Istanbul travel guide

A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.

day1

Getting to know Istanbul

An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.

Morning
Guided Istanbul Tours
5.0· 9202 reviews
N. 1 di 2.551 Tour a Istanbul
Divanyolu Cad 22/3, Istanbul 34110 Turchia
Mon: 09:30–18:30
Guided Istanbul Tours — rated 5.0 across 9202 reviews · N. 1 di 2.551 Tour a Istanbul · opening hours: Mon: 09:30–18:30 · Divanyolu Cad 22/3, Istanbul 34110 Turchia.
Afternoon
Octo Istanbul
4.7· 473 reviews
N. 256 di 15.327 Posti Dove Mangiare a Istanbul
Kemankeş Cad. No:49 Karamustafa Paşa Mah., Istanbul 34425 Turchia
Mon: 12:00–23:00
Octo Istanbul — rated 4.7 across 473 reviews · N. 256 di 15.327 Posti Dove Mangiare a Istanbul · opening hours: Mon: 12:00–23:00 · Kemankeş Cad. No:49 Karamustafa Paşa Mah., Istanbul 34425 Turchia.

Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.

day2

The main sights

The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.

Morning
1924 Istanbul
4.6· 610 reviews
N. 323 di 15.327 Posti Dove Mangiare a Istanbul
Olivya Gecidi No 7 Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul 34435 Turchia
Mon: 16:00–00:00
1924 Istanbul — rated 4.6 across 610 reviews · N. 323 di 15.327 Posti Dove Mangiare a Istanbul · opening hours: Mon: 16:00–00:00 · Olivya Gecidi No 7 Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul 34435 Turchia.
Afternoon
360 Istanbul
4.0· 3939 reviews
N. 414 di 15.327 Posti Dove Mangiare a Istanbul
Istiklal Caddesi Misir Apt. No: 163 / 8, Istanbul 34433 Turchia
Mon: 12:00–00:00
360 Istanbul — rated 4.0 across 3939 reviews · N. 414 di 15.327 Posti Dove Mangiare a Istanbul · opening hours: Mon: 12:00–00:00 · Istiklal Caddesi Misir Apt. No: 163 / 8, Istanbul 34433 Turchia.

Up to 29 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.

day3

Museums, history and local food

A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.

Afternoon
Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour: Taste of Istanbul
5.0· 208from €268
Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour: Taste of Istanbul — rated 5 from 208 reviews, about 6h.

Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.

day4

A day out of town

Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.

All day
Yalova
Yalova is 110 km from Istanbul, about 1h 49m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Istanbul

day5

Walking and what you missed

A free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.

Afternoon
Istanbul Photoshoot at ALL Top Sightseeings
5.0· 185from €95
Istanbul Photoshoot at ALL Top Sightseeings — rated 5 from 185 reviews, about 2h.

Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.

day6

A tour, or a second trip out

A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.

All day
Cenger
Cenger is 229 km from Istanbul, about 3h 1m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Istanbul

day7

Last day and departure

A calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.

Afternoon
Private Old City Guided Tour
5.0· 166from €195
Private Old City Guided Tour — rated 5 from 166 reviews, about 7h.

Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.

What to see in Istanbul in 7 days

Getting to know Istanbul

The main sights

Museums, history and local food

A day out of town

Walking and what you missed

A tour, or a second trip out

Last day and departure

Day trips

2–3 day routes

Route map

What to see and where to eat

What to see and where to eat in Istanbul

Tours from the city

Where to stay

What travellers say about places in Istanbul