How to Spend 5 DAYS in ISTANBUL Turkey | Travel Itinerary

46 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:40

   Sultanahmet

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Fatih · brief mention

   Recommended as the base for a historic stay, with mid-range hotels around 50–150 USD a night.

2. 1:56

   Beyoğlu

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Beyoğlu · brief mention

   Suggested as the place to stay for an artsy vibe and nightlife.

3. 2:03

   Beşiktaş

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Beşiktaş · brief mention

4. 2:05

   Karaköy

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Beyoğlu · brief mention

5. 3:21

   Hagia Sophia

   ⛩️ Temple · Sultanahmet

   Arrive early and find the weeping column, where a thumb that comes out of its hole moist is said to make a wish come true.

6. 4:07

   Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

   ⛩️ Temple · Sultanahmet

7. 4:33

   Hamdi Restaurant

   🍴 Restaurant · Eminönü

   Finish with the pistachio baklava.

8. 5:11

   Topkapı Palace

   🏰 Palace · Sultanahmet

   Rent an audio guide for deeper stories.

9. 6:00

   Grand Bazaar

   🛒 Market · Fatih

   A Turkish tea set or evil-eye charm makes a meaningful souvenir.

10. 6:36

    Meze by Lemon Tree

    🍴 Restaurant · Beyoğlu

11. 7:09

    Galata Tower

    🏛️ Historic site · Beyoğlu

    Recommended after dinner for the illuminated skyline.

12. 7:28

    İstiklal Avenue

    🛍️ Shopping · Beyoğlu

    Stop at one of the Turkish delight shops to sample many flavours.

13. 7:44

    Karabatak

    ☕ Cafe · Karaköy

    Try the sigara böreği cheese pastries.

14. 8:22

    Dolmabahçe Palace

    🏰 Palace · Beşiktaş

    Home to the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier.

15. 9:06

    Spice Bazaar

    🛒 Market · Eminönü

    Saffron or sumac make good small purchases; ask for apple tea as a gift.

16. 9:49

    House Cafe Ortaköy

    🍴 Restaurant · Ortaköy

    Suggested order is kumpir with ayran, about 15 USD.

17. 10:19

    Bosphorus Cruise

    🚡 Activity · Eminönü

    Sit on the upper deck for unobstructed photos.

18. 10:30

    Rumeli Fortress (Rumelihisarı)

    🏛️ Historic site · Sarıyer · brief mention

19. 10:30

    Beylerbeyi Palace

    🏰 Palace · Üsküdar · brief mention

20. 10:33

    Maiden's Tower

    🏢 Landmark · Üsküdar · brief mention

21. 10:52

    Ortaköy

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Beşiktaş

    Watch the sunset with Turkish tea at a waterfront cafe.

22. 11:05

    Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Mosque)

    ⛩️ Temple · Ortaköy

    Entry is free.

23. 11:28

    Çiya Sofrası

    🍴 Restaurant · Kadıköy

    Dinner about 20 USD; save room for künefe.

24. 12:08

    Moda

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Kadıköy

    Best as an evening stroll with dessert or tea from a nearby cafe.

25. 12:44

    Van Kahvaltı Evi

    🍴 Restaurant · Cihangir

    Breakfast about 10–12 USD; the muhlama melted cheese and cornmeal is a must.

26. 13:25

    Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)

    ⛩️ Temple · Fatih

    Quieter than the major sites; arrive early.

27. 14:09

    Süleymaniye Mosque

    ⛩️ Temple · Fatih

    Free entry; explore the complex's hamam and cemetery where Sinan is buried.

28. 14:56

    Asitane

    🍴 Restaurant · Edirnekapı

    Stuffed quince is also recommended.

29. 15:41

    Istanbul Archaeology Museums

    🏛️ Museum · Sultanahmet

    Entry quoted at 10 USD; take a break in the tranquil courtyard among statues.

30. 16:29

    Miniatürk

    🌳 Park · Beyoğlu

    Great for photography and families.

31. 17:09

    Antiochia

    🍴 Restaurant · Beyoğlu

    Dinner around 20–30 USD; the pomegranate molasses salad dressing stands out.

32. 17:52

    Istanbul Modern

    🏛️ Museum · Beyoğlu

    Allow an hour or two.

33. 18:23

    Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu

    🍴 Restaurant · Beşiktaş

    Breakfast about 8–10 USD; pair it with a warm salep.

34. 18:56

    Büyükada (Princes' Islands)

    🚆 Day trip · Adalar

    Ferry about 3 USD each way; bike rental about 10 USD; try grilled sea bass.

35. 19:30

    Monastery of St George (Aya Yorgi)

    ⛩️ Temple · Büyükada · brief mention

36. 20:40

    Taksim Square

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Beyoğlu

37. 21:20

    Çukurcuma

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Beyoğlu

    Look for vintage textiles and old Ottoman artefacts.

38. 21:48

    Mikla

    🍴 Restaurant · Beyoğlu

    Dinner about 50–70 USD; book a terrace table; Anatolian tasting menu recommended.

39. 22:56

    Privato Cafe

    ☕ Cafe · Galata

    Breakfast about 10–12 USD; the terrace frames the Galata Tower for photos.

40. 23:31

    Cağaloğlu Hamamı

    🚡 Activity · Fatih

    Prices 30–60 USD for about 1.5 hours; book early in the day for calm.

41. 24:12

    Gülhane Park

    🌳 Park · Fatih

    Blooms with tulips in spring during the annual tulip festival.

42. 24:45

    Karaköy Lokantası

    🍴 Restaurant · Karaköy

    Lunch about 20–25 USD; the homemade mastic pudding is a must.

43. 25:19

    Basilica Cistern

    🏛️ Historic site · Sultanahmet

    Entry about 5 USD; a visit takes about 30 minutes and offers a cool refuge in warm months.

44. 26:05

    Pierre Loti Hill

    🌳 Park · Eyüp

    Free entry, tea about 2–3 USD; take the cable car up.

45. 26:39

    Neolokal

    🍴 Restaurant · Karaköy

    Dinner about 50–70 USD; terrace views over the Bosphorus and old city.

46. 27:22

    Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

    🚡 Activity · Bosphorus

    Book one departing around sunset.