Rise early for an adventurous climb up the iconic Galata Tower, with a stunning panoramic view of the city. Then stroll down to Taksim Square, which is full of shops, restaurants, and street performers. Enjoy your day in the heart of Istanbul's modern city center.
Take a relaxing Bosphorus Strait Cruise along the river separating Europe and Asia. Stop in Beylerbeyi Palace, which served as a summer residence for Ottoman sultans during the 19th century. Take the time to appreciate the stunning Ottoman architecture and the lush gardens.
Visit two of Istanbul's most famous landmarks, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque got its name from the blue tiles adorning the interior walls, while Hagia Sophia served as a Christian cathedral before it was converted into a mosque. Both are spectacularly beautiful, and a must-see for any Istanbul adventurer.
Get your shopping fix at Istanbul's bustling Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. Browse through acres of stalls and kiosks selling everything from handmade jewelry to traditional Turkish spices. Challenge yourself to haggle for the best price while experiencing the lively atmosphere of the bazaars.
Take a trip to the less touristy sights in Istanbul. Start with a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the city's largest and most magnificent mosques. Then take a short walk to one of the best preserved Byzantine structures in Istanbul, the Chora Church. It features an extensive collection of mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 14th century.
Escape the city and take a ferry to the Princess Islands, a group of nine islands just off the coast of Istanbul. Relax and enjoy the serenity of the islands, with no cars allowed on the islands, take your time exploring by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage.
Start with a visit to Istanbul Modern, where you can appreciate the city's contemporary arts scene. Then take a stroll along one of Istanbul's busiest streets, Istiklal Avenue, known for its shops, cafes, and street performers.
Take a trip to the colorful neighborhoods of Balat and Fener, located on the Golden Horn. Take in the beautiful street art while exploring the narrow streets, and visit some of Istanbul's oldest and most beautiful churches and synagogues.
Go for the ultimate spa experience at a traditional Turkish bath or hamam, followed by a visit to the Topkapi Palace. This palace was once the home of Ottoman sultans, who collected treasures from all over the world. See the magnificent palace, including a room full of glittering jems like the famous Topkapi Dagger, and get a glimpse of the wealth and luxury of the Ottoman empire.
Take a boat ride to the Anadolu Kavagi village and hike up to the top of the hilltop fortress of Rumeli Fortress, for an amazing view of the Black Sea on both sides. The fortress once controlled the narrowest point of the Bosphorus Strait and was constructed in preparation for the siege of Constantinople.
Bring your comfortable shoes and energy for a day of hiking and exploring around the backstreets and hidden corners of one of the Princes' Islands.
Visit the neighborhood of Ortakoy, which is famous for its street food and historic Ottoman architecture. Enjoy the beach and bask in the warm sand at Kilyos Beach, one of Istanbul's most popular beaches.
Explore one of Istanbul's most iconic structures Maiden's Tower, which was built in the middle of the Bosphorus Strait. Afterward, visit Uskudar, a district on the Asian side of Istanbul. The neighborhood is full of colorful bazaars, hammans, and tea houses, and offers an authentic contrast to the more touristic parts of the city.
Finish your trip with a visit to Dolmabahce Palace, which was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century. Take a walk along to Taksim Square one last time, have final shopping pleasures and tasty dinner before heading back home.
For transportation between locations, taking the metro and tram is the most efficient and costeffective way to travel while also avoiding the infamous Istanbul traffic congestion. The average cost for a single journey public transportation ticket is around $0.75, while taxi fares should always be agreed upon prior to travel and as a general rule, ride-hail (Uber / Lyft) is cheaper than traditional taxi cabs
Istanbul has so many amazing places to visit, and 15 days is not nearly enough time to see them all. If you have additional time to explore Istanbul, consider visiting additional neighborhoods such as Nisantasi, Besiktas, and Cihangir, all full of cafes, trendy restaurants, and shops. You could also consider taking a day trip from Istanbul to the ancient city of Ephesus or the hot springs of Pamukkale.
Istanbul has two main airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). IST has more flight options and is located on the European side of the city, while SAW is located on the Asian side. IST is approximately 18 miles away from the heart of Istanbul, and it takes around 40 minutes to get there by car, while SAW is approximately 28 miles away from Istanbul and it takes around 1 hour to arrive by car.