8 Days in Istanbul: A Journey Through History and Culture

Anastasia K.

8 Nov 2023

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure in Istanbul, Turkey. Explore iconic landmarks, immerse yourself in the rich history, and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Get ready for a trip filled with awe-inspiring sights and vibrant experiences.

Trip to Istanbul

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

$18

$ 5

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

6 - 8 min

Directions

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

6 - 8 min

Directions

Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George

Principal Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in Istanbul, with religious relics, mosaics & public hours.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

10 - 12 min

Directions

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

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$16

15 - 22 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

Day 2

$124

$ 4

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

27 - 33 min

Directions

Theme park featuring amusement rides for all ages & a shopping center with dining & entertainment.

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$110

12 - 15 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$14

Day 3

$76

$ 2

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

16 - 24 min

Directions

Horn-shaped estuary, the primary inlet on the Bosporus, featuring a bustling commercial hub & parks.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

•

$68

1 - 2 min

Directions

Hatıralarla yaşayan bir cafe, Anne elinden lezzetler, Antika fincanlarda servis edilen kahve ve çay keyfi, Günün her saati kahvaltı saati :)

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Day 4

$72

$ 4

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

9 - 11 min

Directions

One of the area's few green spaces, this tree-filled park was the site of a large protest in 2013.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

12 - 17 min

Directions

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$16

11 - 14 min

Directions

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

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

11 - 16 min

Directions

Prominent mosque dating from the 17th century, featuring iconic domes & a dramatic interior.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

15 - 22 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

7 - 10 min

Directions

This historical cistern, built 1600 years ago, offers beautiful columns, brick domes and arches.

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

•

$22

7 - 10 min

Directions

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

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

•

$32

Day 5

$66

$ 6

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

11 - 14 min

Directions

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$48

19 - 23 min

Directions

Hilltop 15th-century fortress with multiple towers, walking paths & water views.

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

•

40 - 48 min

Directions

Boat tours provide visitors with unique city views from this strait separating Europe & Asia.

10:45 AM - 1:45 PM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

Directions

2:15 PM - 3:45 PM

•

$14

Day 6

$14

$ 5

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

17 - 21 min

Directions

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

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

24 - 29 min

Directions

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

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

Directions

Elaborately decorated fountain built in 1898 & adorned with mirrors & floral motifs.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

13 - 16 min

Directions

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$14

7 - 10 min

Directions

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

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

Day 7

$ 2

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

17 - 21 min

Directions

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

2 - 3 min

Directions

Ancient Greek bronze column with missing serpent heads, made to commemorate a historic battle.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

11 - 16 min

Directions

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

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

6 - 9 min

Directions

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

4 - 5 min

Directions

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

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

Day 8

$38

$ 3

Depiero Hotel Karaköy

Depart from your stay 🏨

11 - 14 min

Directions

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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

Directions

Byzantine, former Orthodox church dating from the 4th century, open as a museum.

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$26

8 - 11 min

Directions

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

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

Directions

Landmark domed mosque in a former 6th century Byzantine church with an Ottoman-style interior.

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

Directions

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

•

$12

Budget breakdown: $440 In total

Activities & Food:$416

Transport:$24