5 days in Istanbul

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace

   Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), then Istiklal Avenue in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hagia Sophia

      Women need a headscarf and everyone needs covered shoulders and knees; the visitor route can close around prayer times, especially Friday midday. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Topkapı Palace

      Head straight to the Harem and the Treasury on arrival, before tour groups reach them, then finish on the fourth-courtyard terraces. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Simit

      Red street carts on every busy corner, ferry piers and on board ferries; bakeries sell warmer ones in the early morning.

   4. Afternoon

      Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

      Use the separate visitors' entrance, carry your shoes in the bags provided and avoid the half hour around each call to prayer. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Istiklal Avenue

      Ride the historic Tünel funicular, opened in 1875, from Karaköy up to the bottom of the avenue and walk uphill towards Taksim.

2. Day 2: Grand Bazaar and Galata Tower

   Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower and Bosphorus by ferry, then Beyoğlu in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Grand Bazaar

      Enter through the Beyazıt or Nuruosmaniye gates, browse first and compare prices, and haggle politely; the hans on the outer edge are quieter and more authentic. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Galata Tower

      The queue is longest at sunset; go at opening time instead, or simply admire the tower from the surrounding lanes, which are free. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Turkish breakfast

      The breakfast street behind Beşiktaş market, cafés in Cihangir and Moda, and places on the Bosphorus shore at Rumeli Hisarı.

   4. Afternoon

      Bosphorus by ferry

      Sit on the open upper deck on the left side heading north for the European shore, and buy tea and simit from the onboard vendors. (20 minutes–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Beyoğlu

      Meyhanes in Asmalımescit and Nevizade, rooftop bars around Istiklal Avenue and live-music venues for Turkish rock and jazz.

3. Day 3: Basilica Cistern and Gülhane Park

   Basilica Cistern, Gülhane Park and Spice Bazaar, then Karaköy in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Basilica Cistern

      Visit first thing in the morning or late in the day; the stone walkway is slippery when damp, so wear shoes with grip. (45 minutes, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Gülhane Park

      Walk through it after Topkapı to Seraglio Point and the tea terraces overlooking the Bosphorus. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish sandwich

      The boats and stalls at Eminönü beside the Galata Bridge, and the fish restaurants under the bridge's lower deck.

   4. Afternoon

      Spice Bazaar

      Walk the outside lanes towards Tahtakale for everyday shopping, and buy Turkish coffee freshly ground from the long-established roasters nearby. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Karaköy

      Cocktail bars and wine bars in restored warehouses around Kemankeş Caddesi, near the waterfront.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Princes' Islands (Büyükada)

   About 1.5–2 hours by public ferry each way. Getting there: Public ferry from Kabataş or Eminönü; faster boats from Bostancı.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Princes' Islands (Büyükada)

      About 1.5–2 hours by public ferry (Public ferry from Kabataş or Eminönü; faster boats from Bostancı); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Princes' Islands (Büyükada)

      A chain of islands in the Sea of Marmara where private cars are not allowed. Best for families, couples and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Istanbul

      Dinner: try Meze and rakı.

5. Day 5: Süleymaniye Mosque and Dolmabahçe Palace

   Süleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace and Balat and Fener walk, then Kadıköy in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Süleymaniye Mosque

      Go late afternoon for the view from the terrace, then eat beans and rice at the lokantas on the street beside the mosque. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Dolmabahçe Palace

      Combine it with lunch in Beşiktaş and a ferry back to Eminönü or across to Kadıköy from the nearby Beşiktaş pier. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Meze and rakı

      Meyhanes in Beyoğlu's Asmalımescit and Nevizade lanes, and on the Asian side in Kadıköy; book ahead on Friday and Saturday nights.

   4. Afternoon

      Balat and Fener walk

      Take a bus or the Golden Horn ferry to Fener or Balat and walk uphill; residents are conservative, so dress modestly and ask before photographing people. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Kadıköy

      Kadife Sokak, known as Barlar Sokağı (Bar Street), is packed with student pubs and rock bars on the Asian side.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Sultanahmet keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Galata and Karaköy ($$$) suits couples, food lovers, first-timers and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 20–24 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.2 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Istanbul
• 2 days in Istanbul
• 3 days in Istanbul
• 4 days in Istanbul
• 7 days in Istanbul

Questions travellers ask