10 Days in Istanbul: Unveiling the Secrets of the East 🕌

burhan altıntop

4 Jan 2024

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through Istanbul's rich history and vibrant culture. From awe-inspiring mosques to hidden museums, immerse yourself in the enchanting allure of the East. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Trip to Istanbul

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling Treasures at Rahmi M. Koç Museum and Eyüp Sultan Mosque

$15

$ 1

Museum on transportation, industry & communications with a car collection & some hands-on exhibits.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$15

10 - 12 min

Directions

A friend of the prophet Muhammad is thought to be buried at this 15-century mosque rebuilt in 1800.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

Day 2Miniaturk, Kariye Mosque, and Panorama 1453: A Glimpse into Istanbul's Past

$26

$ 2

Park with Turkish landmarks, including the Blue Mosque, depicted in miniature format.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

13 - 16 min

Directions

Museum of religious art on the site of a church that was first built here in the 6th century A.D.

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

•

9 - 11 min

Directions

Historical center featuring a large panoramic painting of the conquest of Constantinople.

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

•

$15

Day 3Salt Galata, Galata Tower, Pera Museum, and The Museum of Innocence: A Fusion of Art and History

$46

Art space in a former bank building featuring a gallery, a cafe & a library with free Wi-Fi.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

Restored 14th-century tower and former prison overlooking the Bosphorus with a top-floor restaurant.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

•

$34

12 - 17 min

Directions

Art museum in an ornate former hotel with paintings, ceramics & rotating shows of modern masters.

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

•

8 - 12 min

Directions

19th-century home displaying everyday objects featured in the eponymous novel by Orhan Pamuk.

12:45 PM - 1:15 PM

•

Day 4Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Gülhane Park, Tiled Pavilion Museum, and Basilica Cistern: Where Art Meets Nature

$38

$ 1

Riverside museum with Turkish & international modern & contemporary art collections, plus a cinema.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

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$11

14 - 17 min

Directions

Venerable, tranquil forested park featuring gardens, paths, a creek & a science museum.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

Directions

Palace pavilion from 1472 & museum for Islamic art with Greek & Persian architectural elements.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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$11

7 - 10 min

Directions

Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

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$16

Day 5İBB Emirgan Korusu, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Yıldız Palace: Majestic Gardens and Royal Residences

$ 2

Lush public park featuring an array of plants, 2 ponds, jogging paths & play equipment for kids.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

33 - 40 min

Directions

This 19th-century palace with gardens was once a summer residence for Ottoman sultans.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

15 - 18 min

Directions

Opulent 19th-century Ottoman palace, with grand interiors, pavilions & courtyards.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Day 6Sadberk Hanım Museum and Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum: Unveiling the Artistic Treasures of Istanbul

$ 1

European-style mansions home to a vast private collection of ancient & Ottoman-era artifacts & more.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

18 - 22 min

Directions

Museum in a 1925 mansion with temporary & permanent exhibits, plus Islamic calligraphy & sculptures.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Day 7Yıldız Park, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Suleymaniye Mosque: Icons of Istanbul's Splendor

$24

$ 2

Suburban public park with cafes & a hilltop museum in an Ottoman palace dating from the 1880s.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Grand, domed sultan's palace, now a museum, including collections of art, calligraphy and carpets.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$24

19 - 23 min

Directions

Iconic, storied mosque set within a vast, domed former Byzantine church with stained-glass windows.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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Free

15 - 18 min

Directions

Ornate 16th-century mosque with gardens, plus a terrace with views over the Golden Horn.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

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Free

Day 8Great Palace Mosaics Museum, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, and Egyptian Bazaar: A Cultural Extravaganza

$19

$ 1

Museum featuring Byzantine-period mosaics from the Great Palace of Constantinople.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

5 - 8 min

Directions

Palace museum of Islamic & Turkish art, opened in 1983 & displaying ceramics, carpets & glassware.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$11

12 - 15 min

Directions

Covered, 17th-century market known as the Egyptian Bazaar, with spice, food & textile shops.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

Day 9Istanbul Archaeological Museums and Istanbul Toy Museum: A Journey through Time and Playfulness

$22

$ 1

Neoclassical museum showing the country's rich archaeological heritage within landscaped gardens.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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$13

35 - 42 min

Directions

Former toy shop-turned-museum showcasing old-fashioned toys & miniatures dating back 200 years.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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Day 10Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace Museum, and Naval Museum: Delve into Istanbul's Vibrant Markets and Regal History

$35

$ 2

Historic sprawling network of indoor souks & market streets peddling leather, jewelry & gifts.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

17 - 21 min

Directions

Huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$27

20 - 24 min

Directions

Museum tracing Turkish naval history with artifacts such as Ottoman-era ships & early diving gear.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

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Budget breakdown: $248 In total

Activities & Food:$240

Transport:$8