Istanbul is a city of mosaics—literal and cultural. Once Constantinople, it stitched together Roman ambition, Byzantine splendor, and Ottoman grandeur along the Bosphorus, where Europe and Asia meet over tea glasses and sea breezes.

Across a week, you’ll move from the minarets of the Blue Mosque to the domes of the Hagia Sophia, from the opulence of Topkapi to ferry rides that locals treat as therapy. Expect street food that steals the show, markets that have bartered for centuries, and sunsets that turn palaces into silhouettes.

Practical notes: dress respectfully for mosques; carry a scarf and socks. The Istanbulkart works on metro, trams, ferries, funiculars, and buses. Taxis are plentiful—insist on the meter—and Havaist airport buses connect both airports to the center; allow 45–90 minutes depending on traffic.

Istanbul

From Sultanahmet’s UNESCO icons to Beyoğlu’s cafes and Kadıköy’s markets, Istanbul rewards both first-timers and deep divers. The T1 tram stitches together many highlights: Sultanahmet, Gülhane, Eminönü, Karaköy.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Spice & Grand Bazaars, Istanbul Modern.
• Why food matters: From Anatolian meze to wood-fired pide and charcoal kebabs, Istanbul is a living archive of regional Turkish cuisines. Make time for a proper breakfast (kahvaltı).
• Fun fact: The Bosphorus isn’t a river but a strait; palaces line its shores because sultans wanted the breeze and the spectacle.

How to get here: Fly into IST (Europe side) or SAW (Asia side). Typical non-stop times: London–IST ~4 hours; New York–IST ~9–10 hours. Compare options on Omio for flights to/from Europe, or use Trip.com or Kiwi.com for global routes. From the airport, Havaist buses and taxis reach Sultanahmet/Taksim in 45–90 minutes depending on traffic.

Where to stay: Search broad options on VRBO (Istanbul) or Hotels.com (Istanbul). For specific picks: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul (Ottoman palace glamour on the Bosphorus), Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul (panoramic views plus a strong spa), Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus (grand waterfront stonework), Sirkeci Mansion (boutique hospitality near Gulhane), or social-friendly Cheers Hostel. Waterfront neighborhood lovers can also look at Arnavutköy—Four Seasons Bosphorus for five-star, Fuat Paşa Yalısı for a historic yalı vibe, or Arnavutköy Pansiyon for simplicity. In Eminönü, consider Legacy Ottoman Hotel, Hotel Momento, or Sirkeci Mansion.

Day 1: Arrival, Galata, and Karaköy

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in and get your bearings with an easy stroll around Galata Tower and down to Karaköy’s waterfront. For a strong first coffee, try Mandabatmaz (legendary thick-foamed Turkish coffee) or specialty shots at Coffee Sapiens in Karaköy.

Evening: Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (Ottoman meze, tiled interiors; book ahead) or Pandeli above the Spice Bazaar (historic blue tiles, excellent lamb and stuffed grape leaves). For dessert, walk to Karaköy Güllüoğlu for warm pistachio baklava. Nightcap and live music at Nardis Jazz Club near Galata.

Day 2: Sultanahmet Essentials — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi

Morning: Start with a simit and tea at a corner stand, then take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet. Join this guided small-group experience to unlock context and skip lines: Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour.

You’ll hear how a church-turned-mosque-turned-museum-turned-mosque again shaped world architecture.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sultanahmet Köftecisi (time-honored meatballs) or Buhara Ocakbaşı for skewers. Continue to Topkapi Palace—don’t miss the Harem and the terraces overlooking the Bosphorus—then decompress with a tea in Gülhane Park.

Evening: Early evening views from the Seven Hills rooftop, then kebabs with a panorama at Hamdi (near the Spice Bazaar; pistachio kebab is the move). For sweets, Hafiz Mustafa 1864 offers syrupy classics and strong Turkish tea.

Day 3: Palaces and the Bosphorus

Morning: Turkish breakfast feast at Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir (honeycomb with clotted cream, menemen eggs, village cheeses). Tour Dolmabahçe Palace—its crystal staircase and ceremonial halls are late-Ottoman opulence at full volume.

Afternoon: Wander Beşiktaş Çarşı for super-local bites: Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta (fabled rotating roast), balık ekmek (fish sandwiches), or stuffed mussels from street vendors. Walk or taxi up to Ortaköy for photos of the waterfront mosque and a casual kumpir (loaded baked potato).

Evening: Sail into golden hour on the Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience—yalis, palaces, bridges, and skyline glow included.

Afterward, book a fish dinner at Sur Balık in Arnavutköy for meze, grilled sea bass, and Bosphorus lights.

Day 4: Two Continents in One Day — Asian-Side Food & Neighborhoods

Morning: Join the beloved Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour, which starts with a traditional breakfast in the Old City, ferries across to Asia, and weaves through markets tasting regional specialties.

It’s part culinary seminar, part ferry therapy.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy’s market streets—pickle shops, spice merchants, fish stalls—and pause for third-wave coffee at Coffee Manifesto. Walk to Moda’s seaside park for views toward the Princes’ Islands.

Evening: Dinner at Çiya Sofrası (ever-changing menu of Anatolian dishes—try the kebab with sour cherries and seasonal stews) or Kanaat Lokantası in Üsküdar for classic home-style trays. For a relaxed drink, Viktor Levi Wine House pours Turkish bottles in a leafy courtyard.

Day 5: Colorful Quarters, Bazaars, and a Meyhane Night

Morning: Explore Fener and Balat’s cobbled lanes, timber houses, and steep streets. Pop into the Iron Church (St. Stephen of the Bulgars) and the Greek Patriarchate. Coffee break at Coffee Department—fruit-forward Turkish roasts.

Afternoon: Wood-fired lahmacun and pide at Forno Balat, then tram to the Grand Bazaar. Duck into artisans’ hans (courtyards) to see copper beating and carpet knotting. Walk to the airy Süleymaniye Mosque for one of the city’s finest panoramas; detour to the tiny Rüstem Pasha Mosque to admire its Iznik tiles.

Evening: Experience a traditional meyhane (meze-and-rakı tavern). Try Asmalı Cavit in Asmalımescit: start with atom (yogurt and chili), lakerda (cured bonito), then grilled octopus and seasonal greens. Nightcap at the Orient Bar in the storied Pera Palace Hotel.

Day 6: Princes’ Islands Escape (Büyükada)

Morning: Board a City Lines ferry from Kabataş; the ride to Büyükada takes ~75–95 minutes. Rent bicycles or an e-scooter and circle pine-scented lanes lined with wooden mansions.

Afternoon: Climb to Aya Yorgi hilltop chapel for sea views, then a leisurely seafood lunch at Milto (island staple; meze and grilled fish). Save room for almond cookies from a local pastane.

Evening: Return before dusk for a hammam hour back in the city—Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı is a beautifully restored 16th-century bath. Dinner ideas back on the peninsula: Balıkçı Sabahattin (historic fish house in Cankurtaran) or Giritli (Aegean meze garden).

Day 7: Modern Istanbul, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Visit Istanbul Modern in Karaköy’s new waterfront building for Turkish contemporary art with sea views. Coffee at Petra Roasting Co. in nearby Galataport, where they roast bright, clean cups.

Afternoon: Lunch at Dürümzade in Beyoğlu (hand-rolled dürüm, smoky from the mangal). Swing through the Spice Bazaar for final goodies—sahlep mix, tea blends, pistachios—and buy fresh-roasted beans at Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi next door.

Evening: If you have one last cultural immersion, book the Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience for music, lore, and whirling ceremony paired with classic dishes.

Transfer to the airport afterward—plan 60–90 minutes from central districts. For flights to/from Europe, compare on Omio; for global routes, see Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional add-ons and practical tips

• Hamam etiquette: Bring swimwear if preferred; attendants provide exfoliating kese mitts. Book late afternoon after a walking-heavy day.
• Museum strategy: Start early to avoid crowds; guided tours help with context and queue times (see Day 2’s tour).
• Transit: Load an Istanbulkart; tap in for trams (T1 to major sights), M2 metro (Şişhane/Taksim for Beyoğlu), ferries (Eminönü–Kadıköy).
• Dining reservations: Essential for meyhanes and waterfront seafood, especially Thu–Sun.

Also consider (tours we love, if you want to swap): A morning Bosphorus yacht with an Asian-side stopover, or a full-day private Old City tour if you prefer a one-on-one pace. For airport rides, Havaist buses are frequent; taxis are convenient at off-peak times.

In one week, you’ll cross continents by ferry, taste Anatolia on a plate, and read centuries in stone and tile. Istanbul lingers long after you leave—saved in the memory like the glow on the Bosphorus at dusk.