Istanbul 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival & Sultanahmet District

• Accommodation: Stay at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet for luxury, Rıve Bosphorus Hotel for mid-range, or Dormitory Ottoman Hostel for budget options.

• Breakfast: Start your day at Café Sultanahmet, a cozy cafe offering traditional Turkish breakfast.

• Activities:

  1. Visit the iconic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum.
  2. Explore the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı) nearby.
  3. Take a stroll around Sultanahmet Square and visit the Topkapı Palace.

• Lunch: Grab a bite at Şişli Kofteci Arnavut Köfteci for delicious Turkish meatballs.

• Evening: Relax at Galata Bridge and enjoy the sunset view over the Bosphorus. Have dinner at a local restaurant like Karaköy Lokantası in Karaköy.

Day 2 - Taksim & Istiklal Avenue

• Breakfast: Start your day with breakfast at Café Norvegia, a historic cafe in Taksim Square.

• Activities:

  1. Explore the vibrant Istiklal Avenue with its shops, cafes, and art galleries. Don’t miss Ciçek Pasajı, a beautiful historic arcade.
  2. Visit the Pera Museum and Galata Tower.

• Lunch: Try Sultan Karamustafa for traditional Turkish dishes.

• Evening: Take a leisurely walk along the Bosphorus shoreline and have dinner at a waterside restaurant like Zaferan Restaurant in Kuruçeşme.

Day 3 - Princes’ Islands

• Transportation: Take a ferry from Kabataş Ferry Dock to the Princes’ Islands. Istanbul Welcome Card includes free ferry rides among other benefits.

• Activities: Explore the car-free Princes’ Islands by bike or horse-drawn carriage, visit Dolphinarium and St. George’s Church.

• Lunch: Have lunch at one of the many restaurants on the islands like İncir Saltani.

Day 4 - Asian Side & Kadıköy

• Transportation: Take the Bosphorus Ferry from Karaköy or Eminönü to Kadıköy on the Asian side.

• Activities:

  1. Explore Moda Beach and Kadıköy Market (Tarlabaşı Pazarı).
  2. Visit the modern art museum SALT Galata on the European side, then head to Istanbul Modern Museum in Kadıköy.

• Lunch: Have lunch at Karaköy Lokantası (if you missed it on Day 1) or Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy.

Day 5 - Dolmabahçe Palace & Spice Bazaar

• Breakfast: Have breakfast at Van Kahvalti Evi in Karaköy, known for its authentic Turkish breakfasts.

• Activities:

  1. Visit the grand Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus shore.
  2. Explore the bustling Spice Bazaar in Eminönü and shop for spices, sweets, and souvenirs.

• Lunch: Have a farewell lunch at Hamdi Restaurant famous for its Istanbul-style doner kebab.

Things to know:

• Be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas.
• Turkish Lira is the official currency; credit cards are widely accepted.
• Haggling is common in markets and shops.
• The call to prayer is broadcast five times a day, usually around prayer time, streets get quieter, and stores close briefly.
• Tap water is safe to drink but bottled water is readily available.

Transportation: Istanbul has an excellent public transportation system including trams, funiculars, metros, and buses operated by İstanbul Ulaşım. The Istanbulkart is a rechargeable travel card for all public transportation in Istanbul.

Tips:

• Learn a few basic Turkish phrases to help with daily interactions.
• Use a map or navigation app to avoid getting lost.
• Try street food like simit, midye dolma, and balık ekmek.
• Take time to enjoy the city’s beautiful sunsets over the Bosphorus.