On our Secret Food: Istanbul Spice Market & Galata Tour, you'll explore The best spice market in Turkey, get lost like locals in the backstreet shops and food stalls and taste your way with mouth-watering local cuisines.
You'll discover the famous Spice Bazaar - it's the most colorful, fragrant, and often the most fun place in the city – as visitors can taste the goods on offer. We'll show you what to buy and how to bargain - such as the difference between real and fake Saffron.
Also, make your way around the historical monuments, secret beautiful mosques and learn about the fascinating history of our food and culture. At the end of your tour, you'll have sampled some of Istanbul's most delicious dishes and gained a better understanding of our culture and history.
*Please note: the itinerary and menu is subject to change, based on the locations' availability, weather, and other circumstances.
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.
Due to the nature of creating a well balanced and thoughtful gastronomy experience, many of our tours are unable to accommodate certain dietary restrictions. Please contact us prior to booking your tour to see if we are able to accommodate your dietary needs.
Eminönü is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Istanbul. it's one of the city’s most picturesque areas, with centuries-old buildings that make up a perfect combination for any traveler looking to experience both modernity and tradition on their trip.
Eminonu is the center and focuses point of incredibly rich history. Eminonu is surrounded by the Galata Bridge, the Golden Horn ,Galata Tower ,Spice Bazaar, the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) and Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).
Monday - Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Hamdi Restaurant, Eminönü
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.
Eminönü is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Istanbul. it's one of the city’s most picturesque areas, with centuries-old buildings that make up a perfect combination for any traveler looking to experience both modernity and tradition on their trip.
Eminonu is the center and focuses point of incredibly rich history. Eminonu is surrounded by the Galata Bridge, the Golden Horn ,Galata Tower ,Spice Bazaar, the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) and Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).
That is very easy! Go to our "Book Now" page, where we detail our tours. Select your tour and the time of your tour and book it! You are looking for something special? You are organising an event? Just email us at Group & Private Tours and we will do our best to arrange something that suits you. After your booking is made, we will send you an automatic e-mail confirmation. If you have any questions before booking, feel free to contact us via email.
*Please note if you are using a special promo code then enter it in the "Voucher Code" section before you select the amount of tickets you would like to purchase*
All the delicious food and drinks.
You can find the meeting spot here and if it's not clear you can always contact us.
We will meet at Kadikoy metro station exit 4, right outside the station. There is a white ferry building on the left and on the right there is a big area with a huge Turkish flag and a statue with stairs. There are several exit gates at Kadikoy metro station, if arriving by metro follow the signs for Exit 4. As you are exiting the station you will see our meeting spot to your right. Our guide will be standing at the stairs of the statue to greet you holding a Secret Food Tours orange umbrella, so we are easy to spot!
For the people who will come by ferry, after exiting Eminonu or Karakoy ferry station you just need to walk 150 meters to the right along the seaside and you will see the stairs of the statue. If you're coming with the Besiktas ferry the statue and meeting point will be on your left after exiting the ferry. Behind the Turkish flag and statue there is a brown Haldun Taner Theatre Building which has a shelter. If it is a rainy day we will meet at the closest corner of theatre building under shelter.
»»CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS««
We will end our tour near the Galataport in Karakoy.
You can always tell our guides of any food allergies or special dietary requirements. We will adapt the menu so you can fully enjoy the tour! If you have any doubts or concerns, feel free to email us at [email protected] before booking. Unfortunately, this tour is not gluten free however it can be arranged to be suitable for vegetarians.
Children are quite welcome and it's free for any child 2 years or under. We can give them non-alcoholic drinks and you are free to enjoy the tour with your entire family of all ages.
There is one alcohol drink in this tour, but it can be easily changed to non-alcohol drink. Just inform our guide before your tour starts if you have any special request. During the tasting, water is available in most of the food houses.
Think of the tour as a tasting menu. As we travel you get many delicious treats that comprise a meal with desert, fruit, and snacks. You will not feel hungry after the tour.
Our tours are often sold out very quickly. If the date requested is not available, please do not hesitate to email us and see if there is anything we can do. We cannot promise, but we will try our best to sort something out for you.
To join our food tour, you must wear comfortable shoes. There will be around 45 minutes to one hour of walking, but it is not too difficult and is broken up between food stops. The guide walks at the pace of the tour members.
We take 10 people maximum on the main tour and 8 people maximum on the brunch tour. If you are more than 10 people, please do not hesitate to email us and will try to see if we can accommodate.
You do not have to print your voucher. A confirmation on your phone will be fine!
All of our vouchers expire one year from the date of purchase.
Our guide will take care of everything. Should you wish to try something special, please inform our guide and they will do their best to make you happy.
Top-quality, fresh and local!
Unfortunately, the weather is unpredictable in Istanbul especially in fall and winter seasons. Bring an umbrella with you. We will try routing not to be bothered by rain that much. In the case that a huge storm is approaching and any considerable difficulties and risks are predicted, the tour will be cancelled for your safety. We do not issue refunds as per our terms and conditions. We also inform you that we never cancel a booking even if we have only 2 people! However we do reserve the right to cancel the tour if we feel the weather is extreme, and we cannot run the tour due to this for more info see our Terms and Conditions: https://www.secretfoodtours.com/terms-and-conditions/
You must book directly on our website. We do not accept cash payments. Our online payment is safe, secured and SSL protected.
The booking fee that you have to pay is up to our ticket provider and we can't change it. All our clients need to pay for it upon booking. The booking fee charged contributes to the cost of the ticketing system to provide an excellent service to our customers.
A few banks have charged their customer an extra fee while booking with us (this isn't the booking fee but another fee added by the bank). We think this is unfair, if this happens let us know by showing us in your bank statement and we will refund this fee as a gesture of good will.
