Istanbul itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Istanbul
7 stops · ≈ 7 h 7 minThe monumental historic core of Istanbul, laid out on the footprint of the ancient 4th-century Roman Hippodrome of Constantinople. Nestled between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, the pedestrian plaza preserves ancient treasures including the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpent Column from Delphi, and the ornate German Fountain.
The mosque of Sultan Ahmed I (1609–1616), called the Blue Mosque for some 20,000 İznik tiles lining its walls. Six minarets — a mark of singular honour: legend says the sultan asked for gold ones and heard six. A working mosque: tourist entry closes during prayers, and women need a head covering.
A temple that shaped two civilisations: built by Justinian in AD 537, it was the main church of Christendom, then a mosque, a museum and a mosque again (since 2020). The 31-metre dome seems to float on a necklace of forty windows, and Byzantine mosaics emerge beneath later calligraphy. A working mosque: the tourist gate is paid, worship is free.
The palace of Ottoman sultans, built from the 1460s: four courtyards descending from state halls to private gardens over the Bosphorus. The Harem with İznik tiles, the Treasury with the Spoonmaker's Diamond and the Topkapı dagger, and the Pavilion of the Holy Relics with the Prophet's mantle. A museum since 1924.
The crowning jewel of Ottoman architecture atop Istanbul's Third Hill, commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and built by master architect Mimar Sinan between 1550 and 1557. Its grand 53-metre-high dome spans a luminous interior framed by four minarets with ten balconies. In the tranquil rear garden lie the mausoleums of Suleiman and his consort Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana), beside terraces overlooking the Golden Horn.
The iconic double-deck drawbridge spanning the Golden Horn, linking historic Eminönü with Karaköy. Day and night, the upper deck is lined with dozens of local anglers casting fishing lines into the currents, while the lower level houses a bustling promenade of waterfront seafood taverns and tea cafes. It commands classic postcard vistas of passing Bosphorus ferries, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and Galata Tower.
A medieval tower on the hill above the Golden Horn, built by the Genoese in 1348 — Istanbul's most recognisable silhouette for seven centuries. The 67-metre stone tower has served as prison and observatory; today the top floor holds a viewing terrace with panoramas of the Bosphorus and the old city.
Reserve
5If you have time left — worth it too.
One of the world's largest thematic aquariums, located along the Marmara Sea coast in Florya. The visit follows an interactive 1.2-kilometre travel route spanning seventeen geographical zones, journeying from the Black Sea through the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean and an indoor Amazonian rainforest. It houses over 17,000 marine and land creatures, including sand tiger sharks, stingrays, gentoo penguins, and tropical poison frogs.
A strait about 31 kilometres long that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Europe from Asia. Its shores are lined with Dolmabahce Palace, the Rumeli Hisari fortress and fishing quarters beneath bridges built in the 20th century. Ferries, tankers and fishing boats crowd the water; the most affordable way to see the strait is the public ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy.
Belgrad Forest is an expansive natural woodland north of Istanbul, named in the 16th century under Suleiman the Magnificent after Serbian settlers from Belgrade. The area features scenic walking and jogging trails, notably the popular 6.5-kilometer track around the Neşet Suyu reservoir. Hidden among dense oak and beech groves are historic Ottoman aqueducts and stone dams that supplied freshwater to the imperial capital for centuries.
Erected in 1452 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in just four months, Rumeli Fortress dominates the narrowest section of the Bosphorus strait. Built to sever maritime support to Byzantine Constantinople prior to its siege, the massive fortification features three immense stone towers linked by crenelated curtain walls. Now an open-air museum, it offers visitors a steep climb rewarded with breathtaking panoramic vistas over the strait.
A scenic hilltop in Eyüpsultan named after French naval officer and writer Pierre Loti (Louis Marie-Julien Viaud), who drew inspiration here for his novel Aziyadé. The open terrace and historic cafe offer legendary vistas over the Golden Horn and Istanbul's skyline. Visitors can reach the summit via a cable car soaring over an ancient Ottoman cemetery, then enjoy traditional Turkish tea brewed in classic tulip glasses.
- Purchase an Istanbulkart for easy access to public transport.
- Be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas.
- Dress appropriately when visiting religious sites.
- Learn a few basic phrases in Turkish, it’s appreciated by locals.
- Try local street food for an authentic culinary experience.