where the cruise ships dock. Tophane (pronounced toe-FAN-ee) means "cannon" in Turkish, and it was here that they once built all the armaments to defend Istanbul. That big, beautiful domed building on the water side of the road is a haman, or Turkish bath, and it still is in operation. It's just been renovated and is beautiful inside so if you want to skip the tour and spend your time relaxing there instead, I'll understand. But if not, cross the street and head up the hill on Boğazkesen Street to start our adventure.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.10mi
, Attraction : Shopping
Firuzağa, Boğazkesen Cd. No:34 Kat:4, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
By Tarkan - Iznik Pottery
A little bit about Turkish pottery and tiles. You've seen them for sale all over, and a lot of it is produced for the tourists. But the real stuff is made in the city of Iznik, or if you prefer the ancient Greek name, Nicea. The tile factories were built in the time of Suleyman the Magnificient and those tiles were used for the inside of his tomb, for the Blue Mosque, and lots of other beautiful places. They are hand painted and the tableware that is made there is fired so it's food and even dishwasher safe. The other stuff often is decals and isn't food safe. But I've brought you to the good stuff. Tarkan only sells work from Iznik and her prices are very good. Everything is hand-painted and signed by the artist. No bartering, but you know you're getting a good deal. You're welcome.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Tophane Tram Station
Place 2
By Tarkan - Iznik Pottery
Place 3
Tarihi Boğazkesen Simit Fırını
Place 4
TomTom Cic Kebab
Place 5
Museum of Innocence
Place 6
Cukurcama
Place 7
Cukurcama Street
Place 8
Puppet Institute
Place 9
Directions
Place 10
Welcome to Cihangir
Place 11
Cihangir Tarihi Simit Firini
Place 12
Firuzaga Mosque
Place 13
Center of Cihangir
Place 14
Dogaciyiz Gourmet
Place 15
Ali the Cat Man
Place 16
Sesame Street
Place 17
Fruit Stand
Place 18
Cihangir Mosque
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 20 stops, covering top attractions such as Tophane Tram Station, By Tarkan - Iznik Pottery, Tarihi Boğazkesen Simit Fırını, TomTom Cic Kebab, Museum of Innocence.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Tophane Tram Station (Address: Hacımimi, Boğazkesen Cd. No:1, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!