Istanbul—formerly Byzantium and Constantinople—has watched empires rise and fall for nearly three millennia. Its skyline stitches together minarets and palaces, while ferries trace bright wakes between Europe and Asia. Every neighborhood feels like a chapter: Sultanahmet’s domes, Beyoğlu’s Belle Époque facades, and Kadıköy’s market streets heavy with spices and song.

Known as the City of Seven Hills, Istanbul is a living museum and a modern culinary capital. Here you’ll step from the marble stillness of Hagia Sophia to buzzing meyhanes serving meze and rakı. Tulips—introduced to Europe from Ottoman gardens—still bloom along the Bosphorus in spring, and the city’s beloved street cats are treated like royalty year-round.

Expect culture layered with comfort: trams that glide past Roman obelisks, hammams perfected since the 16th century, and coffee so thick a spoon can stand in it. Practical notes: mosques have modest dress codes, the Grand Bazaar closes Sundays, and an Istanbulkart makes public transit easy. Bring curiosity and an appetite.

Istanbul

Bridging Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a mosaic of eras and tastes. In Sultanahmet, you’ll find Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern within an easy stroll. Karaköy and Galata are café-central, with art spaces and a lively dining scene. On the Asian side, Kadıköy and Moda offer market-fresh bites, indie shops, and sunset strolls along the sea.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia (visitor route), Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Harem, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Suleymaniye Mosque.
• Signature experiences: Bosphorus cruise at sunset, hammam ritual, meyhane dinner, ferry to the Princes’ Islands, coffee at Mandabatmaz, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.
• Fun fact: The Galata Tower’s legends say lovers who climb it together will marry—if they can stop admiring the view long enough.

Where to stay (areas): Sultanahmet for first-timers and historic sights; Karaköy/Galata for cafés, nightlife, and easy tram access; Nişantaşı for boutiques and calmer evenings; Kadıköy/Moda for local, creative vibes on the Asian shore.

Book accommodations: Browse a wide range of hotels on Hotels.com (Istanbul) or entire apartments and unique homes on VRBO (Istanbul).

Getting there: Check flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Flying from or within Europe? Compare with Omio (flights). Within Türkiye, high-speed trains (e.g., to Ankara) can be searched on Trip.com Trains.

Airport to city: From IST, the M11 metro now connects to Gayrettepe (transfer to M2/T1; ~50–70 minutes to Sultanahmet). Havaist buses and taxis take ~45–90 minutes depending on traffic. From SAW, Havabus to Kadıköy/Taksim is ~45–75 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, First Bites, and Sultanahmet Stroll

Morning: In transit. Hydrate and download the “Istanbulkart” app or plan to buy a physical card at the airport for metro, tram, and ferries.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs around Sultanahmet. Walk the ancient Hippodrome (look for the Serpent Column and Theodosius Obelisk). For coffee, try Şark Kahvesi inside the Grand Bazaar annex (thick Turkish coffee, historic ambiance), or Fazıl Bey’in Türk Kahvesi if you pop over to Kadıköy later.

Evening: Early dinner near the Blue Mosque. Try Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine for historic recipes—hünkarbeğendi (smoky eggplant purée with lamb) and stuffed quince stand out. Alternatively, seafood at Balıkçı Sabahattin (grilled sea bass, meze spread) in Cankurtaran. End with pistachio baklava at Hafız Mustafa 1864 by Sultanahmet Square.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar

Morning: Be at Hagia Sophia right at opening to beat lines. Tourists now enter via a paid visitor route with timed slots; dress modestly and avoid prayer times. Walk to Topkapi Palace (closed Tuesdays): don’t miss the Harem apartments and the Sacred Relics. Expect 3–4 hours; combined tickets run roughly $45–60 per adult depending on options.

Afternoon: Descend into the atmospheric Basilica Cistern (Medusa heads, shimmering columns; ~$10–20). Cross to the Spice Bazaar (free)—sample pul biber chili, sumac, and lokum. Lunch upstairs at historic Pandeli (since 1901; blue Iznik tiles, lamb stews, manti dumplings). Swing by the tiny Rüstem Paşa Mosque for exquisite tiles.

Evening: Book the Whirling Dervish ceremony at Hodjapasha Cultural Center (~$25–40; reserve ahead). Dinner at Hamdi Restaurant by Eminönü for southeastern Turkish kebabs (try pistachio “fıstıklı kebap”) with Golden Horn views. Nightcap tea by the Galata Bridge.

Day 3: Bosphorus Day—Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, and a Cruise

Morning: Tram T1 to Kabataş and walk to Dolmabahçe Palace (closed Mondays). The crystal staircase and ceremonial halls showcase late Ottoman grandeur (~$20–35; 1.5–2 hours). Coffee at Petra Roasting Co. (Gayrettepe/Kabataş locations) for single-origin pour-overs.

Afternoon: Head to Ortaköy. Snack on a “kumpir” (loaded baked potato) at the waterfront stalls and browse local crafts. Join a public Şehir Hatları Bosphorus cruise: the short loop is ~2 hours ($5–10); the full-day “Long Tour” to Anadolu Kavağı is ~6 hours ($10–15) with an optional hike to Yoros Castle.

Evening: Return for a meyhane dinner. Karaköy Lokantası serves top-notch meze (walnut muhammara, olive oil artichokes) under a blue-tiled ceiling; book ahead for dinner service. For dessert, warm “fırın sütlaç” rice pudding at Saray Muhallebicisi.

Day 4: Asian Side—Kadıköy Market, Moda Promenade, Üsküdar Sunset

Morning: Ferry to Kadıköy (20 minutes; ~$1–2 with Istanbulkart). Breakfast at Namlı Gurme (Karaköy) before ferrying, or once in Kadıköy try Naan Bakeshop (sourdough pastries, shakshuka) or classic simit with kaymak at Çınaraltı. Explore Kadıköy Market: olives, cheeses, fishmongers, spice stalls.

Afternoon: Lunch at celebrated Çiya Sofrası (ever-changing Anatolian dishes—try sour cherry kebab in season, stuffed onions, and “firik” wheat pilaf). Wander to Moda for seaside views; coffee at Montag Coffee Roasters or ice cream at Ali Usta. Sail north to Üsküdar for mosques by Sinan and a stroll through Kuzguncuk’s leafy backstreets.

Evening: Sunset at Salacak facing the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi); boats shuttle to the islet museum/café when open. Dinner at historic Kanaat Lokantası in Üsküdar (steam-table classics, stuffed vegetables, lamb tandır, semolina helva), or seafood meze at İsmet Baba in Kuzguncuk.

Day 5: Princes’ Islands Escape (Büyükada)

Morning: From Kabataş or Bostancı, take a ferry to Büyükada (75–100 minutes by public ferry; ~$2–5). Have a leisurely island breakfast at a garden café, then rent a bicycle or walk the pine-lined lanes to 19th-century wooden mansions.

Afternoon: Climb or cycle toward Aya Yorgi Church for panoramas; simple, scenic lunch at Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu near the summit (grilled meats, salads, cold ayran). Back in town, swim in season at designated beaches or linger over Turkish coffee at seaside cafés.

Evening: Return to the city before dark. Dinner back on the mainland: try Aheste Pera (seasonal Turkish-Mediterranean tasting plates; excellent wine list) or seafood with a Bosphorus view at Sur Balık Arnavutköy. Finish with baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—order the pistachio “midye” baklava.

Day 6: Beyoğlu, Galata Tower, Istiklal—Plus a Hammam

Morning: Breakfast near Galata at Privato Café (village-style Turkish breakfast with homemade jams and cheeses). Prebook Galata Tower timed entry (~$15–25) for 360° views; the small museum inside adds context. Stroll Istiklal Avenue to the Pera Museum (Orientalist paintings and Anatolian weights/measures exhibits).

Afternoon: Lunch at Dürümzade (Bourdain favorite; smoky Adana dürüm and garlic yogurt). Espresso at Kronotrop or thick Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz. Duck into the Pera Palace lobby for Belle Époque glamor and a slice of history (Agatha Christie lore).

Evening: Book a hammam ritual: Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (16th-century Sinan design; mixed or separate sessions by schedule; classic scrub/foam ~$60–120) or Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı near Sultanahmet (premium, ~$120–180). For a celebratory dinner, choose Neolokal (modern Anatolian in the SALT Galata building; seasonal tasting menu) or the two-Michelin-star Turk Fatih Tutak (creative Turkish flavors; book well in advance). For rooftop drinks, try 16 Roof (Swissôtel) with Bosphorus views.

Day 7: Balat & Fener, Last Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast in Balat at Forno (lahmacun and Turkish breakfast spread) or pastries at Cooklife. Wander colorful wooden houses, antique shops, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, and the iron St. Stephen Church. Take the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for tea overlooking the Golden Horn.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: if it’s not Sunday, the Grand Bazaar is ideal for textiles and ceramics (bargain politely). Otherwise, browse Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque. Grab a quick lunch—classic fish sandwich at Eminönü kiosks or a köfte plate at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi. Transfer to the airport (~50–90 minutes depending on route and traffic).

Evening: Homebound. If you have extra time, a final sweet stop at Güllüoğlu or a sesame simit for the road.

Estimated costs (typical ranges): museum entries $10–60; public ferries $1–5; Bosphorus cruises $5–15; hammam experiences $60–180; casual meals $6–15; meyhane dinner with meze $20–40; fine dining $70–180. Always check current hours and prices; Topkapı is closed Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe Mondays, and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays.

Book essentials: Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (compare with Omio if traveling from Europe). Hotels via Hotels.com or stays via VRBO. For any intercity rail in Türkiye, check Trip.com Trains.

This 7-day plan blends Istanbul’s essentials with local neighborhoods, slow ferry rides, and plates you’ll dream about later. You’ll leave with a camera full of domes and sunsets—and a palate tuned to saffron, pistachio, and the smoky kiss of a perfect kebab.