Istanbul is a city of many names and empires—Byzantium, Constantinople, and the capital of the Ottomans—layered like the flaky sheets of baklava. Its seven hills cradle domes and minarets that glitter at dusk, while ferries stitch together Europe and Asia all day long.

Here, ancient trade routes meet third‑wave coffee, and spice‑laden bazaars open onto designer ateliers. You’ll stand beneath mosaicked vaults, wander along the Golden Horn, and end your days with tea under plane trees or cocktails over the Bosphorus.

Practical notes: dress modestly for mosque visits (women bring a scarf), watch for pickpockets in crowded markets, and use an Istanbulkart for trams, metros, and ferries. Museum hours vary; Topkapı Palace is typically closed Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays—plan accordingly.

Istanbul

Where East meets West, Istanbul offers blockbuster sights—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace—alongside lived‑in neighborhoods like Kadıköy, Balat, and Beşiktaş. Spend mornings tracing Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur, then cross the Bosphorus for dinner on another continent.

Best for food lovers, history fans, photographers, and anyone who likes their cityscapes with a side of sea breeze. Coffee is serious here (try Türk kahvesi at Mandabatmaz), so are breakfasts (Van‑style spreads), and seafood meyhanes along the strait are evening institutions.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Palatial: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul (waterfront heritage, gardens, and classic Ottoman glamour).
• Stylish views: Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul (modern rooms with sweeping strait panoramas; great spa).
• Boutique heritage: Sirkeci Mansion (steps from Gülhane Park & tram; warm hospitality).
• Bosporus yalı vibe: Ajia Hotel or Fuat Paşa Yalısı (romantic waterfront mansions).
• Social & central: Cheers Hostel (budget‑friendly, walkable to Sultanahmet sights).

Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Istanbul | VRBO: Istanbul

How to get there (flights & more):

• Flights from Europe: 3–4.5 hours nonstop to IST or SAW; typical one‑way fares $80–$220 in shoulder seasons. Search via Omio (Europe flights).
• Flights from Middle East/Asia/Africa/Americas: 4–12 hours+ depending on origin; many nonstop routes to IST. Compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights).
• Regional trains/buses (from Bulgaria/Greece/Balkans): check cross‑border options with Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).

Airport to city: allow 45–75 minutes by taxi or bus; the M11 metro links IST to the city with transfers to central lines. For a stress‑free start/end, book a car: Istanbul Private Transfer – IST Airport, Cruise Ports and Hotels.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips of History

Morning: Fly in and get your bearings on the plane—aim for a window seat to spot the Bosphorus ribbon. Have Turkish lira handy or use contactless for transit; pick up an Istanbulkart at the airport if you’ll ride trams/metros.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel, then stroll Sultanahmet Square. Step through the landscaped Hippodrome (ancient chariot track) to see the Serpent Column and Theodosius Obelisk, then admire the Blue Mosque’s six minarets from the square.

Evening: Dinner at Sultanahmet Köftecisi (since 1920) for classic grilled köfte with piyaz. For Ottoman recipes with a view, Deraliye is a short walk. End with pistachio baklava or kazandibi at Hafız Mustafa on Divan Yolu, and a mint tea under the plane trees of Sultanahmet Park.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern & Topkapı

Morning: Join a guided small‑group to fast‑track the icons and get context.

Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets

Expect a deep dive into Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy, plus access to the haunting, columned Basilica Cistern (lines here can be long—guided entry helps). Dress modestly for mosque interiors.

Afternoon: Walk to Topkapı Palace for the sultans’ courts, treasury, and the Harem (buy the Harem add‑on). Pause in Gülhane Park for tea with Bosphorus glimpses. If time allows, pop into the Istanbul Archaeology Museums for sarcophagi and ancient Near Eastern reliefs.

Evening: Reserve a table at Hamdi Restaurant near the Spice Market for kebabs and pistachio katmer with a Golden Horn view. For lokum to take home, stop by Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir on Hamidiye Street.

Day 3: Spice Market and the Asian Side—Eat Your Way Across Continents

Morning: Start amid mounds of saffron and sumac at the 17th‑century Spice Market. Then set off on an expert‑led tasting that ferries you to Asia.

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

Dig into a Turkish breakfast (cheeses, olives, menemen) on the European side, then ferry to Kadıköy for street‑food favorites like midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and dürüm from tiny grills.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy Market streets: Baylan Pastanesi for the nostalgic “Kup Griye” sundae; Çiya Sofrası for regional Anatolian dishes (try the sour cherry lamb). Walk the waterfront to Moda for coffee at Walter’s Coffee Roastery or Petra Moda.

Evening: Return by sunset ferry. In Karaköy, dine at Karaköy Lokantası (art‑deco tiles, refined meze—reserve) or Mükellef for rooftop meyhane vibes. For a cocktail, try Alexandra in Arnavutköy or Geyik in Cihangir.

Day 4: Dolmabahçe, Beşiktaş Brunch, and a Golden‑Hour Bosphorus Yacht

Morning: Traditional breakfast at Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu in Beşiktaş—fluffy menemen, kaymak with honey, and endless tea. Tour Dolmabahçe Palace (Ottoman opulence meets European styles; don’t miss the crystal staircase).

Afternoon: Tram/bus or a seaside walk to Ortaköy. Photograph the mosque with the Bosphorus Bridge backdrop and sample a street‑side kumpir (loaded baked potato) or gözleme. Wander north through Arnavutköy’s wooden mansions to Bebek for coffee at Bebek Kahve by the water.

Evening: Sail into the blue hour on a 25‑meter yacht.

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

Glide past palaces, fortresses, and wooden yalıs as minarets silhouette against the sky. After docking, go straight to seafood: Sur Balık Arnavutköy (classic Bosphorus meyhane) or Bebek Balıkçısı for elegant plates and sea views.

Day 5: Fener–Balat Colors, Galata Tower, and a Whirling Night

Morning: Explore Fener and Balat, once home to Greek Orthodox and Jewish communities. Photograph pastel facades, browse vintage shops, step into the Church of St. George (Patriarchate). Coffee at Coffeetopia Balat or Cherrybean Roastery.

Afternoon: Head to Galata. Climb Galata Tower for 360° cityscapes, then wander down to Karaköy for lunch—Dürümzade (Anthony Bourdain favorite) for charred adana in thin lavash, or Lokanta Kru for modern Anatolian plates. Sweet stop at Karaköy Güllüoğlu for baklava.

Evening: Experience Sufism’s meditative whirl paired with a traditional meal.

Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience

Alternatively, book a hammam earlier in the day (Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı or Hürrem Sultan Hamamı) and dine later at Yeni Lokanta (reservations recommended) for refined regional flavors.

Day 6: Asian‑Side Villages and Bosphorus by Day & Night

Morning: Cruise both shores and step onto the Asian side with a shorter daytime sailing.

Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side (Morning or Afternoon)

Disembark to wander Kuzguncuk’s leafy lanes and art studios, then tea by the water in Üsküdar. Snack on simit from a street cart and watch ferries crisscross the strait.

Afternoon: Visit Çamlıca Hill for sweeping views or stroll Moda Park if you didn’t on Day 3. For lunch, try Kanaat Lokantası in Üsküdar (beloved esnaf lokantası—home‑style trays and puddings).

Evening: Cap the day with dinner and live performances on the water.

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table

If you prefer to dine on land, reserve at Neolokal (Michelin‑recognized, inside SALT Galata) or Vogue in Akaretler for sushi and city lights.

Day 7: Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye, and Farewell

Morning: Weave through the Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays): lanes for antiques (İç Bedesten), kilims, and hand‑painted ceramics. Nearby, visit Rüstem Paşa Mosque for exquisite Iznik tiles, then climb to Süleymaniye Mosque, Sinan’s masterwork overlooking the Golden Horn.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Pandeli (above the Spice Market; Ottoman‑era blue‑tiled dining room—reserve). Pick up last‑minute spices or lokum downstairs, then transfer to the airport with time to spare. For hassle‑free transit, book: Istanbul Private Transfer – IST Airport, Cruise Ports and Hotels.

Evening: Departure day—if your flight is later, enjoy a final Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz off İstiklal Street or a waterfront tea in Karaköy.

Optional/Alternative Guided Classics (if you want a private guide focus day):

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

Great if you’d like a flexible, personalized route through the Old City with skip‑the‑line assistance.

Eating & drinking cheat‑sheet:

• Breakfasts: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for eastern Turkey spreads; Namlı Gurme (Karaköy) for deli‑style platters.
• Quick bites: Simit Sarayı (ubiquitous), Dürümzade (fiery adana wraps), Tantuni in Kadıköy for sautéed beef rolls.
• Meyhanes: Karaköy Lokantası; Çukur Meyhane (Beyoğlu) for meze and raki rituals.
• Desserts: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), Saray Muhallebicisi (milk puddings), San Sebastian cheesecake at Viyana Kahvesi.
• Cafés: Mandabatmaz (thick Turkish coffee), Kronotrop (specialty brews), Coffee Sapiens (Karaköy roastery).
• Rooftops/views: Seven Hills (Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque view), Monkey Istanbul (sunset cocktails).

Logistics tips: Consider the Museum Pass if you plan several paid museums in a few days. Carry a light scarf, socks for mosque visits (shoes off), and small bills for tea ferries and market haggling. Traffic can be heavy—trams (T1) and ferries are often faster than taxis.

In seven days you’ll have traced empires, tasted two continents, and cruised waters that defined them. Istanbul lingers in the senses—saffron and sea air, prayer calls and clinking tea glasses—inviting you back before you’ve even left.