5-Day Istanbul Itinerary for First-Time Visitors - Hagia Sophia, Markets & Classic Eats

Step inside Hagia Sophia with a guide who brings its Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman stories to life. Arrive just before opening to beat the tour groups, dress modestly, and have a scarf handy for prayer times. After the tour, circle the outer courtyard for quieter photo spots away from the main entrance crowd.

Step into the Blue Mosque to admire its famous Iznik tiles and soaring domes. Avoid prayer times (especially Friday midday), use the side visitor entrance, and bring or borrow a scarf and modest clothing. Pause in the courtyard afterwards for peaceful views and fewer crowds than Sultanahmet Square.

Walk through Topkapi Palace with a guide who connects the courtyards, harems, and treasury to real palace life. Go early to see the Treasury and Harem before they fill up, and bring a light layer—stone rooms stay cool even on hot days. Look back from the terraces for some of the best Bosphorus and Golden Horn views in the Old City.

Descend into the Basilica Cistern to wander between 336 marble columns lit in a soft glow and hunt for the Medusa heads at the far end. Go early or late to avoid long ticket lines, and wear non-slip shoes—the walkways can be damp. Pause for a minute of quiet to really feel how the city hums above you.

Unwind in the 18th-century Cağaloğlu Hamamı under its marble dome, then let the tellak scrub and rinse away travel fatigue. Book a slot outside peak evening hours, drink plenty of water before and after, and keep your swimwear simple—this is still a traditional bathhouse at heart.

Lose track of time in the Grand Bazaar’s maze of lanes, from jewelry and carpets to lamps and leather. Start at the quieter side entrances, check a few shops before committing, and always bargain with humor. Snap a break in one of the tiny tea corners to watch the real market rhythm.

Walk up to Suleymaniye Mosque for a calmer, more local feel and wide Bosphorus views from the terraces. Dress modestly, explore the courtyard in silence, and wander the surrounding streets afterwards for tea houses and simple eateries where locals linger between prayers.

Glide along the Bosphorus on a two-hour cruise, passing palaces, waterfront mansions, and the city’s layered skyline. Pick a departure close to sunset if you can, sit on the upper deck for photos, and bring a light jacket—the breeze feels cooler on the water than on shore.

Ride or climb up Galata Tower for a 360-degree look at Istanbul’s rooftops, mosques, and the Bosphorus. Go right at opening or late evening to avoid the longest queues, and walk one block away afterwards to find quieter cafés than the circle directly around the tower.

Meet at the Kadıköy Bull Statue, the classic rendezvous point on the Asian side, then snap a quick photo before heading into the surrounding shopping streets. Use it as your landmark so you can wander freely and still find your way back to the ferries.

Roam Kadıköy’s market streets around Rıhtım Caddesi for fresh produce, fish stalls, and little shops selling olives, cheeses, and spices. Start near the ferry and work your way inland, then grab a coffee or juice when you need a break from the colors and calls of the vendors.

Browse the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, for spices, teas, lokum, and handmade souvenirs. Walk a full loop before you buy, compare a few stalls, and ask for vacuum-packing if you plan to bring your finds back in a suitcase.

Tour Dolmabahçe Palace to see glittering chandeliers, the crystal staircase, and vast ceremonial halls right on the Bosphorus. Join a timed entry earlier in the day, skip bulky bags to move faster through security, and step out to the waterfront gardens for a breather between sections.