Istanbul Turkey 7 Day Itinerary
Istanbul, Turkey: 7-Day Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Sultanahmet District
- Check-in at your hotel in the Sultanahmet district (recommended: Rumeli Han), centrally located and close to major attractions.
- Start with a visit to the Blue Mosque and the nearby Hagia Sophia.
- Lunch at Sultanahmet Köftecisi for traditional Turkish köfte (meatballs).
- In the afternoon, explore the Basilica Cistern and the Topkapi Palace.
- Dinner at Çiya Sofrası for a variety of Anatolian dishes.
- Optional evening visit to the Grand Bazaar for shopping.
Day 2: Sultanahmet & Taksim District
- Morning visit to the Spice Bazaar and the Rustem Pasha Mosque.
- Lunch at Hafız Mustafa’nın Sekerleme ve Kadayif Evi for baklava and kadayif (Turkish sweets).
- Afternoon travel to the Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue by tram.
- Dinner at Nolay Restaurant for modern Turkish cuisine.
- Evening stroll in the vibrant district of Beyoğlu and possibly catch a movie at the historic Salonika Cinema.
Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise & Dolmabahçe Palace
- Morning Bosphorus Cruise (Bostanlı Shipyard) to see the iconic Bosphorus Strait, palaces, and historic mansions.
- Lunch at Karaköy Lokantası in Karaköy for seafood dishes.
- Afternoon visit to the Dolmabahçe Palace.
- Dinner at North Cape Restaurant for panoramic views of Istanbul.
Day 4: Chora Church & Kadıköy
- Morning visit to the Chora Church and its magnificent mosaics and frescoes.
- Lunch at Karadeniz Restaurant in Kadıköy for Black Sea cuisine.
- Spend the afternoon exploring Kadıköy, including the famous İnciraltı Street Market and Moda seaside.
- Dinner at Ayayeni Restaurant for Mediterranean dishes.
Day 5: Prince’s Islands & Seafood Dinner
- Full day trip to the Prince’s Islands. Take a ferry from Kabataş and explore the island of Büyükada by bike or horse-drawn carriage.
- Lunch at one of the restaurants on the islands (e.g., Tatlı Yıldız Restaurant).
- Return to Istanbul in the evening and have a seafood dinner at Yöşlüçeşme Balıkçısı near Kadıköy.
Day 6: Asian Side & Rumeli Fortress
- Morning visit to the Rumeli Fortress and explore the surrounding area (e.g., Anadoluhisarı).
- Lunch at a local restaurant in Çengelköy village (e.g., Hüsrev Usta) for fresh seafood dishes.
- Afternoon visit to the Fenerbahçe District and the Dolmabahçe Cemetery to see the final resting places of famous Turkish figures.
- Dinner at Hamdi Restaurant in Eminönü for a traditional kebab experience.
Day 7: Departure
- Spend your last day relaxing, shopping for souvenirs, or revisiting your favorite spots.
- Lunch at a café or restaurant near your hotel.
- Depart from Istanbul Airport (IST) with memories of an unforgettable trip to Turkey.
Things to Know
- Istanbul uses the Turkish Lira (TRY).
- The city is quite walkable, but also has a comprehensive public transportation system (buses, trams, metro, and ferries).
- Tipping is expected in restaurants, usually around 10% of the bill.
- Mosques require modest attire; women should wear headscarves and long skirts or trousers.
- Bargaining is common in markets and shops.