9:00 AM - Arrive at Istanbul Atatürk Airport and take a taxi or shuttle to your hotel
10:00 AM - Check-in to your hotel and freshen up
11:00 AM - Start your day at the iconic Hagia Sophia, one of the most famous landmarks in Istanbul (open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
12:30 PM - Take a short walk to the nearby Basilica Cistern, an underground water reservoir built in the 6th century
2:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or café in the historic Sultanahmet district
4:00 PM - Visit the Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years (open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
7:00 PM - Enjoy dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant and try some local cuisine
Day 2: Bosphorus Cruise and Asian Side of Istanbul
8:00 AM - Start your day with breakfast at a local bakery or café
9:30 AM - Take a ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul, where you’ll visit the stunning Kınalıada (Princes’ Islands) and enjoy some time exploring the island’s charming streets and beaches
1:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the island or back in Istanbul
3:00 PM - Take a Bosphorus Cruise to see the city from a different perspective, with stunning views of palaces, mosques, and historic landmarks (open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
7:00 PM - Enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus
Day 3: Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage
8:00 AM - Start your day with breakfast at a local bakery or café
9:00 AM - Visit the stunning Chora Church (Kariye Müzesi), one of the oldest and most beautiful Byzantine churches in Istanbul (open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
11:30 AM - Explore the historic Topkapi Market, a bustling bazaar filled with colorful fabrics, jewelry, and souvenirs
1:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or food stall
3:00 PM - Visit the Yerebatan Cistern, an underground water reservoir built in the 6th century (open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
7:00 PM - Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
Day 4: Spice Market and Golden Horn
8:00 AM - Start your day with breakfast at a local bakery or café
9:30 AM - Visit the historic Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), one of the oldest and most famous bazaars in Istanbul (open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
11:30 AM - Explore the bustling streets of the Golden Horn, with stunning views of the city and waterfront
1:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or food stall
3:00 PM - Visit the Pera Museum, dedicated to the history and culture of Istanbul (open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
7:00 PM - Enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Golden Horn
Day 5: Modern Istanbul
8:00 AM - Start your day with breakfast at a local bakery or café
9:30 AM - Visit the trendy Beyoğlu district, known for its shopping streets, cafes, and nightlife
11:30 AM - Explore the historic Istiklal Avenue, lined with shops, restaurants, and street performers
1:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or food stall
3:00 PM - Visit the Istanbul Modern Art Museum (Istanbul Moda Sanat Müzesi), showcasing Turkish contemporary art (open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
7:00 PM - Enjoy dinner at a modern Turkish restaurant
Day 6: Princes’ Islands and Beach Time
8:00 AM - Start your day with breakfast at a local bakery or café
9:30 AM - Take a ferry to the Princes’ Islands, where you’ll spend the day relaxing on the beach and exploring the charming streets of Kınalıada
1:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the island
4:00 PM - Return to Istanbul and enjoy some free time exploring the city or shopping for souvenirs
7:00 PM - Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
Day 7: Departure
8:00 AM - Spend your last morning in Istanbul exploring the city, visiting any last-minute sights, or shopping for souvenirs
11:30 AM - Check-out of your hotel and head to the airport for your departure flight