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.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
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.
USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
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.
AWR TIP | CABS IN ISTANBUL
We know full well that you can’t judge a city by its taxi drivers, and Istanbul is no exception. We experienced the cash swap where the taxi driver claimed we gave him a smaller note that we did, and asked for more money.
It’s a common scam in Turkey and something to be aware of. Always say what note you are handing over.
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.
FATIH
HOTEL SARI KONAK
Great value in the centre of Istanbul with stylish finishings and one of the best-located roof-terraces in the city.
GOOD VALUE
BEYOĞLU
LOUIS APPARTEMENTS
These modern, great value apartments are well equipped with basic essentials in an ideal location for exploring the city.
BEYOĞLU
PERA PALACE HOTEL
This is a perfectly located touch of indulgence, a magnificent old building with terraced lawns and three restaurants.
KARAKÖY
10 KARAKÖY
This beautiful luxury hotel in the heart of trendy Karaköy has stylish decor and helpful staff. The location is perfect for exploring.
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.
MORE TURKEY GUIDES
- More great things to do can be found in our guide to visiting Istanbul.
- Travelling around? Read our guide to the best places to visit in Turkey.
- Try these incredible hikes in Cappadocia (maps included).
- Here are the best things to do in Antalya.
- Take the ultimate scenic voyage in a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride.
- Plan your trip with our Turkey Itinerary.
- Here are the best things to do in Cappadocia.
- Relive history in the best ancient ruins in Turkey.
- Plan the ultimate 4-days in Cappadocia with our detailed itinerary.
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That architecture is stunning! The colors and details on the inside tiles are breathtaking. Fresh local seafood and ferry boat rides are the best part of being on the water, I would not miss those.
I love the Islamic styling and calligraphy on the tiles, always makes me feel like I’m somewhere exotic! I can highly recommend the seafood, it was top notch.
Istanbul, the name itself seems to conjure images of an exotic place which Istanbul undoubtedly is. Turkey and Istanbul are on our bucket list and we hope to get there someday. This seems to be a perfect itinerary to explore Istanbul at a decent pace. So sad that the Blue Mosque had scaffoldings when you were there. This has happened to us at a number of monuments too. I am also quite intrigued by Basilica Cistern and its subterranean mysteries.
It certainly is a mystifying place, in fact, we’d go so far as to say it’s our all-time favourite city. The history and interesting sites, as well as the cool local bars and cafes make it a great place to hang out for a couple of days. Hope you guys make it there soon, you’ll love it.
Wow – that’s such a comprehensive itinerary guide to Istanbul! I remember going to Istanbul a few years ago, but not having read a complete itinerary like yours. Anyone traveling to Istanbul will get great tips from reading your guide!
Hope to visit again someday! Thanks for the read!
Thanks, Mick what lovely comments. Always nice to hear. Hope you make it there again soon and give us a shot if you need any tips.
I actually had no idea that there is so much art and wonderful architecture in Istanbul! Ive always wanted to see that city and wonder around the markets, I feel like the atmosphere is so amazing there! Looks like 5 days is enough to visit, thanks for such a great itinerary !
Thanks Ada, there’s a load of stuff to do in Istanbul. You could easily spend longer than 5 days if you wanted to, just hanging around the markets and doing a bit of shopping could easily fill a couple of days. It has such a great vibe. Hope you make it there sometime soon.
This is a perfect post for me, as I’ve not yet visited Istanbul. I love all your photos, and they’re definitely inspiring me to go! The Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace is particularly stunning, and I’d also make time to visit the brunch place you mentioned. Turkish food is delicious!
Turkish food is amazing and so cheap. And the tea, I definitely got a bit addicted to the Turkish Tea. Hope you make it to Istanbul soon, it’s a city with a lot to offer.
That’s a great guide you’ve written. I visited Istanbul just for a couple of nights a very long time ago. I would love to go back, it is a beautiful city. In fact, I would love to explore a lot more of Turkey. I love the markets, the food and the architecture. Thanks for bringing back great memories.
Thank you very much, always nice to hear. It’s a fantastic country. We were there for about a month collecting sights, eating, drinking lots of Turkish tea. There’s so much history and life in the place, it’s one of our favourite countries to travel to. Hope you make it back soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, to be honest, I’ve never really looked at Istanbul much, but it seems beautiful! The architecture and colours are stunning! I am planning on doing a Euro trip next year so perhaps I’ll have to add Istanbul on at the end 🙂
We highly recommend it. The food, art, history, architecture, markets and general buzz of the city is fantastic. Plus it’s got that whole east/west thing going on so it feels quite different to the rest of Europe in many ways.
Your description of Istanbul as a heady mix of east and west is perfect. I love all those onion domes (I’m sure there’s a better term!). Fantastic photos!
LOL! I love the term onion domes! I don’t think that is exactly what they are called, but I think it should be. Perhaps we should rename them all? Thanks for your comments, it was a great place to write about.
This is one exceptional itinerary for the charming Istanbul and my dream destination, Paul. Loved every bit of it and I am definitely going to use your guide when exploring Insabul! 🙂
Thanks so much for saying Lydia, we love getting comments like that. Have a great time in Istanbul.
I’ve been to Istanbul and I completely loved the city, Paul! This is a really awesome itinerary and I have seen only some of the places you have. I will have to return there as soon as possible and follow your itinerary!
Thanks Agness! Glad you found it useful. We’d love to hear about your trip when you make it back.
I love how you spent more on food on booze than your accomodation, because that would be totally me, lol. We visited Turkey last year and fell in love. So much beauty in Istanbul, great food and people too and this article highlights all that so well. I love ho well detailed and well together your post is. Will be sharing to a friend who wants to visit Turkey too as my thoughts from our trip are all over the place.
We like to divert our funds to the important things Karen! Glad you’re with us. Istanbul is a very easy city to fall in love with, we wish we had stayed longer to see more. Hope your friend finds our little post useful.
All looks great. Only 5th day, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace looks hard at the same day..
Hi John – you could spend a whole day in the Topkapı Palace without much problem, there’s so much to see. We found half a day was still plenty of time though.
Hi darling we are off to an Istanbul air Bnb in March and very excited. Hubby not too well so not sure how much we will be able to walk but hope to use your great blogs. Thanks for the info, Annie
Excellent. Have a great time.
Just have to add my congratulations to you both for a fantastic read. I was in Istanbul recently and can fully appreciate your comments on the glorious architecture and atmosphere of this iconic city. I only had 3 days and so wanted at least two more days to see the places I didn’t have time for – underestimated the richness of the city – should have read your post beforehand!
Thank you very much. Istanbul is one of our favourite cities for the fascinating history, excellent attractions and great vibe. It’s an easy place to get inspired to write about. Hopefully, you get to go back and spend a bit more time exploring.
Istanbul is really a beautiful city. I have watched Istanbul in Turkish series like Feriha and it looks beautiful especially its architect. When the lockdown is over, I will definitely plan my next trip to Istanbul and wants to try Turkish food and its popular tea that I have watched in the feriha series. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Glad to hear it. Istanbul is an amazing city, you’ll have a wonderful time.