Istanbul Life Jewish Heritage Tours - Senguler Travel
Istanbul Life Jewish Heritage Tours - Senguler Travel
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
We are doing Jewish Heritage Tours since 2007.and we are ready to help you.We have more than one tour options about Jewish Heritage Tour .Our agency is recommended in TripAdvisor by our clients
Similar Experiences
Istanbul Life Jewish Heritage Tours - Senguler Travel
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
128 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
9
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Zehra N
14 contributions
Aug 2021
We completed the Ertugrul Ghazi private full day tour with Ugur. He was on time with the driver and an airconditioned van to pick us up from our hotel (6 AM). He clearly outlined the trip at the beginning letting us know what to expect and how much time each site will take. Due to the recent forest fires, we were unable to visit Inegol, but Ugur showed us other sites along the way and waited patiently while we had a chance to pray at the many mosques we saw. He was very knowledgeable about the Ottoman history and their great impact and made sure that the kids understood the content as well. He was patient in answering their questions and keeping them engaged. Breakfast and lunch were superb, as well as the views as we travelled / walked from one location to another. We felt comfortable with Ugur and appreciated the information he provided to us. Although Sheikh Edebali's tomb was under renovation, he tried his best to make sure we had a chance to see it as well. It is clear that he has a passion for the history as well as the Republic of Turkey. He allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the country with all the information he shared.
Prior to our visit, I was in touch with Hakan, who was very responsive and cooperative via what's app in communicating and providing information not just on the tour I would purchase from him as well as other information about Istanbul. As a first-time visitor this was very appreciated. He also made arrangements for me to pay the balance in credit.
Overall, very accommodating and helpful. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn about not just the Ottoman history but also about the Republic of Turkey.
Prior to our visit, I was in touch with Hakan, who was very responsive and cooperative via what's app in communicating and providing information not just on the tour I would purchase from him as well as other information about Istanbul. As a first-time visitor this was very appreciated. He also made arrangements for me to pay the balance in credit.
Overall, very accommodating and helpful. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn about not just the Ottoman history but also about the Republic of Turkey.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TERRI E
Clifton, NJ4 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The tour was outstanding in all aspects. We had the opportunity to visit several synagogues, the Jewish culture center and museum as well as Jewish quarters. Alp, the tour guide also treated us to pastries and tea in a wonderful bakery in the Jewish Quarter. Alp was very knowledgeable of Jewish History , culture and religious practices. He never rushed us and provided us with all the time we required when visiting sites and time for shopping. He even took us to special shops based on our interests. This was one of the best tours we had during our trip. It really gave us an appreciation of the rich and long term history of Jewish life in Turkey.
Written May 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esther L
New Jersey39 contributions
Aug 2021
We took a tour last week with Alp and were highly impressed!
Alp was super friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. He was very accommodating and flexible and took us to all the recommended spots.
He gave us all the time in the world and was so informative about all the Jewish spots in Istanbul.
Highly recommend!
Alp was super friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. He was very accommodating and flexible and took us to all the recommended spots.
He gave us all the time in the world and was so informative about all the Jewish spots in Istanbul.
Highly recommend!
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie S
3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
The Jewish Heritage Tour was a trip highlight for my father. We enjoyed the time spent with Alp and the customized nature of the tour. Alp is knowledgeable and created a good tour experience despite the rain. We highly recommend this tour to fellow travelers.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael J
24 contributions
Nov 2022
we hired this company on a recommendation from a friend. i cannot say enough how please we were with the professionalism and knowledge of our guide, Alep.
he explained everything, had all the answers to our questions, and was down right a gentleman. his depth of knowledge was remarkable.
if you're going to Istanbul, book with this company and ask for Alep, you wont be disappointed.
Thanks Alep for making our time there memorable.
MJ
he explained everything, had all the answers to our questions, and was down right a gentleman. his depth of knowledge was remarkable.
if you're going to Istanbul, book with this company and ask for Alep, you wont be disappointed.
Thanks Alep for making our time there memorable.
MJ
Written November 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy K
5 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Had a very informative and interesting tour of Jewish Heritage in Istanbul with All. He was very knowledgeable, patient, and easy to talk to. Visited a number of synagogues, the Jewish Museum, and different neighborhoods. Would definitely recommend.
Written June 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noshnews
New York City, NY20 contributions
Jul 2011 • Solo
Whenever I travel to another country, I try to find out about the local Jewish community. I became aware as I planned a tour to Istanbul that I needed to arrange a tour ahead of time and found Istanbul Life Jewish Heritage tours on line. I made a relatively last-minute arrangement, not realizing the steps that were needed to take to arrange the tour. I got prompt and courteous response from both Hakan and Alp at the agency. Alp also friended me on Facebook even before I came to Istanbul!
The arrangements were very well done. Alp met me on time and got me to several synagogues and teh small Jewish museum, located in one of the synagogues. Alp himself is not Jewish but seemed relatively knowledgable about the Jewish community. I wish there had been more! He walked with me throughout the neighborhoods near the synagogues and very patiently indulged my desire to take many, many photos. He also walked me through the Spice Bazaar and back to the neighborhood where my hotel was located. This long walk helped orient me to Istanbul. It was my first full day there!
The only reason I'm giving this tour four stars instead of five is that I had also asked to visit a Jewish cemetery and Alp said we would but it didn't happen. I'm always curious to see Jewish cemeteries as part of my travels, and considering the dwindling nature of Istanbul's Jewish community, this would have been very meaingful for me and I have no idea if I would have been able to find it on my own.
Overall, Hakan and Alp were extraordianrily helpful and friendly. I felt I got excellent service from this agency and would recommend it in a heartbeat. If I had been more insistent about the cemetery I'm sure we would have gone. As this was just my first full day and I was just getting a grasp on where I was, I didn't press it.
The arrangements were very well done. Alp met me on time and got me to several synagogues and teh small Jewish museum, located in one of the synagogues. Alp himself is not Jewish but seemed relatively knowledgable about the Jewish community. I wish there had been more! He walked with me throughout the neighborhoods near the synagogues and very patiently indulged my desire to take many, many photos. He also walked me through the Spice Bazaar and back to the neighborhood where my hotel was located. This long walk helped orient me to Istanbul. It was my first full day there!
The only reason I'm giving this tour four stars instead of five is that I had also asked to visit a Jewish cemetery and Alp said we would but it didn't happen. I'm always curious to see Jewish cemeteries as part of my travels, and considering the dwindling nature of Istanbul's Jewish community, this would have been very meaingful for me and I have no idea if I would have been able to find it on my own.
Overall, Hakan and Alp were extraordianrily helpful and friendly. I felt I got excellent service from this agency and would recommend it in a heartbeat. If I had been more insistent about the cemetery I'm sure we would have gone. As this was just my first full day and I was just getting a grasp on where I was, I didn't press it.
Written February 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BBBB0708
Boca Raton, FL29 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Please do not hire this company. You will be really disappointed .
I am a Travel Agent from Florida and have been going to Europe (super deluxe) for over 40 years.we traveled on the new Royal Princess's July 5,2013 sailing from Venice to Barcelona in the mini-suite category..The ship was fabulous and I highly recommend it.
On July 10,2013 we were going to be in Istanbul Turkey. We are 3 couples who travel together and we have been in Istanbul 6 times prior so we were looking for a Day tour that offered partial Jewish Heritage,lunch and grand bazaar and sightseeing..
After doing research I decided to hire Alp and Hakan from Turkey Life tours.
We corresponded for several months and agreed to a lovely days itinerary.(I have hard copies of all the emails)
Firstly, they required a copy of our passports for the Jewish Heritage portion of the tour and they promise to return them when you take the tour. We were a little Leary,but I read that everyone had to do this and they received their copies back with no problem.
This company required a pay pal deposit of. 200 euros.we complied,although most reliable tour companies don't require pay pal, they take your credit card as assurance and don't charge you until the trip is over then it is usually in Euros and you are given back your paperwork.
We gave Hakan and Alp our 6 cell phone numbers in case of emergency .
On July 10,2013 we meet 2 men Not Alp or Hakan as promised. The driver didn't speak a word of English and Alp who was supposed to be our guide was a NO SHOW.
I was told Dont worry everything is set for your trip. Since we had paid some money we went.
The day went from bad to worse.
The new guide wasn't very knowledgeable in Jewish history,He was taking notes from the objects on the walls
Lunch came,he took us to the restaurant.there were many guides there explaining trays of food to their groups. Our driver and guide sat down at their own table and ate. We asked what is this,what are we entitled to,what is on the other trays. No response.3 of us didn't eat a bite.
We told the guide we shouldn't pay,but he insisted that everyone had to pay. We didn't want a scene there so we just went along with him
Then we went to the bazaar.we couldn't find what we wanted He told us he knew the spot in the bazaar where we could go. At that moment he gets a call from the driver that he is waiting and can't park there anymore so we have to leave.
We canceled the day 2 hours early,went back to the boat, paid the other550 euros no tip ..and asked for our paperwork again.
He told us he had no passports and didn't know what we were talking about.
I immediately emailed the company from the ship, telling him about the horrible experience.
He apologized to me,asked how he could make it up(I have copies of this correspondence)
When I came back we called Pay Pal. They helped me work on this
He now is offering me 50 euros back( what a joke)
Perhaps if you get Alpand Hakan your day will be okay, but don't take the chance.
The bait and switch is terrible,a rip off and ruined our day.
I am a Travel Agent from Florida and have been going to Europe (super deluxe) for over 40 years.we traveled on the new Royal Princess's July 5,2013 sailing from Venice to Barcelona in the mini-suite category..The ship was fabulous and I highly recommend it.
On July 10,2013 we were going to be in Istanbul Turkey. We are 3 couples who travel together and we have been in Istanbul 6 times prior so we were looking for a Day tour that offered partial Jewish Heritage,lunch and grand bazaar and sightseeing..
After doing research I decided to hire Alp and Hakan from Turkey Life tours.
We corresponded for several months and agreed to a lovely days itinerary.(I have hard copies of all the emails)
Firstly, they required a copy of our passports for the Jewish Heritage portion of the tour and they promise to return them when you take the tour. We were a little Leary,but I read that everyone had to do this and they received their copies back with no problem.
This company required a pay pal deposit of. 200 euros.we complied,although most reliable tour companies don't require pay pal, they take your credit card as assurance and don't charge you until the trip is over then it is usually in Euros and you are given back your paperwork.
We gave Hakan and Alp our 6 cell phone numbers in case of emergency .
On July 10,2013 we meet 2 men Not Alp or Hakan as promised. The driver didn't speak a word of English and Alp who was supposed to be our guide was a NO SHOW.
I was told Dont worry everything is set for your trip. Since we had paid some money we went.
The day went from bad to worse.
The new guide wasn't very knowledgeable in Jewish history,He was taking notes from the objects on the walls
Lunch came,he took us to the restaurant.there were many guides there explaining trays of food to their groups. Our driver and guide sat down at their own table and ate. We asked what is this,what are we entitled to,what is on the other trays. No response.3 of us didn't eat a bite.
We told the guide we shouldn't pay,but he insisted that everyone had to pay. We didn't want a scene there so we just went along with him
Then we went to the bazaar.we couldn't find what we wanted He told us he knew the spot in the bazaar where we could go. At that moment he gets a call from the driver that he is waiting and can't park there anymore so we have to leave.
We canceled the day 2 hours early,went back to the boat, paid the other550 euros no tip ..and asked for our paperwork again.
He told us he had no passports and didn't know what we were talking about.
I immediately emailed the company from the ship, telling him about the horrible experience.
He apologized to me,asked how he could make it up(I have copies of this correspondence)
When I came back we called Pay Pal. They helped me work on this
He now is offering me 50 euros back( what a joke)
Perhaps if you get Alpand Hakan your day will be okay, but don't take the chance.
The bait and switch is terrible,a rip off and ruined our day.
Written July 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred L
Longwood, FL30 contributions
Sep 2011 • Couples
We arrived in Istanbul Monday, September 19Th. We were penny wise and pound foolish. Monday and Tuesday we toured Istanbul on our own and did not accomplish much. We had made arrangements with Senguler Tourism Co and Hakan Hacibekiroglu for Wednesday to do the Jewish Heritage tour and Topkapi Palace in the morning and the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in the afternoon. Our guide was fantastic. His knowledge of the Jewish history of Turkey was "right on" . He got us in and out of all the sights with out a hitch. He took us for lunch to one of our best meals ever at the Matbah Restaurant in the Ottoman Palace Hotel. The Ottoman Palace Hotel is in the same area as the Hagia Sophia. If you are in Istanbul put the Matbah on top of your list. Our BIG MISTAKE was not using Senguler Tourisim for all of our sight seeing. We had them take us to the airport to catch our flight home.. They were prompt and the charge was more than fair.
Written October 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
reneetbaum
basel2 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
i only had a few hours to spend one morning and wanted to grab in a bit of Jewish life in Istanbul. Theh tour was great - the tour guide was very knowledgeable and it was a great experience
Written March 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I want to know if I can do a private tour for me my wife and baby? We will need to ur from like 6:00am until 11:00am. Is this possible?
Written September 20, 2018
lanstey
Cape Town, South Africa
It is a bit late to send passport photos for a tour on Friday morning.
How much will it cost?
I am on my own and it is not feasible for me to spend more than 100 Euros, maximum. Preferably less.
Written March 15, 2015
Hi... If you want we can make a half day walking tour for you.. Do you want the tour on the 20th of March ? Yes you can send your passport copies.. We have time..
Thanks
Written March 15, 2015
Am looking to do a tour and would like specifics. How do I get this information?
Written January 18, 2015
Yes surely we can help you... When do you want to take this tour ? how many people will you be ?
Written January 18, 2015
Am looking to do a tour and would like specifics. How do I get this information?
Written January 18, 2015
Please send us email to Us and we can send all the details
Written January 19, 2015
If you take the morning tour, can you also get permission to go to the other synagogues as well?
Written January 1, 2015
Yes surely we can help you with other permissions if you take the half day tour..
When do you want to make the tour ?
Written January 1, 2015
Showing results 1-6 of 6
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.