The Easiest Guide to Enjoy Istanbul Itinerary in 5 days

Istanbul is a city full of heritage, culture, religiousness, and architectural marvel at the same time. I must admit I had some prejudices about it (before visiting) and I have been arguing with my wife for years, whether it is worth it to include it on our travel bucket list.

But now that we visited it, I was blown away! In this article, we will go together through the Istanbul itinerary that we followed.

From the sacredness of the mosques to the liveliness of the Grand Bazaar and the nightlife of Karakoy, Istanbul offers you all. The city is just full of beautiful awe-inspiring buildings with magnificent interiors. It also has one of the biggest covered markets, one of the largest Spice Bazaars, beautiful streets, and hidden gems like Balat. 

Our 5-day Istanbul Itinerary

We had the chance to visit Istanbul just before the lockdown in March. The city was really empty, compared with how it used to be. Although it was sad to see, we could enjoy the best of it for 5 days.

Day 1: Sultanahmet Area, Hagia Sophia

Here is how explored Istanbul on the first day:

Start the Day with a Generous Turkish Breakfast

Most hotels in Istanbul have amazing breakfast buffets included in the price. So wake up early, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and secure enough calories for your first day!

Turkish breakfast is usually a mix of salty and sweet things. Almost all hotels provide a wide range of options in their buffets. But in case yours don’t, (see our hotel recommendation later in this guide) you won’t have any problems finding tasty street food outside.

Walk Around Sultanahmet Area

Sultanahmet is Istanbul’s one of the oldest neighborhoods with a rich culture and heritage. It was the capital of Ottoman and Byzantine empires. Sultanahmet is popular for its beautiful, magnificent, and historic mosques. So, the mosques in this region are a must-visit.

As an appetizer, just go for a walk and explore the beauty of the quarter. You will be amazed by the good vibes spread around. Don’t forget to try some local pastries and bread, that local people sell in that place.

While you are there, visit the Blue Mosque (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque). It is one of the most visited places in Istanbul. The building is famous for its bluish interior decorations. The inside of the building is truly beautiful and magnificent.

Tip: Sultanahmet Mosque is always overcrowded, make sure you visit it as early as possible in the morning.

There are some crowd-control measures taken here so that the sacred atmosphere is maintained. The worshipers enter from one side and the tourists enter from another side. 

Visit Hagia Sophia (2020 UPDATE)

Hagia Sophia is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul. It is a former Greek Christian Orthodox Cathedral that was turned into a mosque which is now a museum that contains various artifacts that depict Istanbul’s rich and diverse culture and heritage. 

Earlier in 2020, Hagia Sophia is turned back into a mosque. So I think there are new measures for visitors to be informed about.

The building has a massive dome structure and beautiful architecture. It was a must-visit on our list. The mosque has gorgeous and colorful stained windows that depict its remnant as a church and the dome and the ornate interior are a remnant of the mosque. 

Hagia Sophia is an architectural marvel and is a treat to the eye and a must on your Istanbul itinerary. It is located directly across the courtyard from the entrance of the blue mosque which gives a sensational view of the mosque from there. 

Tip: Make sure you visit it as early as possible in the morning to avoid the queue and the crowds inside for better pictures.

That’s it for the first day! The Blue Mosque (also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque), Hagia Sophia, and Firuz Aga Mosque are some of the most beautiful mosques anyone can ever lay their eyes on. We were particularly amazed by Hagia Sophia. So while in Sultanahmet, make sure it is part of your Istanbul itinerary.

Day 2 of Istanbul Itinerary

As the first day was mainly about mosques, we wanted to explore another aspect of this amazing city.

Impress Yourself with the Grand Bazaar

Our next destination, The Grand Bazaar was a 10-minute walk from our hotel. It is one of the must-visit places in your Istanbul itinerary. With its 4,000-plus shops, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. 

You’ll get a diverse range of shops here from textile and jewelry to food and Made-to-order. Be prepared to move past a huge swarm of a crowd. Hundreds of tourists and locals roam around looking for clothes, jewelry, etc. It is the dream place for every antique-lover out there. Take your time around here and be kind to the (sometimes) too welcoming vendors 😉 

The Grand Bazaar has the Spice Bazaar which has all the different kinds of colorful spices you can ever imagine! 

Tips:

Be careful of your belongings! The Bazaar can get crowded and it is very easy to lose your belongings. If you’re with someone else, stay close to not get lost. 

The Grand Bazar remains closed Sundays. 

Always bargain for the right price and if it’s too overwhelming, you can leave.

Plan to tip the shop owner if you would like to take some photos with the dreamy lanterns

Make sure you taste the best sweets in Istanbul while wandering in the Gran Bazaar!

Walk the Umbrella Street

Our next destination for this Istanbul itinerary was Umbrella Street. It is just a 20-minute drive away from the Grand Bazaar. This is probably one of the prettiest streets you can stumble upon in Istanbul. The street is covered with colorful umbrellas that look beautiful. 

Get ready for some Instagram worthy pictures! If you want someplace to relax, this is the place to go. Nearby Umbrella street is Karakoy which has many cafés and restaurants lined up along the street where you can have good food and relax.

The whole neighborhood is friendly and so cozy, take the time to walk around and explore it. You will also come across cool cafés and restaurants. It is the best way to end the day.

Day 3 of Istanbul Itinerary

We wanted our next day to include some hidden gems and less visited places in Istanbul. That is why we went to:

Suleymaniye Mosque: The Hidden Gem

The Suleymaniye Mosque is built on top of a hill in Istanbul and is one of the biggest mosques in the city. 

This mosque is mainly known for its awe-inspiring size, and it’s ‘oh-so-beautiful-interiors’. The mosque was built by the famous architect Mimar Sinan and is one of his greatest works ever. 

The interior is huge and elegant with a sense of space and light. It is so magnificent that it is soothing in some way. The mosque is open daily between 9 am to 6 pm except during the prayer time when it is closed. 

Tips:

Prefer this mosque over the Blue Mosque for an original Istanbul itinerary. The latter has constructions ongoing for years which will prevent you from enjoying its beauty.

Suleymaniye Mosque is somehow not as famous as the Blue Mosque, although it has a breath-taking architecture. It is almost empty all day around.

No entry fees are required. 

Women are required to be dressed appropriately while entering the mosque and everyone is needed to be covering their heads.

Take a Photo near Ortaköy Mosque 

Ortaköy Mosque is located at the waterside of the Ortaköy square, and you should include it in your Istanbul itinerary. It looks beautiful from the Bosphorus cruise. The mosque is open from 9 am to 6 pm and no entry price is needed. It is one of the most picturesque locations ever with the beautiful mosque facing the water. 

Tips:

Be sure to explore the environment of the mosque. Walk around in the neighborhood. It is just amazing!

On Sundays, there is a crafts market that opens each week on the side of the street. It is a very relaxing and mesmerizing experience. 

Make sure you have some quality time in Destan Meydan Café, which has a great view of the area and the mosque. Try to find a sit upstairs.

Day 4 of Istanbul Itinerary

On our last day in this amazing city where the orient sneaks smoothly in the Asian influence, we decided to spend the time exploring an uncommon quarter:

Get Lost in Balat

It was just the best of all. Especially to all the people out there who love a good Instagram photo. Balat is also 20 minutes away from Sultanahmet neighborhood with public transportation. (Check our public transportation section for advice and how to best use it)

Balat is the place where all you have to do is stand anywhere on the street, and you’ll get a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing photo. This place is one of the oldest districts of Istanbul. 

It is like Istanbul’s own little secret happy place. The houses here are colorful and painted in bright colors. The neighborhood is extremely cozy with locals who are ever-welcoming and helpful.

You can just stroll around these cobbled streets, explore the authentic cafés, interact with the locals, take beautiful pictures and just relax, take a short break on your Istanbul itinerary and enjoy some silence in this busy city.

With beautiful, colorful houses and cobbled streets, you can just get lost in the alleyways and yet find your way back. Also, this is our secret Instagrammable spot. (will reveal it later 😉 )

Roam near Galata Tower

Galata Tower is located in the Karakoy neighborhood of Istanbul. It is a nine-story-high tower and is 66.9 m in height. The tower was used as a watching tower to prevent enemy ships from entering the harbor. 

While the café and the restaurant on top of the tower are too pricey and usually full, you can still enjoy the view from the top from almost anywhere else high in Istanbul. 

We didn’t go up there as it was too touristy for us, but we enjoyed the time roaming in the neighboring streets and took the time to have a break in a cozy café to rest from the long walk in Balat!

Karaokoy is mostly known among younger generations who meet up here for work or just to hang out. 

Spend the evening in  Hodjapasha Cultural Center

This is one of the typical tourist attractions in Istanbul, nevertheless still original and a must-try! Here you can attend the famous show of the Turkish dancing performance.

You can buy the tickets from the same place. The best show is available every day at 19:00, and it is called: the Whirling Dervishes experience. It takes one hour, and it is just amazing with the music and the dancing performance.

Bonus: Map of Istanbul Itinerary Attractions

Because it is easier for you to follow this itinerary when you see it geographically, here is a map where all the attractions that we visited, are pinned:

We hope that it will help you better organize your itinerary and estimate the way between the attractions more accurately.

Other Places to Hang Out during your Istanbul Itinerary

There are just so many places to visit in Istanbul. And visiting all might be a little delirious. So, to help you get the best of the city, here is a list of interesting places that we wanted to see.

Taksim Square

Taksim Square is one of the busiest areas of Istanbul. It has many restaurants, cafes, and shops and therefore is usually packed with tourists. It is also an important place of commerce. That is why you will see many locals who’re there for their business or other work. 

Other than Taksim Square, you could visit the nearby places of interest like Gezi park. The park has historical and political importance as it hosted the demonstrations in 2013. Initially, they were to contest the urban development plan for Istanbul.

Istiklal Street

This is by far Istanbul’s most famous street. It is a pedestrianized avenue with great buildings, architecture, and house shops. Istiklal street can be a good appetizer for your Istanbul itinerary if you just arrived in the city. Walking around here and hanging out in the cozy restaurants and cafés will put you in the right mood to discover the city!

While in Istiklal Street, make sure to visit Galatasaray High School, Turkey’s oldest high school. Also, don’t forget to look at the old shopping arcade in Istanbul named Çiçek Pasajı.

In Istiklal Street, you definitely should try the famous and old red trams that connect Taksim Square with Galata Tower.

If you are thereby night, do visit Nevizade Street. Its quaint restaurants and cafés are one of the places, the heart of Istanbul nightlife mostly beats.

Galata Bridge

Galata Bridge connects two main parts of Istanbul: the Old City and the Beyoğlu region. The bridge has cars and pedestrian lanes as well as tram rails. On its first floors, you can find famous fish restaurants and pubs.

Topkapi Museum

Topkapi Museum is a large museum located east of the Fatih district of Istanbul. The Topkapi museum is packed with a lot of colorful stories of the Ottoman Empire. In addition, the museum has many exhibition halls and treasury sections. The ticket price costs as much as the entrance fee to Hagia Sophia.

Here also, make sure to plan your visit as early as possible in the morning to avoid the crowds and make memorable shots inside

If you feel like staying more in this great city, there are some great day trips from Istanbul that you’d want to check out. For example, the day trip to the prince’s island offers a great experience.

Istanbul Travel Guide

So here are our pieces of advice for planning your trip to Istanbul:

Is There A Best Time To Visit Istanbul? 

Peak seasons in Istanbul are from March through May and from September through November. The city experiences Spring and Autumn in these periods, respectively. That’s why the temperature is enjoyable with less rainfall during this period. (about 21 to 26°C)

The clear, blue skies and the warm water makes it the ideal time to visit Istanbul. It is the best period for sightseeing, bathing in the beautiful blue water and going for a cruise. 

However, the peak season means expensive flight tickets and costly hotels. So, if you’re planning to visit Istanbul during this period, plan your trip ahead to get your tickets for a reasonable place. Visiting in the peak seasons also means longer queues outside popular tourist attractions, bazaars filled with tourists, and crowded beaches. 

Budget-traveler can plan their trip in the summers (June to August) when the temperatures are higher than usual or during the winters (December to February) when the temperatures drop considerably. 

The prices drop considerably for flights and hotels during this time, this being the low season. You don’t have to deal with the crowd or worry about a long queue outside the tourist attractions. Traveling during this period is not a bad idea for budget travelers.

We made our Istanbul itinerary in early March with a cheap flight ticket. As a result, the city was not crowded with tourists, and we could enjoy it to the fullest in relatively cold weather.

How Many Days Should I Plan for my Istanbul Itinerary?

Depending on your travel pace (some prefer slow travel and some would like to explore as much as they can while in a city), I would say the minimum stay should be at least 4 days. Besides, and for an amazing time, visit the best rooftops of Istanbul, you really should stay longer in this beautiful city.

Four days should be enough to explore most of the city. However, I suggest 5 days as the best option. Thus, you will have enough time and discover EVERYTHING while making sure you spend enough time at every stop.

Where To Stay In Istanbul

Istanbul has a wide range of hotels that you can choose from. We chose to stay at the Akbiyik Suite Boutique Hotel. It is located in the district of Sultanahmet, which is the heart of historic Old Istanbul. 

The hotel is situated in a beautiful location, and this was so helpful for our Istanbul itinerary. It is only 600 m from Hagia Sophia and 700 m from Blue Mosque. The staff at the hotel are very friendly and helpful. They even gave us a free Istanbul transportation card. The ambiance around the place is just 10/10. 

There’s a terrace that overlooks the beautiful streets of Sultanahmet. The rooms are beautifully furnished with a wooden floor and modern interiors. We loved the decor! There’s also a delicious spread of breakfast buffet every morning.

If you don’t know where to stay in Istanbul, we recommend Akbiyik Suite Boutique Hotel. We had a great experience with it, and I generously gave it an excellent review on Booking, just because of the friendliest staff.

How to Get around in Istanbul

Istanbul is enormous. Here are the best ways to get around:

Walk while you can

Depending on where you are staying. Walking could be faster and cheaper to get around. For example,  our hotel was in a central place, and we could walk to almost half of the attractions. The longest walk we made was about 25 minutes.

Public Taxis (if you don’t have the choice)

If you are exhausted or in a hurry, taxis are a common means of transportation in Istanbul. In addition, you can find many in the streets. However, keep in mind that drivers tend to exploit tourists. Therefore, they may charge you much more than required. 

Tip: Insist on using the meter, that way, there is less possibility of them cheating on you. The starting fare for most taxis is 4 to 5 Liras. If the driver refuses to turn on the counter, feel free to gently leave the car. Don’t let them ruin your Istanbul itinerary.

Taxi Apps (highly recommended)

If you have internet, you definitely should try this local taxi app which is called BiTaksi. The app provides you with rides at cheap fares. You can get the app from Play Store or Apple store. Another good thing about BiTaksi is that you can pay cash or by card.

We heard Uber is available in Istanbul, but it didn’t work for us.

Public Transportation

Istanbul has a developed public transportation system, and it is always available. You can check the connections just by using Google Maps. It will provide you with all possible commute options.

Whether it is a bus, a tram, or a metro, we had only a good experience with public transportation in Istanbul.

To get from A to B, I usually check the walking distance, then public transportation, go for a taxi if it is the best option.

Should I Rent a Car on my Istanbul Itinerary?

Do not consider renting a car to explore Istanbul. Traffic is mind-numbing, and thus, driving through this traffic may drain you out for your day. 

Should I Buy a Turkish SIM Card?

Definitely! SIM cards in Istanbul are affordable. Plus, you will need to google some things while on the way.

You could use some public wifi hotspots, but I wouldn’t recommend that they are not reliable and not everywhere. We bought a SIM card for about 20€, and it had 50Go of data.

Tip

Never buy SIM cards at the airport. They are expensive. You can easily manage to get to the city center with the public bus and look for a good price once you arrive.

How Much Does Istanbul Itinerary Trip Cost?

Istanbul is relatively a cheap city. Thanks to its strategic place, it is well connected with cheap flights. We paid around 90€ for a round trip from Germany with Pegasus Airlines (that I really recommend, by the way).

Meals cost between 5 and 10€, depending on the restaurant category. Public transport is also really cheap, and a taxi ride with the BiTaksi app costs around 3-4€ for a 20-min ride.

You should also plan some budget for gifts and souvenirs you would buy in Istanbul for family and friends 🙂

Turkish words which will save your life

Even though Turks have a basic knowledge of English, it is for your benefit that you have some Turkish words on the tip of your tongue. You never know when they’ll save your life. 

Moreover, it is always great to learn some local words of the country you are visiting. This will put some smiles on the locals’ faces and will certainly help you with communication.

In most tourist places usually, English is spoken and understood, but if you like to get off the beaten path and travel the local areas, these Turkish words and phrases will help you get around:

• Hello — Merhaba! — MARE-HA-BA or Salamu Alaykom — SALAMOO ALAYKOM
• Thank you — Teşekkür ederim  — TE-SH-QU-ERR ED-ERR-IM
• You’re welcome — Birşey değil — BEER-SHEY DEY-EEL
• Please — Lütfen — LUT-FEN
• I don’t understand — Sizi anlamıyorum — SI-ZI ANN-LA-MA-YOR-UM
• I don’t speak Turkish –– Türkçe bilmiyorum! — TURK-JEH BILL-MI-YOR-UM
• Could you please repeat — Şunu tekrar edebilir misiniz? — SHU-NU TEK-RA ED-EBB-ILL-EAR MISS-IN-IZ
• How much does it cost? — Ne Kadar? — NAY KAD-AR
• Excuse me — Afedersiniz — AFF-ED-DAR-SAN-IZ
• Can you help me?-– Yardım edebilir misiniz?– YARR-DIM ED-EBB-ILL-EAR MISS-IN-IZ
• Yes — Evet — EV-ET
• No — Hayır — HI-EAR
• Where is the toilet? — Afedersiniz, tuvalet nerede? — AFF-ED-DER-SIN-IZ TOO-WA-LET NER-REY-DE
• I am sorry — Özür dilerim — OUZ-UR DILL-EAR-IM
• Welcome — Hoş Geldiniz — HOSH GEL-DIN-IZ
• Okay — Tamam — TAM-AM
• Goodbye! — Hoşçakal! — HOSH-CHA-KAL

What to visit after your Istanbul itinerary

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is one of the most magical places on earth. The place is very picturesque and dream-like. It is situated on a high plateau in the middle of Turkey. We visited it just before getting to Istanbul, and we had a great time there! We will write a separate post about it 😉

To explain it, Cappadocia is otherworldly like a moonscape! The rock formations, caves, etc., look like something out of the world! With the most unique structures, patterns- Cappadocia- are nothing short of Narnia in real life. 

For your stay here, make sure you try cave hotels. They are mind-blowing.

Cappadocia also has an amazing market where you can shop for various goods like carpets, hand-made crafts, etc.

If your budget allows, a hot-air balloon ride must be on any traveler’s list when they visit Cappadocia. What better way to enjoy this magical place than from up in the air! 

You can end this magical, out-of-the-world trip with an ATV ride along the Rose valley during sunset. Cappadocia is a heaven on this earth, and you should definitely visit it there.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is a town in western Turkey and not very far from Cappadocia. It is famous for its beautiful white travertine traces and mineral-rich thermal waters. The word ‘Pamukkale’ literally means ‘Cotton Castle’ in Turkish, and it’s nothing short of that.  It is famous for its hot water springs and thermal pools.

To reach Pamukkale, you first have to get to Hierapolis, from where you can get a taxi and reach Pamukkale. Of course, the travertines are filled with tourists who enjoy a good swim in the thermal pools. To avoid the crowd, walk a little more, further down where the crowd is less. 

The pools are filled with white-colored mud, making it look like you’re in a ‘Castle of clouds.’ You will see a lot of people paragliding there. If you’re one with the flail for adventure sports, go for it. Imagine looking at this beauty from thousands of feet above the ground…

Izmir

Izmir is the third most populous city in Turkey. If you’re more of a city person than a country person and like the concrete jungle, you’ll for sure love Izmir. From busy Bazars to historical artifacts, Izmir has to offer a lot to its tourists. On the way, think about planning a trip to Gallipoli. It is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, and worth the detour.

The city has a beautiful open-air market which gives you an authentic experience with colorful shops and diverse goods. Izmir also has some beautiful beaches having a coastline on the Aegean sea. Apart from that, Izmir also has its share of historical architectural ruins. 

Agora is one of the most stunning ruins of Izmir. Wrecked by an earthquake, Agora is now a beautiful open-air museum in the heart of the city. However, Izmir is all-in-all quite beautiful and worth a visit. If you’re a city person, you’ll love the bustling of Izmir. 

Final Thoughts about Istanbul and Turkey

From sightseeing to paragliding in Turkey, this country offers it all. Its most famous city, Istanbul, is one such place that everyone can enjoy. Be it a shopaholic, wanderer, architectural fanatic, foodie- the city has a special place for them all. 

It is a beautiful city with lovely people and impressive monuments and peaceful ambiance, and now I can assure you, it should be a must-visit on your bucket list. And if you’re the kind of traveler who only has a day to explore, this 1 day in Istanbul guide will show you how to make the most of it.

That’s it, guys! This time we didn’t have enough time for the whole Turkey itinerary. But, from places to visit, places you can skip to where to stay and how to travel in Istanbul, we tried to cover it all. 

Of course, we could not write about everything, but we definitely summed up what you need to know through what we have experienced.

If we missed anything or if you have any questions,  write it in the comments. We will reply right away.

So enjoy your trip, relax, and have an amazing experience!