14-Day Luxury Itinerary for Istanbul

  1. Day 1: Hagia Sophia
    1.8 km from Ataturk Airport

    History and Architecture

  2. Day 2: Topkapi Palace
    1.7 km (20-minute walk) from Hagia Sophia

    Royalty and Arts

  3. Day 3: Grand Bazaar
    2.1 km (25-minute walk) from Topkapi Palace

    Local Shopping Culture

  4. Day 4: Blue Mosque
    1.6 km (20-minute walk) from Grand Bazaar

    Religious Architecture

  5. Day 5: Istanbul Modern
    4.8 km (30-minute taxi ride) from Blue Mosque

    Contemporary Art Museum

  6. Day 6: Bosphorus Strait
    6.4 km (45-minute taxi ride) from Istanbul Modern

    Scenic Cruise and Views

  7. Day 7: Dolmabahce Palace
    7.2 km (30-minute taxi ride) from Bosphorus Strait

    Ottoman-Era Palace

  8. Day 8: Suleymaniye Mosque
    5 km (25-minute taxi ride) from Dolmabahce Palace

    Historical Mosque

  9. Day 9: Maiden's Tower
    3.9 km (30-minute taxi ride) from Suleymaniye Mosque

    Iconic Tower in the Sea

  10. Day 10: Prince's Islands
    24 km (1-hour ferry ride) from Maiden's Tower

    Nature and Biking

  11. Day 11: Cappadocia
    790 km (1-hour plane ride) from Prince's Islands

    Hot Air Balloon and Cave Dwellings

  12. Day 12: Pera Palace Hotel
    19 km (1-hour taxi ride and ferry ride) from Cappadocia

    Historical Luxury Hotel

  13. Day 13: Istanbul Archaeological Museum
    3.4 km (15-minute taxi ride) from Pera Palace Hotel

    Antiquities and History

  14. Day 14: Taksim Square
    2.5 km (20-minute taxi ride) from Istanbul Archaeological Museum

    Modern City Center

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Hagia Sophia (1-2 hours, 40 TRY)
  • Topkapi Palace (2-3 hours, 60 TRY)
  • Grand Bazaar (3-4 hours, variable)
  • Blue Mosque (1-2 hours, free admission)
  • Istanbul Modern (2-3 hours, 40 TRY)
  • Bosphorus Strait Cruise (2 hours, 250 TRY)
  • Dolmabahce Palace (2-3 hours, 80 TRY)
  • Suleymaniye Mosque (1-2 hours, free admission)
  • Maiden's Tower (1-2 hours, 50 TRY)
  • Prince's Islands (full day, ferry ticket 20 TRY)
  • Cappadocia (2-3 days, hot air balloon ride 300-500 TRY)
  • Pera Palace Hotel (1 hour for tea time, 100 TRY)
  • Istanbul Archaeological Museum (2-3 hours, 60 TRY)
  • Taksim Square (1-2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 800-1500 TRY (excluding Cappadocia)

Useful Tips

For those with more time, add a visit to the Basilica Cistern, Chora Church, and the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. Consider taking a Turkish cooking class or a Turkish bath. For those with less time, consider skipping Prince's Islands and Cappadocia, or combining some visits into one day. Note that many sites are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays, so plan accordingly.

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