Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been Byzantium and Constantinople—a city of sultans, spice routes, and soul-stirring call to prayer. You’ll thread from domes and mosaics to tea gardens and waterfront promenades, tasting centuries of history in a single afternoon. Late summer brings long golden evenings perfect for Bosphorus breezes and rooftop views.

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s green-hearted capital, feels like a pocket-sized fairytale: café-lined riverbanks, dragon bridges, and a hilltop castle. It’s a springboard to Lake Bled’s emerald waters and the karst world of Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. Expect pristine nature, creative cuisine, and friendly locals who take their coffee—and their outdoor time—seriously.

This 7-day plan assumes an afternoon arrival on Day 1 and an afternoon departure on Day 7, with a morning flight from Istanbul to Ljubljana on Day 5. You’ll get clear travel times, vetted places to eat, and thoughtfully paced days that prioritize must-sees without losing the magic of wandering.

Istanbul

Istanbul dazzles with the Blue Mosque’s Iznik tiles, the vastness of Hagia Sophia, and the underground hush of the Basilica Cistern. Ferry across continents in 20 minutes, bargain for hand-woven textiles in the Grand Bazaar, and sip Turkish tea as the sun dips behind the Galata Tower.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Spice Bazaar, Galata quarter, Bosphorus waterfront.
• Good to know: Dress modestly for mosques; prayer times affect visiting hours. An Istanbul Museum Pass can be good value if you’re visiting several paid sites within five days.
• Stay: Browse neighborhoods like Sultanahmet (historic core), Karaköy (trendy by the water), or Beyoğlu (nightlife and boutiques) on Hotels.com Istanbul or VRBO Istanbul.
• Arrival from Sydney (Aug 31): Typical one-stop routings take ~20–24 hours total travel time. Compare multi-city fares on Omio (Flights). Expect roughly USD 1,200–1,900 per person one-way to Europe in late August, depending on carrier and stops.
• Airport to city: From IST Airport, the M11 Metro to Gayrettepe then transfer to tram/bus (~50–70 minutes) or use Havaist airport buses (60–90 minutes). Taxis are metered; Istanbulkart works on public transit.

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul (Afternoon), Sultanahmet First Impressions

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in Sultanahmet. Walk the Hippodrome (Roman chariot-racing stadium), admire the Blue Mosque’s cobalt tiles (dress modestly), and take a contemplative loop around the exterior of Hagia Sophia Mosque—note visiting access pauses during prayer sessions.

Evening: Dinner with a view at Hamdi Kebap near the Spice Bazaar—go for pistachio-studded baklava after grilled lamb skewers. If you prefer a classic lokanta, try Şehzade Cağ Kebap for Erzurum-style rotating lamb, served simply with lavaş and sumac onions. Finish with pistachio Turkish delight from the nearby stalls.

Morning: Start at the Basilica Cistern, its forest of Medusa-headed columns lit like an ancient dream. Continue to Topkapi Palace—wander the courtyards, Imperial Council Chamber, and the dazzling Harem rooms (separate ticket section). Coffee break: Mandabatmaz for dense, crema-rich Turkish coffee on a tiny Beyoğlu street.

Afternoon: Visit Hagia Sophia Mosque (check current gallery access and timing; modest dress required) and stroll to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum for carpets, manuscripts, and calligraphy. Lunch on pide and ayran at a small bakery like Hocapaşa Pidecisi near Sirkeci; order a kıymalı (minced lamb) or kaşarlı (cheese) pide fresh from the oven.

Evening: Cross to Karaköy for mezes and modern Anatolian plates at Yeni Lokanta or reserve at Neolokal (seasonal, heritage-inspired menu). For dessert, join the locals at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—compare classic fıstıklı baklava with the lighter şöbiyet and decide your favorite.

Day 3: Bazaars, Mosques, and a Bosphorus Sunset

Morning: Explore the Grand Bazaar’s historic hans (caravanserais). Best buys: copperware, hand-loomed towels, ceramics. Continue to Süleymaniye Mosque—sinan’s masterpiece perched above the Golden Horn. Snack on simit (sesame ring bread) and a wedge of beyaz peynir (white cheese) from a street cart.

Afternoon: Drop to the Spice Bazaar for rose lokum, saffron, and isot pepper. Take a Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü up to Ortaköy or Bebek for waterside views of palaces and yalı mansions. Lunch at Pandeli (if open for lunch; famed for eggplant dishes and historical tilework) or grab dürüm from Dürümzade—Anthony Bourdain favorite—for juicy, char-grilled lamb wraps.

Evening: Cocktails above the skyline in Galata or a tea on the waterfront. Eat meze-and-fish in Karaköy at Feriköy Balıkçısı or along the Bosphorus in Arnavutköy; share fried mussels, sea bream, and a tomato-onion-sumac salad. Nightcap: a glass of rakı with melon and feta the traditional way.

Day 4: Asian Side Flavors—Kadıköy, Moda, and Üsküdar

Morning: Turkish breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir (honeycomb, clotted kaymak, herbed cheeses, menemen). Ferry to Kadıköy; browse the market street for olives, pickles, and fresh fish. Coffee at Walter’s Coffee Roastery or a flat white at Krema Kadıköy.

Afternoon: Lunch at Çiya Sofrası—home-style regional dishes you don’t often see elsewhere: stuffed lamb ribs on weekends, sour cherry dolma in season, and fragrant stews. Stroll Moda’s seaside promenade. For a viewpoint, head to Üsküdar’s Salacak for Maiden’s Tower panoramas.

Evening: Classic esnaf fare at Kanaat Lokantası (since 1933) in Üsküdar—tray-baked lamb, vegetable stews, and milk puddings. Ferry back after dark to watch the skyline glitter. If you want a final European-side drink, try Geyik in Cihangir for craft cocktails.

Ljubljana

Slovenia’s capital is delightfully walkable: willow-draped riverbanks, Art Nouveau facades, and Jože Plečnik’s bridges tying it all together. It’s a culinary bright spot where Alpine, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences meet in farmers’ markets and creative kitchens.

• Top sights: Ljubljana Castle, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Central Market, Tivoli Park, Metelkova art district—and easy day trips to Lake Bled, Bohinj, and the karst caves.
• Stay: Base in the Old Town or near Prešeren Square for cafés at your doorstep. Search options on Hotels.com Ljubljana or VRBO Ljubljana.
• Getting there (Day 5): Morning flight Istanbul–Ljubljana is ~2–2.5 hours nonstop on select days (or ~3.5–5 hours with one stop). Compare fares and times on Omio (Flights). Expect ~USD 120–280 one-way depending on timing and baggage.
• Airport transfer: Ljubljana Airport to center takes ~30–40 minutes by shuttle (about €12–15) or ~50 minutes by public bus. Taxis run ~€35–45 to Old Town.

Day 5: Fly to Ljubljana (Morning), Castle Views and Riverfront (Afternoon/Evening)

Morning: Depart Istanbul for Ljubljana on a morning flight (aim to land by early afternoon). Grab a shuttle into town and check in.

Afternoon: Ride the funicular to Ljubljana Castle for city-and-Alps views, then explore exhibitions at your own pace. Pre-book the ticket here: Ljubljana Castle: Entrance Ticket.

Stroll down via the forested paths to Gornji trg for a quiet Old Town feel.

Evening: Dinner at JB Restaurant (Janez Bratovž’s modern Slovenian tasting menu) or Valvas’or for refined local classics in a vaulted space. For a relaxed option, Druga Violina serves hearty Slovenian dishes and supports a social enterprise; try jota (sauerkraut-bean stew) or žlikrofi dumplings. Nightcap at Kolibri Cocktail Bar or a riverside wine at Movia’s by-the-glass spots.

Day 6: Lake Bled—the “Image of Paradise”

Make the most of your time with a small-group excursion that bundles the highlights and brings you back by late afternoon/evening.

Recommended tour: Day Tour to Lake Bled from Ljubljana (approx. 6 hours).

Expect time for Bled Castle, a pletna boat to the island to ring the wishing bell, and a slice of kremšnita (Bled cream cake). If you want to go deeper into the Alps, consider the full-day Ljubljana: Lake Bled & Triglav National Park (small group). Independent travelers can also check trains/buses to Bled on Omio (Trains in Europe).

Post-tour evening: Back in Ljubljana, book the excellent 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Ljubljana to sample 7 Slovenian wines in a historic cellar—learn about Vipava, Goriška Brda, and Podravje terroirs.

Afterward, eat at Julija (book ahead) for truffle pasta and local seafood, or at Slovenska Hiša for platters of hams, cheeses, and artisan breads.

Day 7: River, Market, and Departure (Afternoon)

Morning: Coffee at Črno Zrno (Colombian beans, cozy vibe) or Cafetino, then browse the Central Market (open most mornings except Sundays)—taste seasonal fruit, Kranjska sausage, and local honey. If time allows, float through town on a short Guided Boat Tour in Ljubljana for photogenic angles of the bridges and castle.

Early lunch at Klobasarna for the namesake sausage with mustard and fresh bread, or at Tink Superfood Café for light, healthy bowls.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. For flights back to Sydney (1–2 stops via major hubs), compare options on Omio (Flights). Typical travel time is ~22–28 hours total depending on connections.

Additional Options if You Extend

• Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle (half-day): Pair karst geology with a cliff-perched castle on a small-group excursion like Ljubljana: Postojna cave & Predjama castle small group tour.

  

  It’s a superb add if you have an extra morning or a later flight the next day.

Eating & Drinking Cheat Sheet

• Istanbul breakfasts: Van Kahvaltı Evi (spreads and honeycomb), Bazlama Kahvaltı (Nişantaşı; famous for clotted cream and jams).
• Istanbul lunches: Dürümzade (grilled wraps), Şehzade Cağ Kebap (lamb on a skewer), Hocapaşa eateries for pide and döner.
• Istanbul sweets & coffee: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), Hafız Mustafa (classics), Mandabatmaz (legendary thick Turkish coffee).
• Ljubljana cafés: Črno Zrno (specialty coffee), TOZD (riverside), Kavarna Zvezda (cakes).
• Ljubljana dinners: JB Restaurant (fine dining), Valvas’or (modern Slovenian), Druga Violina (traditional, social enterprise), Gostilna AS (lively terrace, Mediterranean-Slovenian).

Getting Around

• Istanbul: Load an Istanbulkart and use trams (T1 for Sultanahmet–Karaköy), metros, and ferries. Traffic can be heavy; plan buffer time to/from the airport.
• Ljubljana: Compact and walkable; buses use the Urbana card. Consider city bikes for Tivoli Park. For intercity trains/buses, search on Omio (Trains in Europe) or Omio (Buses in Europe).

In one week you’ll traverse empires and Alps: from Istanbul’s minarets and markets to Ljubljana’s riverside calm and Lake Bled’s island chapel. With smart travel legs and memorable meals stitched in, this itinerary keeps the pace lively yet unhurried—leaving just enough mystery to bring you back.