7-Day Istanbul Cultural Immersion and Foodie Itinerary

Day 1: Historic Sultanahmet

Istanbul, Turkey

8:00AM

Sultanahmet Square

Start your day at the historic Sultanahmet Square, home to iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Walk from your accommodation or take a taxi, approximately 30 minutes.
Free, 2 hours

11:00AM

Topkapi Palace

Explore the opulent Topkapi Palace, former residence of Ottoman sultans, and marvel at its exquisite architecture and artifacts.
Walk from Sultanahmet Square, around 10 minutes.
50 TRY, 3 hours

3:00PM

Grand Bazaar

Get lost in the vibrant lanes of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, and shop for unique souvenirs.
Take a taxi or tram from Topkapi Palace, around 15 minutes.
Depends on shopping, 2 hours

6:00PM

Rooftop Restaurant

Enjoy a delightful dinner with a view at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the illuminated skyline of Istanbul.
Walk or take a taxi to the restaurant, approximately 20 minutes.
150 TRY per person, 2 hours
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Day 2: Bohemian Beyoglu

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Galata Tower

Start your day at Galata Tower, offering panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
Take a taxi or tram to Galata Tower, around 20 minutes.
35 TRY, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Istiklal Avenue

Stroll down Istiklal Avenue, a bustling street with shops, cafes, and street performers, and visit Taksim Square.
Walk from Galata Tower to Istiklal Avenue, approximately 15 minutes.
Free, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at a Local Eatery

Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local eatery on Istiklal Avenue, sampling mezes, kebabs, and baklava.
Choose a restaurant on Istiklal Avenue for lunch.
50 TRY per person, 1 hour

3:00PM

Museum of Innocence

Visit the Museum of Innocence, a unique museum based on the novel by Orhan Pamuk, showcasing objects of daily life in Istanbul.
Walk from Istiklal Avenue to the museum, around 10 minutes.
40 TRY, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at a Local Meyhane

Indulge in a traditional Turkish dinner at a Meyhane, enjoying mezes, raki, and live music in a cozy setting.
Take a taxi or tram to the Meyhane district, around 20 minutes.
100 TRY per person, 2 hours
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Day 3: Asian Side Adventure

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Ferry to Kadikoy

Take a scenic ferry ride to Kadikoy on the Asian side of Istanbul, and explore its bustling streets and markets.
Walk or take a taxi to the ferry terminal, then ferry to Kadikoy, around 1 hour.
5 TRY for ferry, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Kadikoy Market

Savor a delicious seafood lunch at Kadikoy Market, trying fresh fish and mezes at a local eatery.
Walk from the ferry terminal to Kadikoy Market, approximately 10 minutes.
80 TRY per person, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Moda District

Explore the trendy Moda district, known for its hip cafes, boutique shops, and stunning views of the Marmara Sea.
Walk from Kadikoy Market to Moda, around 15 minutes.
Free, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Ciya Sofrasi

Dine at Ciya Sofrasi, a renowned restaurant in Kadikoy serving authentic Anatolian dishes and desserts.
Take a taxi to Ciya Sofrasi, around 10 minutes.
120 TRY per person, 2 hours
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Day 4: Palatial Splendor

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Dolmabahce Palace

Visit Dolmabahce Palace, a stunning Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus waterfront, known for its luxurious interior and gardens.
Take a taxi or tram to Dolmabahce Palace, around 30 minutes.
60 TRY, 2 hours

12:00PM

Bosphorus Cruise

Embark on a Bosphorus cruise to admire the city's skyline and iconic landmarks from the water.
Walk or take a taxi to the Bosphorus Cruise pier, approximately 15 minutes.
25 TRY, 2 hours

3:00PM

Ortakoy Mosque

Visit Ortakoy Mosque, a picturesque mosque by the Bosphorus bridge, and explore the charming Ortakoy square.
Take a taxi or tram to Ortakoy Mosque, around 20 minutes.
Free, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Ortakoy

Enjoy dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants in Ortakoy, tasting fresh seafood and Turkish delights.
Walk from the mosque to a restaurant, approximately 5 minutes.
100 TRY per person, 2 hours
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Day 5: Artistic Exploration

Istanbul, Turkey

10:00AM

Istanbul Modern

Begin your day at Istanbul Modern, a contemporary art museum showcasing Turkish and international artists.
Take a tram or taxi to Istanbul Modern, around 30 minutes.
40 TRY, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Kale Cafe

Enjoy a healthy and delicious lunch at Kale Cafe, known for its fresh salads, wraps, and smoothies.
Walk or take a taxi to Kale Cafe, approximately 10 minutes.
60 TRY per person, 1 hour

3:00PM

Pera Museum

Visit Pera Museum, a cultural institution housing art collections from the Ottoman era and modern Turkish art.
Walk from Kale Cafe to Pera Museum, around 5 minutes.
30 TRY, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Mikla

Indulge in a fine dining experience at Mikla, a renowned rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views and modern Turkish cuisine.
Take a taxi to Mikla, around 15 minutes.
200 TRY per person, 2 hours
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Day 6: Historic Peninsula

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Chora Church

Start your day at Chora Church, famous for its stunning mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical scenes.
Take a taxi or tram to Chora Church, around 20 minutes.
30 TRY, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Suleymaniye Mosque

Explore the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque, an architectural masterpiece and an important Ottoman landmark.
Walk or take a taxi to Suleymaniye Mosque, approximately 10 minutes.
Free, 1.5 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Pandeli

Enjoy a traditional Ottoman lunch at Pandeli, a historic restaurant located in the Spice Bazaar.
Walk from Suleymaniye Mosque to Pandeli, around 15 minutes.
90 TRY per person, 1 hour

3:00PM

Spice Bazaar

Explore the colorful Spice Bazaar, inhale the scents of spices, teas, and Turkish delights, and shop for local delicacies.
Walk from Pandeli to the Spice Bazaar, around 5 minutes.
Depends on shopping, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Asitane

Dine at Asitane, a restaurant near Chora Church, serving authentic Ottoman cuisine and recipes from centuries past.
Take a taxi to Asitane, around 10 minutes.
120 TRY per person, 2 hours
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Day 7: Culinary Delights

Istanbul, Turkey

10:00AM

Cooking Class at Istanbul Cooking School

Participate in a hands-on cooking class at Istanbul Cooking School, learning to prepare traditional Turkish dishes.
Take a taxi or tram to the cooking school, around 30 minutes.
200 TRY per person, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch with your Cooked Creations

Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious lunch featuring the dishes you prepared during the cooking class.
Stay at the cooking school for lunch.
Included in cooking class fee, 1 hour

3:00PM

Culinary Walking Tour in Karakoy

Embark on a culinary walking tour in Karakoy, tasting Turkish street food, pastries, and desserts.
Take a taxi or tram to Karakoy, around 20 minutes.
100 TRY per person, 2 hours

6:00PM

Farewell Dinner at Neolokal

End your Istanbul adventure with a farewell dinner at Neolokal, a restaurant celebrating modern Anatolian cuisine.
Take a taxi to Neolokal, around 15 minutes.
150 TRY per person, 2 hours
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