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Discovering Istanbul in 7 Days

Viewed by 52 travelers

Day 1: Historic Sultanahmet

Istanbul, Turkey

8:00AM

Visit Hagia Sophia

Start your day with a visit to the iconic Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.
Walk from your hotel in Sultanahmet, it's a short 5-minute stroll.
50 TRY, 2 hours

11:00AM

Explore Blue Mosque

Head to the nearby Blue Mosque and marvel at its stunning blue tiles and unique architecture.
A 10-minute walk from Hagia Sophia.
Free, 1 hour

1:00PM

Lunch at Matbah Restaurant

Enjoy a traditional Ottoman meal at Matbah Restaurant, known for its historical ambiance and delicious cuisine.
Walk to the restaurant, it's around a 15-minute leisurely walk.
100 TRY, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Visit Topkapi Palace

Step back in time at the Topkapi Palace, once the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
A 10-minute walk from Matbah Restaurant.
120 TRY, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Deraliye Restaurant

Indulge in a fine dining experience at Deraliye Restaurant, offering a blend of Ottoman and Turkish cuisine.
A short 5-minute walk from Topkapi Palace.
150 TRY, 2 hours
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Day 2: Vibrant Beyoglu

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Visit Galata Tower

Start your day with panoramic views of Istanbul from the historic Galata Tower.
Take a taxi from Sultanahmet to Beyoglu, it's a 20-minute ride.
35 TRY, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Stroll Down Istiklal Avenue

Explore the bustling Istiklal Avenue lined with shops, cafes, and street performers.
Walk from Galata Tower to Istiklal Avenue, it's a 10-minute walk.
Free, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Mikla Restaurant

Enjoy a modern Turkish cuisine experience with panoramic city views at Mikla Restaurant.
Walk to the restaurant on Istiklal Avenue, it's a 5-minute walk.
200 TRY, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Visit Istanbul Modern Museum

Discover contemporary Turkish art at the Istanbul Modern Museum located along the Bosphorus.
Take a taxi from Istiklal Avenue to the museum, it's a 15-minute ride.
40 TRY, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Asmalimescit Mahzeme

Enjoy a cozy dinner at Asmalimescit Mahzeme, a popular restaurant offering Turkish mezes and dishes.
Walk from the museum to the restaurant, it's a 10-minute walk.
120 TRY, 2 hours
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Day 3: Asian Side Exploration

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Visit Kadikoy Market

Start your day by exploring the vibrant Kadikoy Market on the Asian side, known for its fresh produce and local delicacies.
Take a ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy, it's a 20-minute ride.
15 TRY, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at Ciya Sofrasi

Taste authentic Anatolian dishes at Ciya Sofrasi, a renowned restaurant in Kadikoy.
A 5-minute walk from Kadikoy Market.
80 TRY, 1.5 hours

2:30PM

Explore Moda

Stroll through the charming neighbourhood of Moda, known for its trendy cafes and boutique shops.
Walk from Ciya Sofrasi to Moda, it's a 10-minute walk.
Free, 1 hour

4:00PM

Visit Maiden's Tower

Take a boat trip to Maiden's Tower, a historic tower with panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
Take a taxi from Moda to Maiden's Tower, it's a 15-minute ride.
30 TRY, 1.5 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at Ciya Kebap

Enjoy delicious kebabs and Turkish specialties at Ciya Kebap, offering a wide variety of grilled dishes.
Take a taxi from Maiden's Tower to Ciya Kebap, it's a 10-minute ride.
100 TRY, 2 hours
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Day 4: Princes' Islands Retreat

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Take a Ferry to Buyukada

Escape the city bustle and take a ferry to Buyukada, the largest of the Princes' Islands.
Take a ferry from Kabatas to Buyukada, it's a 1-hour ride.
10 TRY, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Rent a Bicycle

Explore the car-free island by renting a bicycle and cycling through the pine forests and charming villages.
Rent a bicycle near the ferry port on Buyukada.
50 TRY, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Ada Kapri Restaurant

Dine at Ada Kapri Restaurant, offering fresh seafood and Mediterranean cuisine with stunning sea views.
Cycle to the restaurant, it's a 10-minute ride.
120 TRY, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Swim at Nakibey Beach

Relax on the sandy Nakibey Beach and take a refreshing swim in the clear waters of the Sea of Marmara.
Cycle from the restaurant to Nakibey Beach, it's a 15-minute ride.
Free, 1 hour

5:30PM

Explore Aya Yorgi Hill

Climb Aya Yorgi Hill for panoramic views of the island and the Marmara Sea.
Cycle from Nakibey Beach to Aya Yorgi Hill, it's a 20-minute ride.
10 TRY, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner at Ada Cafe

End your day with dinner at Ada Cafe, a charming spot with a relaxed atmosphere and delicious Turkish dishes.
Cycle back to the ferry port for dinner at Ada Cafe.
80 TRY, 2 hours
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Day 5: Cultural Immersion

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Visit Chora Church

Explore the stunning mosaics and frescoes at the Chora Church, a hidden gem in Istanbul.
Take a taxi from Sultanahmet to Chora Church, it's a 25-minute ride.
45 TRY, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Discover Fener & Balat Districts

Wander through the colourful Fener and Balat districts, known for their vibrant houses and historic landmarks.
Take a taxi from Chora Church to Fener, it's a 10-minute ride.
30 TRY, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Forno Balat

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Forno Balat, a charming cafe serving Turkish and Mediterranean dishes.
Walk from Fener to Forno Balat, it's a 5-minute walk.
70 TRY, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Explore Pierre Loti Hill

Take a cable car up Pierre Loti Hill for breathtaking views of the Golden Horn and relax at the famous Pierre Loti Cafe.
Take a taxi from Forno Balat to Pierre Loti Hill, it's a 15-minute ride.
20 TRY, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Asitane Restaurant

Indulge in a gourmet Ottoman dining experience at Asitane Restaurant, known for its historical recipes.
Take a taxi from Pierre Loti Hill to Asitane Restaurant, it's a 10-minute ride.
180 TRY, 2 hours
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Day 6: Bosphorus Cruise & Spice Market

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Bosphorus Boat Tour

Embark on a scenic Bosphorus boat tour, passing by iconic landmarks such as the Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress.
Take a taxi to the Eminonu port for the boat tour, it's a 30-minute ride.
60 TRY, 2 hours

11:30AM

Visit Spice Bazaar

Explore the vibrant Spice Bazaar, filled with exotic spices, Turkish delights, and souvenirs.
Take a ferry from Eminonu to the Spice Bazaar, it's a 10-minute ride.
Free, 1.5 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Pandeli Restaurant

Dine at Pandeli Restaurant in the Spice Bazaar, offering traditional Ottoman cuisine and stunning views.
Walk to Pandeli Restaurant in the bazaar, it's a 5-minute walk.
150 TRY, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Visit Rustem Pasha Mosque

Admire the beautiful Iznik tiles at Rustem Pasha Mosque, a hidden gem near the Spice Bazaar.
A 5-minute walk from Pandeli Restaurant.
20 TRY, 1 hour

5:00PM

Shopping at Grand Bazaar

Explore the historic Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, for unique souvenirs.
A short 10-minute walk from Rustem Pasha Mosque.
Depends on purchases, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner at Hamdi Restaurant

Enjoy dinner with panoramic views of the Golden Horn at Hamdi Restaurant, known for its kebabs and traditional Turkish dishes.
Take a taxi from the Grand Bazaar to Hamdi Restaurant, it's a 15-minute ride.
200 TRY, 2 hours
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Day 7: Historic Peninsula Highlights

Istanbul, Turkey

9:00AM

Visit Suleymaniye Mosque

Start your day with a visit to the majestic Suleymaniye Mosque, one of Istanbul's largest and grandest mosques.
Take a taxi to Suleymaniye Mosque, it's a 20-minute ride.
20 TRY, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Explore Grand Bazaar

Spend the morning exploring the labyrinthine lanes of the Grand Bazaar, a shopper's paradise with thousands of stalls.
A 10-minute walk from Suleymaniye Mosque.
Depends on purchases, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Doyuran Lokantasi

Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at Doyuran Lokantasi, a hidden gem known for its home-cooked meals.
Walk to Doyuran Lokantasi, it's a 5-minute walk.
50 TRY, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Visit Basilica Cistern

Explore the underground wonders of the Basilica Cistern, an ancient reservoir with mysterious Medusa heads.
A 5-minute walk from Doyuran Lokantasi.
30 TRY, 1 hour

5:00PM

Relax at Gulhane Park

Stroll through the serene Gulhane Park, a peaceful oasis near Topkapi Palace, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
A short 5-minute walk from the Basilica Cistern.
Free, 1 hour

6:30PM

Farewell Dinner at Mikla Restaurant

End your Istanbul adventure with a memorable dinner at Mikla Restaurant, offering modern Turkish cuisine and panoramic city views.
Take a taxi from Gulhane Park to Mikla Restaurant, it's a 15-minute ride.
250 TRY, 2 hours
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