Istanbul
TurkeyIstanbul feels layered and alive, with mosque domes and minarets shaping the skyline, busy bazaars tucked under vaulted roofs, and ferries giving you an easy way to drift between Europe and Asia. It’s a city where you can move from grand historic sights to lively neighbourhood cafés, waterfront promenades, and back-street eating spots in the same day. The pace can be intense, but it really shines when you slow down long enough for tea, a sunset crossing, and a few unhurried walks through its old quarters.
Ready-made Istanbul itineraries.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
5 days is the right length for a first trip to Istanbul. That covers Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, a Bosphorus cruise and the streets of Karaköy. With fewer days you see the highlights at a brisk pace; with more, add a day trip to the Princes' Islands or Bursa.
See the 5-day Istanbul itinerary →Istanbul, in a few questions.
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