Ready-made trips · Turkey
Istanbul in 5 days
Hagia Sophia and Topkapı, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye and a Bosphorus boat.
- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- April to June, September to October
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- None, all in the city
Five days in Istanbul: The Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye and the Spice Bazaar; Hagia Sophia and Topkapı; The Blue Mosque, the Cistern and a Hamam. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1Istanbul ModernArrival
- When you arriveIstanbul ModernTurkish contemporary art in Renzo Piano’s building on the Bosphorus.Tip: The restaurant terrace looks straight over the water to the old city.
Lunch nearby: Karaköy Lokantası or Namlı Gurme
Dinner: Karaköy Lokantası or Namlı Gurme
2The Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye and the Spice Bazaar
- MorningGrand BazaarHistoric covered market.Tip: One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world — genuinely easy to get lost in, which is part of the experience; bargaining is expected throughout.
- AfternoonSüleymaniye MosqueSinan’s masterpiece on the city’s third hill, with a terrace over the Golden Horn.Tip: Walk round to the terrace behind the mosque for the view. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times, longest at Friday midday; cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair (scarves are lent at the door).
- If you have timeSpice BazaarMarket with spices and sweets.Tip: Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar — smaller and more manageable than the Grand Bazaar, with genuinely good spices, teas, and Turkish delight.
Lunch nearby: Darüzziyafe or Hamdi Restaurant
Dinner: Karaköy Güllüoğlu or Karaköy Lokantası
3Hagia Sophia and Topkapı
- MorningHagia SophiaHistoric basilica-turned-mosque.Tip: Visitors enter the upper galleries with a ticket, separately from worshippers; go at opening. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times, longest at Friday midday; cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair (scarves are lent at the door).
- AfternoonTopkapi PalaceOttoman palace complex.Tip: The Harem is a separate ticket and worth it; allow three hours in all.
- If you have timeGülhane ParkThe old palace gardens below Topkapı, with tulips in April.Tip: The tea gardens at the far end look over the Bosphorus.
Lunch nearby: Matbah or Deraliye
Dinner: Namlı Gurme or Karaköy Lokantası
4The Blue Mosque, the Cistern and a Hamam
- MorningBlue MosqueIconic Ottoman mosque.Tip: Free entry through the visitors’ gate. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times, longest at Friday midday; cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair (scarves are lent at the door).
- AfternoonBasilica CisternA vast Byzantine underground cistern of 336 columns and two Medusa heads.Tip: Evening sessions are quieter and more atmospheric.
- EveningÇağaloğlu HamamA 1741 Ottoman bathhouse, one of the city’s most beautiful.Tip: Book the traditional scrub and foam massage.
Lunch nearby: Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta or Pudding Shop
Dinner: Pandeli or Namlı Gurme
5A Last Morning at the Spice BazaarLast morning
- Before you leaveKaraköyA waterfront quarter of cafés, galleries and Ottoman banks below Galata.Tip: Karaköy Güllüoğlu has made baklava since 1820.
Lunch nearby: Namlı Gurme or Karaköy Lokantası
Dinner: Erzincanlı Ali Baba or Deraliye
Where to stay
Karaköy & Galata
The waterfront cafés of Karaköy and the steep lanes below the Galata Tower.
T1 tram, the Tünel funicular up to Istiklal, and ferries to the Asian side.
Sultanahmet
The old city of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı.
T1 tram along Divan Yolu to the bazaars, Eminönü and Karaköy.
Beyoğlu
Istiklal Street, Cihangir and the bars and meyhanes of the modern city.
M2 metro at Taksim and Şişhane; the historic tram along Istiklal.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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