Istanbul is the fabled bridge between Europe and Asia and the former capital of three empires—Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Its silhouette is a grammar of domes and minarets; beneath them, life hums through tea glasses, ferries, and markets perfumed with saffron and roasted chestnuts.

Across a week, you’ll wander the Old City’s imperial heart, graze through Kadıköy’s markets, cruise the Bosphorus at sunset, and stroll Beyoğlu’s Belle Époque avenues. Expect contrasts: Byzantine mosaics beside modern art, meze shared like poetry, and the sea appearing around every turn.

Practical notes: dress modestly when entering mosques, and carry a scarf. Crowds are real at headline sights—book skip-the-line options where possible. Istanbul’s public transit is excellent with an Istanbulkart; ferries are scenic and cheap; taxis are abundant. Street food is safe at busy, popular stalls—follow the locals.

Istanbul

Where call to prayer floats over the Bosphorus, and breakfast is a feast, not a meal. Istanbul rewards curiosity: peek into a caravanserai, sip Turkish coffee that stands a spoon, then chase it with a pistachio baklava that snaps like spun glass.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul Modern.
• Best experiences: Bosphorus cruise at sunset, meyhane night with meze and rakı, ferry to Kadıköy for market grazing, hammam ritual, and café-hopping in Karaköy and Moda.
• Neighborhood flavors: Sultanahmet for heritage, Karaköy and Beyoğlu for dining and nightlife, Beşiktaş–Ortaköy–Arnavutköy for Bosphorus vibes, Kadıköy/Moda for a local, creative scene.
• Fun facts: Tulips were an Ottoman craze long before Amsterdam; simit rings have been baked here for centuries; Istanbul has more “rooftop sunsets” than most cities have rooftops.

Where to stay (hand-picked):

• Palatial and waterfront: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul.
• Boutique and central: Sirkeci Mansion (walk to the Old City), Karaköy/Beyoğlu apartments via VRBO.
• Good-value social stay: Cheers Hostel.
• Compare more options: Hotels.com: Istanbul.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: Search global fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; for Europe-specific options, compare with Omio. Nonstop times: 3–4 hours from central Europe, ~10–11 hours from US East Coast, ~4 hours from Gulf hubs.
• Airport to city: Taxi or private car 45–75 minutes depending on traffic; Havaist airport buses run to central hubs; the metro also connects. Public transit rides cost roughly USD $1–2 with an Istanbulkart.
• Local transit: Trams (T1), metro, funiculars, and ferries will be your best friends. Ferries are punctual and scenic—treat them like a bonus cruise.

Day 1 — Arrival, First Bites, and Sultanahmet at Dusk

Afternoon: Land, check in, and stretch your legs with a gentle walk through Gülhane Park to the outer gardens of Topkapı. For a wake-up, grab a bracing Turkish coffee at Sirkeci’s classic cafés and try your first simit (sesame bread ring).

Evening: Linger in Sultanahmet Square as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia light up. Dinner ideas: Giritli (seafood meyhane with a generous meze-led set menu), Deraliye (Ottoman court recipes—try stuffed melon with spiced meat and rice), or Balıkçı Sabahattin (Old City seafood stalwart; grilled sea bream and meze). Finish with pistachio baklava at Hafız Mustafa in Sirkeci.

Night: If jet lag allows, a tea on a nearby rooftop with Hagia Sophia views is a perfect prologue to the week.

Day 2 — Old City Icons: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı

Morning: Join a compact expert-led walk to beat crowds and add context:

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour
Explore three highlights in about 3 hours with skip-the-line logistics where applicable and a licensed guide.

Dress modestly (knees/shoulders covered); Hagia Sophia now has a dedicated visitor route and timed entry for tourists. Tip: step to the southwest gallery to study the Deësis mosaic detail.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (juicy beef köfte, piyaz bean salad, helva). Then tour Topkapı Palace and the Harem apartments—tilework and storytelling at their peak. Exit through Gülhane Park for a breather.

Evening: Walk across the Galata Bridge at golden hour. Dinner at Hamdi (near the Spice Market—kebabs with a terrace view; try the pistachio-adorned ali nazik) or in Sirkeci at Şehzade Cağ Kebap (signature Erzurum-style rotating lamb skewers).

Day 3 — Karaköy, Galata, and Beyoğlu Culture

Morning: Espresso at Kronotrop or thick, foamy Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz. Climb to Galata Tower for a 360° city read. Stroll İstiklal Caddesi, ducking into Pera Museum for the Orientalist collection and temporary shows.

Afternoon: Lunch at Karaköy Lokantası (blue-tiled beauty; daily meze display—don’t miss artichoke hearts and slow-cooked lamb tandır). Browse Karaköy’s boutiques and the waterfront promenade; if modern art calls, head to the reimagined Istanbul Modern nearby.

Evening: Dine at Yeni Lokanta (Anatolian flavors, modern technique—manti with yogurt and sumac butter) or Aheste Pera (seasonal meze tasting). Nightcap with live jazz at Nardis under Galata’s shadow.

Day 4 — Palaces and the Bosphorus: Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Arnavutköy

Morning: Traditional breakfast on Beşiktaş’s “kahvaltı street”—try Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu for clotted cream with honey, menemen, olives, cheeses. Tour Dolmabahçe Palace (Ottoman grandeur meets European style; don’t miss the crystal staircase).

Afternoon: Tram/funicular or taxi to Ortaköy for a photo of the mosque framed by the Bosphorus Bridge. Grab a loaded kumpir (baked potato) or midye dolma from the stands. Walk the waterfront north through Arnavutköy to Bebek for sea air and a pistachio marzipan at Bebek Badem Ezmecisi.

Evening: Sail into sunset:

Istanbul Sunset Cruise With Luxury Yacht On Bosphorus
A 2.5-hour golden-hour cruise past palaces, yalıs, and hilltop mosques—bring a light jacket.

Post-cruise dinner near Karaköy/Kabataş: Mürver (wood-fire grill, smoky octopus and lamb shoulder; panoramic views) or seafood in Arnavutköy at Sur Balık (sea bass, grilled calamari).

Day 5 — Two Continents on a Plate (Guided Food Tour)

Spend most of today tasting with locals. This tour stitches together the Spice Market, ferry crossing, and Kadıköy’s best bites—an ideal, flavorful deep-dive.

Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry
Start with a classic Turkish breakfast in the Old City, ferry to Kadıköy, and graze through beloved eateries—expect sucuk, börek, pickles, and sweets.

Evening (post-tour, free time): Linger on the Asian side. In Moda, sip sunset tea at the seaside park; dinner at Çiya Sofrası (regional Anatolian recipes—try sour cherry kebab, stuffed leaves, and soups) or Viktor Levi Şarap Evi for Turkish wines and meze in a leafy courtyard.

Day 6 — Bazaars, Balat Color, and a Hammam Reset

Morning: Dive into the Spice Market (look for isot pepper, saffron, and lokum) and the exquisite Rüstem Paşa Mosque hidden nearby—its İznik tiles are a masterclass. Coffee in Balat at Coffee Department, then wander Balat/Fener’s cobbled lanes and colorful wooden houses.

Afternoon: Lunch at Forno Balat (lahmacun and pide from a stone oven) or head back near the bazaar for a historic meal at Pandeli above the Spice Market (blue-tiled dining room; lamb stews and stuffed vegetables). Visit Süleymaniye Mosque for skyline views over the Golden Horn.

Evening: Rejuvenate with a traditional hammam—consider Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (late-16th century, beautifully restored). Dinner back in Karaköy at Neolokal (sustainably sourced Anatolian tasting menu; excellent pastry shop downstairs) or keep it casual with fish sandwiches along the Karaköy quay and baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.

Day 7 — Modern Art, Last Bites, and Flexible Guided Wrap-Up

Morning: Browse the waterfront galleries at Istanbul Modern (Renzo Piano–designed home of contemporary Turkish art). Coffee at Gümrük or FilBooks in Karaköy.

Afternoon: Final shopping: the Grand Bazaar (textiles, ceramics, copperware; bargain politely) or the smaller Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque. Quick, iconic lunch at Dürümzade (wraps of charcoal-grilled lamb or liver; a Bourdain favorite) or Karaköy Balık Ekmek (crispy mackerel sandwiches).

Evening: If you’d like a knowledgeable companion to tie loose ends, book a flexible private tour—perfect for any last must-sees or neighborhoods you missed:

Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Customize Old City highlights, museums, backstreets, or culinary stops with a licensed guide.

Farewell dinner with a view: 16 Roof at Swissôtel (mesmerizing Bosphorus nightscape) or a meyhane spread in Asmalımescit—grilled octopus, atom (garlicky yogurt with chili oil), and stuffed mussels. Save room for kazandibi caramelized milk pudding.

Optional add-ons and smart swaps

• Guided overview early in trip: Prefer to start with a guide on Day 2? Swap the morning walk for the private tour above.
• Dinner cruise alternative: If you want dinner and live shows on the water, consider this evening option instead of the sunset trip: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment & Show.

  

Coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner—more tried-and-true picks to mix in:

• Breakfasts: Van-style spreads at Privato Café (Galata); börek from Çınaraltı Börekçisi (Üsküdar); simit and kaymak at classic dairies around Beşiktaş.
• Cafés: Petra Roasting (Levent/Topağacı), Story (Karaköy), Walter’s Coffee (Moda) for playful presentations.
• Lunches: Karaköy Lokantası meze plates; Kral Kokoreç for adventurous grilled intestines; Şahin Lokantası (Beyoğlu) for home-style stews.
• Dinners: Mürver (flame-led open kitchen), Neolokal (elegant Anatolian storytelling), Giritli (seafood meze feast), Koço (Moda; Aegean classics by the water).
• Sweet stops: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava temple), Hacı Bekir (since 1777—lokum and akide candies).

Book these popular activities early:

• Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern small-group tour
• Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
• Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise
• Private Guided Day in Istanbul (flexible)

For stays, compare neighborhoods and deals on Hotels.com and apartments via VRBO. For flights and trains, check Trip.com, Omio, and Kiwi.com to find the best schedules and prices.

One week in Istanbul gives you the city’s greatest hits and its soul: domes and tiles by day, meze and music by night, and the Bosphorus tying it all together. Come hungry, walk often, ferry whenever you can—and you’ll leave plotting your return.