Where is the Balat neighborhood in Istanbul? + Tourist attractions in the Balat neighborhood

Are you looking for a neighborhood with an old texture and colorful houses where you can see the atmosphere and intimacy between Turkish locals? The above is a good choice. Istanbul, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in the world, always attracts many travelers and tourists. Among all the neighborhoods in Istanbul, Balat is one of the lesser-known but worth-visiting places with its rich history and old texture.

Balat neighborhood is one of the oldest and most historical neighborhoods in Istanbul. It is worth exploring and will bring you memorable moments. If you want to know where the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul is and how to get there, stay with us until the end of this article.

Where is Balat located in Istanbul?

Balat is one of Istanbul’s old neighborhoods, located in the Fatih district near the Golden Horn. This neighborhood is in the European part of Istanbul and is next to the Fener and Ivansaray neighborhoods, which are very important from a historical point of view. Balat is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Istanbul, and in the past, most of its residents were Jews.

How do you get to the Balat neighborhood?

To reach the top of Istanbul, there are several routes and public transportation that you can use based on your convenience and time. This neighborhood is located in the Fatih district and next to the Golden Horn, so it is very easy to reach it from different parts of Istanbul. The methods by which help can get to the Balat neighborhood from any area of ​​Istanbul are:

1. Using the tram ( T1 line): The tram is one of the best and most common public transports in Istanbul, providing access to many important points of the city. If you want to go to Balat with this vehicle, you must first take the T1 tram. Then, get off at Eminönü station and walk for 20 minutes to reach this eye-catching neighborhood.
2. Using the subway: If you have access to subway stations, you can easily go up. If you want to reach this neighborhood by metro, you should take the M2 metro line and get off at Halıcıoğlu station. Now, with a short walk, you will reach the local bus station, where you have to take the 99 or 99A buses to go directly to the Balat neighborhood.
3. Using local buses: Many buses go to Balat from different areas of Istanbul. If you are in the European region of Istanbul, one of the easiest ways to get to this beautiful neighborhood is to use public buses. Buses 99, 99A, 99Y, and 48E are the routes that pass through Balat neighborhood. You can access these buses from Eminönü and Aksaray stations.
4. Using a taxi: The fastest way to reach the Balat neighborhood is by taxi. However, note that during rush hours and traffic, this method may take longer. You can take a cab to Balat from anywhere in the city. It should be said that Istanbul taxis are one of the most expensive means of transportation in this city.
5. Cruise boats in the Golden Horn: One of the most attractive ways to go to Balat is to use the cruise boats that sail along the Golden Horn. If you are interested in this method, you can go to Eminönü or Karaköy piers and enjoy the beautiful view of the Golden Horn until you reach the Balat neighborhood.
6. Using a bicycle: If you like to ride a bike, you can use this vehicle to reach the Balat neighborhood from the routes around the Golden Horn. In Istanbul, there are public bicycles, and you can easily use them and go to this charming neighborhood.

How to go up from Taksim?

There are several options to choose from when you go from Taksim Square to Balat, depending on your convenience and time. These methods include the following:

• Using the bus: The bus is one way to go up. You have to go to the bus station in Taksim Square. Take buses like 28T to Eminönü station. At this station, you should get off and take bus line 99A or 99 to reach Balat.
• Using the tram: one of the usual and fastest ways to reach the top is the tram. To use this method, you must first go from Taksim Square to Vezneciler station using the M2 metro line. Then take a short walk to the Laleli-Üniversity tram stop and then take the tram line T1. Now, you have to get off at Aminonu station and get on the bus using the previous method to reach Balat.
• Using a taxi: If you want to get to the Balat neighborhood faster from Taksim Square, a cab will be a good option. Taxis are readily available from Taksim Square and can take you directly to the top.
• Walking: It is a short distance from Taksim to the Balat neighborhood. If you are interested in walking, you can walk from Taksim Square to Balat and enjoy the views of the Golden Horn along the way. You will reach this neighborhood within just an hour’s walk.

Tourist attractions in the Balat neighborhood

Balat is one of the old and historical neighborhoods of Istanbul, which attracts tourists with its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and old architecture. In this neighborhood full of cultural and historical attractions, you can have a different experience from the city life of Istanbul. If you want to spend a few hours walking around this neighborhood, you can go to the following tourist attractions:

• Visiting the colorful houses of Balat: One of the main attractions of the Balat neighborhood is its colorful houses. These houses, located in the old and narrow streets of Balat, have given this neighborhood a bright and lovely look. They often have old wooden windows and attractive facades, which are great places for photography.
• Cozy cafes and restaurants in Balat: Due to its special and artistic atmosphere, Balat has cozy and small cafes and restaurants that convey a special atmosphere. Local cafes in the old streets of this neighborhood are a great place to relax, have tea or coffee, and even have a meal. Many of these cafes have artistic and special decorations that create a different experience from the normal atmosphere of the city.
• Artistic murals: This neighborhood has walls with different patterns due to its special texture. These artistic murals have created a happy and lively atmosphere and are suitable for photography.
• Mergli Alley: One of the special and spectacular alleys in Balat is Mergli Alley. This alley has become famous due to the presence of stone steps and its high slope. Mergli Alley, with its colorful houses, is one of the most beautiful places for photography, and many tourists visit this place to take stunning photos.
• Bulgarian Orthodox Church: Built in the 19th century, this church is known for its unique all-metal design, which is impressive due to its rarity in architecture. After being renovated in recent years, this church has become one of the main tourist attractions in Balat. It is also considered a symbol of the identity and heritage of Orthodox Bulgarians in Istanbul.
• Mariam Anna Church: This beautiful church in Byzantine architecture is one of the Greek Orthodox churches in the Balat region. Its interior, with its attractive and artistic decorations, offers visitors a spiritual and historical experience. Mariam Anna Church is a symbol of the religious importance of the neighborhood for Orthodox Christians.
• Ahreida Synagogue: One of the oldest synagogues in Istanbul is called Ahreida Synagogue. This synagogue, in the Balat neighborhood, is a religious and cultural center built for the Jewish community. With its distinctive architecture and impressive interior design, the synagogue is a symbol of Jewish history in the area, and visitors can explore its history and artwork.
• Mesnavikhaneh Mosque: This small and old mosque is one of Istanbul’s historical mosques located in the Balat neighborhood. With its Ottoman architecture and spiritual atmosphere, Mesnavikhaneh Mosque is a place for worship and peace of mind. Due to its special location in the narrow and cobbled streets of Balat, it is an attraction for those interested in history and culture.

Balat neighborhood of Istanbul, a lively neighborhood

Balat neighborhood of Istanbul, with its rich history, beautiful architecture, and artistic atmosphere, is one of the best places to experience the culture and local life of Istanbul. If you are looking for a different experience from tourism in Istanbul, be sure to visit this beautiful old neighborhood. Considering that Istanbul has a wide public transportation network, you can easily reach this neighborhood by bus, tram, metro, or even boat.