Istanbul has worn many names—Byzantium, Constantinople—and each left layers of architecture, cuisine, and ritual. From the domes of Hagia Sophia to the minarets of the Blue Mosque, this is where empires met the sea. Step into courtyards perfumed with grilled fish and mastic, hear ferry horns echo off the strait, and watch the call to prayer wash over slate rooftops.

The city is an edible atlas: sesame simit at sunrise, lamb köfte at lunch, baklava lacquered with pistachios after dinner. Specialty coffee roasters hum beside 19th‑century hans; meyhanes set out meze like a painter’s palette. Your week leans into food, coffee, and “live like a local” neighborhoods, balanced with the must‑see Ottoman and Byzantine landmarks.

Practical notes: Pick up an Istanbulkart for trams, metros, buses, and ferries. Dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; women carry a scarf). Topkapi Palace often closes Tuesdays; the Grand Bazaar is closed Sundays; check hours around religious holidays. Expect to walk 10,000+ steps—cobblestones included—so bring supportive shoes.

Istanbul

Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city of ferries and vantage points. Historic Sultanahmet holds Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace; nearby Eminönü brims with the Spice Bazaar’s saffron and sumac. Across the Golden Horn, Karaköy–Galata mixes galleries, coffee bars, and meyhanes under the gaze of the Galata Tower.

On the Asian side, Kadıköy & Moda are the pantry of Istanbul—fishmongers, pickle shops, and breakfast salons—while Üsküdar & Kuzguncuk offer seaside mosques, wooden houses, and slow rhythms. The Bosphorus itself is the city’s great stage: palaces, yalıs (waterfront mansions), and bridges glowing at dusk.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Harem, Basilica Cistern, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Spice & Grand Bazaars, Dolmabahçe Palace.
• Food & coffee: Çiya Sofrası (Anatolian classics), Karaköy Lokantası (meze), Yeni Lokanta (modern Turkish), Balıkçı Sabahattin (seafood), Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), Petra Roasting, Kronotrop, Mandabatmaz (thick Turkish coffee).
• Fun facts: The Bosphorus is a busy marine highway; tulips—now associated with the Netherlands—were cultivated here during the Ottoman Tulip Era.

Stay (value‑forward picks):

• Sirkeci Mansion — boutique, walkable to Gülhane Park/Spice Bazaar; Turkish hospitality with pool and hamam.
• Cheers Hostel — social and central in Sultanahmet; private rooms available for budget comfort.
• Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul — resort‑style property with standout spa and Bosphorus views.
• Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul — an Ottoman palace on the water if you decide to splurge one night.
• VRBO apartments in Istanbul — great for kitchens and longer stays.
• Hotels.com: Istanbul — filter by neighborhood (Sultanahmet, Karaköy, Kadıköy) and amenities.

Getting to Istanbul: For flights, compare deals on Omio (Europe routes) and worldwide on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 3–4 hours from Central Europe (~$80–$200 roundtrip on sales), 9–10 hours from the US East Coast (~$600–$1,000), 4–5 hours from the Gulf (~$200–$400). Istanbul Airport (IST) is the main international hub; Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) serves many low‑cost carriers.

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes, and Golden Horn Twilight

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Pick up an Istanbulkart at the airport for easy tram/metro/ferry access. Shake off jet lag with Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz (near Galata; famously thick foam) or a flat white at Kronotrop Galata. Walk up to Galata Tower for a 360° orientation of the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and domes of the Old City.

Evening: Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (tile‑lined meyhane; standout meze like fava, circassian chicken, and slow‑braised lamb). If you want casual, try Dürümzade for spicy Adana dürüm grilled over charcoal. Dessert at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—order pistachio baklava and kaymak (clotted cream). Stroll the Galata Bridge for night views.

Day 2: Sultanahmet Essentials—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi

Morning: Join a focused small‑group tour to beat the lines: Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour. Budget ~$35–$60 per person; 3 hours with an expert guide. Dress modestly for mosque entry.

Afternoon: Lunch at iconic Sultanahmet Köftecisi (since 1920s; grilled beef köfte, piyaz bean salad). Walk to the Hippodrome obelisks, then spend 2–3 hours at Topkapi Palace and the Harem—treasuries, tiled pavilions, and courtyards overlooking the Bosphorus. Coffee at Şark Kahvesi in the Grand Bazaar annex or Turkish delight sampling at Hafız Mustafa (Sirkeci).

Evening: Reserve Yeni Lokanta (modern Anatolian—fermented ezme, mantı with brown butter) for dinner. Nightcap and live music at Nardis Jazz Club by the Galata Tower.

Day 3: Taste Two Continents—Markets, Ferries, and Kadıköy

Morning–Early Afternoon (Tour): Cross cultures with the highly rated Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour. Expect a full Turkish breakfast in the Old City, ferry to Asia, tastings in Kadıköy Market (pickles, mücver, midye dolma, tantuni), and tea culture deep dive. Plan ~$95–$130; 5–6 hours.

Afternoon: Linger on the Asian side. Espresso at Coffee Manifesto or Story Coffee & Food in Moda; seaside walk in Moda Park. If you didn’t eat your fill, a late lunch at Çiya Sofrası—legendary regional stews, kebabs, and seasonal specials like sour cherry lamb or herb‑stuffed flatbreads.

Evening: Craft beer at Ayı Kadıköy or wine at Viktor Levi Şarap Evi. Sunset ferry back to Karaköy; grab a simit on the pier like a local.

Day 4: Bazaars, Balat Color, and a Rooftop Dinner Experience

Morning: Start at the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) for saffron, pepper pastes, and dried fruit. Don’t miss Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi for freshly ground Turkish coffee. Walk up to Süleymaniye Mosque—a serene Sinan masterpiece with Golden Horn views.

Afternoon: Explore Fener & Balat: colorful homes, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, vintage shops. Coffee at Coffee Department Balat. Late lunch at Forno (Balat) for wood‑fired lahmacun and pides; or try Basta! Street Food Bar (nearby Kadıköy branch) for modern dürüm.

Evening (Tour): Join the intimate Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience Istanbul—a small‑group evening with street‑food tastings, a homey dinner in a 140‑year‑old venue, and a local rooftop for night views. Budget ~$65–$95.

Day 5: Bosphorus Day—Palaces, Ortaköy, and a Sunset Yacht

Morning: Coffee and pastry at Voi Coffee Company or Cup of Joy in Bebek, then walk the waterfront. Pop into Ortaköy Mosque (Baroque jewel under the bridge) and try a loaded kumpir (baked potato) from the stalls—kitschy, yes; beloved, also yes.

Afternoon: Tour Dolmabahçe Palace—Ottoman grandeur with crystal staircases and a chandelier the size of a small car. If you prefer a lighter day, ferry up the Bosphorus to Üsküdar for tea by Maiden’s Tower, or browse design shops in Nişantaşı with a mid‑day espresso at Petra Roasting (Topağacı).

Evening (Cruise): Sail into golden hour with the Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best. Expect 2–2.5 hours, beverages/snacks, and shore narration as palaces, fortresses, and bridges light up. Budget ~$45–$75.

Day 6: Market-to-Table Cooking and Beyoğlu Nights

Morning: Join a hands‑on Turkish cooking class (e.g., Cookistan in Şişli or similar). Typical formats include a neighborhood market walk (peppers, herbs, cheeses) followed by 3–4 dishes—mercimek çorbası, zeytinyağlıs, stuffed vine leaves, and sütlaç—then you eat what you’ve cooked. Expect ~5 hours and ~$80–$120.

Afternoon: Explore Pera: the Pera Museum (Orientalist paintings, Anatolian weights), Istiklal Caddesi arcades, and the nostalgic red tram. Coffee break at Norm Coffee (Pera) or Federal Coffee Company off Istiklal.

Evening: Classic meyhane dinner at Asmalı Cavit (book ahead): start with haydari, eggplant salad, lakerda, then grilled sea bream or köfte; sip rakı slowly with water and conversation. If you prefer fire‑kissed flavors, try Mürver in Karaköy for wood‑grilled seafood and seasonal vegetables.

Day 7: Grand Bazaar, Hammam, and Farewell Bites

Morning: Long, leisurely breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir): herbed cheeses, menemen eggs, honey with kaymak, endless tea. Shop the Grand Bazaar when it opens (note: closed Sundays)—look for copperware, towels (peştemal), and ceramics; haggle politely.

Afternoon (Departure): If time allows pre‑flight, go for a restorative hamam—Kılıç Ali Paşa (Tophane) for a stunning 16th‑century dome or Cağaloğlu Hamamı near the Bazaar. Keep 3 hours for transit/security to IST.

Coffee, Eats, and Neighborhood Cheat Sheet (for mixing and matching)

• Specialty coffee: Petra Roasting (Topağacı), Kronotrop (Galata/Nişantaşı), Coffee Department (Balat), Coffee Manifesto (Kadıköy), Mandabatmaz (Turkish style).
• Street food you’ll see everywhere: simit, döner, midye dolma (stuffed mussels), kokoreç, fish sandwiches under the Galata Bridge—order with pickles and a squeeze of lemon.
• Sweet spots: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir (lokum), Baylan (Kadıköy) for the nostalgic “Kup Griye.”

Optional Swap: Dinner Cruise with Shows (if you prefer one night on the water)

Prefer a lively night afloat instead of a meyhane evening? Book the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Private VIP Table for whirling dervish and folk dance performances plus city lights. Budget ~$45–$80.

Local Logistics and Budget Tips

• Transit: Trams (T1) connect Sultanahmet–Karaköy–Eminönü; ferries bind Europe and Asia. Load an Istanbulkart and tap in/out; rides ~$0.50–$0.80.
• Typical costs: Turkish breakfast $6–$12; mid‑range lunch $8–$15; meyhane dinner with meze and drinks $20–$40; specialty coffee $2–$4.
• Taxis: Use official cabs, insist on the meter; for peace of mind, ride‑hailing apps work well.
• Closures: Topkapi often closed Tuesdays; Grand Bazaar closed Sundays; mosque interiors pause for prayer times—check the schedule.

Book Your Flights and Stay

• Omio: Flights to/from Europe
• Trip.com: Global flight deals
• Kiwi.com: Mix-and‑match itineraries
• Hotels.com: Istanbul stays | VRBO apartments

Seven days in Istanbul gives you both continents in your pocket: the grandeur of sultans by day, clinking rakı glasses by night, all laced together by ferries and coffee. You’ll leave with spice‑scented memories, a camera roll of rooftops and domes, and a short list of places you already want to revisit.