Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, a city where empires layered mosques over forums and palaces over harbors. Hagia Sophia’s vast dome still stuns, Topkapı Palace whispers of sultans and intrigue, and the Blue Mosque glows at dusk. In late August, Istanbul hums: the Bosphorus sparkles, terraces brim with conversation, and markets spill with saffron, sumac, and pistachio.

Food anchors daily life here. Start with a sprawling Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı), graze on simit and fresh cheeses, then hunt for regional gems—Black Sea anchovies, southeast Anatolian kebabs, and Ottoman-inspired stews. Evenings linger in meyhanes over meze and rakı, or on rooftops where the skyline—minarets, towers, and the strait—becomes the show.

Late August brings heat (highs often 28–32°C/82–90°F). Sightsee early and late, sip lots of water, and dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; headscarves for women). Carry an Istanbulkart for trams, metros, and ferries. August 30 is Victory Day; expect celebratory lights and fireworks along the Bosphorus, especially around Ortaköy and the bridges.

Istanbul

Once Constantinople, this crossroads has seen Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans leave masterpieces: Basilica Cistern’s forest of columns, the blue-tiled elegance of Rüstem Pasha Mosque, and Dolmabahçe’s European flourish on the water. Today’s city adds contemporary design at Istanbul Modern and a revived Karaköy waterfront, while the Asian side—Kadıköy and Moda—offers superb markets and local rhythm.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace & Harem, Basilica Cistern, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul Modern, Chora/Kariye Mosque (stunning mosaics; limited viewing hours), Balat & Fener.
• Food highlights: Meze at Asmalı Cavit, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu, Turkish breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi, regional dishes at Çiya Sofrası, köfte at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, fish sandwiches (balık ekmek) by Eminönü.
• Fun facts: The Grand Bazaar holds thousands of shops under vaulted ceilings; the Bosphorus is a strait, not a river; and Pierre Loti Hill has a cable car with Golden Horn views long favored by writers.

Where to stay: Base yourself near Sultanahmet for history, or in Karaköy/Galata or Beşiktaş for dining and nightlife. Browse stays on VRBO and hotels on Hotels.com. Look for terraces with Hagia Sophia views (Sultanahmet), design-forward boutiques near Istanbul Modern (Karaköy), or Bosphorus-view rooms in Beşiktaş.

Getting there and around: Search flights to IST (new Istanbul Airport) or SAW (Sabiha Gökçen) via Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Expect about 4 hours from London, 10–11 hours from New York (nonstop), 4.5 hours from Dubai. From IST, Havaist buses or taxis reach the center in 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Pick up an Istanbulkart for trams (T1 for Sultanahmet), metros, and ferries.

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet Orientation, Skyline Sunset

Morning: Fly in and settle at your hotel. If you arrive early, keep it gentle—jet lag and August heat are real.

Afternoon: Start at the Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square) to see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column. Step into the Blue Mosque between prayer times—its İznik tiles shimmer under soft light. For a cool break, sip ayran and nibble a simit near shady Gülhane Park.

Evening: Have your first Ottoman-inspired dinner at Deraliye (slow-cooked lamb and quince, stuffed vine leaves) or the classic seafood house Balıkçı Sabahattin (grilled sea bream, meze). For dessert, pistachio baklava at Hafız Mustafa in Sirkeci. Nightcap with a mellow nargile under the arches of Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern, Meze Night

Morning: Arrive at Hagia Sophia just after opening. Non-worship areas can close during prayer; dress modestly. Continue to Topkapı Palace, diving into the Treasury and Sacred Relics; the Harem needs a separate ticket but the tilework is remarkable.

Afternoon: Walk to the Spice Bazaar; lunch at historic Pandeli upstairs (lamb in cherry sauce, fragrant pilavs). Then descend into the cool Basilica Cistern to meet the Medusa heads.

Evening: Reserve a table at beloved meyhane Asmalı Cavit (top meze: fava, lakerda, atom; grilled octopus). Pair with rakı and finish with almond helva. Alternatively, catch the whirling dervish ceremony at Hodjapasha then sample köfte at Meşhur Filibe Köftecisi.

Day 3: Karaköy, Istanbul Modern, Galata, and a Bosphorus Cruise

Morning: Coffee at Petra Roasting Co. (Karaköy) or Kronotrop, then explore the Renzo Piano–designed Istanbul Modern for contemporary Turkish art. Pop by Karaköy Güllüoğlu to see why locals queue for baklava.

Afternoon: Lunch at Karaköy Lokantası (daily home-style dishes, elegant tiled room). Walk uphill to Galata Tower for a panoramic city view. Browse İstiklal’s passages, ducking into the Pera Museum if you want Osman Hamdi Bey’s “Tortoise Trainer.”

Evening: Sunset on the water—opt for a public Bosphorus ferry loop (budget-friendly, scenic) or a small-boat cruise for photo stops. Dinner at wood-fired Mürver (sea and Anatolian flavors) or award-winning Neolokal (a modern, terroir-driven take on Anatolian cuisine). Cocktails with a skyline at Mikla Bar or 16 Roof.

Day 4: Asian Side—Kadıköy Market Crawl, Moda Seaside

Morning: Fuel up with a Van-style breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir)—fresh herbs, local cheeses, menemen—then ferry to Kadıköy. Wander the market lanes: olives, dried peppers, fishmongers, pickles.

Afternoon: Make a progressive lunch: lahmacun at Halil Lahmacun, vegetable stews and regional specialties at Çiya Sofrası, and the retro caramel “Kup Griye” sundae at Baylan. Stroll the Moda shoreline for sea breezes and coffee at Story Coffee or Walter’s Coffee Roastery.

Evening: Stay Asian-side for dinner at Yanyalı Fehmi (Ottoman recipes) or return by ferry for kebabs at Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (watch the ustas grill Adana and lamb chops over charcoal). Drinks and music at Arkaoda on Kadife Street if you linger in Kadıköy.

Day 5: Princes’ Islands Adventure—Bikes, Views, and a Swim

Morning: Catch a ferry (about 60–90 minutes depending on service) to Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands. Rent a bike or e-bike and circle the island under pines and villas.

Afternoon: Hike or ride up to Aya Yorgi Church for a sweeping Marmara Sea view. Cool off at an island beach club (seasonal; check day-pass hours) or dip from public piers. Lunch at Milto or Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu near the hilltop.

Evening: Return to the city at golden hour. Classic dinner at Kanaat Lokantası (Üsküdar)—tray kebabs, stuffed vegetables, rosewater desserts—or fish in Arnavutköy by the Bosphorus. Jazz nightcap at Nardis Jazz Club near Galata.

Day 6: Hammam Day, Balat & Fener, Golden Horn Views

Morning: Ease into a traditional Turkish bath at Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (Sinan’s 16th-century masterpiece; book ahead). Expect a warm marble chamber, exfoliation (kese), and a mountain of foam; plan 60–90 minutes. Alternative: Hürrem Sultan Hamamı beside Hagia Sophia for a regal setting.

Afternoon: Head to Balat & Fener for colorful streets, antique shops, and the Phanar Greek Patriarchate. Lunch on black-seed pita and oven-fresh pide at Forno Balat, then specialty coffee at Coffee Department. Peek at Kariye (Chora) Mosque to glimpse restored mosaics (non-prayer hours).

Evening: Ride the Eyüp cable car to Pierre Loti Hill for tea above the Golden Horn. Adventurous travelers can try the nearby Golden Horn zipline (seasonal; evening rides add drama). Dinner at a cozy meyhane like Çukur or return to Karaköy for seafood meze.

Day 7: Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye, Farewell Flavors (Departure Day)

Morning: Get an early start at the Grand Bazaar before crowds: textiles, copper, ceramics—bargain politely. Step into Rüstem Pasha Mosque for exquisite blue tiles and walk up to Süleymaniye Mosque and its serene courtyard.

Afternoon: A last lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (köfte, piyaz, irmik helvası). Pick up sweets at Karaköy Güllüoğlu for the journey. If you’re in town on August 30, watch for tricolor lights on the bridges en route to the airport. Depart in the afternoon.

Evening: Fly onward with a full camera roll and a head full of call to prayer and ferry horns.

Practical Tips

• Tickets: Major sights sell timed tickets; the Museum Pass Istanbul can be good value if you’re doing multiple state-run museums (prices change frequently—check locally).
• Dress & etiquette: For mosques, cover shoulders and knees; women bring a scarf. Remove shoes before entering prayer halls.
• Getting around: Trams (T1), metros, funiculars, and ferries are efficient. Load an Istanbulkart and tap on/off. Taxis are plentiful; insist on the meter.
• Heat & hydration: Sightsee early, break midday, cruise or dine late. Many cafés happily refill water bottles.

Book Your Stay and Transport

• Accommodations: Browse Istanbul stays on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Flights: Compare fares on Omio, Trip.com, and Kiwi.com.
• Trains & buses in Europe (if pairing Istanbul with another European city): Check Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Note on Partner Viator Experiences

The following partner tours are in Bath, United Kingdom (not part of this Istanbul itinerary). They are included here as curated examples you may enjoy on a future UK trip.

• Roman Baths and Bath City Walking Tour

  

• Stonehenge & the Cotswolds Including Admission from Bath

  

In one week, you’ll trace empires, taste regional Turkey on one city’s table, and feel the steam of a centuries-old bathhouse. Late August lends long evenings and lively waterfronts—perfect for cruising, rooftop sunsets, and meyhanes that never quite want to close.