Travel itinerary
- Day 1:
- - Arrive in Istanbul and check into your hotel
- - Visit the Hagia Sophia, a stunning Byzantine church turned mosque turned museum
- - Explore the Blue Mosque, one of the most iconic buildings in Istanbul
- - Walk through the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world
- - Enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner at a local restaurant
- Day 2:
- - Take a Bosphorus cruise to see the city from the water
- - Visit the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans
- - Explore the Spice Bazaar, a colorful market selling a variety of spices, sweets, and other goods
- - Have lunch at a local cafe overlooking the water
- - Visit the Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir
- Day 3:
- - Take a day trip to the Princes' Islands, a group of nine small islands in the Sea of Marmara
- - Explore the car-free islands by bike or horse-drawn carriage
- - Visit the historic churches and monasteries on the islands
- - Enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch by the water
- - Watch the sunset over the sea before returning to Istanbul
- Day 4:
- - Visit the Dolmabahce Palace, a stunning 19th-century palace on the Bosphorus
- - Explore the trendy neighborhoods of Beyoglu and Karakoy
- - Visit the Istanbul Modern art museum
- - Have dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the city
- - Take a leisurely evening walk along Istiklal Avenue, a bustling pedestrian street lined with shops and cafes
- Day 5:
- - Visit the Chora Church, known for its stunning mosaics and frescoes
- - Explore the Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Istanbul
- - Visit the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, home to a vast collection of artifacts from ancient civilizations
- - Have a final Turkish meal at a local restaurant
- - Depart Istanbul for your next destination