Balat, a neighbourhood in the Istanbul Province, Turkey, is one of Europe’s most charming, home to beautiful coloured houses and narrow sloped cobblestone streets. What’s more, the town is a hidden gem that few British tourists know about, so it benefits from lesser crowds than some of its neighbours. 

It is in the old city on the European side of Istanbul, on the western shore of the Golden Horn, sandwiched between Fener and Ayvansaray. Formerly the Jewish quarter, today Balat is home to a mix of churches, mosques and synagogues which are scattered amongst cafes and boutiques. 

At its peak, the neighbourhood was home to 18 synagogues, as in the late 15th-century Sultan Bayezid II offered citizenship to Jews and Muslims fleeing the Inquisition in Spain and Africa.

After an earthquake in the late 1800s, most of the Jewish residents fled, with more departing in the 1960s.

Like its neighbour Fener, Balat’s back streets are lined with small stone houses, some over 200 years old with as many as four floors, and some grander mansions. In the last decade, Balat became one of the most popular parts of the city for tourists, including domestic tourism, and many of the houses have been converted into cafes, restaurants and accommodation for visitors.

The most famous street is Kiremit Street, flanked by colourfully painted residences and shops. This is one of the most iconic and photographed places in Istanbul and makes for a lively street scene, but remains a quiet and relaxing area to visit away from the busy city, according to Salt in our Hair. 

The Church of St Stephen of Bulgars – the Iron Church – stands on the shore of the Golden Horn, and is unique in that it was built entirely from prefabricated iron shipped down the Danube river from Vienna and then reconstructed in Balat. 

The wrecked Sea Walls of Constantinople cut Balat off from the Golden Horn. On the seaward side, a plaque memorialised the point in the walls when Sultan Mehmet II’s troops climbed over during the battle in April 1453 that culminated in the Conquest of Istanbul.

While hotels and guesthouses are limited in Balat, many are being renovated. It is recommended to visit Balat in the morning or afternoon on your trip through Istanbul. 

The diversity of the district is reflected in the food options available. For example, Balat Kap serves cafe-style food, while Forno sells some of the best lahmacun and pide (Turkish flatbread or pizza) in the city. 

The markets along the cobbled streets are also famous throughout the city for selling traditional wares and fresh produce. 

Balat is best reached by bus or ferry. The ferry point, Fener, is directly across the main street of Balat, with many buses stopping at the same location. 

On Tripadvisor, one visitor said: “We love this area. Wander the streets and see small cafes, beautiful bakeries selling mouthwatering treats, shops selling local produce, small boutiques… the best part is obviously the colourful houses and stairway or area with colourful umbrellas…”

Another said it was a “cute little town to spend a couple of hours wandering around”.