Istanbul

7-day itinerary

The Perfect 7 Days in Istanbul

21 handpicked stops Route-optimized Where to eat

A balanced 7-day plan for Istanbul, built around its top-rated sights and ordered so each day flows without backtracking — with a bite to eat and travel times between every stop. Like it? Make it your own in a couple of taps.

Make this Istanbul itinerary yours

Customize it →
DAY 1

The Big Highlights

  1. Hagia Sophia

    Morning

    Hagia Sophia

    A breathtaking 1,500-year-old architectural wonder that has served as cathedral, museum, and now grand mosque.

    2 min walk · 0.1 km to the next stop
  2. Basilica Cistern (Exit)

    Afternoon

    Basilica Cistern (Exit)

    Walk among forest of columns in this hauntingly beautiful Byzantine cistern beneath Istanbul's streets.

    4 min walk · 0.3 km to the next stop
  3. Sultan Ahmed Square

    Evening

    Sultan Ahmed Square

    Historic square anchored by the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, heart of Ottoman Istanbul.

Where to eat: beyti lokanta — A well-loved local spot.

DAY 2

Culture & Icons

  1. Blue Mosque

    Morning

    Blue Mosque

    Marvel at the Blue Mosque's six soaring minarets and breathtaking tilework, an icon of Istanbul's skyline.

    11 min walk · 0.8 km to the next stop
  2. İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri

    Afternoon

    İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri

    Major archaeological museum displaying antiquities spanning Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Ottoman civilizations.

    2 min walk · 0.2 km to the next stop
  3. Topkapi Palace

    Evening

    Topkapi Palace

    Former Ottoman palace complex, now a major museum displaying imperial treasures and architecture.

Where to eat: Haci Abdullah Lokantasi — Turkish — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 3

Culture & Icons

  1. Topkapı Palace

    Morning

    Topkapı Palace

    Explore the opulent heart of the Ottoman Empire, where sultans ruled and treasures dazzle at every turn.

    14 min walk · 1.1 km to the next stop
  2. Tomb of Hatice Turhan Sultan

    Afternoon

    Tomb of Hatice Turhan Sultan

    Rest alongside Ottoman royalty in this stunning 17th-century mausoleum beside the iconic New Mosque.

    8 min walk · 0.6 km to the next stop
  3. Tomb of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana)

    Evening

    Tomb of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana)

    Honor the legendary Roxelana, the powerful Ukrainian-born queen who captivated and transformed the Ottoman Empire.

Where to eat: Nicole — A well-loved local spot.

DAY 4

Culture & Icons

  1. Mausoleum of Suleiman the Magnificent

    Morning

    Mausoleum of Suleiman the Magnificent

    Stand before the magnificent turbesi honoring Suleiman the Magnificent, Ottoman empire's most celebrated ruler.

    18 min walk · 1.3 km to the next stop
  2. Fatih Mosque

    Afternoon

    Fatih Mosque

    A magnificent 15th-century mosque crowning Istanbul's historic Fatih district with soaring domes and timeless grandeur.

    9 min drive · 1.7 km to the next stop
  3. Theodosian Walls

    Evening

    Theodosian Walls

    Remnants of Byzantine defensive walls stretching across the city, marking centuries of imperial borders.

Where to eat: Mihrabat — Burgers — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 5

Culture & Icons

  1. Theodosian Wall

    Morning

    Theodosian Wall

    Historic wall ruins revealing layers of Byzantine defensive fortifications.

    17 min drive · 4.4 km to the next stop
  2. Palace of the Porphyrogenitus

    Afternoon

    Palace of the Porphyrogenitus

    Byzantine palace museum showcasing imperial architecture and historical artefacts from Constantinople's golden age.

    13 min drive · 3 km to the next stop
  3. Galata Tower

    Evening

    Galata Tower

    Climb this 14th-century stone tower for breathtaking 360° panoramas over Istanbul's iconic skyline and Bosphorus.

Where to eat: Neolokal — Turkish — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 6

Culture & Icons

  1. The Museum of Innocence

    Morning

    The Museum of Innocence

    A museum in Istanbul.

    12 min walk · 0.9 km to the next stop
  2. Site of Gezi Park protests

    Afternoon

    Site of Gezi Park protests

    Site of Turkey's defining 2013 protests, this park pulses with political history and urban resilience.

    15 min walk · 1.1 km to the next stop
  3. Dolmabahçe Palace

    Evening

    Dolmabahçe Palace

    A breathtaking imperial palace where sultans once ruled, perched majestically on the Bosphorus waterfront.

Where to eat: Refik — A well-loved local spot.

DAY 7

Culture & Icons

  1. Ciragan Palace

    Morning

    Ciragan Palace

    Grand Ottoman palace overlooking the Bosphorus, ornate architectural landmark.

    12 min drive · 2.7 km to the next stop
  2. Kız Kulesi

    Afternoon

    Kız Kulesi

    Iconic maiden tower rising from the Bosphorus strait, visible from across Istanbul's shoreline.

    29 min drive · 8.3 km to the next stop
  3. Rumeli Fortress

    Evening

    Rumeli Fortress

    15th-century fortress on the Bosphorus now functioning as a museum and historic site.

Where to eat: Ismet Baba — Seafood — a well-loved local spot.

Make it your own

Set your own dates and pace, swap any stop, and let the AI build a plan around your real flights and hotels.

Customize it →
Other Istanbul itineraries:2 days3 days5 days

Built from Istanbul's top-rated attractions. Opening hours, prices, and whether a spot still delivers can change — double-check anything time-sensitive before you go.