Istanbul is the first place that comes to mind when we think of Turkey. Although it is not the capital of the country, it is still the most popular city in Turkey. It is the economic, historical, and cultural capital of Turkey. What makes Istanbul special is that it is a city that spans both Europe and Asia. As you explore the city, you will get to see an amalgamation of different cultures, civilizations, and faiths in its art, architecture, food, and lifestyle. There is much to see and do here, and a 7-day tour would give you the chance to see and understand the pulse of the city. Here’s how you can spend 7 days in Istanbul.
Day 01: Old Town of Istanbul – Mosques and Cisterns
Sultanahmet, the Old Town of the city, is the best place to begin your 7-day trip to Istanbul. The capital of Byzantine and Ottoman empires, this place is home to numerous palaces, mosques, and ancient buildings and walls.
Hagia Sophia: One of the most popular architectural marvels of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia has a fascinating history. It was established as a church during the Byzantine rule in AD 537 but was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans. Hagia Sophia was later used as a museum and now is back being a mosque. The huge dome, the arched windows, the Christian images, and the Byzantine mosaics make it worth visiting.
Blue Mosque: Another attraction synonymous with Istanbul is the Blue Mosque. Opened in 1616, this is an active mosque where prayers are held five times a day, every day of the week. A visit to Blue Mosque would give you the chance to see its central dome, four large pillars, four semi-domes, and six minarets. The highlight of the place is the blue Iznik tiles with intricate designs, which give the mosque its name.
Basilica Cistern: Built in the 6th century AD, Basilica Cistern is considered an underground water palace. With the capacity to hold more than 80,000 cubic meters of water, this cistern was used to store water for the Great Palace of Constantinople and the buildings around it. A visit to this cistern would give you the chance to marvel at the grand structure and see its marvel columns, some of which belonged to older Roman ruins.
Hippodrome of Constantinople: Built in the 3rd century, the Hippodrome of Constantinople is a large arena that was used for chariot racing, entertainment programs, imperial ceremonies, and other public events during the Roman era. Some of the iconic monuments to check here are the Serpent Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, and Walled Obelisk.
Day 02: Old Town – Ancient Structures, Historical Parks, and Street Food
Continue exploring the Sultanahmet neighborhood on the second day of your 1-week itinerary in Istanbul. Dedicate this day to visiting the beautiful castles, vibrant bazaars, verdant parks, and more of the old city.
Topkapi Palace: Built in 1453, Topkapi Palace was at the center of the Ottoman Empire. Spread around an area of 700,000 square meters, this palace has four courtyards and numerous buildings that house the harem, kitchens, private chambers of the sultans, gardens, pavilions, and more. The palace is also a museum, where you will get to see artifacts from the Ottoman empire. This is one of the must-visit places in the city, commonly found in most Istanbul packages.
Gulhane Park: Adjacent to the Topkapi Palace is Gulhane Park, the largest public park in Istanbul. Once a part of the Topkapi Palace, the Gulhane Park gives you some amazing views of the Sea of Marmara. This is a great place to stroll around and enjoy its beautiful blooms, especially during springtime when it becomes a treasure trove for tulips. Gulhane Park is also popular for picnics among locals and tourists.
Street Food Tour: The Istanbul Street food tour will give you the chance to explore the hidden gems of the city. The tour will take you on a trip to relish mouthwatering and freshly made Turkish delicacies like Kokorec, Simit, Lahmacun, Kumpir, Midye dolma, Tursu suyu, Balik ekmek, and more. The tour would also give you the opportunity to try some of the traditional sweets like Turkish delight (lokum), Lokma, Baklava, and Kunefe. You must also try the Turkish beverages like Turkish tea, coffee, Ayran (yogurt drink), and raki (aniseed spirit) during this tour.
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Featured Day 03: Explore the Asian Side of Istanbul
The Sultanahmet neighborhood is on the European side of the city. On the third day, take a ferry to visit the Asian side of the city. The most fascinating part about the whole thing is that you can travel from Europe to Asia in 30 minutes.
Uskudar: A historical neighborhood, Uskudar was at the center of the Byzantine Empire, while holding a significant role during both Roman and Ottoman times as well. The place is dotted with ancient buildings and mosques, enhancing its architectural and cultural heritage. Selimiye Mosque, Kisikli Palace, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Sakirin Mosque, and Selimiye Barracks are the must-see places in Istanbul’s Uskudar.
Maiden’s Tower: The Maiden’s Tower is a historical monument that stands on a small islet on the Bosporus. Built in BCE 410, Maiden’s Tower played the role of watch tower, defense tower, quarantine hospital, lighthouse, and surveillance and radar station, over the years. There are some interesting myths associated with this tower. Today, you can explore the museum inside the tower and also enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack in its cafe.
Beylerbeyi Palace: The Beylerbeyi Palace was constructed in 1865 as a summer house for the Ottoman sultans. While it may not be as grand as the Topkapi Palace, this palace is quite huge with 24 rooms and 6 halls along with a hamam. Beylerbeyi Palace also has beautiful gardens that add to its beauty. You will also get to see massive crystal chandeliers and custom-made clocks while exploring this palace.
Anadolu Hisari: A fortress built in the 14th century, Anadolu Hisari is one of the oldest structures built during the Ottoman rule. It is located on the narrowest point of the Bosporus and gives you an awesome view of the strait. Apart from walking along the fortress admiring its architecture, you can also explore its museum and know more about the history of the place.
Day 04: Modern Istanbul
Day four is when you begin to explore the more contemporary side of Istanbul. Apart from modern buildings and towers, you also get to explore trendy squares, cafes, and art galleries that show you the modern side of the city.
Istanbul Modern: Istanbul Museum of Modern Art or Istanbul Modern is a contemporary art museum, established in 2004. One of the most important cultural landmarks of Turkey, the exhibitions of the museum are home to works of modern art, new media, architecture, design, cinema, photography, and more. Apart from the usual exhibits, Istanbul Modern also hosts temporary exhibits regularly.
Galata Tower: Although Galata Tower was constructed in the 14th century, it is still considered as a modern iconic building due to the numerous changes it has undergone. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Istanbul. Restored in 1960, the Galata Tower is a 63-meter-high cylindrical stone tower, which has been used as a watchtower, prison, and observatory. Today, you can explore its museum and visit its viewing platform that gives you an awe-inspiring view of the city.
Galata Bridge: Spanning Istanbul’s Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge is the fifth bridge in the place and was built in 1994. What makes the bridge truly special is that it connects old Istanbul to the new one. Apart from walking over this iconic bridge, you can also explore the place underneath, which is filled with cafes and restaurants. The Galata Bridge is one of the best places to enjoy a beautiful sunset in the city.
Karakoy: One of the most vibrant neighborhoods of Istanbul, Karakoy brings out the creative, trendy, and chic side of the city. Walk along the streets to see its stylish boutiques, quirky street art, interesting artisan workshops, and quaint cafes. It is a great place to visit for brunch or snacks. Ops Cafe, Mums Cafe, and Karabatak are a few of the cafes that are known for their decor and vibe as well as their delicious food and drinks.
Taksim Square: Taksim Square can be called the heartbeat of modern Istanbul. It is a place that holds important events of the city, including celebrations and protests. The plaza has two important monuments, namely the Republic Moment and the Monument of the Water Carrier. The place has plenty of restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, and boutiques. It is also the doorway to Istiklal Avenue, which is home to mosques, churches, art galleries, and museums.
Day 05: Sacred Places, Nature, and Cruise
Turkey is home to numerous places of worship, and the fifth day of your Istanbul itinerary of 7 days can be dedicated to exploring some of them. You can add a bit of adventure to it as well.
Suleymaniye Mosque: Built in 1557, the Suleymaniye Mosque was commissioned by Suleyman the Magnificent to outdo the Hagia Sophia. This mosque also has similar elements like the Hagia Sophia, although you could also see influences of the Italian Renaissance of that time. It is also home to the tombs of the emperor and his wife Hurrem along with the architect of the mosque, Sinan. As the mosque is located on a hill, you will get to enjoy magnificent views of the city and the Bosporus from its ten balconies.
Rustom Pasha Mosque: Named after Sultan Suleiyman I’s Grand Vizier, Rustem Pasha, this is one of the prominent mosques of the Ottoman Empire. Inspired by Ottoman architecture, the mosque is most popular for its Iznik tilework. The red, blue, and turquoise tiles are made with different geometric and floral patterns on almost all the surfaces of the mosque. When the sunlight falls on these tiles, it creates a mesmerizing effect.
Pierre Loti Hill: Both a touristic and historical hill, Pierre Lotti Hill is 55 meters above sea level. Named after a French Novelist of the 19th century, Pierre Loti Hill is most popular for its view. You get to see a panoramic view of the Golden Hall and all the major attractions of the city, including Topkapi Palace, Suleymaniye Mosque, Bosporus Bridge, Blue Mosque, and more. Getting on top of the hill on the cable car makes the visit a tad bit adventurous.
Bosporus Cruise: The Bosporus Cruise is one thing you should not miss when in Istanbul, as it is one of the most popular Istanbul tourist attractions. This cruise tour would take you on a ride on the Bosporus Strait, where you get to enjoy the beautiful views of the city along with all its major landmarks. You can book a cruise for a few hours or even a whole day. The best time to go on a Bosporus cruise is at sunset. A cruise with dinner and entertainment is also quite popular among tourists.
Day 06: Nature Visit and Relaxation
Your trip to Istanbul need not be all about historical and cultural attractions. On the other hand, you can take a break and spend some time in the lap of nature.
Belgrad Forest: Spanning across 12,355 acres of land, Belgrad Forest became a protected forest in the 18th century. Adventure lovers can enjoy hiking in this forest, relishing the beauty of the place. Apart from this, you can also rent a bicycle and cycle around the forest taking in the sight of its lush woodlands with different types of trees, gleaming streams, colorful meadows, and splendid wetlands. If you are lucky, you might also get the chance to see the wildlife of the place.
Princes’ Islands: Alternative to the previous attraction, you can also choose to visit the Princes’ Islands, which is an archipelago of nine islands, also known as Adalar. What makes these islands unique is that they do not have any motor vehicles. You can ride either on a horse-drawn carriage or use electric carts or bicycles. Endowed with greenery and stunning views of the sea, Princes’ Islands provide you with the right vibe to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the main city and relax.
Go for a Hamam Experience: You cannot leave Istanbul without enjoying the most traditional Turkish experience, i.e., the Hamam. A wellness and relaxation ritual with its roots in Roman and Ottoman traditions, the Hamam includes scrubbing, exfoliating, massaging, and rinsing activities to cleanse your skin and relax you at the same time. Some of the best hammams in Istanbul are Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami, Cemberlitas Hamami, Cagaloglu Hamami, and more.
Day 07: Leisure and Shopping
Once you are done with all the sightseeing, it is time to take back home some memories and mementos of this fascinating Turkey with some shopping.
Grand Bazaar: If you do not have much time for shopping, the Grand Bazaar is the place you must head to. Existing since the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar has 60 streets, lined with more than 4000 stores. This is a great place to buy souvenirs and local products like handwoven Persian and Turkish style carpets, precious jewelry, spices, tea, ceramics, evil eye bracelets and keychains, lamps, scarves, leather goods, and more. The best part about shopping here is that you can haggle to get the best price.
Spice Bazaar: Another interesting shopping center in Istanbul is the Spice Bazaar. If you are keen on talking the local edible delicacies of Turkey back home, Spice Bazaar is where you should head to. It is the best place to buy dried fruits, honey, spices, teas, nuts, saffron, Turkish delight, and more. You will find different herbs that are used as natural remedies in this bazaar.
Dervish Show: The whirling ceremony is an age-old ritual, followed by the Sufi tradition. Here the dervishes spin gracefully while the gentle Sufi music is played in the background. This type of mediative worship is quite relaxing and mesmerizing to watch. The Dervish Show happens in many places in Istanbul. You can watch it at Hodjapasha Cultural Center, Galata Mevlevihanesi, and other such places. As the dance is a spiritual ritual, it is important to dress up modestly while watching this show.
Conclusion
A 7-day trip to Istanbul will give you the opportunity to explore the city inside out. You will not only get to see the popular attractions of the place but also its hidden gems. The best time to visit Turkey is in summer, although there are certain advantages of visiting the city during the rest of the year. If you are visiting the place during the peak season, make sure to book your flights, accommodation, and tour packages, so that you have a comfortable and hassle-free holiday.
