How to Spend Five Days in Istanbul

It is said that Istanbul, Turkey's central city, has so much more to see that even year-round residents discover something new. On the other hand, five days are an excellent beginning point for becoming familiar with all of Istanbul's attractive aspects. Check out our Istanbul travel guide to make the most of your time there.

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Day 1: Get acquainted via boat

As previously said, Istanbul is a large city; thus, getting to know its many neighbourhoods is a brilliant idea. Many people stay in Sultanahmet to be near the Blue Mosque or Topkapi Palace, but be sure to go outside the historical site and see the rest of Istanbul.

One of the most acceptable ways to view Istanbul is to travel to the Eminönü Ferry Dock at about 10:30 a.m. and take the long Bosphorus cruise, which will offer you a complete visual tour of the city from the sea. The boat makes a few stops along the way. Still, we recommend picking up off at the last stop, Anadoluhisar, a little coastal town named after its historic castle, and walking about before taking the ferry back to Eminönü.

Day 2: Take a tour of Sultanahmet.

Now that you've got a good sense of what Istanbul looks like from all sides, it's time to see the big tourist attractions. Begin your tour at Sultanahmet Square, where you'll see the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern. The Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar are two more significant attractions. Make your way to the Archeology Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art if you enjoy museums. If the ancient city hasn't taken your entire day, pay a visit to the stunning Chora Church and get a quick bite at Asitane, Istanbul's most famous Ottoman restaurant.

Day 3: Go sightseeing in Beyoglu

Make your trip across the Galata Bridge after a day of seeing Istanbul's ancient wonders and getting to know the residents. Start with Karaköy, which is known for its trendy stores, cafés, and restaurants. Then climb straight to Tophane, which has a profusion of galleries, followed by Cukurcuma, known for its antiques, and Cihangir, Istanbul's excellent bohemian district. Take a stroll down Istiklal Street, but keep an eye out for the side streets, where you'll find a few churches and a wealth of old arcades.

Explore the Galata neighbourhood, especially Serdar-Ekrem Street, which has hip local designer boutiques, as well as Pera, which has lovely neoclassical buildings, by the time you reach the end of Istiklal. End the day with a magnificent view of the city from the Adahan Hotel's Cachi restaurant's balcony.

Day 4: Discover the Bosphorus Coast

The Bosphorus Coast of Istanbul may be unknown to many visitors, yet it is here that the city's wealthy have their houses facing the water. Take the metro to Etiler and walk down the hill to the upscale Bebek neighbourhood. Explore its magnificent waterfront park, as well as the many stores and cafés that line the main street.

Bebek Balikçisi, a fantastic seafood restaurant directly on the lake, is a local favourite. Across the street is the Me?hur Bebek Badem Ezmesi, which sells some of the greatest almond and pistachio marzipan in the city. From here, you may stroll the Bosphorus beachfront for as long as you like, but make sure to check out the Arnavutköy neighbourhood, which has become rather popular thanks to its excellent fish restaurants and cocktail bars.

Day 5: Visit the islands

Istanbul has islands as if it didn't have enough to offer. The most popular island is Büyükada, where you'll quickly realise – to your joy – those cars are prohibited, and bicycles or horse-drawn carriages are the primary modes of transportation. Rent a bike and ride around the enormous island, taking in the sights of the many gorgeous Ottoman-era homes. If the weather allows, stop by one of the numerous beach clubs for a relaxing swim in the water.

If you prefer a smaller island, Heybeliada is a good option, with its historic Greek Orthodox theology school - now closed but still visible – as well as gorgeous old homes and several seafood restaurants along the water's edge. Burgazada is much smaller, but it, too, has its fair share of lovely old houses, hidden churches, beaches, and the Kalpazankaya Restaurant, which offers an incredible view of the sea and an even more beautiful sunset. The entire article presents one thing: there are lots to see in Istanbul, so quickly apply for a turkey e visa and explore.

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