Europe & Asia Istanbul Bike Tour

Unearth Istanbul’s cultural confluence

Take a bike tour of Istanbul, the city that spans two continents. Separated by the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul has both a European and an Asian side, each with their own distinct atmosphere and sightseeing opportunities. During this bicycle tour you'll gain insights into the rich history of the city and the cultural confluence it enjoys as the land bridge between Europe and Asia. This day tour includes bike rental and will take in various neighborhoods, starting at Balat on the European side before traversing the Bosphorus by boat and heading into Uskudar, Kadıköy, Moda, and Fenerbahce on the Asian side of Istanbul. You'll then return to the European bank of the city, and make your final stop in the Galata neighborhood.

Balat beckons as the first stop on this city tour. The European side of Istanbul is generally considered to be the busier, less residential area of the city, and Balat certainly bears this out. The area was once home to a large Jewish community, and remains colorfully multicultural today. You'll cycle along bustling narrow streets, flanked by colorful houses and historic synagogues.

Cycling on to the port, you'll board a boat that will carry you and your bike across the Bosphorus. The Golden Horn, as this inlet of the Bosphorus is known, connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and has long been a key trade route in the region. As you glide across the shimmering water, your guide will help you pick out the iconic buildings that line the shores, including the formidable Rumeli Fortress and the magnificent Ortakoy Mosque.

Alight and begin your exploration of the Asian side of the city on this guided tour. Your first stop will be the neighborhood of Uskdar, with many iconic sites of religious and cultural significance, including the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and the Maiden's Tower. Enjoy panoramic views back over the Bosphorus towards the European side of the city, before riding on to the next neighborhood in this city tour: Kadıköy.

The next stop on your ride is known as a hub for culture and entertainment, and has enjoyed a resurgence recently after the former port area was left to deteriorate for many years. The former Ottoman Bank Headquarters and Haydarpaşa Train Station, among many other historic buildings, have been given a new lease of life as art spaces. At every turn of the handlebars, you'll see how old world charm and contemporary innovation co-exist in this trendy quarter. Within Kadıköy, you'll ride through Moda, an ultra hip area that is every bit as cool as its name suggests. As you ride your guide will point out the best new restaurants, bars and boutiques that are springing up in this ever-evolving part of town.

Onwards to Fenerbahce, a leafy, upmarket neighborhood. As you cycle through on this guided tour you'll admire the upscale residences, the wide, tree-lined streets, and the altogether refined atmosphere of this residential neighborhood. The area is also home to the Fenerbahce Sports Club, one of the country's most renowned sporting institutions, and Fenerbahce Park, a green oasis where families and friends often gather for a day out.

You’ll then set sail back across the Bosphorus and take a ride around Galata for the final part of this route. This area’s narrow streets exude a bohemian atmosphere, and you’re sure to catch sight of the iconic Galata Tower as you cycle through. By the end of this day tour, you’ll have crossed two continents and gained an appreciation for the variety and richness of Istanbul’s colorful, intercontinental cultural heritage.