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8 Days in Istanbul: Unveiling Ancient Marvels and Culinary Delights

BERKAI CHASAN

15 Jan 2024

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Embark on a thrilling journey through Istanbul's rich history and vibrant culinary scene. From awe-inspiring ancient marvels to mouthwatering local delicacies, this itinerary promises an unforgettable adventure. Get ready to be captivated by the charm of Istanbul!

Trip to Istanbul

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Citadel Restorant, Great Palace Mosaics Museum, Basilica Cistern, and More

+

$174

Citadel Restorant

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$28

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Great Palace Mosaics Museum

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

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$16

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Basilica Cistern

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

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$32

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Hagia Irene

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

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$26

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Mr. Cook

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$38

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Balıkçı Sabahattin

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$34

Day 2Exploring Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Galata Tower, and Divine Delights

+

$202

·

$ 2

Constantine Hotel

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$28

6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Archaeological Museums

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

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$26

13 - 16 min

~

Directions

Galata Tower

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

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

•

$68

8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Aheste

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

•

$44

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Eleos

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$36

Day 3Indulging in Ottoman Cuisine and Discovering Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar

+

$110

·

$ 2

Matbah Restaurant

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$28

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Hagia Sophia

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

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Grand Bazaar

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

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Suleymaniye Mosque

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

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Kebap Durağı

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$42

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Fatih Baran Et & Mangal

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$40

Day 4Savoring Turkish Delights at Sura Restaurant and Exploring Topkapi Palace

+

$174

·

$ 2

Sura Restaurant

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$24

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

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

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$22

12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Topkapi Palace Museum

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

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$54

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Tarihi Eminönü Balıkçısı - Alaettin Aktuğ'un Yeri

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$36

12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Mr. Cook

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$38

Day 5Tasting Exotic Flavors at Nar Lokanta and Exploring Egyptian Bazaar

+

$148

·

$ 3

Nar Lokanta

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$24

8 - 12 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

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Tiled Pavilion Museum

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

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$22

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

The Populist

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$42

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

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

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$22

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Roka Istanbul

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$38

Day 6Journeying through History at Miniaturk and Panorama 1453 History Museum

+

$146

·

$ 5

Rumeli Küftecisi

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$24

5 - 6 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

Panorama 1453 History Museum

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

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$30

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Pizzaara İtalyan Cafe & Restaurant

Taş fırında elle açılan Enfes İtalyan Pizzaları Ayrıca Dünya Mutfağından seçmeler

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$40

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Çınaraltı Ocakbaşı

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$36

Day 7Immerse in Art and Culture at Rahmi M. Koç Museum and Pera Museum

+

$138

·

$ 2

Halat By Divan

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$24

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

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Pera Museum

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

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

$6

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Divan Brasserie Beyoğlu

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$38

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Koç Pera

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$40

Day 8Farewell to Istanbul with Beylerbeyi Palace and Sadberk Hanım Museum

+

$122

·

$ 2

İnciraltı Meyhanesi

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$24

6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Beylerbeyi Palace

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

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$16

37 - 45 min

~

Directions

Sadberk Hanım Museum

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

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$4

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Bay Balıkçı

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$42

11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Scalini

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$36

Budget breakdown: $1226 In total

Activities & Food:$1214

Transport:$12