Istanbul, the former Constantinople, is where empires layered their ambitions: Roman forums, Byzantine domes, Ottoman palaces, and modern boulevards. Its skyline bristles with minarets; its soul drifts on tea steam and ferry horns. This 4-day itinerary weaves iconic landmarks with local rituals—markets, meyhanes, and sunset on the Bosphorus.

Founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE, the city straddles Europe and Asia, stitched together by bridges and centuries of trade. You’ll stand under the mosaics of Hagia Sophia, wander Topkapi’s courtyards, and haggle in the Grand Bazaar like merchants have for 500 years. Then you’ll cross to Kadıköy for sizzling street food and neighborhood life.

Practical notes for 2025: mosques require modest attire; women should bring a headscarf for Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Grand Bazaar is closed Sundays; Topkapi Palace is typically closed Tuesdays. Public transit runs on the Istanbulkart and ferries are both scenic and reliable. Come hungry—this city eats with gusto.

Istanbul

Between the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, Istanbul offers layers: Sultanahmet’s monuments, Galata’s steep streets and jazz bars, and the Asian-side bustle of Kadıköy. Each neighborhood has a flavor—literally and figuratively.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Harem, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower (for views), Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque by the water.
• Food & drink: Breakfast “kahvaltı” spreads at Beşiktaş spots like Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu; meze at Karaköy Lokantası; baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu; street classics like simit and döner; seasonal fish along the Bosphorus.
• Local rituals: Hop a ferry at sunset, linger over Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz, and rejuvenate in a historic hammam.

How to get there: Fly into Istanbul Airport (IST, main hub) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW, Asian side). From major European hubs, nonstop flights are ~3–4 hours (typical one-way $120–$300). From North America, 10–12.5 hours nonstop (to IST) or 12–16 hours with one stop ($500–$950 round-trip, season-dependent). Search and compare on Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com (flights), or Kiwi.com for long-haul deals.

Getting around: Use trams (T1 for Sultanahmet–Karaköy), metros, and ferries with an Istanbulkart. Airport to city: taxi (45–75 minutes to Sultanahmet, traffic-dependent), or Havaist airport buses (roughly 60–90 minutes, budget-friendly). For regional trains in Europe, check Omio (trains).

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul – A storied Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus with an infinity pool kissing the strait.
• Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul – Resort-like greenery above Dolmabahçe; stellar city and water views.
• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus – Elegant waterfront mansion; luminous terraces at sunset.
• Sirkeci Mansion – Warm, walkable Old City base between the Spice Bazaar and Gülhane Park.
• Cheers Hostel – Sociable, budget-friendly, steps from Hagia Sophia.

Prefer apartments? Browse VRBO: Istanbul or compare hotels across neighborhoods on Hotels.com: Istanbul.

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet Icons, and a Night on the Bosphorus

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop through Sultanahmet Square: trace the Hippodrome’s chariot-race track, admire the Serpent Column, and step into the cool depths of the Basilica Cistern, where Medusa heads guard ancient columns. For a restorative pick-me-up, try Turkish coffee at Şark Kahvesi near the Grand Bazaar or the ultra-thick brew at Mandabatmaz off İstiklal.

Evening: Early dinner with a view at Hamdi Restaurant (kebabs, pistachio baklava, panoramas over the Golden Horn) or reserve at Karaköy Lokantası for refined meze—savory artichokes, stuffed vine leaves, and grilled octopus. Cap the night with a dinner cruise: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table for live performances and glittering palace views.

Nightcap: If you’re still awake, stroll the Galata Bridge for fishermen’s silhouettes and the scent of the sea, or sip tea in Gülhane Park under plane trees.

Day 2: Two Continents, One Appetite

Morning: Join a guided tasting across Europe and Asia: Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry. You’ll start with a classic breakfast—olives, cheeses, menemen—then ferry to Kadıköy’s market streets for pickles, dürüm, and regional specialties. It’s culture-by-bite, with ferries as your scenic shuttle.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy and Moda. Sip third-wave coffee at Walter’s Coffee Roastery or Petra Roasting (Moda outpost). Browse antiques on Tellalzade Street and sample Çiya Sofrası for southeastern Turkish dishes you won’t find elsewhere—try the lamb with sour cherries or herb-laced salads.

Evening: Ferry back at golden hour. For sweets, grab warm baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu. Drinks with live jazz at Nardis Jazz Club under Galata Tower, or a Bosphorus-view cocktail at 16 Roof (Swissôtel) if you prefer skyline sunsets without the boat.

Day 3: Byzantium to the Ottomans—A Deep-Dive in the Old City

Morning: Take a comprehensive, ticket-included tour to maximize time and context: Istanbul Guided Tour Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Cistern with Tickets. See the Blue Mosque’s Iznik tiles, navigate crowd-control at Hagia Sophia, descend into the Basilica Cistern’s dreamy columns, and explore Topkapi’s treasury with expert commentary.

Afternoon: Continue into the Topkapi Harem (fascinating, intricate tilework), then drift down to the Spice Bazaar. Smell sumac and sahlep, and grab fresh-ground coffee at Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi (expect a quick-moving line). Light lunch nearby: Pandeli above the bazaar for historic Ottoman recipes—lamb stews, eggplant with yogurt.

Late afternoon reset: Unwind Ottoman-style at a historic bath: Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option. A steam, scrub, and foam massage will restore sightseeing legs.

Evening: Book a traditional meyhane in Asmalımescit or Nevizade. Try meyze/meze spreads (fava puree, smoked eggplant), grilled fish, and sip rakı. Alternatively, go casual at Dürümzade (Bourdain-approved) for spicy adana wraps hot off the grill, then a night stroll down İstiklal Avenue.

Day 4: Palaces, Bosphorus Villages, and Departure

Morning: Tour the waterfront opulence of Dolmabahçe Palace—crystal chandeliers, grand staircases, and Atatürk’s final room—then walk or taxi to Ortaköy. Photograph the mosque framed by the bridge and try a loaded kumpir (baked potato) from the waterfront stalls.

Late morning: Stroll the Bosphorus north through Arnavutköy and Bebek. Pause for coffee at Bebek Kahvesi or Cup of Joy; if you want a slow, elegant lunch by the water, reserve at a seafood spot like Arnavutköy Balıkçısı (seasonal fish, meze, sea breeze).

Afternoon departure: Collect bags and head to IST or SAW. Leave at least 4 hours before an international flight to account for traffic and security. If you have a spare hour, pick up last-minute souvenirs at Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque—quality textiles and ceramics without the Grand Bazaar sprawl.

Practical Eats & Sips (Bookmark These)

• Breakfasts: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir; regional cheeses and honeycomb), Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu (Beşiktaş; menemen and su böreği), Namlı Gurme (Karaköy; deli-style spreads).
• Coffee & sweets: Mandabatmaz (thick Turkish coffee), Petra Roasting (artisan espresso), Hafız Mustafa 1864 (kunefe, Turkish delight), Karaköy Güllüoğlu (still-warm baklava).
• Lunches: Balık Ekmek at Eminönü (grilled fish sandwiches), Pandeli (historic Ottoman dishes), Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy regional gems).
• Dinners: Karaköy Lokantası (refined meze), Giritli (seafood garden tasting menus), Hamdi (view-rich grills), Asmalımescit meyhaneleri (live music, convivial vibe).
• Views & drinks: 16 Roof at Swissôtel (Bosphorus skyline), Alexandra Cocktail Bar (Arnavutköy; creative cocktails, neighborhood charm), Nardis (intimate jazz).

Booking Shortcuts

• Hotels & apartments: Hotels.com: Istanbul | VRBO: Istanbul
• Notable stays: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul | Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul | Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus | Sirkeci Mansion
• Flights/trains: Omio (flights in/out of Europe) | Trip.com (global flights) | Kiwi.com | Omio (trains in Europe)
• Top activities we love in this itinerary:
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table
  • Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
  • Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Cistern Guided Tour (tickets included)
  • Gedikpaşa Historical Turkish Bath

Good to know: Many mosques reduce tourist access during prayer times (especially Friday noon). Carry a light scarf, wear slip-on shoes for mosque visits, and bring small cash for market samples. Museum closures can shift—check the latest a week before you go.

In four days, you’ll have tasted both continents, traced the arc of empires, and watched the Bosphorus catch fire at sunset. Istanbul rewards wanderers; let ferries and appetites be your compass, and the city will do the rest.