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8 Days in Istanbul: A Journey Through History and Culture

Toghrul Rasulov

Toghrul Rasulov

8 Nov 2023

Experience the enchanting beauty of Istanbul as you explore iconic landmarks, indulge in delicious cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this fascinating city.

Trip to Istanbul

Day 1
+

$38

The Blue Mosque
Well-known site, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 & containing its founder's tomb.
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Sultanahmet Square
Public square with remnants of an ancient hippodrome, plus prominent & historic buildings.
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Basilica Cistern
Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
•
$32
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Hagia Sophia
Iconic, storied mosque set within a vast, domed former Byzantine church with stained-glass windows.
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
•
Free
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
•
$2
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$4
Day 2
+

$62

·

$ 2

Beyazit Square
Large public square featuring the main gate to Istanbul University, a big mosque & street vendors.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
Free
13 - 16 min

~

Directions

Gülhane Park
Venerable, tranquil forested park featuring gardens, paths, a creek & a science museum.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Topkapi Palace Museum
Huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$54
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$4
0
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$4
Day 3
+

$50

·

$ 2

Maiden's Tower
Structure linked with legend & once used as a lighthouse, housing a small museum & a restaurant.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$34
24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Egyptian Bazaar
Covered, 17th-century market known as the Egyptian Bazaar, with spice, food & textile shops.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Suleymaniye Mosque
Ornate 16th-century mosque with gardens, plus a terrace with views over the Golden Horn.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Vefa Bozacısı
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$8
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Karadeniz Restaurant
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$8
Day 4
+

$64

·

$ 3

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Vast steel-cabled roadway over the Bosphorus Strait, with traffic flowing between Asia & Europe.
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
•
$2
18 - 22 min

~

Directions

Yıldız Park
Suburban public park with cafes & a hilltop museum in an Ottoman palace dating from the 1880s.
8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
•
Free
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Dolmabahçe Palace
Grand, domed sultan's palace, now a museum, including collections of art, calligraphy and carpets.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
•
$48
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Dolmabahçe Mosque
Elegant, 19th-century, Ottoman-style mosque with Baroque & rococo-influenced decorative features.
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
•
$2
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Black Cup Coffee
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
•
$2
13 - 20 min

~

Directions

Ayaspasa Russian Restaurant
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$10
Day 5
+

$90

·

$ 3

Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque)
Restored Baroque Revival mosque featuring windows designed to capture the Bosphorus' changing light.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Galata Tower
Restored 14th-century tower and former prison overlooking the Bosphorus with a top-floor restaurant.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
•
$68
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Grand Bazaar
Historic sprawling network of indoor souks & market streets peddling leather, jewelry & gifts.
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
•
Free
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Rejon Kebap House
12:45 PM - 2:15 PM
•
$14
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Beyazıt Mosque
Imperial mosque complex built in the early 1500's including a school, baths & a soup kitchen.
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Day Day Pastanesi
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$8
Day 6
+

$44

·

$ 4

Fatih Mosque
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
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
Imposing, 16th-century mosque complex designed by Mimar Sinan, with 4 corner towers & tall minaret.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Miniaturk
Park with Turkish landmarks, including the Blue Mosque, depicted in miniature format.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$16
15 - 22 min

~

Directions

Can 2 Dürüm Evi
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$14
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Çayistanbul Kitap&Kafe
Türkiye'nin en keyifli Kitap Kafesi. Açık ve kapalı bahçemiz 73 çeşit çayımız ile Eyüp ve Fatih'deyiz.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$14
Day 7
+

$56

·

$ 3

Istanbul Aquarium
Big aquarium complex with around 1,700 species in many large tanks, plus a gift shop & eateries.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$46
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Sablé Bakery
Ekşi maya ekmek ile nefis kahvaltı tabaklarımız, günlük çıkardığımız porsiyon tatlılarımız ve taze kahve ve çayımızla sizleri bekliyoruz.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$8
5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Rose Garden Florya
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$2
Day 8
+

$64

·

$ 2

SEA LIFE
Family-friendly exhibits with a variety of sea creatures (most offer play areas & group packages).
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$42
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Dr. Sofram Lokantası
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$12
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Yeşilçam Kahve Evi
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$10

Budget breakdown: $481 In total

Activities & Food:$468
Transport:$13