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10 Days in Istanbul: A Journey Through History and Delight

Alihan ÖZ

Alihan ÖZ

23 Nov 2023

Experience the enchanting city of Istanbul through this 10-day itinerary. Explore ancient marvels, indulge in delicious cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Turkey. From majestic palaces to hidden cafes, this adventure promises unforgettable memories.

Trip to Istanbul

Day 1Majestic Palaces and Breathtaking Views
+

$136

·

$ 7

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

20 - 24 min

~

Directions

Emirgan Sütiş
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$18
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

İBB Emirgan Korusu
Lush public park featuring an array of plants, 2 ponds, jogging paths & play equipment for kids.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Rumeli Fortress
Hilltop 15th-century fortress with multiple towers, walking paths & water views.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
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$4
45 - 68 min

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Directions

Anadoluhisarı
At the narrowest part of the Bosphurus, this imposing fort gives its name to the surrounding area.
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
•
$4
21 - 26 min

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Directions

Cafe
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM
•
$20
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Beylerbeyi Palace
This 19th-century palace with gardens was once a summer residence for Ottoman sultans.
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
•
$16
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge
Connecting Europe & Asia, this long suspension bridge completed in 1973 offers scenic water views.
5:15 PM - 5:45 PM
•
Free
13 - 16 min

~

Directions

Dolmabahçe Palace
Grand, domed sultan's palace, now a museum, including collections of art, calligraphy and carpets.
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
•
$48
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Black Cup Coffee
7:45 PM - 9:15 PM
•
$26
Day 2Culinary Delights at Ciragan Palace Kempinski
+

$1102

·

$ 3

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Laledan Restaurant
Laledan Restaurant, on the hotel building’s ground floor, serves the richest breakfast buffet in town with over 250 delicious items, 80 percent of which are made with locally sourced organic ingredients. The Legendary Çırağan Brunch on Sundays is from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$16
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Ciragan Palace Kempinski
Lavish lodging in an ornate former palace with dining & a spa, plus an infinity pool & a helipad.
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
•
$1042
1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Tuğra Restaurant & Lounge
The feast begins with the ambience … rich Ottoman décor and the ever-stirring backdrop of the Bosphorus. For the full effect, ask for a table on Tuğra’s balcony, lit by the moon, a candle and the Bosphorus Bridge.
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
•
$26
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Pool Kitchen
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$18
Day 3Cafes, Museums, and the Beauty of Yıldız Park
+

$100

·

$ 5

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Ara Cafe
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$16
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Çiçek Pasajı
Historic passageway between 2 streets, featuring ornate architecture, shops & cafes.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Madame Tussauds Istanbul
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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$16
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Yedi Sekiz Hasanpaşa Fırını
Tarihi dokusunun bozulmadığı, çeşit çeşit kurabiyelere ev sahipliği yapan bir fırındır.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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$30
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Naval Museum
Museum tracing Turkish naval history with artifacts such as Ottoman-era ships & early diving gear.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
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$16
6 - 8 min

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Directions

Yıldız Park
Suburban public park with cafes & a hilltop museum in an Ottoman palace dating from the 1880s.
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
•
Free
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Garde Mange Kitchen
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$22
Day 4Ottoman History and Artistic Treasures
+

$146

·

$ 4

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

18 - 22 min

~

Directions

Tarihi Temiz Köftecisi
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$18
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Beyazit Square
Large public square featuring the main gate to Istanbul University, a big mosque & street vendors.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Cistern of Theodosius
This historical cistern, built 1600 years ago, offers beautiful columns, brick domes and arches.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
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$22
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Basilica Cistern
Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
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$32
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
•
$26
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Hagia Sophia
Iconic, storied mosque set within a vast, domed former Byzantine church with stained-glass windows.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
Riverside museum with Turkish & international modern & contemporary art collections, plus a cinema.
4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
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$22
13 - 20 min

~

Directions

Dükkan Galata
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$26
Day 5Mosques, Bazaars, and Delicious Börek
+

$92

·

$ 3

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Oz Develi Pidecisi
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$18
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Suleymaniye Mosque
Ornate 16th-century mosque with gardens, plus a terrace with views over the Golden Horn.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Grand Bazaar
Historic sprawling network of indoor souks & market streets peddling leather, jewelry & gifts.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Nuruosmaniye Mosque
Architecturally significant Ottoman mosque completed in 1755, featuring a huge dome & many windows.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
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$20
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Neoclassical museum showing the country's rich archaeological heritage within landscaped gardens.
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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$26
11 - 16 min

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Directions

Saade Kahvaltı
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$28
Day 6Exploring Sultanahmet Square and Topkapi Palace
+

$170

·

$ 7

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

The Populist
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$16
26 - 32 min

~

Directions

Maiden's Tower
Structure linked with legend & once used as a lighthouse, housing a small museum & a restaurant.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$34
17 - 21 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Toy Museum
Former toy shop-turned-museum showcasing old-fashioned toys & miniatures dating back 200 years.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$18
27 - 33 min

~

Directions

Saade Kahvaltı
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$28
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Sultanahmet Square
Public square with remnants of an ancient hippodrome, plus prominent & historic buildings.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Topkapi Palace Museum
Huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$54
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Gülhane Park
Venerable, tranquil forested park featuring gardens, paths, a creek & a science museum.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
Free
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Tershane Restaurant
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$20
Day 7Coffee, Mosques, and the Iconic Galata Tower
+

$140

·

$ 3

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Coffeetopia
Fresh coffee is good!
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$18
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Egyptian Bazaar
Covered, 17th-century market known as the Egyptian Bazaar, with spice, food & textile shops.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Column of Constantine
Recently restored column atop a stone pedestal built by the ancient Romans as a monument.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Yeni Cami Mosque
Prominent mosque dating from the 17th century, featuring iconic domes & a dramatic interior.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Tershane Restaurant
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$20
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Galata Bridge
Bustling bridge across the Golden Horn with pedestrian walkways & street vendors, with cafes below.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Galata Tower
Restored 14th-century tower and former prison overlooking the Bosphorus with a top-floor restaurant.
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
•
$68
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Pera Museum
Art museum in an ornate former hotel with paintings, ceramics & rotating shows of modern masters.
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
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$6
1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Pera Müze Cafe
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$28
Day 8Museums, Sea Life, and Sweet Delights
+

$144

·

$ 5

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Lale Lokantası
50 yıldır tamamen hijyenik mutfağımızda hazırlanan zengin Türk mutfağına ait ev yemeklerimizi deneyimli personelimizle sizlerin beğenisine sunmaktayız.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$12
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Museum on transportation, industry & communications with a car collection & some hands-on exhibits.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$30
29 - 35 min

~

Directions

Meos Balık
Aqua Florya'nın eşsiz deniz manzarasında, unutamayacağınız lezzet yolculukları...
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$30
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Aquarium
Big aquarium complex with around 1,700 species in many large tanks, plus a gift shop & eateries.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
$46
30 - 36 min

~

Directions

Pelit Chocolate Museum
Exhibition of hundreds of historical figures, artworks & landmarks intricately carved in chocolate.
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
•
$6
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Happy Moon's
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$20
Day 9Theme Parks, Mosques, and Book Cafes
+

$170

·

$ 5

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Çanga Pasta&Cafe
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$16
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

VIALAND Tema Park
Theme park featuring amusement rides for all ages & a shopping center with dining & entertainment.
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
•
$110
18 - 22 min

~

Directions

Çayistanbul Kitap&Kafe
Türkiye'nin en keyifli Kitap Kafesi. Açık ve kapalı bahçemiz 73 çeşit çayımız ile Eyüp ve Fatih'deyiz.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$26
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Eyüp Sultan Mosque
A friend of the prophet Muhammad is thought to be buried at this 15-century mosque rebuilt in 1800.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Halat By Divan
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$18
Day 10From Miniaturk to Historical Treasures in Balat
+

$154

·

$ 7

Grand Cevahir Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Kasis Cafe
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$18
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Miniaturk
Park with Turkish landmarks, including the Blue Mosque, depicted in miniature format.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$16
13 - 16 min

~

Directions

SEA LIFE
Family-friendly exhibits with a variety of sea creatures (most offer play areas & group packages).
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
$42
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Game Of Burger
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
•
$18
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Panorama 1453 History Museum
Historical center featuring a large panoramic painting of the conquest of Constantinople.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$30
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Kariye Mosque
Museum of religious art on the site of a church that was first built here in the 6th century A.D.
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
•
$6
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Balat Turşucusu
7:15 PM - 8:45 PM
•
$24

Budget breakdown: $2395 In total

Activities & Food:$2354
Transport:$41