How To Spend 5 Days In Istanbul - Our Complete Itinerary

Are you looking for an itinerary for Istanbul that mixes the intriguing history, cool museums, hipster cafes and trendy rooftop bars? You’ve come to the right place. Our 5-day Istanbul Itinerary is designed to help you see the city’s best attractions and hidden gems.

Istanbul is a city with many personalities. Straddling two continents, it harmonises old and new, east and west.

As Constantinople, it was the capital of the Roman Empire for over 1,000 years. Captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, it was renamed Istanbul and made the centre of an Islamic Caliphate.

But this legacy has not left it clinging to a glorious past. Ancient churches, timeless mosques and baroque grand palaces, sit seamlessly next to the lively, modern neighbourhoods.

It’s one of our favourite cities in the world and a place we keep coming back to.

Our itinerary covers the best historical sights, the coolest local neighbourhoods and Istanbul’s exotic mix of cultures.

MAP: ISTANBUL ITINERARY

To help you plan your Istanbul itinerary, all the excellent activities we have listed in this guide can be found on the map below.

ISTANBUL ITINERARY

DAY 1: HISTORIC ISTANBUL

Spend the first day in Istanbul exploring the historic area of Sultanahmet, beginning with the fascinating Archaeological Museum.

There is a pass called MuseumPass İstanbul which includes access to 13 museums across Istanbul, the Archaeological Museum being one of them. You can purchase a pass from the ticket office; however, we don’t think it’s worth getting due to recent changes.

We have more details about this in the Visiting Museums & Attractions in Istanbul section below.

ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS

There are 3 main sights at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum.

We visited all three sections on our first morning in Istanbul, which took around 1.5- 2 hours.

The Babylonian and Assyrian reliefs in the Ancient Orient section are excellent and the exterior of the Tiled Pavilion is stunning. Don’t miss the incredible sarcophagi in the Tombed Sarcophagi of Anatolia room.

AYA İRINI

Next, head up to Aya İrini passing through the courtyard packed with Roman relics.

The Irini church is a large empty shell of a building, but the real reason to come is to see the nondescript tomb that some historians now believe is Emperor Constantine’s.

Constantine founded Constantinople and turned Christianity from a cult to the predominant religion in the west, making him possibly one of the most influential people ever to have lived.

For lunch, retrace your footsteps to Beltur Cafe in Gulhane Park. The kofte on a bed of eggplant puree was delicious.

BASILICA CISTERN

After lunch, make your way over to the Basilica Cistern, the underground cavern that held the ancient Roman city’s water supply. It’s the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul.

The roof is held up by columns that were constructed from ruined temples in the area.

Tickets – The Istanbul Museum Pass is not accepted at Basilica Cistern, but you can purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance.

MILION STONE

After the Basilica Cistern, walk past the Milion Stone – the mile marker from which all destinations from Constantinople were measured – and into the remains of the Hippodrome.

LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA

Drop down the hill past the daily market to Little Hagia Sophia, one of our favourite less-visited attractions in Istanbul. It’s a former Greek Orthodox Church that currently operates as a mosque. It’s free to enter, but you can only visit outside prayer times.

More Guides – If you are planning a longer trip to see more of the country, you might like our guide to the best ancient ruins in Turkey

BLUE MOSQUE

Retrace your footsteps and head into the Blue Mosque. It was designed to complement the Hagia Sophia, which is opposite. It’s an eye-catching landmark inside and out with over 20,000 beautiful blue tiles which give the mosque its name.

The Blue Mosque is open from 9 am to 6 pm, and it’s free to enter. However, it’s closed to visitors during prayer times.

Don’t miss the Sultan Ahmed Tomb which is on the north side of the mosque facing Sultanahmet Park. His tomb and those of his family members are decorated in Iznik tiles like the ones in the mosque.

HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE (AYA SOFYA)

Next head to Hagia Sophia, (or Aya Sofya in Turkish), the iconic building that has defined Istanbul for 1,500 years. 

It’s the grand master of historic architecture, blending Byzantine styles with Islamic designs. The towering domes, calligraphic roundels and Christian mosaics make it a fascinating place to visit.

How to visit Hagia Sophia – Entry for visitors is via a special entrance on the southeast corner of the building. Non-muslims can no longer enter the ground floor, but you can still see the upper viewing deck, and some of the 10th-century mosaics.

Tickets – Hagia Sophia is not included on the Museum Pass and an entry fee of €25 has recently been introduced. You can book skip-the-line tickets in advance, but professional guided tours are no longer permitted.

DAY 2: MODERN ISTANBUL

We spend our second day in Istanbul exploring some of the fantastic neighbourhoods slightly off the main tourist trail.

İSTIKLAL CADDESI

Start this morning at Taksim Square and then amble down İstiklal Caddesi, the long pedestrian street that runs from Taksim Square to the Galata Tower.

We suggest going in the morning because it can get extremely busy later in the day.

PERA MUSEUM

The Pera Museum is a private museum adjacent to İstiklal Caddesi and we really enjoyed it. There are 3 permanent collections and rotating temporary exhibitions with a focus on supporting young artists.

The museum is closed on Mondays.

MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE

The Museum of Innocence is a 12-minute walk away from the Pera Museum. We had a stroll through the streets of Beyoğlu on the way. The museum was created in tandem with the book of the same name by Nobel prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Even if you haven’t read the book, it’s worth having a look.

LUNCH: HAMDI RESTAURANT

After the two museums, amble down the hill and across the Galata Bridge for lunch at Hamdi Restaurant, a local Turkish institution.

It’s a bustling restaurant with excellent kababs and great views from the second floor area.

SPICE MARKET (EGYPTIAN BAZAAR)

After lunch, head into the magnificent sights and smells of the Spice Market. Under the ornate vaulted ceilings, stalls selling spices, dried fruits, tea, and Turkish Delight make for a wonderful photo opportunity in Istanbul.

The warren of streets around the Spice Market is interesting to stroll around. The Rüstem Pasha Mosque was closed on our last visit, as was the Yeni Mosque. But both are supposed to be worth a look.

KADIKÖY

As late afternoon approaches, take the ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy, a laid back residential neighbourhood on the Asian side.

It has a famous fish and produce market with boutiques, cafes and local cafes surrounding it.

We met a friend in Kadiköy who took us to Ciya Sofrasi for dinner in the heart of the market. We really enjoyed it. The grilled meats, the mezze, and the lively atmosphere made it one of our favourite places to eat in Istanbul.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL CULTURE

If you happen to be able to plan day 3 of this itinerary for a Sunday, you can enjoy the excellent flea market in Ortaköy, another local neighbourhood in Istanbul.

However, if that’s not possible, you can do it this day or any day of the week, but the market won’t be open.

ORTAKÖY

Start with brunch on Firini Street, a neighbourhood street with a row of cafes. We went to Café Zemheri, which we really liked. The food was excellent, and the service was friendly. But there are plenty of others to choose from.

After brunch, stroll around the flea market on the back streets. On Sunday, there’s also a covered market near the waterfront.

ORTAKÖY MOSQUE

The Ortaköy Mosque has the most picturesque setting of all the mosques in Istanbul, and it’s well worth seeing it.

The mosque was designed by the same architect who designed the Dolmabahçe Palace, which we’ll go to later today. Large windows flood the interior with light, illuminating the dome roof covered with pink tiles.

Entry is free and it’s open between 9 am and 6 pm, except for prayer times. Donations are appreciated.

The easiest way to get to Ortaköy this morning is to take a cab.

DOLMABAHÇE PALACE

From the Ortaköy Mosque, it’s a 30-minute walk to the Dolmabahçe Palace (closed Monday and Thursday).

The palace is an incredible example of Baroque architecture and a display of the wealth of the Ottoman Empire. Over the years, it has been the official residence of 6 Sultans.

On our first visit, we did a guided tour, which was very bad. Fortunately, this has now been replaced by a good audio guide that clicks in and out as you enter the different rooms.

The palace is split into two sections, the Harem (the Sultan’s family’s private quarters) and the Selamik (the official palace rooms).

In our opinion, it’s worth paying for both. The big highlights of the complex are the Blue Hall, Crystal Staircase and Grand Ceremonial.

Allow 2 hours or so to wander around.

Surprisingly, lunch at the on-site café is pretty decent. It’s also one of the few places in Istanbul where you can dine right next to the Bosphorus.

Tickets – Dolmabahçe Palace is not included on the Museum Pass so we suggest buying skip-the-line tickets in advance. The palace is closed on Monday.

WHIRLING DERVISHES

Once you’ve explored the palace, walk to Kabatas and take the tram to Tofane, then stroll up to the Galata Mevlevi Museum to see the Whirling Dervishes.

The Sema is a religious ceremony where the Whirling Dervishes do their mesmerising dance. The ceremony lasts about 1 hour and it’s a wonderful thing to do.

Tickets need to be collected and paid for the day before (Saturday) by a man sitting at a table outside the entrance to the museum.

Tickets – Whirling Dervishes is a popular thing to do, so we suggest buying tickets in advance. Performances start at 7 pm.

GALATA TOWER

After the whirling, you will be near the Galata Tower, which you can climb to get views of Istanbul. The situation may have changed, but they allow too many people up, the queues are very long, and the small balcony can get very overcrowded.

Personally, we’d skip it the next time, but if you are interested, it is included on the Istanbul Museum Pass. If you don’t have a pass, make sure you book tickets in advance.

ROOFTOP COCKTAILS

In our opinion, it’s better to have a drink at one of the nearby cocktail bars instead.

Bar 360 is a popular choice with great views of the Galata Tower.

As evening arrives, and if you have the stamina, explore the area around İstiklal Caddesi, where we started day 2. It might be crazy, but you’ll see all of Istanbul’s sides.

DAY 4: OTTOMAN VICTORIES & ROMAN CHURCHES

Today, we’re mostly visiting the sites that tell the story of the Ottoman conquest and find Byzantine gems tucked away in local neighbourhoods.

We started at the Panorama 1453, which wouldn’t normally be on our list of top things to do, but it’s convenient to the Chora Church (which is a great thing to do.)

PANORAMA 1453 MUSEUM

Start at the Panorama 1453 Museum, a short walk from the Topkapı Metro Station along the Walls of Constantinople.

The information boards explaining the Ottoman victory over the Romans are long and verbose, but you can skip through them quickly to head up to the dome.

The 360-degree painted panorama, with sound effects, is a fairly tacky depiction of the battle. But it won us over none the less.

KARIYE MOSQUE (CHORA CHURCH)

From the Panorama 1453, head back to the metro station and hop on the tram to Edirnekapi. Exiting the tram, walk through the walls and down to the Chora Church.

Chora Church is the best-preserved Crusader Byzantine Church in Istanbul. It’s thoroughly atmospheric and covered with wonderful frescoes and mosaics. This is one of the attractions we’d definitely make the time to see if we were you.

Tickets – The church has now been converted to a mosque, but it’s still possible for non-muslims to visit. Entrance is on the north side of the building on Kairye Türbesi Street. Buy tickets in advance to avoid the queues.

Prayer times – Chora Mosque is closed for prayer on Fridays. All non-muslims need to avoid prayer times on all other days. Check prayer times in advance

Chora Mosque is not included on the Istanbul Museum Pass.

FERRY ON THE BOSPHORUS

After the Chora Mosque, make your way down the hill for 20 minutes through a modern Turkish neighbourhood to the ferry stop at Ayvansary.

From here, catch the ferry back to Karaköy.

The ferry only runs once an hour, so try to time your arrival with the timetable. The relaxing ride along the Golden Horn as views of Istanbul slide by is a highlight.

LUNCH: FISH & BAKLAVA

Hop off at the ferry at Karaköy, ignore the awful restaurants under the bridge and grab lunch at Akin Balik.

It’s a popular local fish restaurant tucked into the fishing village just upstream of the bridge. We really like it, but it does have mixed reviews on TripAdvisor, so we’ll leave this one to your discretion.

However, for dessert we do insist you go to Karaköy Güllüoğlu for the most amazing baklava you’ll ever have.

İSTANBUL MODERN

After lunch, head down to Istanbul Modern, one of the world’s most amazing modern art galleries. The last time I was at the museum was on my very first trip to Istanbul in 2009.

On our last visit, the museum was still closed for renovations, so we haven’t been since it reopened. We’d love to hear what you think in the comments.

Tickets – Istanbul Modern is not covered on the Museum Card. View ticket prices and book online tickets on the official website.

TOPHANE-I AMIRE CULTURE & ART CENTRE

Tophane-I Amire Culture and Art Centre is free to visit and hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The building was the armoury for the Ottoman Empire, whose purpose was to manufacture cannonballs.

The Five Domes Gallery is a beautiful space that contains the permanent collection, including works by Renoir.

If you have the time, it’s a wonderful gallery to visit.

BEYOĞLU

This now puts you in the Beyoğlu neighbourhood – a great place to hang out for the evening. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from lining the pretty streets.

DAY 5: GRAND ISTANBUL

We spent our final day in Istanbul visiting mosques and palatial homes, exploring the grandeur of Istanbul.

SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE

Start the day at Valens Aqueduct, which Roman Emperor Theodosius built.

Next amble along Veta Caddesi in the Molla Husrev neighbourhood to the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, an Ottoman-era mosque located on Istanbul’s 3rd hill. It’s one of the defining landmarks of Istanbul, and inside the space is simply breathtaking.

Entry is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Non-Muslims must avoid prayer times.

After exploring inside, head down the hill to Aga Kapisi for tea or coffee on its rooftop with great views over the city and back over the Mosque.

GRAND BAZAAR

Next, stroll further down the hill and into the Grand Bazaar.

It’s a vast and touristy shopping complex, but still, weaving in and out of the maze of alleyways decorated with ornate ceilings and stained-glass windows is a lot of fun.

Test out your bargaining skills on carpets, tickets, ceramics, and lanterns, then grab some lunch.

We highly recommend Carsi Kebab, a great local kebab stall in the northwest corner of the bazaar.

TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

After lunch, go past Constantine’s Column on the way to the Topkapı Palace. This is one of the sights included in the Museum Card, so use it to avoid the (sometimes) horrendous queues.

You can easily spend around 2 hours 30 minutes exploring the palace from which the Ottoman Sultans ruled their massive Empire. It’s a thoroughly sumptuous and extravagant icon and a great way to wrap up your 5-day Istanbul itinerary.

Tickets – If you don’t have a Museum Card, book tickets online to avoid the queues. The museum is closed on Tuesday.  

WHERE TO STAY IN ISTANBUL

In our opinion, the best areas to stay in Istanbul are around Beyoğlu, Karaköy and Taksim.

The atmosphere is alive and kicking in the evening with plenty of great restaurants and bars, without being too close to the heavily populated areas.

The excellent transport links will easily transport you to the rest of the city.

We strongly suggest you stay away from Galatasaray and the centre of İstiklal Caddesi. Both are very noisy late into the night – and not in a good way.

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VISITING MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS IN ISTANBUL

There are so many museums and attractions in Istanbul and queues can be long. So, it’s worth getting some tickets in advance to save both time and money.

MUSEUMPASS İSTANBUL

The Museum Pass Istanbul provides access to 13 museums and archaeological sites. However, only three are on this itinerary: Topkapi Palace, the Archaeological Museums, and the Galata Tower.

The Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and Dolmabahce Palace used to be included, but they are no longer. Therefore, if you follow this itinerary, buying the pass is not worth it.

If you decide to get it, the pass costs €105 and provides skip-the-line access to each museum once in 5 days. The pass can be collected from any of the museums, or you can purchase it online in advance.

ISTANBUL MUSEUM PASS

A similarly named product is the Istanbul Museum Pass, which includes many more museums. However, it’s also much more expensive.

It starts at €150 per day, so you’d really need to visit a lot of museums to make it worth it.

You can review the pass here and determine if it works for you.

MUSEUM OPENING HOURS

Most of the Museums are closed at least one day in the week, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. We have mentioned throughout this guide when museums are closed, but things change in Istanbul, so it’s worth checking.

The other important thing to keep in mind is that many of Istanbul’s museums now operate as mosques, which are closed during prayer times. The museums and mosques with restricted visiting times are:

• Aya İrini
• Little Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia
• Ortaköy Mosque
• Chora Mosque
• Süleymaniye Mosque

Before you go, check the prayer times here which change throughout the year.

GETTING TO ISTANBUL

Istanbul has two airports.

ISTANBUL AIRPORT

Istanbul Airport (IST) is located 50 kilometres from the city centre on the European side. This is where most international flights will arrive.

The best way to get into the city is to take the M11 Metro Line to Gayrettepe, then change trains to get to your hotel. The journey from the airport to Gayrettepe is 30 minutes.

There is also a shuttle bus which costs €5 euro. Taxis to the city centre will cost around €25. Depending on traffic, the shuttle bus or taxi could take anywhere between 1-2 hours.

SABIHA GÖKÇEN AIRPORT

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side, around 40 kilometres from the city centre.

Take the M4 Metro Line to Kadıköy to get to the city centre. From here you can connect to your hotel.

The airport shuttle and taxis also operate from the airport and take around 1-2 hours to reach the city centre.

GETTING AROUND ISTANBUL

The Istanbul public transport system is excellent.

Metro – The metro system is fast, efficient and affordable. The M2 line will be most useful to visitors as it passes through Taksim Square.

Tram – Istanbul has an extraordinary tram network which you may find useful, but the only line we took was the T1.

Ferries – Ferries run regular departures connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. A trip costs around €1.

Use the Istanbulkart to pay for all public transport in Istanbul, which you can pick up from the airport when you arrive.

BEST TIME TO GO TO ISTANBUL

Many of the official museums in Istanbul have summer and winter opening times.

In winter, the sites shut 2 hours earlier, which significantly curtails how much you can see, so it’s better to visit Istanbul between late April and October.

Turkey also gets very hot in summer, so if you love walking around a city, we suggest you aim for the shoulder seasons.

If you want some of the big sites to yourself, coincide your trip with Ramadan.

Very few Turks travel during Ramadan, so everything is much less busy. The downside is that some restaurants are on a limited menu or reduced hours, but we never found this a problem during our visit.

HOW MANY DAYS IN ISTANBUL?

We recommend that you visit Istanbul for at least 3 to 5 days to see it properly. Apart from the fascinating historical places, there’s a vast array of museums, a thriving art scene, buzzing cafes and bars, and 2 continents.

3 DAYS IN ISTANBUL 

If you have 3 days in Istanbul, we recommend you follow days 1, 2 and 5 of this itinerary. This will allow time to see the major attractions, the most sumptuous palaces, some very cool art, and many of the interesting historical sites.

4 DAYS IN ISTANBUL 

To see Istanbul in 4 days, follow days 1,2, 3 and 5 of this Itinerary. This will capture most of the main tourist attractions plus allow you to experience more of the local neighbourhoods in Istanbul.

5 DAYS IN ISTANBUL 

With 5 days in Istanbul, you’ll be able to see the main attractions, plus get under the surface and find local Istanbul experiences lurking in quirky and traditional neighbourhoods.

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