Istanbul is one of the most visually stunning cities that we have ever visited. A mix of the ancient and the new, every corner is bustling with life, color, and unexpected experiences. It’s one of those places in the world that should be experienced at a slow pace with lots of aimless meandering thrown in.
Day 1: Leisurely visit to the Hagia Sophia
Take an easy first day and try to get over your jet lag. Just do one thing and relax in a coffee shop in the evening. I recommend starting with the best – the mighty Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet!
Travel Tip: Be wary of travel guides, we didn’t have a really great experience and would not recommend paying for one.
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Inside the Hagia Sophia
The Dome of the Hagia Sophia
Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Arasta Bazaar
Get up bright and early, feast on a grand Turkish breakfast and head out to for a full day of sightseeing. All the major highlights are withing steps of each other so once you get to Sultanhament the distances are short.
Travel Tip: Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours in the Topkapi Palace so that you have plenty of time to admire the architecture, the lovely Iznik tile work and the exhibits in the treasury and armory.
Entrance to Topkapi Palace Museum
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Doors and Windows of Topkapi Palace
Just a couple of streets away is the the Basilica Cistern that used to provide water to the city years ago. Made recently famous by the Tom Hank’s movie Inferno
Basilica Cistern
Next head out to the glorious Blue Mosque that gets it name from the color of the dome and the extensive blue tile work that fills its walls inside.
Travel Tip: The Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque and is open to tourists only between prayer times so make sure check the schedule. As with most Islamic places of worship women/men will be required to cover their head and bare legs before entering.
The Blue Mosque
Inside the Blue Mosque
Now that you have had enough of history & architecture for the day, spend a relaxed evening window shopping in the slightly upmarket Arasta Bazaar
Arsata Bazaar
For more detailed notes on these places, check out Istanbul Travel Diaries: Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque & other things
Day 3: Chora Museum, New Mosque, Spice Market, Süleymaniye Mosque & the Grand Bazaar
Leave the comfort of Sultanahmet and head towards Faith district to check out one of the oldest surviving churches of the Byzantine Era. The Chora Museum is most famous for its large collection of mosaics that adorn its ceilings and the large cats that roam its grounds.
Travel tip: If you are staying in Sultanahmet, plan for the round trip to Chora Museum to take up to half a day.
Chora Museum Exterior, Istanbul
Mosaic work preserved inside the church
Once back in the Eminonu area, head towards the Spice Market. Just outside the spice bazaar, is the Yeni Camii or the New Mosque. Definitely check it out, I personally found the tile work way more impressive than the Blue Mosque ( there, I said it!)
Inside the New Mosque
Nothing is going to prepare you for the sheer assault of colors, scents and sounds that will hit your senses as you enter the covered Spice Bazaar. One could spend days looking at the wares on display and not get bored.
Spice bazaar, Istanbul
I have never been able to say no to Baklava
As you head towards the Grand Bazaar, make a pit stop at Süleymaniye just north of the bazaar.
Travel Tip: Ask for directions as the streets get confusing and you could spend hours and not know where you are. Also, by this time all the Mosques start looking similar and unless you are mosque connoisseur, you could skip this all together.
Inside the arches of Grand Bazaar you will discover mostly overpriced souvenirs shops, fake designer clothes and bags and slightly expensive restaurants. However the vibe is authentic and totally worth a trip!
Let there be light 🙂
Day 4: Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Galata Tower & Bridge
If you are interested in history or have a couple of hours to spare, visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museums near the Topkapi palace to learn about the colorful and long history of Istanbul.
Take a train to the Galata Tower and grab the elevator to the top to get stunning views of the city!
From Galata Tower make the 20-minute walk towards Eminonu crossing Galata Bridge on the way.
Travel Tip: On the Karakoy side, sample balik from the fish markets by the docks. Freshly caught grilled fish is served between slices of delicious bread and makes a great snack. Many restaurants also line bridge if you want to sit down for a longer meal – it is here where we had an amusing encounter with a restaurant worker.
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Day 5: A cruise on the Bosphorus River
The lifeblood of Istanbul, Bosphorus river is constantly bustling with activity. The waters are busy with commuter ferries carrying passengers from different parts of the city, small to fancy cruise ships crossing its width, and small fishing boats trying to make a living.
Take a cruise on this river. The state-run ferries offer many options and we recommend taking the Full Bosphorus Cruise (Uzun Boğaz Turu) from Eminonu.
It takes you all the way to the Black Sea with a stopover at a small fishing town that boasts a fort overlooking the black sea.
Travel tip: This cruise will get you back to Eminonu by 5.00 in the evening. Tickets can be bought on the same day. Latest ferry prices and schedules are here
View of old city walls from the river
Ottoman era waterfront house (Yali) on Bosphorus
Fort overlooking the Black Sea on Anadolu Kavağı – last stop on the river cruise before making the return trip
View from the cruise boat on Bosphorus
2 comments
Really helpful blog…Will be using it to plan my trip to Istanbul. Loved how you have planned each day
Thanks for stopping by! We had a very relaxed 5 days in Istanbul. If you are there only for a couple of days stick to the Sultanahmet area!