Istanbul rewards curiosity. Founded as Byzantium, reborn as Constantinople, and reimagined as today’s Istanbul, the city has stood at the crossroads of empires for more than 2,500 years. Its skyline—domes, minarets, and modern spires—rises over the meeting point of Europe and Asia.

Beyond the postcard sights, the city hums with everyday rituals: clinking tea glasses, fishermen along Galata Bridge, and ferries gliding between continents. You’ll taste pistachio baklava in Karaköy, sample meze in a meyhane, and watch the sun drop behind the silhouette of the Old City from a yacht on the Bosphorus.

Practical notes: Major mosques are active places of worship—dress modestly and avoid prayer times. Carry an Istanbulkart for trams, metros, and ferries; fares are low, and tap-in/tap-out is easy. Expect airport-to-center in ~35–75 minutes depending on transport and traffic. Turkish cuisine is regional and diverse; bring an appetite.

Istanbul

Straddling two continents, Istanbul is both museum and metropolis. In Sultanahmet, visit Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century engineering feat that once crowned the Byzantine Empire. Nearby, the Blue Mosque dazzles with Iznik tiles and six minarets, while the Basilica Cistern whispers with echoing columns and soft light.

Across the Golden Horn, Beyoğlu climbs from Karaköy to İstiklal Avenue: cafés, boutiques, and late-night music. Ride a ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side for vibrant markets and the legendary “Kup Griye” sundae at Baylan. Then follow the Bosphorus north for waterfront neighborhoods—Ortaköy, Arnavutköy, and Bebek—lined with mansions and seafood spots.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower.
• Essential experiences: Bosphorus cruise at sunset, traditional hammam, meyhane dinner with meze and rakı, Turkish breakfast with kaymak, street foods like simit and kokoreç.
• Where to stay: Sultanahmet for first-time sightseeing; Karaköy/Galata for dining and nightlife; Bosphorus hotels for views and calm.

How to get there: Fly into IST (Istanbul Airport) or SAW (Sabiha Gökçen). From most European cities, nonstop flights are ~3–4 hours and often $120–$300 round-trip outside peak. From North America, nonstop flights are ~10–12 hours, often $700–$1,200. Compare routes and prices on Omio (Europe flights), Trip.com (flights), or Kiwi.com (flights).

Airport to city: From IST, the M11 metro to Gayrettepe connects with M2 to Taksim/Sultanahmet area (35–50 minutes total; inexpensive). Havaist buses run to key hubs (about 60–90 minutes). Taxis can take 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Prebook a stress-free ride with Viator private transfer.

Where to book your stay: Browse citywide options on VRBO or Hotels.com.

• Palatial stay: Çırağan Palace Kempinski (Ottoman mansion on the Bosphorus; grand pool and gardens).
• Modern luxury: Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul (panoramic views, spa, and a leafy perch above Dolmabahçe).
• Boutique classic: Sirkeci Mansion (walkable to Spice Bazaar and Gülhane Park; warm Turkish hospitality).
• Intimate heritage: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus (ornate waterfront setting with refined service).
• Social & budget: Cheers Hostel (friendly vibe by Hagia Sophia; great for solo travelers).

Day 1: Arrive, Sultanahmet First Look, and Historic Flavors

Morning: Fly into IST or SAW. If you land early, store bags at your hotel and grab a restorative Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz (super-thick foam, Beyoğlu) or a mellow filter at Kronotrop (multiple branches). Snack on a simit from a street cart—sesame-crusted, best still warm.

Afternoon: Settle in, then stroll Sultanahmet Square. See the Hippodrome obelisks and the German Fountain, then step into the courtyard of the Blue Mosque to appreciate its symmetry; if you want to go inside, check prayer times and dress code. Continue to the Arasta Bazaar for artisan textiles and ceramics; it’s calmer than the Grand Bazaar and perfect for an unhurried first browse.

Evening: Dinner near the Spice Bazaar: try Hamdi Restaurant for southeastern Turkish grills and a terrace facing the Golden Horn, or classic meze at Giritli (fixed menu with Aegean flavors) in Cankurtaran. For dessert, visit Hafız Mustafa 1864 (kunefe, pistachio baklava) or the original Karaköy Güllüoğlu for masterful baklava layers. Nightcap with live jazz at Nardis Jazz Club beneath Galata Tower.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı, and a Bosphorus Sunset

Morning: Join a small-group deep dive into the Old City: Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour. You’ll learn how Justinian raised Hagia Sophia in the 6th century and why its vast dome baffled engineers for centuries. Opt to include the atmospheric Basilica Cistern—medusa heads, forest of columns, moody reflections.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta (since 1920) for juicy köfte with piyaz (bean salad). Spend the afternoon in Topkapı Palace: treasury, harem (separate ticket), and terraces over the Bosphorus. Exit through Gülhane Park for a pause with tea under plane trees.

Evening: Sail into golden hour with the Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best. Glide past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and waterfront yalıs as minarets silhouette against pink skies—arguably the city’s most romantic view.

After docking, head to Karaköy Lokantası (blue-tiled, beloved for meze and slow-cooked lamb) or Yeni Lokanta (Anatolian flavors with contemporary finesse; reserve ahead). End with tea on the Galata Bridge, watching anglers pack up for the night.

Day 3: Two Continents by Plate—Spice Bazaar, Kadıköy, and Rooftops

Morning: Come hungry for the acclaimed Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry. Begin with a traditional Turkish breakfast (cheeses, olives, menemen, kaymak with honey), browse the fragrant Spice Bazaar, then ferry to the Asian side for market tastings in Kadıköy.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy. For a sit-down lunch or second round, try Çiya Sofrası (regional Anatolian dishes you won’t see elsewhere; seasonal stews, stuffed vegetables) or Balıkçı Altınkapı for casual fish. Coffee at Story Coffee & Roastery or an old-school dessert at Baylan Pastanesi—their caramelized almond “Kup Griye” is a classic. Stroll Moda’s seaside promenade.

Evening: Back in Karaköy/Galata, chase views at a rooftop: Mesai Karaköy for cocktails and the Golden Horn, or a Bosphorus-facing terrace near Tophane. Dinner options: Neolokal in SALT Galata (elegant tasting menus rooted in Anatolian tradition) or Meze By Lemon Tree (creative meze with a lively dining room). For a laid-back last drink, try Geyik Coffee Roastery & Cocktail Bar in Cihangir.

Day 4: Bosphorus Neighborhoods, Bazaar Finale, and Dinner on the Water

Morning: Turkish breakfast is an art—head to Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for a spread of cheeses, jams, murtuğa, and lavash. Then wander the Bosphorus: Ortaköy’s waterfront mosque and kumpir stalls; Arnavutköy’s wooden mansions; Bebek’s park for coffee by the water at Bebek Kahve. If you prefer a hammam instead, book Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (Tophane) for an immaculate, historic bath experience.

Afternoon: Wrap up shopping: visit the Grand Bazaar for carpets, copper, and jewelry—compare quality and prices across a few stalls. In nearby Süleymaniye, step into the mosque’s serene courtyard and sip tea with a view at a terrace café. Quick, delicious lunches: Şehzade Cağ Kebap (Erzurum-style horizontal spit) or a classic balık ekmek (grilled fish sandwich) near Karaköy/Eminönü.

Evening: Celebrate your final night with the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table—whirling dances, live music, and illuminated palaces slipping past as you dine. It’s festive, photogenic, and wonderfully “Istanbul.”

If you prefer to stay on land, book a meyhane: Asmalı Cavit near İstiklal for a classic spread (atom, lakerda, grilled octopus) and convivial energy. Finish with baklava to-go for the flight home.

Practical Tips & Getting Around

• Mosques: Shoulders/knees covered; women may need headscarves. Avoid Friday noon prayers for sightseeing.
• Istanbulkart: One reloadable card works on metro, tram (T1 is best for Old City), funiculars, buses, and ferries; fares are low, and transfers are discounted.
• Safety & scams: Istanbul is busy but generally safe; confirm taxi meters or use official apps, and be wary of unsolicited “tour guide” offers.
• Seasonality: Spring and fall are ideal. In summer, start early, hydrate, and schedule museums midday.

Suggested Stays by Neighborhood

• Sultanahmet (walk-to-sights): Sirkeci Mansion, Cheers Hostel.
• Karaköy/Galata (food & nightlife): Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul (short tram or taxi), Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus (for serenity plus short rides).
• Bosphorus (views & quiet): Çırağan Palace Kempinski.
• Browse all: VRBO Istanbul | Hotels.com Istanbul

Getting In and Out

For departing flights, check both airports for the best fare and timing: search on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Allow generous time for traffic; the M11 metro is reliable for IST on weekdays.

Four days in Istanbul carry you from the marble hush of Hagia Sophia to the glow of the Bosphorus at dusk, with spice-scented markets and meze-laden tables in between. You’ll leave with a camera full of minarets and a palate tuned to pistachio and pomegranate.

Come back for the neighborhoods you didn’t get to—Balat’s color, Kuzguncuk’s village vibe, and the northern Bosphorus villages. Istanbul always keeps something in reserve.