Istanbul is where empires layered their dreams in stone. Byzantines raised domes that caught the sun like censers; Ottomans folded tiles into shimmering gardens. The city bestrides the Bosphorus—Europe and Asia held in a single glance—its ferries stitching the two continents like needles through silk.

Across seven days, you’ll step into the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, sip Turkish tea by the water, wander spice-scented bazaars, and dine in meyhanes where meze parade like jeweled trays. You’ll sail past wooden yalıs on the strait and taste your way from the Old City to Kadıköy’s bustling markets.

Practical notes: modest attire for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; headscarves for women), remove shoes upon entry. Pick up an Istanbulkart for trams, ferries, and metros. Expect queues at marquee sights—book skip-the-line tours where possible, and aim for early starts.

Istanbul

Few cities reward curiosity like Istanbul. In Sultanahmet, minarets lace the skyline while call to prayer echoes across ancient stones. In Beyoğlu, café culture, contemporary art, and rooftop views hum late into the night. Cross to Asia for Kadıköy’s markets and Moda’s seaside strolls, where locals linger over tea at sunset.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Harem, Basilica Cistern, Grand & Spice Bazaars, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Istanbul Modern, Çamlıca viewpoints, Princes’ Islands.
• Eat & drink: From kebab masters at Zübeyir Ocakbaşı and dürüm at Dürümzade to refined tasting menus at Neolokal and neighborhood institutions like Çiya Sofrası, Pandeli, and Kanaat Lokantası. Dessert pilgrims head to Karaköy Güllüoğlu for baklava and Baylan for the iconic Kup Griye.
• Fun facts: The Grand Bazaar predates most nation-states. The Bosphorus is a geological river-in-the-sea. And yes, you can have breakfast in Europe and lunch in Asia—daily.

Getting there: Fly into IST (Istanbul Airport) or SAW (Sabiha Gökçen). Compare fares and routes on Omio (flights in/to/from Europe) and Kiwi.com (global flights). Typical nonstop times: London ~4h, Paris ~3h 30m, Dubai ~4h 30m, New York ~9–10h.

Airport transfer: Prebook a reliable ride: Istanbul Private Transfer - IST Airport, Cruise Ports and Hotels.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO (Istanbul) and Hotels.com (Istanbul).

• Classic luxury on the Bosphorus: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus.
• Old City boutique: Sirkeci Mansion (steps to Gülhane Park and the tram), Eminönü options like Legacy Ottoman Hotel and Hotel Momento.
• Great-value hostel: Cheers Hostel (friendly vibe, social common areas).
• Bosphorus neighborhood gems (Arnavutköy): Ajia Hotel, Fuat Paşa Yalısı, Arnavutköy Pansiyon.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips by the Bosphorus

Afternoon: Land and settle into your hotel. If you prebooked a transfer, you’ll be in town in ~45–70 minutes depending on traffic. Stretch your legs in Gülhane Park beneath plane trees and peek at the outer walls of Topkapi for a first brush with Ottoman grandeur.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Karaköy Lokantası—tile-clad, blue-lit, and beloved for meze like fava purée and calamari, plus slow-cooked lamb tandır. For dessert, try baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu (pistachio “fıstıklı özel kare”). Nightcap with Bosphorus views at Alexandra Cocktail Bar in Arnavutköy or the panoramic terrace at 360 Istanbul.

Day 2: Sultanahmet Icons—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar

Morning: Join a small-group, skip-the-line walk to anchor the city’s story: Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour (about 3 hours; often from ~$45–$70 pp). Dress modestly; headscarves available by the mosques and guide notes keep you ahead of queues.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (since 1920) for grilled köfte with piyaz. Dive into the Grand Bazaar’s labyrinth—seek out copperware in the Cevahir Bedesteni and artisans in quieter han courtyards. Coffee break at Mandabatmaz for famously thick Turkish coffee.

Evening: Classic meyhane night in Asmalımescit at Asmalı Cavit: start with haydari, şakşuka, and octopus salad, then grilled sea bass or köfte. If you love live jazz, stroll to Nardis near Galata Tower after dinner.

Day 3: Topkapi Palace, Spice Market, Üsküdar Sunset

Morning: Explore the empire’s heart with a guide: Small-Group Topkapi Palace and Harem Tour: Highlights & History (2–3 hours; from ~$45–$65 pp). The Harem’s cedar-scented rooms and Iznik-tiled chambers tell the palace’s most intimate stories.

Afternoon: Walk to the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar for mastic, sumac, and dried fruits. Pop into Rüstem Paşa Mosque—an intimate jewel box of blue tiles. Lunch upstairs at Pandeli (overlooking the bazaar) for eggplant “imam bayıldı,” lamb in quince sauce, or stuffed vine leaves.

Evening: Ferry to Üsküdar (20 minutes; ~$0.50–$1 with Istanbulkart) for golden-hour views by Salacak opposite Maiden’s Tower. Dinner at Kanaat Lokantası, a time-capsule esnaf lokantası serving seasonal stews, pilav, and sütlaç rice pudding. Tea on the waterfront before cruising back.

Day 4: Bosphorus Day—Dolmabahçe, Villages, Dinner Cruise

Morning: Breakfast in Beşiktaş Market—menemen and simit at Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu or a plate at Balkan Lokantası. Tour Dolmabahçe Palace, a 19th-century flourish of crystal staircases and gilded salons fronting the strait. Continue to Ortaköy for a photo of its waterside mosque; try a kumpir (stuffed baked potato) from the kiosks.

Afternoon: Stroll the Bosphorus villages: Ortaköy → Arnavutköy → Bebek. Pause for third-wave coffee at Petra Bebek or scoop of mastic ice cream at Mini Dondurma. If you prefer a short public-ferry cruise, ride from Beşiktaş to Emirgan (~40 minutes) and back for yalı-spotting.

Evening: Celebrate the city lights on a live-show dinner cruise: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table (3–4 hours; typically ~$55–$85 pp; hotel pickup available). Expect whirling dances, panoramic decks, and a feast as palaces glide by.

Day 5: Two Continents Food Tour, Moda Promenade

Morning: Come hungry for a delicious masterclass: Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry (5–6 hours; often ~$110–$135 pp). Start with a traditional Turkish breakfast in the Old City, ferry across to Asia, and graze your way through Kadıköy—cheeses, olives, simit, tantuni, and more.

Afternoon: After the tour ends in Kadıköy, linger in the market streets. Sip a Turkish tea at Çaycı Ibo, browse pickle shops, and pop into Baylan Pastanesi for the legendary caramel-almond ice-cream sundae “Kup Griye.” Stroll the Moda seaside park with locals.

Evening: If you still have room: dinner at Çiya Sofrası (regional Anatolian recipes—try the seasonal stews and lahmacun). Cocktails or Turkish craft beers at Aylak Kadıköy, or wine at Viktor Levi over a plate of meze.

Day 6: Beyoğlu, Art & Rooftops

Morning: Coffee at Karaköy’s Karabatak (Austro-Turkish café vibe) or Kronotrop on a quiet side street. Climb Galata Tower early to beat lines, then dip into the Pera Museum (Kütahya tiles and Anatolian weights exhibit are standouts). Quick dürüm lunch at Dürümzade (adana or cağ kebab) or reserve a grill table at Zübeyir Ocakbaşı.

Afternoon: Walk İstiklal Avenue’s arcades and passages (Atlas, Çiçek), pause at the new building of Istanbul Modern on the Karaköy waterfront for contemporary art and a sunlit café. Espresso pick-me-up at Petra Topağacı or Geyik Coffee in Cihangir.

Evening: Dinner options: Neolokal (modern Anatolian tasting menu in SALT Galata) or Yeni Lokanta (elegant yet relaxed—try the stuffed dried eggplant and meze flight). End with rooftop views at Leb-i Derya or 16 Roof at Swissôtel; for live music, check Babylon in Bomonti.

Day 7: Princes’ Islands Morning, Departure

Morning: Catch an early ferry from Kabataş to Büyükada (75–90 minutes; ~$2–$4 with Istanbulkart). Rent bicycles for a coastal loop past wooden mansions; snack on simit and tahini halva from a local bakery. A quick fish lunch by the harbor—grilled sea bream or calamari—before returning on a late-morning ferry.

Afternoon: Return to your hotel, collect bags, and depart for the airport. If rain changes plans, swap the islands for Fener-Balat’s colorful streets and a visit to the Kariye (Chora) area, then tram back for checkout.

Helpful Add-ons and Alternatives

• Private Old City deep dive: If you want a fully tailored history day, consider Best Of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3 Day Private Guided Tour.
• Hammam time: Classic baths like Kılıç Ali Paşa or Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı are beloved. For a historical Old City option with privacy choices, see Gedikpaşa Hamamı.
• Public transit tips: The T1 tram links Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Karaköy, and Kabataş; ferries are frequent and scenic. Load up your Istanbulkart at yellow machines; typical rides are ~$0.50–$1.

Bookmark-Worthy Tours Used in This Itinerary

• Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour
• Small-Group Topkapi Palace and Harem Tour
• Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table

Seven days in Istanbul balance headline monuments with ferry-borne interludes, neighborhood cafés, and generous tables. The city rewards the curious, and this itinerary leaves room to linger—over a view, a musical set, or just another plate of meze as the Bosphorus twinkles.