Turkey
🕌 5-Day Istanbul Itinerary
Where two continents meet
Your 5-Day Istanbul Plan
Five days lets you cross to the Asian side, visit the beautiful Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus shore, and escape to the tranquil Princes' Islands — a very different Istanbul from the tourist-heavy Sultanahmet.
Day 1
Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet
Hagia Sophia at opening, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet Park. Evening in Beyoğlu for the bar scene around Asmalımescit.
Day 2
Topkapi and Grand Bazaar
Topkapi Palace with Harem tour (pre-book), Grand Bazaar afternoon, Spice Bazaar.
Day 3
Galata, Istiklal and Taksim
Galata Tower morning views, Istiklal Avenue, Taksim. Afternoon ferry up the Bosphorus — the Asian and European shorelines seen from the water are spectacular.
Day 4
Dolmabahçe and Bebek
Dolmabahçe Palace is the Ottoman Empire's 19th-century attempt to rival Versailles — 285 rooms, 4.5 tonnes of gold, and a crystal staircase. Walk the Bosphorus waterfront north to the upscale village of Bebek for lunch at a waterside café. Ortaköy in the evening: the small square under the suspension bridge has the best street food in Istanbul.
Day 5
Princes' Islands Day Trip
The nine Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara are car-free and reached by ferry from Eminönü (50 minutes). Büyükada (the largest) has Victorian villas, horse-drawn carriages, and beaches — a completely different pace from the mainland city. Return for a farewell dinner in Karaköy's excellent restaurant scene.
Other Itinerary Lengths
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