Istanbul in 4 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Have you booked an excursion to Istanbul? Great! The metropolis between Europe and Asia is simply wonderful. A four-day vacation will give you the opportunity to discover the best monuments of Istanbul, taste the typical flavors and immerse yourself in its atmosphere both chaotic and haunted. You will also have the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle to see quieter corners. Read on and don't miss any of the things to do and see in Istanbul.

To kick off the vacation, we start with the essentials of the Turkish city: Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı). They are located in the heart of the old town within walking distance of each other. We start the tour in the basilica symbol of cultural mixing....

Step inside Hagia Sophia, the jewel of Byzantine architecture

It was built in only six years (532 - 537) and inaugurated by Emperor Justinian. Various marbles were used to clad walls and columns: white from Marmara, green from Euboea, yellow from Africa and pink from Synnada. Being located at the highest point of Istanbul, the four minarets and the dome are visible from all over the city.

With the Ottoman conquest it was converted into a mosque and the mosaics inside were covered with lime. Nevertheless, they were fascinated by this architectural masterpiece. A few centuries later, the father of modern Turkey, Atatürk, turned it into a museum.

But, in 2020, it has been turned back into a mosque by Erdogan's will. Now that it has become a place of worship again, it is undoubtedly one of the best mosques in Istanbul. Learn all about its history in detail by booking a guided tour of Hagia Sophia.

Visit the Blue Mosque

Built in the 17th century, it is considered the last great work of the Ottoman Empire. During construction, a few critical voices questioned Sultan Ahmed I's choice. The bone of contention was the budget, as it was financed with the city's money and not with war booty.

Fortunately, the sultan did not change his mind and today we can enjoy the most beautiful mosque in Istanbul. Inside, the large stained glass windows, the suggestive lamps hanging from the ceiling and the mosaics depicting tulips, fruits and vegetables stand out. Discover all its nooks and crannies by booking a guided tour of the Blue Mosque.

Enter the Cistern Basilica

A short distance from Hagia Sophia is the Basilica Cistern which, built during the reign of Justinian I (527 AD - 565 AD), ensured the water supply to the Great Palace of Constantinople. After the conquest of Byzantium by Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottomans preferred running water and it was abandoned. But in the mid-16th century, the Dutch explorer Gyllus discovered the subway cistern and told the story in his travel book. This magical place was brought out of oblivion.

Today, it is a much sought-after attraction, especially for its haunted atmosphere, and a guided tour of the Cistern Basilica can be booked. After crossing the threshold, you will enter an atmosphere where peace and tranquility reign. There is still water and walkways will allow you to walk under its columns.

Enjoy a dinner with a view

After your visit, you can stroll around the neighborhood, go back to the hotel to freshen up and then head out again for a nice dinner. In the vicinity of this day's three attractions is a seafood restaurant with an incredible view of the Sea of Marmara: Seafront Lounge. In addition to fish and seafood, you can enjoy salads, vegan dishes and traditional desserts (Akbıyık Cd. 3). You can also book a gastronomic tour of Istanbul to get to know all the delights of crazy gastronomy.

If on the first day we focused on Istanbul's must-sees, today we focus on an often overlooked attraction...

Be amazed by the Topkapi Palace

Istanbul is so beautiful that some attractions get overshadowed. Topkapi Palace is one of these, yet it is an enchanting mansion that will transport you back to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire. Built during the reign of Mehmed II, it was the center of political power until 1853 when Sultan Abdülmecit I moved the court to Dolmabahçe Palace.

The complex is very extensive and has thousands of treasures to discover. Therefore, it is almost essential to book a guided tour of the Topkapi Palace to enjoy the whole. Even so, here are the five places that have impacted me the most:

• Courtyard of the Favorites: where the Sultan's concubines lived who for some reason were not married to him.
• Imperial Hall: a vaulted and richly decorated room. In the middle is the throne.
• Harem: a large structure with more than 400 rooms.
• Divan: the highest council of state.
• Treasure Room.

Rest body and soul in Gülhane Park.

A few meters from the Topkapi Palace is the oldest park in the city. Its name means "house of roses" and in Ottoman times it was part of the imperial garden. It remained in the possession of the sultans until 1912 when it opened its doors to the rest of the citizens.

In its ample surface there are centennial oaks and walnut trees, floral decorations, the first statue of Atatürk and a great lagoon. If you are traveling with children to Istanbul, it is a perfect option for them to play in the leisure areas.

Find a bargain in the Grand Bazaar

After a well-deserved rest, take the streetcar from Gülhane station in the direction of Bağcılar and get off at the Beyazıt - Kapalıçarşı stop. Here you will find **one of the largest and oldest markets in the world: the Grand Bazaar.

It is located near the walls and its construction began shortly after the Ottoman conquest. The Grand Bazaar was born to stimulate the economic prosperity of the city and to this day continues to attract thousands of customers. If you want to go home with a typical souvenir or are looking for a Christmas gift, the Grand Bazaar is the place to go. To give you an idea, you can buy the following products:

• Carpets and kilims: rugs that are characterized by their eye-catching designs. If you are interested in them, I recommend you to go to Şişko Osman, Dhoku or Şengör Halı.
• Çay**, Turkish tea**: locals prefer black tea accompanied with cakes and cookies both sweet and savory. However, there is no shortage of more fragrant fragrances such as jasmine, lemon or pomegranate.
• Typical sweets": the most famous is the baklava, a puff pastry with pistachios, honey, nuts and sesame. Take the opportunity to taste a künefe (a dough composed of thin threads called kataifi with a cheese filling and topped with sugar, nuts and lemon) and a lokma**, a fried bread sphere glazed with honey, syrup and cinnamon.
• Hammam accessories: the most characteristic garment is the peştemal, a cotton towel and a fringed striped design.
• Ceramics: a Turkish classic. Traditional designs reproduce tulips, but you can find objects in Hittite style (inspired by Anatolian cave paintings) or contemporary.
• Jewelry: stores specializing in gold are concentrated on Kalpakçılarbaşı Street. On the other hand, silver jewelry can be found in the Old Bazaar (Iç Bedesten).

The Princes Islands (Kızıl Adalar) are an archipelago in the Sea of Marmara composed of nine cays: Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınalıada, Sedef, Yassıada, Tavşan, Kaşık, and Sivriada. In the 19th century, this natural paradise has become a vacation destination for the wealthy classes who built elegant Victorian-style mansions.

Take a ferry and get away from the hustle and bustle

On the Princes Islands, time seems to have stopped: there are no cars and you can only travel by bicycle or electric vehicles. To reach this peaceful corner, all you need to do is take a ferry from the neighborhoods of Kabataş (European shore) or Kadiköy (Asian shore). Alternatively, you can book an excursion to the Princes Islands that includes boat transportation and an expert guide. From Istanbul, the trip takes about an hour and a half.

If you visit Turkey in summer, I recommend going to the Princes Islands between Monday and Thursday. During the weekends, thousands of people from Istanbul leave old Constantinople to enjoy the beaches and stroll through the pine forests. In general, it is best to visit in spring and autumn. Most boats will take you to Büyükada, the largest of the archipelago. Once there, you will be able to do different activities:

• Explore the island. On top of the hill is Aya Yorgi, an orthodox monastery built in 1905. Its main attraction is the icon showing St. George killing a monster that comes out of the sea. Further down, Çankaya Street is home to magnificent residences such as the Yalman Mansion and the Fabiato, Izzet Pasha and Mizzi pavilions.
• Enjoy the beaches. The longest and wildest is Halik Koyu and is located in the northwest. If you are traveling with small children, Aya Nikola and Nakibey are ideal.
• Renting a bicycle is the best way to tour the island. Büyükada has an excursion route that starts from the main square and touches the most beautiful spots of the surroundings.
• Enjoy water sports: paddle surfing, windsurfing, sailing on a sailboat, etc.
• Admire the ruins of Trotsky's house. After being expelled from the Soviet Union, the Russian politician lived four years in Büyükada (Hamlacı Sk. 6).

Say goodbye to the island with a fish dinner

In Büyükada, the restaurant that collects positive reviews is Secret Garden. It is located in a 19th century wooden mansion restored in 2013. The specialty is grilled fish cooked and presented with a modern touch. Other claims are its magnificent terrace and its careful decoration to the smallest detail (Çiçekli Yalı Sk. 24). To return to Istanbul you can opt for the water cab.

With the decline of the Roman Empire and the consequent separation into two entities, Constantinople became the most important metropolis of the ancient world. The Byzantine emperors embellished the city with formidable buildings and Christian churches. Fortunately, the traces of this civilization have not been erased by the Ottoman conquest...

Start at the Hippodrome

We start the route at what is now Sultanahmet Square. To do so, hop on the Istanbul tourist bus to get there comfortably. In the past, the Hippodrome of Constantinople had a capacity of 30,000 people. The elongated shape of the square and the Obelisk of Theodosius remind us of its past. This monument comes from the temple of Karnak (Egypt) and was moved to the heart of Istanbul in 390.

At the other end of the square is the German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi), a small arbor that Emperor Wilhelm II gave to the sultan in 1901 as a token of friendship. After the walk, head towards the Golden Horn, pass Sultan Ahmet Square and in a few minutes you will reach the next stage.

Don't miss St. Irene's Church, the first one in Istanbul

A few meters from the Topkapi Palace, one of the best monuments of Istanbul, stands a dean of the metropolis straddling Europe and Asia. Its origins are somewhat uncertain but it is considered to have been built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. It housed the Patriarchate of Constantinople until the construction of Hagia Sophia.

Its particularity lies in the dome that is not supported by columns but by the vault. The interior is very simple and highlighting the black silhouette of a cross in the semi-dome. Throughout its history it has had multiple uses: armory, museum of military antiquities and concert hall.

Visit the Valens Aqueduct

When it was built in the 4th century, the Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri) was one kilometer long and carried water to the capital from the Belgrade Forest. It was part of a larger network that ensured water supply to the largest city in the ancient world. Today, only a couple of sections are still standing and the most imposing is located in the Fatih district.

Enter the Church of St. Savior of Cora

Being located in the Edirnekapi neighborhood and quite far from the busy area, most tourists discard St. Savior of Cora to visit more central attractions. However, if your stay is 4, 5 or 7 days in Istanbul it is well worth the trip.

The place of worship hosts the most beautiful mosaics of the city that stand out for the bright colors, the huge size and the strong symbolic load. The most remarkable are the Christ enthroned with the patron Theodore Metochites, the Dormition of the Virgin and the Christ Pantocrator (Kariye Cami Sk. 18).

Say goodbye to Istanbul from the sea

The fourth day is the last chance to take photos that are going to reap likes on Instagram. As you've seen, there's plenty to do and see in Istanbul. To immortalize the best sights, there's nothing better than booking a cruise on the Bosphorus. Head away from St. Savior's Church and head out to sea.

The boats cross the Golden Horn and pass in front of monuments such as Rumelia Castle, Beylerbeyi Palace and St. Stephen of the Bulgarians, one of the few churches built in cast iron. The experience lasts about an hour and a quarter. You can also book a Bosphorus cruise with music and dinner if you prefer to enjoy the illuminated city at dusk.