Istanbul, once Byzantium and Constantinople, is a city where empires left stones and stories at every turn. Minarets pierce the skyline, ferries stitch together continents, and the aroma of Turkish coffee and simit trails across the Bosphorus. In one week, you can trace 1,700 years of history from Hagia Sophia to Topkapi Palace, then watch the sunset from a yacht as the city glows like a string of lanterns.

Beyond its big-name monuments, Istanbul is a mosaic of neighborhoods: the caravanserais and workshops near the Grand Bazaar; the pastel houses of Balat; the cafe culture of Karaköy; the food markets of Kadıköy. You’ll snack on sesame-dusted simit, smoky kebabs from an ocakbaşı grill, silky kaymak with honey, and baklava so delicate it shatters like glass.

Practical notes: pick up an Istanbulkart for trams, ferries, metro, and funiculars (single rides are typically about 25–35 TRY, roughly $0.80–$1.20; fares can fluctuate). Dress modestly for mosques and mind Friday prayer times. Museum schedules vary (Topkapi often closes Tuesday; Dolmabahçe Monday), so swap days if needed. Keep an eye out in busy bazaars, and bring small cash for tea, tips, and street snacks.

Istanbul

Spanning Europe and Asia, Istanbul rewards explorers who love both museums and markets. By day, wander Sultanahmet’s imperial core; by night, dine meyhane-style with meze and raki in Beyoğlu or along the Bosphorus. Ferries are your friend—cheap, scenic, and the most poetic way to commute.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Harem, Süleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar.
• Favorite bites: Meze at Asmalı Cavit, seasonal Anatolian plates at Neolokal, home-style Turkish in Kadıköy at Çiya Sofrası, kebabs at Zübeyir Ocakbaşı, dürüm at Dürümzade, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.
• Coffee stops: Mandabatmaz (thick Turkish coffee), Coffee Sapiens (Karaköy), Petra Roasting (Gayrettepe), Federal Coffee (Galata).
• Fun facts: The Bosphorus is a strait with its own currents and legends; Galata Tower began as a Genoese watchtower; Hagia Sophia reigned as the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a millennium.

Where to stay (bookable via our partners):

• Historic luxury on the Bosphorus: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul or Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus; panoramic resort-style comfort at Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul.
• Sultanahmet/Sirkeci boutique: Sirkeci Mansion, a perennial favorite for hospitality and location; also consider Legacy Ottoman Hotel or Hotel Momento.
• Social and budget: Cheers Hostel (steps from Hagia Sophia).
• Browse apartments and homes: VRBO Istanbul stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com Istanbul.

Getting there & around:

• Flights to Istanbul (IST or SAW): From Europe, many nonstop routes take 2–4 hours; from the U.S. East Coast ~9–10 hours nonstop. Search fares on Omio (flights in/to/from Europe) or globally on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: Taxi to Sultanahmet/Taksim is typically 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Havaist airport buses to Taksim/Sultanahmet take ~60–90 minutes; expect roughly 180–230 TRY ($6–8) and pay with card or Istanbulkart.
• Local transport: Tram T1 links Sultanahmet–Eminönü–Karaköy–Kabataş. Ferries to Kadıköy or Üsküdar take 15–25 minutes and double as sightseeing rides.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips, and a Sunset on the Bosphorus

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs on Sultanahmet Square: admire the Hippodrome’s Serpent Column, then peek at the Blue Mosque’s courtyards. For a jolt of tradition, order a foamy Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz off Istiklal—short, strong, unforgettable.

Evening: Toast your first night aboard a luxury yacht at golden hour. The skyline—Topkapi’s terraces, Dolmabahçe’s façade, Ortaköy Mosque—glows as you glide between continents.

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

Dinner: Reserve at Karaköy Lokantası for Ottoman-inspired stews, seasonal meze, and blue-tiled ambiance; or try Asmalı Cavit in Beyoğlu for classic meyhane plates (atom, fava, octopus salad) and grilled sea bass. Finish with baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, and the Underground Cistern

Morning: Begin with warm simit and kaymak at Namlı Gurme Karaköy. Then dive into the Old City with a skip-the-line guided tour that threads together the essentials—Hagia Sophia’s vast dome, the glittering Topkapi Treasury and Harem, and the Basilica Cistern’s Medusa columns.

Istanbul Guided Tour Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Cistern with Tickets

Afternoon: Lunch under painted ceilings at Pandeli (above the Spice Bazaar) where aubergine dishes, lamb kofte, and stuffed vine leaves shine. Browse the Spice Bazaar for saffron, isot pepper, and lokum; sip a cup from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi nearby.

Evening: Dine in Sirkeci at Şehzade Cağ Kebap (vertical-spit lamb, Erzurum-style) with ezme salad and ayran. Stroll across Galata Bridge as fishermen reel in the night.

Day 3: Grand Bazaar Crafts, Süleymaniye’s Silence, and Jazz in Galata

Morning: Breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir): a proper Anatolian spread of cheeses, olives, menemen, honeycomb, and butter. Then tackle the Grand Bazaar. Look for hand-hammered copper, kilim pillow covers, Iznik-inspired ceramics—bargain with a smile.

Afternoon: Walk to Süleymaniye Mosque for one of the city’s most serene courtyards and Golden Horn views. Lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (grilled köfte with piyaz) or Balıkçı Sabahattin near Gülhane for simple, perfectly grilled fish.

Evening: Golden hour at Galata Tower’s streets (great facades and photos), then settle into Nardis Jazz Club for live sets. For dinner, Yeni Lokanta elevates regional flavors—try the stuffed vine leaves with sour cherries and the slow-cooked beef cheek.

Day 4: Two Continents on a Plate—Kadıköy and the Asian Side

Morning: Hop a ferry to Kadıköy. Join a guided “two continents” food tour: start with a traditional Turkish breakfast in the Old City, cross the Bosphorus, then graze through Kadıköy’s market—pickles, artisanal cheeses, tantuni wraps, midye dolma, and desserts.

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

Afternoon: Linger in Moda’s leafy streets for coffee at Walter’s Coffee or a seaside stroll; or ferry to Üsküdar for panoramic views of the Maiden’s Tower. If hungry again, Çiya Sofrası is a pilgrimage for regional Anatolian dishes you won’t find elsewhere.

Evening: Return to Karaköy. Try meze and slow-braised dishes at Lokanta Kru (seasonal) or book Neolokal for a modern, sustainable take on Anatolian cuisine overlooking the Golden Horn.

Day 5: Palaces and Bosphorus Villages—Dolmabahçe to Bebek

Morning: Start with a waterfront breakfast at Emirgan Sütiş (kaymak, börek, and Bosphorus breeze). Tour Dolmabahçe Palace—crystal staircases, gilded halls, and Atatürk’s room. Note: Dolmabahçe is often closed Mondays; swap days if needed.

Afternoon: Tram or taxi to Ortaköy for kumpir (loaded baked potatoes) and a photo of the mosque framing the Bosphorus Bridge. Stroll to Arnavutköy for handsome wooden yalıs, then to Bebek for coffee at Bebek Kahve or gelato at Mini Dondurma.

Evening: Seafood dinner along the strait—book Sur Balık Arnavutköy or Arnavutköy Balıkçısı for seasonal mezes (lakerda, tarama, sea beans) and grilled levrek. For cocktails, Alexandra in Arnavutköy has a snug terrace; or people-watch at Lucca in Bebek.

Day 6: Contemporary Culture, Street Eats, and a Dinner Cruise

Morning: Explore Istanbul Modern’s striking new home and the galleries around Karaköy. Coffee at Coffee Sapiens, then walk the waterfront at Galataport.

Afternoon: Lunch on flame-kissed wraps at Dürümzade (Anthony Bourdain favorite)—try the spicy Adana dürüm. Shop design stores on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street near Galata, then rest with tea and pistachio baklava at Köşkeroğlu.

Evening: Celebrate with a Bosphorus dinner cruise featuring live performances and views of illuminated palaces and bridges. Expect mezes, mains, and a lively show with your own table.

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table

Day 7: Balat Colors, Kariye, and Farewell Hammam

Morning: Brunch in Balat at Forno (lahmacun and crunchy pide) before wandering past color-washed houses and antique shops. Continue to the Kariye (Chora) complex; it functions as a mosque today, but the neighborhood lanes still reward a slow ramble.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping around the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar for nuts, teas, and ceramics. If you’d like to unwind before departure, book a traditional hamam (Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı is a beautifully restored option) for scrub and foam massage.

Evening (departure): Aim for the airport about 3 hours before an international flight. If you have time, an early dinner at Karaköy Lokantası or a quick fish sandwich from a reputable stand in Karaköy/Eminönü sends you off with proper Istanbul flavor.

Optional private Old City upgrade (fits best on Day 2 or 3):

Prefer a deep-dive walk with pre-reserved entries in a small group? Consider:

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Sultanahmet Tour

Dining cheat sheet (save these names):

• Breakfast/coffee: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir), Namlı Gurme (Karaköy), Çeşme Bazlama (Nişantaşı), Mandabatmaz (Beyoğlu), Petra Roasting (Gayrettepe).
• Lunch: Pandeli (Spice Bazaar), Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (Beyoğlu), Dürümzade (Beyoğlu), Balıkçı Sabahattin (Sultanahmet), Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy).
• Dinner: Karaköy Lokantası, Asmalı Cavit (meyhane), Neolokal (modern Anatolian), Sur Balık Arnavutköy (seafood).
• Sweets: Karaköy Güllüoğlu, Hafız Mustafa 1864, Ali Usta (Moda ice cream).
• Nightlife: Nardis Jazz Club (Galata), Alexandra (Arnavutköy), Lucca (Bebek).

Pro tips: Grand Bazaar is typically closed Sundays; many museums close one day per week—swap days accordingly. For mosques, bring a scarf (women) and wear clothing covering shoulders and knees. Book popular restaurants and Bosphorus cruises a few days ahead, especially in spring and fall.

Alternate hotels by neighborhood (optional): For an Ottoman waterfront vibe further north, consider Fuat Paşa Yalısı or the boutique Ajia Hotel. Close to the airport zone, Arnavutköy Pansiyon is a simple base before early flights.

In one week, you’ll have walked through the empires of Constantinople, eaten your way across two continents, and watched the Bosphorus change color with the light. Keep this guide handy for a second visit—there’s always another neighborhood, another mezze spread, another ferry to catch in Istanbul.