Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been the stage for empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Its skyline—minarets and palaces set against the Bosphorus—still hums with that history. Spend seven days here and you’ll taste the old and the new: prayer calls at dawn, third-wave coffee at noon, meyhane feasts by night.

Expect contrasts. Hagia Sophia’s vast dome meets the mosaics of the Basilica Cistern; bustling Grand Bazaar gives way to indie boutiques in Galata; fishermen in Karaköy share the quay with gallery-goers bound for Istanbul Modern. Ferries, trams, and funiculars make it easy to hop between worlds.

Practical notes: Carry a light scarf for mosque visits, dress modestly, and check prayer hours. Most museums are cashless; transit runs on the Istanbulkart. For flights to/from Europe use Omio; from other regions compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: London 4 hrs, Dubai 4.5 hrs, New York 9–10 hrs.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a living museum with a culinary heartbeat. Start in Sultanahmet for postcard icons—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace—then drift downhill to the Spice Bazaar’s saffron and sumac. Cross Galata Bridge for coffee and jazz bars, or sail to the Asian side for Kadıköy’s food markets and Moda’s sunset promenade.

Top sights include the Basilica Cistern’s medusas, the hilltop Süleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe’s chandeliered halls, and the revitalized waterfront at Galataport near Istanbul Modern. Between sights, recharge with menemen (soft-scrambled eggs with peppers), simit, and velvety Turkish coffee.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Browse all stays: Hotels.com – Istanbul | VRBO – Istanbul
• Palatial splurge on the Bosphorus: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
• Resort-style city stay with views: Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul
• Boutique near Gülhane/Old City: Sirkeci Mansion
• Social budget hub in Sultanahmet: Cheers Hostel
• Along the Bosphorus in Arnavutköy: Ajia Hotel

How to get here: For Europe-based flights and multi-modal options search Omio. For flights from the Americas, Middle East, Asia-Pacific compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Expect $100–250 one-way from many European cities, $650–1,100 from the U.S. East Coast (seasonal).

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet Stroll, and Sunset Sips

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop around Sultanahmet Square to see the exteriors of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. For a first taste, stop at Hafız Mustafa (try pistachio baklava) and grab a strong Turkish coffee at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi’s neighboring stand before a quick snack of classic köfte across the street.

Evening: Dinner at Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine for historic recipes (mutancana—lamb with apricots and almonds) or Balıkçı Sabahattin in Cankurtaran for meze and grilled sea bream. For a nightcap with a view, head toward Gülhane Park area rooftops; order a glass of crisp Turkish white (Narince) and watch the ships line the Bosphorus.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar

Morning: Join a small-group highlights walk to understand the layers of the city and skip the lines:

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

Dress modestly; bring a scarf for hair covering in mosques. Guides unpack centuries of art and engineering in about 3 hours.

Afternoon: Walk to the Spice Bazaar for aromas of cumin, chilies, and lokum. Lunch upstairs at Pandeli (eggplant-butter stuffed manti, blue-tiled dining room), or terrace-side at Hamdi for pistachio kebap with Golden Horn views. Coffee at Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi—watch beans being ground fresh for thick, foamy Türk kahvesi.

Evening: Cross Galata Bridge at dusk. Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (reservation recommended; meze parade and slow-cooked lamb tandır). Finish with baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—order the fıstıklı kare (square pistachio baklava) and a tulip glass of tea.

Day 3: Two Continents Food Tour, Kadıköy and Moda

Morning: Warm up with a Kurdish-style breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir—honeycomb with clotted cream (kaymak), herbed cheese, and menemen. Ferry from Karaköy or Eminönü to Kadıköy; the crossing is a mini-sightseeing cruise.

Afternoon (tour): Eat your way across Istanbul on this beloved guided feast:

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

Expect a proper Turkish breakfast, market nibbles, and Asian-side bites in Kadıköy—guides explain regional dishes and ordering etiquette.

Evening: If you still have room, book dinner at Çiya Sofrası for Anatolian recipes you won’t find elsewhere (purslane and yogurt, lamb with sour cherries). Dessert at historic Baylan (order the caramel-kaymak “Kup Griye”). End with a Moda seaside stroll; grab craft coffee at Petra Roasting Co. Moda or a Turkish pilsner at a waterfront cafe.

Day 4: Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, and Bosphorus Yacht Cruise

Morning: Tour Dolmabahçe Palace—Ottoman meets European splendor, with the 4.5-ton Bohemian crystal chandelier. Walk or taxi to Ortaköy for kumpir (baked potato piled high) and a photo under the Ortaköy Mosque with the bridge beyond.

Afternoon (cruise): See both continents from the water with a stop on the Asian shore:

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

Glide past wooden yalıs, hilltop fortresses, and palatial embassies; the Asian-side stop is perfect for tea by the water.

Evening: Dine Bosphorus-side in Arnavutköy. For fish, try Arnavutköy Balıkçısı (seasonal meze, grilled sea bass) or head up the strait to the serene Ajia Hotel restaurant if you prefer a quieter scene. Cocktails at Alexandra—order something raki-forward and watch the lights shimmer on the waves.

Day 5: Galata, Pera, Istanbul Modern, and Beyoğlu Nights

Morning: Espresso at Kronotrop or thick Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz off İstiklal. Climb (or elevator) up Galata Tower for a 360° view; then explore boutique-lined Serdar-ı Ekrem Street for design shops and ateliers.

Afternoon: Museum-hop: Istanbul Modern on the waterfront showcases Turkish and international contemporary art; the Pera Museum pairs Ottoman-era Orientalist paintings with rotating modern exhibits. Lunch nearby at Yeni Lokanta (gözleme with wild greens, sourdough mantı) or the blue-tiled Meşhur Beyoğlu Çiçek Pasajı meyhanes for a classic meze spread.

Evening: Book a table at Neolokal (Chef Maksut Aşkar’s ode to Anatolia; tasting menu with thoughtful wine pairings). For live culture, check the lineup at the Babylon venue in Bomontiada, then end with craft beer at The Populist or inventive cocktails at 5 Cocktails & More.

Day 6: Grand Bazaar Treasures, Süleymaniye Views, and Hammam Ritual

Morning: Start at Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu in Beşiktaş for simit, menemen, and tea. Head to the Grand Bazaar when it opens; focus on a few aisles—coppersmiths, textiles, lamps—to avoid overwhelm. For a quick, cult-favorite lunch, queue at Dönerci Şahin Usta near the bazaar.

Afternoon (hammam): Rejuvenate with a traditional scrub and foam massage in a centuries-old bath:

Istanbul Gedikpaşa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option

Built in the 15th century, this hammam offers classic kese exfoliation under a warm dome. Hydrate with ayran or tea afterward.

Evening: Walk to Süleymaniye Mosque for a serene golden-hour vista across the Golden Horn. Ferry to Üsküdar for dinner at historic Kanaat Lokantası (trays of daily stews, stuffed vegetables, and milky desserts), then enjoy the Maiden’s Tower view from the waterfront.

Day 7: Topkapı Palace, Gülhane Park, and Last Bites

Morning: Dive into the Ottoman court at Topkapı Palace; allow extra time for the Harem apartments and the jewel-filled Treasury. Grab a simit and fresh juice for a stroll through leafy Gülhane Park.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque—look for İznik-style ceramics and hand-loomed towels. Early lunch at Sehzade Cag Kebap near Sirkeci (thin, horizontal skewers from Erzurum with lavash and sumac onions). Depart for the airport in the early afternoon.

Evening: Flight home. If you have a late departure, consider an early dinner at Tarihi Karaköy Balık Ekmek stands by the water or a meyhane near your hotel for a final toast with raki.

Optional private guiding upgrade: If you prefer a tailored deep dive into Ottoman and Byzantine history, consider a customized day with a licensed expert: Best Of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3 Day Private Guided Tour

Local tips:

• Mosques may close to visitors during prayer; plan Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque visits outside main prayer times.
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays; Spice Bazaar stays open most days.
• Public transit is fast: T1 tram links Sultanahmet–Karaköy; ferries connect Eminönü/Karaköy with Üsküdar and Kadıköy in minutes.
• For airport transfers or if landing late, compare flight times and arrivals on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com to optimize your arrival window.

Seven days in Istanbul means unhurried mornings in Sultanahmet, afternoons sailing the Bosphorus, and nights clinking glasses in Beyoğlu. With this itinerary, you’ll see the icons, taste across regions, and still have time to wander into the city’s unscripted magic.