Istanbul Turkey 7 Day Itinerary

Istanbul, Turkey - 7 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring the Sultanahmet Area

  • Morning: Arrive at Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). Take a taxi or public transportation to your hotel.
  • 9:00 AM: Check-in at your hotel in the Sultanahmet area. Recommended hotels:
    • Hotel Pera Palace ( Luxury)
    • Ottoman Hotel Istanbul (Mid-range)
    • Sultan’s Inn Hotel (Budget-friendly)
  • 10:00 AM: Visit the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque.
  • 12:00 PM: Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
    • Sultan’s Inn Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
  • 1:30 PM: Visit the Blue Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul.
  • 4:00 PM: Explore the Basilica Cistern, a massive underground water storage system from the Byzantine era.
  • 7:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the city. Recommended restaurants:
    • 360 Istanbul (Fine dining)
    • Çiya Sofrası (Traditional Turkish cuisine)

Day 2: Topkapi Palace and Bazaar

  • 9:00 AM: Visit the Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans from 1465 to 1856.
  • 12:00 PM: Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Çiya Sofrası (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
    • Tarihi Balıkçısı (Fish and seafood)
  • 1:30 PM: Visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in Istanbul.
  • 4:00 PM: Explore the Nuruosmaniye Mosque, a beautiful Ottoman mosque with stunning views of the city.
  • 7:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Sultan’s Inn Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
    • Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Traditional Turkish cuisine)

Day 3: Princes’ Islands

  • 9:00 AM: Take a ferry from the Kabataş pier to the Prince’s Islands (Adalar).
  • 10:30 AM: Visit the island of Büyükada, the largest and most popular island.
  • 12:30 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the island. Recommended restaurants:
    • Öztürk Restaurant (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
  • 2:00 PM: Explore the island and enjoy the scenic views.
  • 5:00 PM: Return to Istanbul by ferry.

Day 4: Dolmabahçe Palace and Taksim

  • 9:00 AM: Visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, a stunning palace that served as the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans from 1856 to 1924.
  • 12:00 PM: Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
    • Taksim Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
  • 1:30 PM: Explore the Taksim Square, a vibrant area with shops, cafes, and street performers.
  • 3:00 PM: Visit the Independence Museum, which commemorates the Turkish War of Independence.
  • 6:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Sultan’s Inn Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
    • Taksim Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)

Day 5: Asian Side

  • 9:00 AM: Take the metro from Taksim to the Kadıköy ferry pier.
  • 10:30 AM: Visit the Haydarpaşa Terminal, a beautiful terminal with stunning views of the Bosphorus Strait.
  • 12:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
    • Kadıköy Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
  • 1:30 PM: Explore the Kadıköy area, which features shops, cafes, and street performers.
  • 4:00 PM: Visit the Fethi Paşa Mansion, a beautiful mansion with stunning views of the Bosphorus Strait.

Day 6: Shopping and Relaxation

  • 9:00 AM: Spend the morning shopping at one of Istanbul’s many markets or malls. Recommended:
    • Grand Bazaar
    • Arasta Bazaar
    • Istinye Park Mall
  • 12:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Sultan’s Inn Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
    • Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
  • 1:30 PM: Relax at your hotel or enjoy the rooftop pool.
  • 6:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • 360 Istanbul (Fine dining)
    • Çiya Sofrası (Traditional Turkish cuisine)

Day 7: Departure

  • Morning: Spend the morning shopping for last-minute souvenirs or exploring a local neighborhood.
  • 12:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Recommended restaurants:
    • Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Traditional Turkish cuisine)
    • Sultan’s Inn Restaurant (Turkish and international cuisine)
  • 1:30 PM: Depart for the airport or your next destination.

Tips and Essentials

  • Istanbul has a unique geography, with two continents (Europe and Asia) meeting at the Bosphorus Strait. Be prepared to cross borders and take ferries.
  • The city is known for its crowded streets and bazaars. Be patient and prepared for crowds.
  • Turkish cuisine is delicious and diverse. Try traditional dishes like kebabs, baklava, and Turkish delight.
  • Istanbul has a vibrant nightlife scene. Explore the Taksim area or visit a rooftop bar with stunning views of the city.
  • Learn some basic Turkish phrases to communicate with locals. “Merhaba” (hello), “teşekkür ederim” (thank you), and “İyiyim” (I’m fine) are essential phrases.

Transportation

  • Istanbul has an extensive public transportation system, including metro lines, buses, and ferries.
  • Buy a rechargeable Akbil card for easy travel on public transportation.
  • Taxis are readily available but can be expensive. Haggle over prices or use the “Taxitel” app to book taxis.

Hotel Information

  • Hotel Pera Palace (Luxury)
    • Address: Mesrutiyet Cd. No: 52, Beyoğlu
    • Phone: +90 212 377 4000
  • Ottoman Hotel Istanbul (Mid-range)
    • Address: Istiklal Caddesi No: 7, Taksim
    • Phone: +90 212 292 0202
  • Sultan’s Inn Hotel (Budget-friendly)
    • Address: Kocamustafapasa Cd. No: 34, Fatih
    • Phone: +90 212 520 0505