Back

5 Days in Istanbul: A Journey of Culture and Cuisine

Emilia Rusiecka

24 Oct 2023

0

Embark on a 5-day adventure in Istanbul, Turkey, exploring iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Indulge in delicious Turkish cuisine at local restaurants and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city's bustling bazaars. Join us on this unforgettable journey filled with history, beauty, and mouthwatering flavors.

Trip to Istanbul

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

+

$21

·

$ 4

Hostel Big Apple

Depart from your stay 🏨

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Saade Kahvaltı

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$9

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

The Blue Mosque

Well-known site, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 & containing its founder's tomb.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Egyptian Bazaar

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

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Galata Bridge

Bustling bridge across the Golden Horn with pedestrian walkways & street vendors, with cafes below.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Tershane Restaurant

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$3

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Mahkeme Lokantası

Tarihi Lokanta, Meyhane

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$9

Day 2

+

$30

·

$ 5

Hostel Big Apple

Depart from your stay 🏨

35 - 42 min

~

Directions

Color. Full. Bakery

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$3

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 - 11:00 AM

•

Free

24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque)

Restored Baroque Revival mosque featuring windows designed to capture the Bosphorus' changing light.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Pizano Pizzeria

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$21

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Bizce Kuru

Türk mutfağının vazgeçilmez lezzeti kuru fasulye maharetli ustalarımızın elinde efsaneye dönüşüyor. Dünyaca meşhur fasulyemizi daha denemediniz mi?

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$6

Day 3

+

$33

·

$ 5

Hostel Big Apple

Depart from your stay 🏨

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Tarihi Temiz Köftecisi

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$9

15 - 22 min

~

Directions

Hagia Sophia

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

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Gülhane Park

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

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

•

Free

20 - 24 min

~

Directions

Yıldız Park

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

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

•

Free

8 - 12 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.

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

•

$12

3 - 4 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.

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$12

Day 4

+

$21

·

$ 7

Hostel Big Apple

Depart from your stay 🏨

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Vefa Bozacısı

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$3

7 - 10 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

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

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

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Fatih Mosque

Huge hilltop mosque rebuilt in the 1700s, with 4 semi-domes around a central dome, plus 2 minarets.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Malta Fırını Ekmek&Unlu Mamüller

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$3

14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Karadeniz Restaurant

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$15

Day 5

+

$42

·

$ 2

Hostel Big Apple

Depart from your stay 🏨

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Day Day Pastanesi

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$9

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Grand Bazaar

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

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Sultanahmet Square

Public square with remnants of an ancient hippodrome, plus prominent & historic buildings.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$21

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Çengelköy Börekçisi

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$12

Budget breakdown: $168 In total

Activities & Food:$147

Transport:$21