Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll land at Istanbul Airport and get transferred to your hotel in the city center. Spend the rest of the day however you'd like—walk around the neighborhood near your hotel, grab coffee at a local spot, or just rest after traveling. When evening comes around, take a walk through the streets to see the Christmas lights and decorations, which gives you a good first sense of the city.
- Start point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (istanbul airport or Hotels, 00:00 - 23:55)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (https://surahotels.com)
Optional Activities
- Explore local area around hotel
- Stroll through nearby streets
- Enjoy cozy cafe and local delicacies
- Day 2
Istanbul
This is your first full day, and it covers Istanbul's major attractions. Start at Topkapi Palace where you'll see Ottoman treasures and grand architecture. Then head into the Grand Bazaar, which is basically a maze of shops selling Turkish rugs, ceramics, and leather items. After lunch, check out the Spice Bazaar and take a cruise on the Bosphorus in the afternoon. Later, go to Taksim Square and walk Istiklal Street to see where the modern side of Istanbul comes alive in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (https://surahotels.com)
Included Activities
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Explore Grand Bazaar
- Visit Spice Bazaar
- Bosphorus cruise
Optional Activities
- Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus
Landmarks Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar Spice Bazaar Bosphorus Taksim Square Istiklal Street 
- Day 3
Istanbul
You'll start with Dolmabahce Palace, which shows off late Ottoman style and decorative details. From there, head to Nisantasi for upscale shops and nice cafes. Then swing by Istanbul Modern Art Museum to see what contemporary Turkish artists are doing. After that, walk across the Galata Bridge and go up the Galata Tower for views across the whole city. By evening, you'll have time for a traditional Turkish hammam, which is a bathing experience that's been around for centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (https://surahotels.com)
Included Activities
- Visit Dolmabahce Palace
- Visit Istanbul Modern Art Museum
- Cross Galata Bridge
- Visit Galata Tower
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Nisantasi neighborhood
- Explore Galata district shops and vintage stores
- Traditional Turkish hammam experience
Landmarks Dolmabahce Palace Nisantasi Istanbul Modern Art Museum Galata Bridge Galata Tower 
- Day 4
Istanbul
On your last day, visit the Chora Church, which has Byzantine mosaics showing religious scenes in incredible detail. Walk through the Fener-Balat neighborhood, which has colorful buildings and a mix of different cultural influences. Stop in Karakoy to pick up souvenirs at small workshops and independent shops. Grab a leisurely lunch at one of the cafes there before heading to the airport for your flight home.
- End point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (istanbul airport or Hotels, 00:00 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chora Church
- Explore Fener-Balat district
Optional Activities
- Shop for souvenirs in Karakoy
- Lunch at Karakoy cafes
Landmarks Chora Church Fener-Balat District Karakoy
