Istanbul has been the stage of empires—Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman—each leaving an architectural echo that still guides modern life. Today, it’s a city of 16+ million where call to prayer mingles with rooftop clinking glasses, and ferries braid Europe to Asia every few minutes. In four days, you can taste centuries: basilicas turned mosques, sultans’ palaces, and markets that still trade in spice and silver.

Expect a city that rewards early mornings and late nights: sunrise over minarets, a Turkish breakfast that could feed a family, and meze that multiply as the Bosphorus darkens. Istanbul favors wanderers—duck down an alley and you might find a 500-year-old hamam, a contemporary art gallery, or a third-wave coffee bar humming with students.

Practical notes: Cash is useful (Turkish lira—TRY), but cards are widely accepted. Dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; women bring a scarf) and remove shoes. Buy an Istanbulkart for trams, metros, buses, and ferries. For safety, stick to well-lit areas at night and use marked taxis or rideshares; neighborhoods in this guide are well-trodden and lively.

Istanbul

Istanbul straddles two continents and seven hills, a city of deep layers best explored by neighborhoods. One day you’ll be tracing Byzantine mosaics; the next you’ll be hopping between meyhanes for meze and raki. The Bosphorus is its heartbeat—take to the water to understand the city’s scale and beauty.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Ortaköy Mosque.
• Essential experiences: Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı), a Bosphorus cruise, a traditional hammam, ferrying to Kadıköy and Moda, sunset tea by the Maiden’s Tower.
• Food highlights: Meze at a meyhane, döner and dürüm grills, baklava and künefe, regional Anatolian dishes at institutions like Çiya Sofrası.
• Fun facts: Tulips were beloved in Ottoman Istanbul before they wowed the Dutch. The city’s famously friendly street cats are looked after by locals and shop owners.

Where to stay (Hotels & VRBO):

• Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul (palatial Bosphorus icon) — Ottoman glamour, riverside pool, serene gardens.
• Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul (Bosphorus views, central) — Large spa, rooftop bar “16 Roof,” walkable to Dolmabahçe.
• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus — Restored waterside mansion with refined service and private jetty.
• Cheers Hostel — Friendly, budget-friendly base steps from Sultanahmet’s major sights.
• Legacy Ottoman Hotel (Eminönü) or Sirkeci Mansion — Great for easy tram/ferry access.
• Search apartments and unique stays on VRBO (Istanbul) — Good for families and longer stays.
• Browse more Istanbul hotels on Hotels.com

Getting there (Flights & Transport):

• Fly into Istanbul Airport (IST, main hub) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW, on the Asian side). Search competitive fares on Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com (global flights), or Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: 3–4 hrs from Central Europe, 9–11 hrs from the US East Coast, 11–14 hrs from Asia-Pacific (one-stop).
• Airport to city: From IST, the M11 metro connects to transfer lines; Havaist buses (about 60–90 min, traffic-dependent). From SAW, HAVABUS (to Kadıköy/Taksim) or metro M4. Budget ~$2–6 one-way with Istanbulkart.

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet Icons, and First Flavors

Morning: Fly into Istanbul. If you land early, grab strong Turkish coffee and a simit (sesame ring) at a café in the airport or en route. Pick up an Istanbulkart at the station or kiosk for easy tram/metro/ferry rides.

Afternoon: Check in and head to Sultanahmet. Start at the Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column) to set the scene. Step into the Blue Mosque to admire İznik tiles (non-prayer visiting hours; dress code applies). Descend into the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, where Medusa heads prop ancient columns beneath a mirror-still pool.

Evening: Dinner near Sirkeci: try Şehzade Çağ Kebap for Erzurum-style rotating lamb on horizontal spit, or Buhara Ocakbaşı for smoky kebabs from a charcoal grill. For dessert, sample syrupy baklava or milk pudding at Hafız Mustafa 1864. Nightcap option: a whirling dervish ceremony at Hodjapasha (book ahead), a contemplative introduction to Sufi culture.

Day 2: Palaces, Bosphorus Cruise, and Seaside Meze

Morning: Dive into a proper Turkish breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir): honeycomb with clotted kaymak, menemen (soft-scrambled tomatoes/eggs), cheeses, olives, and warm bread. Walk or tram to the 19th‑century Dolmabahçe Palace, whose crystal chandeliers and ceremonial hall reflect Ottoman Europe-facing elegance; consider the add-on harem ticket for the full story.

Afternoon: From Kabataş or Eminönü, take a public Şehir Hatları Bosphorus cruise (short loop 1.5–2 hrs; ~$5–10) for waterfront mansions, fortress views, and a breeze you’ll remember. Disembark to wander Ortaköy—photograph the mosque and try a loaded kumpir (baked potato) from the stalls. Stroll the shore toward Arnavutköy and Bebek; refuel with specialty coffee at Cup of Joy (Bebek) or a pistachio croissant at Mino a Bakery & Coffee (Akaretler).

Evening: Book a seaside table at Arnavutköy Balıkçısı or Sur Balık Arnavutköy for a classic meyhane spread: garlicky atom, stuffed mussels, grilled sea bream, and raki. After dinner, sip cocktails with Bosphorus views at 16 Roof inside Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul, or slide into Alexandra Cocktail Bar (Arnavutköy) for inventive mixes.

Day 3: Asian Side Eats—Kadıköy, Moda, and a Sunset by the Maiden’s Tower

Morning: Ferry to Kadıköy for a locals’ market crawl. Start with coffee at Naan Bakeshop (sourdough and simit sandwiches) or Walter’s Coffee Roastery (light-roast, geek-friendly). Wander the fishmongers, pickle shops, and spice stands on Güneşli Bahçe Sokak; taste stuffed mussels (midye dolma) and olives as you go.

Afternoon: Lunch at the celebrated Çiya Sofrası, where chef Musa Dağdeviren revives regional Anatolian recipes—try lahmacun, herb-laced kebabs, seasonal stews, and uncommon desserts like tel kadayıf. Walk to Moda along the waterfront for gelato at Dondurmacı Ali Usta and tea in the park; time slows here. Cross to Üsküdar for a shoreline stroll past Mihrimah Sultan Mosque toward Salacak, a perfect vantage for the Maiden’s Tower.

Evening: For dinner, stay on the Asian side at Koço (Moda) for meze and grilled fish in a storied setting. Alternatively, ferry back to Karaköy for tiled beauty and updated classics at Karaköy Lokantası (reserve; blue-and-white interior is iconic). Night music? Nardis Jazz Club under Galata Tower hosts quality live sets most evenings.

Day 4: Bazaars, a Hammam Unwind, and Departure

Morning: Browse the vaulted lanes of the Grand Bazaar (leather, carpets, ceramics). Pause for Turkish coffee at Şark Kahvesi inside the bazaar, then continue to the aromatic Spice Bazaar for saffron, sumac, and lokum (Turkish delight). If you love historic dining rooms, lunch at Pandeli (above the Spice Bazaar entrance) serves Ottoman recipes amid azure İznik tiles.

Afternoon: Go out relaxed: book a traditional scrub and foam massage at Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (Sinan masterpiece near Karaköy; ~45–75 minutes, ~$45–90 depending on package) or the luminous Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı by Sultanahmet. Expect separate men’s/women’s sessions, marble-heated platforms, and a blissful reset before travel. Head to the airport via metro + Havaist/HAVABUS (60–90 minutes; pad extra time for traffic).

Evening: Departure. If you have a final hour, grab simit and tea by the Galata Bridge or a last scoop of mastic ice cream in Karaköy, and promise yourself you’ll return for Topkapı’s palace courts and the lesser-known neighborhoods along the Golden Horn.

Extra Tips and Smart Swaps

• Topkapı Palace: If you’re keen on imperial history, swap into Day 1 or 2. The Harem apartments are the highlight; allow 2–3 hours.
• Galata Tower: Reopened with refreshed exhibits; go at opening or late evening to avoid queues. Elevator most of the way, then a short stair climb.
• Street eats: Try Dürümzade (grilled wraps) near İstiklal, and Balık ekmek (fish sandwich) at Eminönü by the ferry piers.
• Mosque etiquette: For Hagia Sophia, non-Muslim visitors currently access designated areas; gallery tickets for foreigners may be timed—check on arrival and go early. Shoulders/knees covered; women cover hair; remove shoes.
• Transport: Trams T1 (Sultanahmet–Karaköy–Eminönü) and Marmaray (undersea) plus ferries make cross-city moves quick; always tap with Istanbulkart.

Backup/alternative stays (near key sights): For Eminönü and the bazaars, browse Hotel Momento or the heritage-rich Sirkeci Mansion. For Bosphorus-side romance, the Çırağan Palace Kempinski remains unrivaled.

This 4-day Istanbul travel guide balances headline sights with neighborhood rituals—breakfasts that linger, ferries that double as city tours, and evenings that glow along the Bosphorus. You’ll leave with spice-scented souvenirs, a taste for meze, and a map in your head that spans two continents.