Istanbul—ancient Constantinople—has been a crossroads of empires for 1,700+ years, where Byzantine domes meet Ottoman minarets and the Bosphorus stitches Europe to Asia. You’ll trace that layered history at Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace, then shift gears to savor tea gardens, ferries, and sunset light across the strait.

Food is the city’s warm handshake: sesame-sprinkled simit at sunrise, mezes and grilled fish by the water, and syrup-glossed baklava that’s impossible to refuse. Markets hum with spices and copperware, and neighborhood bakeries send out a daily chorus of fresh börek. Between tastes, slow down—this is a city built for lingering over Turkish tea and views.

Practical notes: Bring modest attire for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; women may need a headscarf), carry cash for markets, and use Istanbul’s excellent transit (trams, ferries, metro) with an Istanbulkart. Spring and fall are mild; summers are warm. With a mid-range budget, you’ll eat wonderfully and sleep comfortably—this plan leans relaxing over rushing.

Istanbul

Framed by the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul is a mosaic of quarters—Sultanahmet’s monuments, Galata’s steep lanes, Karaköy’s cafes, Balat’s color, and Kadıköy’s bustling markets. The Bosphorus villages—Ortaköy, Arnavutköy, and Bebek—offer some of the city’s most leisurely waterfront strolls.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, Süleymaniye Mosque.
• Slow pleasures: Bosphorus sunset yacht, tea in Gülhane Park, Moda seaside promenade, Ortaköy kumpir, ferry rides between continents.
• Great eats: Mezes at traditional meyhanes, grilled mackerel sandwiches in Karaköy, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu, kebabs at Şehzade Cağ Kebap, Anatolian dishes at Çiya Sofrası.

How to get here: Book flights on Trip.com or Omio (for flights to/from Europe). If combining with other Turkish cities, compare fares on Kiwi.com. Within Türkiye, intercity trains are improving; check Trip.com Trains for options.

Where to stay (mid-range focus, with options):

• Browse stays: Hotels.com – Istanbul | VRBO – Istanbul
• Sirkeci Mansion (Old City, great value, pool/sauna, walk to Hagia Sophia): Book Sirkeci Mansion
• Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul (Bosphorus views, tranquil gardens, stellar spa): Book Swissôtel The Bosphorus
• Cheers Hostel (budget-friendly, social vibe in Sultanahmet, some private rooms): Book Cheers Hostel
• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus (splurge-worthy waterfront serenity): Book Four Seasons Bosphorus

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet Stroll, and a Taste of Old Istanbul

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a slow wander through Gülhane Park, once the Topkapı Palace garden—plane trees, sea breezes, and benches perfect for tea. Pop into Hafız Mustafa 1864 in Sirkeci for pistachio baklava or flaky sütlaç rice pudding and a strong Turkish tea.

Evening: Explore Sultanahmet Square at golden hour—the Byzantine Hippodrome obelisks glow softly as the call to prayer drifts over domes. Dinner at Balıkçı Sabahattin (grilled sea bass, mezes in a historic wooden house) or Cankurtaran Köftecisi (juicy köfte plates, quick and affordable). Nightcap with velvety Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz near İstiklal—tiny, atmospheric, and beloved by locals.

Day 2: Icons at an Easy Pace—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Bazaars

Morning: Join a small-group tour to unlock the stories behind Istanbul’s great monuments:

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

Guides handle skip-the-line logistics and give context from Justinian to Mehmed II. After, refuel with simit and kaymak (clotted cream) at Sütiş in Sultanahmet or head to Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi for a classic meatball plate.

Afternoon: Walk to the Spice Bazaar for rose and pomegranate Turkish delights, sumac, and pepper pastes. Grab a grilled mackerel sandwich at Galata Köprüsü or an espresso at Kronotrop Karaköy. If energy allows, dip into Rüstem Paşa Mosque to admire its blue İznik tiles—serene and less crowded.

Evening: Choose a mellow meyhane (tavern) in Beyoğlu: Asmali Cavit for mezes like smoked eggplant and haydari, or Meze By Lemon Tree for modern riffs. Keep it gentle: a slow wander down İstiklal Caddesi, listening to street musicians and watching the nostalgic red tram pass.

Day 3: Bosphorus-Day Bliss—Palaces, Seaside Villages, and Sunset Yacht

Morning: Start in Beşiktaş with coffee at Petra Roasting Co., then stroll to Dolmabahçe Palace—the late Ottoman showcase of crystal staircases and a chandelier gifted by Queen Victoria. Walk the waterfront toward Ortaköy for a baked-potato kumpir or kumpir alternatives and a photo of the Ortaköy Mosque against the Bosphorus Bridge.

Afternoon: Continue along the water to Arnavutköy and Bebek, neighborhoods of wooden yalıs (mansions) and calm promenades. Sip tea at Bebek Kahve or try manti at Bodrum Mantı in Arnavutköy. Sweet stop: Baylan Bebek for the storied Cupid or Adisababa desserts.

Evening: Sail into the blue hour on a small luxury yacht:

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

It’s the most relaxing way to see both shores—palaces, fortresses, and fishermen silhouetted at dusk. Post-cruise dinner by the water at Arnavutköy Balıkçısı (grilled octopus, sea bream) or keep it casual with dürüm wraps at Dürümzade back in Beyoğlu (Bourdain favorite).

Day 4: Two Continents, One Appetite—Kadıköy, Moda, and Ferry Life

Morning: Cross to Asia for the city’s tastiest deep-dive:

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

Begin with a proper Turkish breakfast in the Old City, then ferry to Kadıköy for cheeses, olives, stuffed mussels, and regional specialties—your guide navigates the market lanes so you can simply taste and learn.

Afternoon: Laze along the Moda seaside path with a pistachio ice cream from Yaşar Usta, browse indie shops on Tellalzade Street, and sip filter coffee at Walter’s Coffee Roastery or MOC Kadıköy. If you crave a green escape, ride a short taxi to Kuzguncuk for leafy streets and wooden houses.

Evening: Dinner at Çiya Sofrası on Kadıköy’s Güneşlibahçe Sokak—seasonal Anatolian dishes like sour cherry kebab and olive oil braises you won’t find elsewhere. Alternatively, try Borsam Taşfırın for lahmacun and pide, crisp from the stone oven. Ferry back at night—city lights on the water are unforgettable.

Day 5: Modern Art, Grand Bazaar Finds, and a Gentle Farewell

Morning: Start in Karaköy with breakfast at Namlı Gurme (choose cheeses, olives, pastirma, and eggs for a DIY Turkish spread). Stroll the waterfront to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art to see contemporary Turkish works in a light-filled space. Coffee break at Black Karaköy or sweet stop at Karaköy Güllüoğlu for the city’s classic baklava.

Afternoon (pre-departure): Head to the Grand Bazaar for last-minute souvenirs—peshtemal towels, copper cezve pots, and ceramics. Bargain politely, then wind down at Süleymaniye Mosque terrace for a final panorama over the Golden Horn. If your flight is late, consider a traditional hammam such as Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı for a soothing steam and scrub before heading to the airport (book ahead).

Optional Evening Experience (choose instead of Day 2 meyhane or as a final-night highlight):

Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience

Witness the meditative Sema ceremony in an intimate setting and enjoy an authentic family-recipe dinner—unhurried, atmospheric, and deeply rooted in Anatolian culture.

Practical Eating & Coffee Shortlist (mid-range budget)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Petra Roasting Co. (Beşiktaş), Kronotrop (Karaköy), Mandabatmaz (Beyoğlu), Namlı Gurme (Karaköy).
• Lunch: Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (Sultanahmet), Dürümzade (Beyoğlu), Borsam Taşfırın (Kadıköy), Cankurtaran Köftecisi (Sultanahmet).
• Dinner: Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy), Asmalı Cavit (Beyoğlu), Arnavutköy Balıkçısı (Bosphorus), Balıkçı Sabahattin (Sultanahmet).
• Sweets: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), Hafız Mustafa 1864 (puddings, lokum), Baylan Bebek (historic patisserie).

Getting Around & Tips

• Transit: Load an Istanbulkart for trams/metros/ferries; Google Maps works well for routes.
• Best times: Arrive at Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque early; bazaars are calmer before lunch.
• Relaxing add-ons: Tea at Çengelköy pier; book a late-afternoon Bosphorus Yacht Cruise (Morning/Afternoon option) if you prefer daytime sightseeing: See tour

Airport logistics: From IST Airport, the Havaist shuttle and metro (M11) are convenient to central neighborhoods; taxis are metered. If you prefer to book flights in or out, compare on Omio (for Europe) and Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Extra tour option for history buffs: Prefer a fully guided Old City day? Consider a private overview to go at your own pace: Best Of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3 Day Private Guided Tour

Summary: In five unhurried days, you’ll glide between continents, savor market flavors, and admire centuries of art and architecture without ever feeling rushed. Istanbul rewards curiosity and slowness—the Bosphorus and its tea gardens do the rest.