Day 1: Explore the historical district of Sultanahmet. Visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Have lunch at Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine and stroll through the Grand Bazaar.
Day 2: Take a ferry to the beautiful Princes' Islands. Spend the day biking and exploring the island's beaches and forests. Have dinner at Tiya Limani for fresh seafood.
Day 3: Visit the Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern in Sultanahmet. Take a tram to the Taksim Square and walk down Istiklal Street for shopping and dining. Have lunch at Buttergrill for great burgers.
Day 4: Take a day trip to Edirne to see the stunning Selimiye Mosque and the Edirne Palace. Have lunch at Alicik Restaurant for traditional Turkish food.
Day 5: Visit the Chora Museum for stunning mosaics and frescoes. Take a boat tour along the Bosphorus Strait for scenic views. Have dinner at Karakoy Lokantasi for delicious meze and wine.
Time and Costs Estimates:
Hagia Sophia - 2 hours - 72 TL
Blue Mosque - 1 hour - Free
Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine - 1.5 hours - 120 TL
Grand Bazaar - 2 hours - Depends on shopping
Princes' Islands - Full day - Ferry - 25 TL
Tiya Limani - 2 hours - 150 TL
Topkapi Palace - 3 hours - 72 TL
Basilica Cistern - 1 hour - 40 TL
Taksim Square - 2 hours - Free
Istiklal Street - 3 hours - Depends on shopping
Buttergrill - 1.5 hours - 80 TL
Edirne - Full day - Bus - 20 TL
Selimiye Mosque - 2 hours - Free
Edirne Palace - 1.5 hours - 45 TL
Alicik Restaurant - 2 hours - 100 TL
Chora Museum - 1.5 hours - 45 TL
Bosphorus Strait Boat Tour - 2 hours - 25 TL
Karakoy Lokantasi - 2 hours - 150 TL
Total Estimated Costs: 972 TL
Transportation:
To get around Istanbul, take the tram, metro, or ferry depending on your destination. A single ride on public transportation costs 3.50 TL. Taxis are also readily available but can be more expensive, so negotiate prices before getting in.