Istanbul — two continents in one city

Trip highlights

• Hagia Sophia and the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque
• Topkapı Palace — with the treasury and the Harem
• The Basilica Cistern — the underground reservoir
• A Bosphorus cruise between the two shores
• The Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian spice market
• The Balat and Fener quarters — coloured houses and cafés
• A food walk: balık ekmek, meze, boza and Turkish coffee

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 · Istanbul

   Arrival

   Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. An evening walk on Sultanahmet Square or İstiklal Avenue.

   Sultanahmet ★★★★
2. 2

   Day 2 · Istanbul

   The historic peninsula

   Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome. In the afternoon, Topkapı Palace — the treasury and the Harem.

   breakfastSultanahmet ★★★★
3. 3

   Day 3 · Istanbul

   The Bosphorus and the Asian side

   A morning Bosphorus cruise: Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy and Rumeli Fortress pass by from the water. In the afternoon, the Kadıköy market and a food walk.

   breakfastSultanahmet ★★★★
4. 4

   Day 4 · Istanbul

   Bazaars and Balat

   The Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar — time to shop. In the afternoon, Balat and Fener and the Galata Tower. The evening is free.

   breakfastSultanahmet ★★★★
5. 5

   Day 5 · Istanbul

   Departure

   Check-out and transfer to the airport.

   breakfast

Prices and dates

Guaranteed departure dates

A 30 % deposit, the balance 21 days before departure. Cancellation terms: Payment and cancellation.

Included / not included

Hotels

Hotels may be substituted for equivalents of the same category.

Before you book

• Entry to Türkiye is visa-free for up to 30 days (90 days in any 180).
• Hagia Sophia and the mosques require covered arms and legs, and a headscarf for women.
• The programme involves a lot of walking — comfortable shoes are essential.
• Haggling is normal in the Grand Bazaar; the first price is usually two or three times too high.