8-Day Istanbul Discovery Tour: Old City, Bosphorus & Asian Side
Highlights
- Discover the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque in historic Sultanahmet.
- Explore Hagia Sophia’s visitor area with your guide.
- Visit Topkapı Palace, the former home of Ottoman sultans.
- Browse traditional crafts and souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar.
- Experience the aromas and colours of the Spice Bazaar.
- OPTIONAL Princes' Islands and Buyukada
- Enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the Bosphorus.
- Explore Dolmabahçe Palace and the Ortaköy waterfront.
- Walk through Galata, Karaköy and Galataport.
- Cross to Asia to discover Üsküdar, Kadıköy and Moda.
- Explore Fener and Balat, followed by Golden Horn views from Pierre Loti Hill.
Overview
Spend eight days discovering Istanbul, from its imperial landmarks to the neighbourhoods where everyday life unfolds. This 8-day Istanbul tour package combines guided sightseeing, waterfront walks, traditional bazaars and time to enjoy the city at a comfortable pace.
Explore Sultanahmet’s celebrated monuments, step inside Topkapı and Dolmabahçe palaces, and browse the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. A Bosphorus sightseeing cruise reveals Istanbul from the water, while a journey to Üsküdar, Kadıköy and Moda introduces its Asian side.
Along the way, discover Galata and Karaköy, wander through Fener and Balat, and enjoy Golden Horn views from Pierre Loti Hill. With seven hotel nights, daily breakfast and airport transfers, this itinerary offers a rewarding introduction to Istanbul’s history, culture and local life.
Route
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Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, meet your transfer representative and travel to your hotel.
After check-in, the rest of the day is yours. Relax after your journey or head out for a first look at the surrounding neighbourhood.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Not included
After breakfast, meet your guide for a day in Istanbul’s historic centre.
Begin at the Hippodrome, where surviving monuments offer a glimpse of the city’s Byzantine past. Continue to the Blue Mosque, taking time to appreciate its architecture and decorative tiles.
Visit Hagia Sophia’s visitor area, then enjoy free time for lunch before exploring Topkapı Palace. Walk through its courtyards and discover collections that introduce the world of the Ottoman court.
Return to your hotel after the tour.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast included
Following breakfast, discover Istanbul’s historic markets and shopping streets.
Start at the Grand Bazaar, with time to browse ceramics, carpets, jewellery and textiles. Your guide will help you find your bearings before you explore independently.
Continue to Süleymaniye Mosque and its surrounding neighbourhood. After free time for lunch, head towards Eminönü and visit the Spice Bazaar, where stalls display teas, spices, sweets and local products.
Return to your hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast included
After breakfast, board a shared Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and enjoy a different perspective on Istanbul.
Admire waterfront residences, palaces and neighbourhoods along the European and Asian shores. The journey provides excellent opportunities for photographs and a closer understanding of the city’s relationship with the water.
After the cruise, continue by land to Ortaköy. Explore the waterfront square, enjoy free time for lunch and browse its small shops. You may wish to try a baked potato or stop for a coffee before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast included
Enjoy breakfast before visiting Dolmabahçe Palace. Explore the palace sections covered by your included admission and discover the later chapter of Ottoman imperial life.
Continue to Galata for a guided neighbourhood walk. Stop outside Galata Tower for photographs and explore the surrounding streets, shops and cafés.
After free time for lunch, walk down towards Karaköy and enjoy its lively atmosphere. Finish with time around the Galataport waterfront before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast included
Note: Galata Tower admission is excluded.
After breakfast, cross the Bosphorus by public ferry with your guide.
Begin in Üsküdar, enjoying a waterfront walk with views towards the European shore. Continue by local transport to Kadıköy, where market streets, food shops and cafés reveal another side of Istanbul.
Enjoy lunch at your own expense, with recommendations from your guide. Afterwards, explore Moda, taking time to enjoy the neighbourhood and waterfront.
Return to the European side by ferry and continue to your hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast included
Following breakfast, explore the historic neighbourhoods of Fener and Balat.
Walk along streets lined with colourful façades, small shops and cafés while your guide shares stories about the communities that have shaped this part of Istanbul.
Continue to Eyüp and take the cable car to Pierre Loti Hill, subject to operation. Enjoy views over the Golden Horn, with time for refreshments at your own expense.
Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. An optional Bosphorus dinner cruise can be arranged for the evening at an additional cost.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast included
Enjoy your final breakfast. Depending on your flight time, you may have time for shopping or a last walk nearby.
At the arranged time, transfer to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport for your departure.
Meals: Breakfast included
Trip includes
Included
Seven nights at Ramada by Wyndham Istanbul Pera, subject to availability.
Seven hotel breakfasts.
Please Note: If the above hotels are not available we will provide the similar category hotels.
English-speaking professional guide on Days 2–7.
Guiding Method Fully guided
English
Arrival and departure airport transfers.
Transportation required for the scheduled tours.
Public ferry journeys and local transport used on the Asian-side excursion.
Shared Bosphorus sightseeing cruise.
Admission to Hagia Sophia’s visitor area.
Standard Topkapı Palace admission, excluding separately ticketed sections.
Dolmabahçe Palace admission to the sections specified in the final quotation.
Pierre Loti cable car journey, subject to operation.
Guided visits and neighbourhood walks described in the itinerary.
Applicable taxes on included services.
Duration: Eight days and seven nights, starting and ending in Istanbul.
Hotel: Ramada by Wyndham Istanbul Pera is the proposed accommodation. Availability and room category are confirmed before booking.
Tour format: Regular packages use shared guided tours. Private packages use private guided land tours; the Bosphorus cruise and public ferries remain shared.
Walking: The itinerary includes hills, steps, cobbled streets and extended walking. Comfortable footwear is recommended.
Accessibility: Please advise us of mobility requirements before booking so suitable arrangements can be discussed.
Religious sites: Modest clothing is required. Women should carry a headscarf for mosque visits.
Visit order: Tours may be rearranged around venue closures, religious services, traffic and weather.
Meals: Breakfast is included daily. Your guide can suggest local restaurants for lunches and dinners.
Transfers: Provide your flight details and airport name when booking.
Triple rooms: These may consist of a double or twin room with an extra bed, subject to hotel confirmation.
Free time: Arrival and departure day activities depend on flight schedules.
Excluded
International and domestic flights.
Lunches, dinners, beverages and food tastings.
Vegetarian
Halal
Meat
Travel insurance and visa expenses.
Topkapı Palace Harem and separately ticketed exhibitions.
Galata Tower admission.
Optional Bosphorus dinner cruise.
Turkish hammam treatments and other optional activities.
Guide and driver tips.
Personal expenses, laundry and minibar purchases.
Early check-in and late check-out.
Services not specifically listed as included.
Need help or have a question about this tour?
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Availability
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What our travelers say
Real, verified reviews from travelers who explored Turkey with us — straight from Tripadvisor.
“We had an incredible experience on the 14-day ANZAC Gallipoli and Türkiye tour. The real highlight was our guide, Mert — outstanding from start to finish.”
“The Travelshop team made our trip to Istanbul truly unforgettable. Everyone was extremely professional, from the first message to the last day.”
“Our recent tour of Türkiye was an unforgettable experience, made truly exceptional by our highly knowledgeable and personable guide, Ash.”
“Mrs. Derya Buyukgol stepped up with extraordinary commitment and professionalism, securing full refunds across all our services. Truly grateful.”
Reviews are sourced from our verified Tripadvisor profile.
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