Istanbul—ancient Constantinople—has been the capital of empires and a crossroads of continents for 1,700+ years. The city’s silhouette is stitched with domes and minarets, its streets perfumed by roasted chestnuts, grilled fish, and cardamom coffee. You’ll trace layers of Byzantine and Ottoman history, then ferry to Asia for market-lunches and seaside sunsets.

Expect contrasts: a call to prayer rippling over hip espresso bars, Roman cisterns beneath bustling trams, and palaces that open onto a strait busy with ferries. Food is half the joy—lavish Turkish breakfasts, meze at a meyhane, baklava still warm from the tray, and regional recipes gathered from across Anatolia.

Practical notes: Many visitors need an e-Visa; check your nationality in advance. Dress modestly for mosques (scarves for women; shoulders/knees covered). Hagia Sophia has timed-entry and security checks; Topkapı Palace is closed Tuesdays. Get an Istanbulkart for trams, ferries, and funiculars. Spring and fall offer mild weather, while summer is hot and lively.

Istanbul

Once capital to Byzantium and the Ottomans, today’s Istanbul is a creative, kinetic city divided by the Bosphorus into Europe and Asia. The Old City holds the big hitters—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı, Grand Bazaar—while neighborhoods like Karaköy, Balat, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy serve coffee culture, street eats, and nightlife.

Top sights include the Basilica Cistern’s forest of columns, Dolmabahçe’s gilded halls, and the panoramic Galata Tower. Food-wise, don’t miss a “serpme kahvaltı” (classic Turkish breakfast), çiğ köfte wraps, grilled fish sandwiches near the Galata Bridge, and Ottoman-era desserts.

• Where to stay: For first-timers, Sultanahmet is steps from major sights. Karaköy/Galata is central with great dining; Nişantaşı is polished and residential; Kadıköy offers a more local, bohemian feel. Browse stays on VRBO and compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) serve the city. Search flights via Omio (Europe), Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: 3–4 hours from much of Europe (~$80–$220 roundtrip off-peak), 10–12 hours from the US East Coast (~$650–$1,100).
• Overland options: From the Balkans, check Omio Trains or Omio Buses. In Turkey, high-speed trains link Ankara–Istanbul (4–4.5 hours); browse on Trip.com Trains.
• Good-to-know: Load an Istanbulkart at metro/ferry stations; trams T1 and the Marmaray are fast for cross-city moves. For mosques, remove shoes; bring a scarf. Book top restaurants and guided tours in advance.

Day 1 – Arrival, Karaköy to Galata, Golden Horn Views

Morning: Fly into IST or SAW. If arriving early, store bags and grab a light bite at Namlı Gurme Karaköy—choose olives, pastirma, cheeses, and simit to build your own breakfast board.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Karaköy’s street art and bakeries. For dessert, try pistachio baklava or sütlü nuriye at Karaköy Güllüoğlu (a local institution). Walk across the Galata Bridge to watch anglers, then climb to the Galata Tower area for cobbled lanes and vintage shops. Coffee break at Mandabatmaz for thick, foamy Turkish coffee or at Petra Roasting Co. for specialty beans.

Evening: Reserve dinner at Karaköy Lokantası—classics like eggplant with yogurt, octopus salad, and lamb tandır. For a nightcap and live jazz, slip into Nardis Jazz Club near Galata Tower. Prefer a view? Head to 16 Roof (weather-permitting) for Bosphorus panoramas.

Day 2 – Sultanahmet Icons: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Cistern, and Bazaars

Morning: Start with a full Turkish breakfast at Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu in Beşiktaş—menemen, kaymak with honey, and endless tea. Then join this skip-the-line small-group tour covering the essentials, including reserved-entry logistics:

Istanbul Guided Tour Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Cistern with Tickets

With a guide, you’ll grasp the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia story, Ottoman court life at Topkapı (don’t miss the Harem), and the Basilica Cistern’s Medusa heads—without wasting time in lines.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pandeli (inside the Spice Bazaar), lined in blue tiles since the early 1900s; order stuffed vine leaves and eggplant purée with lamb. Wander the Spice Bazaar for pul biber, saffron, and Turkish delight, then explore the Grand Bazaar’s labyrinth—focus on copperware, textiles, and ceramics. Bargaining is expected; aim for 15–25% off asking price.

Evening: Dine at Giritli (reservations recommended) for a generous set meze and fresh fish in a leafy courtyard near Sultanahmet. For a moonlit view of domes and minarets, sip tea on the terrace at Seven Hills after dinner.

Day 3 – Palaces, Bosphorus Neighborhoods, and a Sunset Yacht

Morning: Tour Dolmabahçe Palace—crystal staircases, chandeliers, and sultans’ reception halls on the Bosphorus. Nearby, Beşiktaş Çarşı is perfect for a casual lunch: try köfte at Kaymakçı Pando’s vicinity (for dairy treats) or a fish sandwich from a local stand, plus pickles from a turşucu.

Afternoon: Tram or taxi to Ortaköy for kumpir (loaded baked potatoes) by the ornate waterside mosque. Walk the shoreline to Arnavutköy’s wooden yalıs and cafés; cappuccino at Bebek Kahve or gelato along the promenade makes a fine break.

Evening: Board a golden-hour cruise for the city’s best light and skyline pictures:

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

You’ll pass palaces, fortresses, and both bridges as the city lights flicker on. Afterwards, book Aheste in Pera for modern meze—grilled octopus, smoked yogurt, and seasonal veggie dishes in a stylish setting.

Day 4 – Food on Two Continents (Guided Tour Day)

Spend the day tasting your way across the city with this beloved itinerary that begins in the Old City and ferries to Asia for market bites and regional dishes:

Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry

You’ll start with a classic Turkish breakfast, then cross to Kadıköy to graze on cheeses, pickles, simit, midye dolma (stuffed mussels), and more. Guides weave in history and culinary context that bring Istanbul’s pantry to life. If you’re still hungry later, linger in Kadıköy at Çiya Sofrası for rare Anatolian home recipes—try the seasonal stews, stuffed vegetables, and katmer for dessert. For sunset, walk Moda’s seaside path or toast with a raki at a neighborhood meyhane.

Day 5 – Balat Colors, Cisterns and Domes, Turkish Bath, and Contemporary Dining

Morning: Coffee at Coffee Department in Balat, then wander Fener–Balat’s steep lanes of candy-colored houses, antique shops, and the red-brick St. George’s Patriarchate exterior. Brunch at Forno with freshly baked pide and lahmacun from their stone oven. If you missed it earlier, the Istanbul Archaeology Museums are nearby and superb for sculpture and sarcophagi.

Afternoon: Reset with a historical hammam experience—great after days on cobblestones:

Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option

Enjoy the traditional sequence: warm marble, kese scrub, foam massage, and relaxation. Bring or borrow a peştemal; keep hydrated with tea afterwards.

Evening: Book Neolokal (at SALT Galata) for a thoughtful, sustainable tasting menu that reinterprets Anatolian classics—ideal for a final deep-dive into the cuisine. If you prefer cocktails after dinner, Alexandra in Arnavutköy does creative, Bosphorus-facing drinks.

Day 6 – Süleymaniye, Golden Horn Vistas, Last Bites and Departure

Morning: Visit the serene Süleymaniye Mosque, an Ottoman masterpiece by Mimar Sinan with grand courtyards and city views. Walk to the smaller Rüstem Paşa Mosque to admire its İznik tiles. Snack on sesame simit and fresh juice from a street vendor.

Afternoon: Ride the Eyüp cable car to Pierre Loti Hill for tea above the Golden Horn; it’s a peaceful farewell panorama. Head to Nişantaşı for last-minute shopping (Turkish towels, ceramics, designer boutiques). Quick lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta for classic köfte and piyaz, then transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Evening: If you have a late flight, consider one last Bosphorus dinner: grilled bluefish (lüfer) or sea bass at a simple waterside lokanta in Arnavutköy, paired with a crisp white from Thrace. Leave time for airport security—IST recommends arriving 3 hours before international flights.

Optional: Private Old City Deep-Dive (swap into Day 2 or 3)

If you want all the marquee sites with personalized pacing and logistics handled, consider this private option (great for families or small groups):

Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

Coffee, Snacks, and Meals You’ll Love

• Breakfasts: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for the full spread; Namlı Gurme (Karaköy) to assemble your plate; menemen at Lades.
• Lunches: Dürümzade (Beyoğlu) for smoky wraps; Pandeli (Spice Bazaar) for Ottoman recipes; Kanaat Lokantası (Üsküdar) for classic “esnaf” dishes and milk puddings.
• Dinners: Karaköy Lokantası for meze; Giritli for seafood set menus; Neolokal for contemporary Anatolian; Turk Fatih Tutak (Bomonti) for Michelin-starred innovation.
• Sweets and coffee: Hafız Mustafa for künefe and lokum; Baylan (Kadıköy) for the historic “Kup Griye”; Mandabatmaz or Petra for coffee; Sakızlı muhallebi (mastic milk pudding) at an old-school pastane.

Getting Around

• Airport transfers: From IST, the M11 metro links to the city, or take taxis and airport buses. From SAW, use Havabus coaches to Taksim/Kadıköy.
• Public transit: Load an Istanbulkart; trams T1 (Sultanahmet–Karaköy–Kabataş) and the Marmaray rail are most useful. Ferries are scenic and efficient between Karaköy, Eminönü, Üsküdar, and Kadıköy.
• Tours and cruises: Book ahead for popular time slots—sunset Bosphorus cruises and guided Old City tours sell out in peak months.

Book your flights and stays: Compare flights on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com, and browse lodging on VRBO or Hotels.com.

In six days, you’ll touch the city’s great spectrum: Byzantine basilicas and Ottoman palaces, markets humming with spice and song, and suppers by the strait where continents meet. Leave with a camera full of blue tiles and golden light—and a plan to come back for the neighborhoods you’ve just begun to know.