Istanbul has been the hinge between continents for millennia: first Byzantium, then Constantinople, and now Türkiye’s most magnetic city. Emperors, sultans, and traders all left their mark—Roman columns, Byzantine domes, and Ottoman courtyards mingle with tea gardens and modern galleries.

In one day you can marvel at Hagia Sophia’s soaring interior, sip Turkish coffee in a Beyoğlu alley, and ferry to Asia for dinner. The Bosphorus glitters between palaces and wooden yalıs, while markets perfume the streets with saffron, sumac, and roasting chestnuts.

Practical notes: modest dress is required for mosques (scarves for women; shoulders and knees covered). Pickpockets can be active in crowded areas—keep valuables secure. Load an Istanbulkart for trams, ferries, and metros. Spring and fall bring mild weather and long golden evenings perfect for a Bosphorus cruise.

Istanbul

Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a feast of skyline silhouettes—minarets, domes, and the Galata Tower—set against the ever-moving Bosphorus. Its old city, Sultanahmet, holds the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace within walking distance. Across the Golden Horn, Beyoğlu hums with cafes, meyhanes, and contemporary culture.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace & Harem, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque, Chora (Kariye) mosaics when open.
• Experiences: Bosphorus sunset yacht, Turkish breakfast spreads, hamam rituals (Kılıç Ali Paşa or Hürrem Sultan), neighborhood wanders in Balat–Fener and Kadıköy–Moda.
• Food & drink: Cağ kebabı, meze and raki at a meyhane, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu, lahmacun hot from the oven, simit with tea on a ferry, and third-wave coffee in Karaköy.
• Fun fact: The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest covered markets, evolving since the 15th century into a maze of thousands of shops.

How to get to Istanbul: If you’re flying from within Europe, compare fares and times on Omio (flights in Europe). From the Middle East, Americas, or Asia, check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Istanbul Airport (IST) connects to the city via the M11 metro (≈35–45 minutes to Gayrettepe, then transfer) or official taxis; Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) serves many low-cost carriers on the Asian side.

Where to stay (curated picks with booking links):

• Palatial Bosphorus stays: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul; Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus; Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul.
• Sultanahmet & Sirkeci (walk to the classics): Sirkeci Mansion; Legacy Ottoman Hotel (Eminönü); Hotel Momento (Eminönü).
• Arnavutköy mansions (romantic, by the water): Ajia Hotel; Fuat Paşa Yalısı; good-value Arnavutköy Pansiyon.
• Apartment-style stays: Browse vetted homes on VRBO – Istanbul or hotels across neighborhoods on Hotels.com – Istanbul.

Day 1: Arrival, First Ferry Ride, and Sultanahmet Twilight

Morning: Travel day. For Europe-origin flights, compare options on Omio; from elsewhere, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. On arrival at IST, the M11 metro whisks you toward the center; taxis are plentiful—ask for the meter.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in Sultanahmet. Stroll past the Hippodrome’s Serpent Column and German Fountain, then slip into the Arasta Bazaar for artisan ceramics and textiles. Coffee with a view? Head to a rooftop near Sultanahmet for a first look at the city’s domes and minarets.

Evening: Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (polished blue-tiled meyhane; excellent lamb tandır and silky aubergine meze) or Yeni Lokanta (modern Anatolian plates; tandir manti and sour cherry desserts). Nightcap and baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—try the pistachio havuç dilimi.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Old City Flavors

Morning: Fuel up at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for a classic Turkish breakfast—honeycomb, kaymak, olives, herbed cheeses, menemen, and endless tea. Then join a small-group deep dive:

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour

Explore the Blue Mosque’s İznik tiles, Hagia Sophia’s layered history, and the atmospheric Basilica Cistern with pre-arranged entry.

Afternoon: Lunch at Şehzade Cağ Kebap (Sirkeci) for Erzurum-style rotating lamb skewers and lavash. Wander Gülhane Park beneath plane trees; peek into small artisan workshops around Cağaloğlu.

Evening: Dine at Balıkçı Sabahattin (historic townhouse; grilled sea bass, meze spreads) or Hamdi (near the Spice Bazaar; famed for southeast Turkish kebabs and terrace views). For dessert, sample sütlaç (rice pudding) or künefe with stretchy cheese.

Day 3: Topkapi Palace, Spice Bazaar, and Galata by Night

Morning: Step into the world of sultans with a guided visit that includes priority access:

Small-Group Topkapi Palace and Harem Tour with Tickets

Marvel at jewel-studded relics, Iznik-tiled chambers, and panoramic terraces over the Bosphorus.

Afternoon: Meander through the Spice Bazaar—look for Aleppo pepper, saffron, and lokum. For a storied lunch, try Pandeli above the market (blue-tiled dining room; hünkar beğendi and lamb stews). Cross the Galata Bridge and pause for strong, foamy Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz off Istiklal.

Evening: Climb Galata Tower for twilight cityscapes. Dinner at Mürver (wood-fired grill, sea views; standout octopus and ember-roasted leeks) or Neolokal (sustainable, heritage-inspired tasting menus in SALT Galata). Post-dinner, listen to live Turkish tunes at Nardis Jazz Club nearby.

Day 4: Bosphorus Day—Palaces, Seaside Villages, and a Sunset Yacht

Morning: Tour Dolmabahçe Palace, the late Ottoman showpiece of crystal staircases and baroque halls. Brunch around Beşiktaş Çarşı—try Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu for simit, sucuklu yumurta, and tomato-cucumber platters.

Afternoon: Tram or taxi to Ortaköy to admire the waterside mosque. Snack on a kumpir (loaded baked potato) or midye dolma (stuffed mussels). Walk the scenic shore to Arnavutköy, passing yali mansions; stop for tea at a seaside cafe.

Evening: Set sail on a golden-hour cruise:

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

Glide past palaces, fortresses, and two continents as the sky blushes pink. Dock and dine at Arnavutköy: reserve Sur Balık for impeccably fresh fish, or Alaf for modern Anatolian plates with smoke-kissed flavors.

Day 5: Two Continents Food Tour—Old City to Kadıköy

Morning: Light breakfast—save room! Meet your guide near the Spice Bazaar for a curated tasting journey that spans Europe and Asia:

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

Breakfast spreads, street bites, and artisan stops culminate across the water in Kadıköy’s market streets.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy–Moda: coffee at Petra Roasting Co. or Story Coffee; try çiğ köfte wraps and pickled vegetable shops. Stroll the seaside boardwalk to Moda Pier for ice cream and Bosphorus breezes.

Evening: Stay Asian-side for dinner at Çiya Sofrası (beloved for regional Anatolian dishes—testi kebab, seasonal stews, unusual herb salads) or Basta! Neo-Bistro (creative takes on Turkish flavors). Ferry back at night—the skyline is a silhouette of stars and minarets.

Day 6: Golden Horn Heritage—Balat, Eyüp, and Beyoğlu Nights

Morning: Explore Balat and Fener—colorful homes, antique shops, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Pop into a neighborhood bakery for poğaça (savory pastry) and tahinli çörek. Continue to Eyüp Sultan Mosque, a revered Ottoman pilgrimage site.

Afternoon: Ride the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for sweeping Golden Horn views and Turkish tea in a leafy garden. Return to Beyoğlu for the Pera Museum or art spaces around Tomtom. Quick bites: döner at Karadeniz Pide Döner Asım Usta (Beşiktaş) or lahmacun at Borsam Taşfırın (Kadıköy, if you’re back on the Asian side).

Evening: Classic meyhane night in Asmalımescit or Nevizade: Karaköy Lokantası (if you missed it), Asmalı Cavit (old-school meze and raki), or Meze by Lemon Tree. Expect a parade of meze—atom (chili-yogurt), lakerda, stuffed vine leaves—followed by grilled fish or köfte. Live fasıl music spills into the alleys.

Day 7: Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye, and a Hamam Farewell

Morning: Coffee at Kronotrop (Karaköy) or Brew Coffeeworks (Sirkeci), then plunge into the Grand Bazaar. Focus on a few lanes—copperware, Iznik-inspired ceramics, textiles. Haggle with a smile. Nearby, visit the serene Süleymaniye Mosque for Mimar Sinan’s architectural perfection.

Afternoon: Lunch at Meşhur Sultanahmet Köftecisi (since 1920; juicy köfte, piyaz bean salad, irmik helvası). Treat yourself to a traditional hamam—Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (Tophane) or Hürrem Sultan Hamamı (Sultanahmet)—for steam, scrub, and marble serenity.

Evening: Early farewell dinner: Lokanta 1741 (Ottoman-rooted dishes near the Baths) or Mikla’s spiritual successors like Mesa by Mehmet Gürs-inspired kitchens—alternatively, Mürver or Neolokal if you want one last elevated meal. Pick up sweets for the flight—Hafız Mustafa’s pistachio baklava and Turkish delight boxes travel well.

Good to Know: Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Transport: Load an Istanbulkart at tram/metro/ferry stations. The T1 tram links Sultanahmet–Eminönü–Karaköy–Kabataş; ferries are frequent and scenic.
• Airport access: M11 metro connects IST to Gayrettepe; allow extra time for transfers to Taksim/Sultanahmet. SAW is best reached by shuttle bus or taxi depending on traffic.
• Tickets & timing: Major sights are busiest 10:00–14:00; go early or late. Friday noon prayers affect mosque visiting hours—plan accordingly.
• Money: Cards are widely accepted, but carry some TL for markets and small cafes. Tipping 5–10% in restaurants is customary.

Optional Add‑Ons (if you have an extra day)

• Asian-side views: Üsküdar’s coastal mosques and Maiden’s Tower outlook.
• Princes’ Islands day trip: Cycle quiet streets and feast on seafood in Büyükada.

Included Viator Experiences in This Itinerary

• Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour
• Small-Group Topkapi Palace and Harem Tour with Tickets
• Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry
• Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

Wrap-Up: In a week, you’ll have threaded the story of Istanbul—from Byzantine basilicas to Ottoman palaces, market mazes, and the soft light of the Bosphorus at dusk. Come hungry, walk often, and let tea breaks be your compass. This 7-day Istanbul itinerary leaves room for serendipity while ensuring you never miss the city’s greatest hits.