Istanbul in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Napoleon defined it as "the capital of the world", Westerners were bewitched by its atmosphere and today it remains an exotic and fascinating metropolis. Five days are ideal to explore it at leisure and have time to discover its surroundings.

Before we dive into the most typical Istanbul, we will acclimatize ourselves by visiting three neighborhoods on the eastern shore. As a starting point, I have chosen Rüstem Paşa, a mosque a few meters from the Spice Bazaar.

Rüstem Pasha Mosque

If tiles are your weakness, you absolutely must visit this mosque two steps from the Golden Horn. Most tourists don't notice it because it is built on the arcades of the old market stalls.

The design bears the signature of Mimar Sinan, the most important Ottoman architect who designed another jewel of Istanbul: the Topkapi Palace. A few meters further on is our next stop.

Galata Bridge

To reach the other side of the Golden Horn, you must cross the Galata Bridge. Completed in 1845, it was remodeled twenty years later to impress an illustrious guest, Napoleon Bonaparte.

The current appearance - with the road for cars above and the pedestrian walkway below - was implemented in 1921 and since then, the bridge has not undergone too many modifications.

Strolling along its sidewalks you will see fishermen with their rods, bars, tea shops, the Istanbul skyline and the passage of boats on the Golden Horn. From here depart some cruises on the Bosphorus.

Galata Tower, the Genoese watchtower

From the fourteenth century, this area of the city hosted a Genoese colony: Pera. It was protected by walls that sheltered a flourishing commercial port. From here, the Genoese galleys sailed to their possessions on the Black Sea and made their way back to Italy.

Its origin dates back to 1348 when it was erected by the Genoese governor Rosso Doria. With the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, the Galata Tower underwent some modifications but no one thought it appropriate to demolish it.

Over the centuries, the watchtower has been a watchtower, a dungeon, an astronomical observatory and, finally, a much sought-after tourist attraction.

Take a break

Around the tower you will find dozens of restaurants and bars to appease your hunger. Personally, I recommend the Velvet Cafe.

It is known for its sweet and savory creations and the reviews speak for themselves. You can sample spinach and pistachio pie, Turkish bagels, homemade puff pastries with olives and tahini, cookies and other delicacies.

To enjoy the view, Konak Cafe is your destination. The food doesn't quite measure up to the Velvet but the view is incomparable. If you want to sit at the best tables, you'll almost certainly have to wait a few minutes. If you're in the mood for meat, head for Kapı Karaköy.

Walk down the Kamondo Stairs

During Ottoman times, Istanbul welcomed everyone and religion was not a discriminating factor. The history of this staircase owes much to this aspect, as it was built by a family of Sephardic Jews: the Camondo.

Isaac Solomon left Venice when the city was conquered by the Habsburgs (1798) and once he landed in the Ottoman capital, it did not take him long to open a bank.

In 1832, his possessions passed to his brother Abraham who had this elegant staircase built , merging neo-baroque with modernism. The stairs had a dual purpose: to shorten the distance between the street of banks (Bankalar Caddesi) and the family residence, and to facilitate the journey of young people to school.

Admire the third largest fountain in Istanbul

In the 18th century, Sultan Mahmud I had a fountain erected in Tophane Square. Its purpose was to provide water for travelers coming from the port and worshippers at the nearby Kiliç Ali Pasha Mosque.

The monument was designed by architect Kayserili Mehmed Ağa and is an excellent representation of Ottoman rococo. In the surrounding area you will find numerous cafes, stores and bars with bongs.

If on the first day we have been familiarizing ourselves with the streets of Istanbul, on the second day we focus on the essentials of the city starting with a fascinating place of worship: Hagia Sophia.

Visit the Orthodox basilica converted into a mosque

Known for its great dome, Hagia Sophia has accompanied Istanbul since the 5th century. It was born as an Orthodox cathedral, became a Catholic church and was later converted into a mosque.

With the advent of the republic, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a museum and yet it has regained its religious vocation a few years ago. Its silhouette stands out in the skyline and is a must-see of the Turkish city.

If you have time in your 5 days in Istanbul, I recommend you book a visit to Hagia Sophia to know all its history accompanied by an expert guide.

Take a break

in a restaurant

Who said that in the center you can't eat well? It's true, in the old town of every tourist city hide a few tourist traps but the Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant does not belong to this guild.

The specialties of this tavern are Ottoman recipes. The tastiest are lamb neck (Kuzu gerdan), chicken or beef casseroles and kebab cooked in a clay pot, a very scenic recipe (Alemdar, Cağaloğlu Hamamı Sk. 17).

Admire the mosaics of the Blue Mosque

Its unmistakable silhouette dominates the city, and you may not know that its minarets caused much scandal. Only the mosque in Mecca had six towers and the more orthodox religious considered that the temple of Istanbul could not replicate this peculiarity.

According to legend, while discussing the project, Ahmed I mentioned "golden minarets". However, the word "golden" had the same sound as the word "six" and the building ended up having six slender turrets. It was not a good idea to contradict the Sultan's orders.

If you are eager to get to know this Mosque as well as Hagia Sophia, it is a good idea to combine them in one visit and book a tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Explore the underground

Between the two mosques, a sober building hides a hidden treasure. Crossing its door you will enter an extraordinary place, the Basilica Cistern. It was originally a Roman basilica that was destroyed by fire. After the Nika riots in 532, Emperor Justinian I had a cistern erected to store water.

Forgotten by the Ottomans, it was rediscovered a few centuries later and is now a very attractive tourist destination. The subway cistern retains the original columns and some decorations have survived the passage of time. The best known example is the jellyfish heads protruding from the water.

Once you have finished your visit, you can have something to eat in the bars and restaurants in the area.

For the third day, I invite you to book a cruise on the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, because after so much walking, you need to pamper yourself a little. But that's not all, read on.

From there, you can see the monuments that I will tell you about below, which I also invite you to visit at street level, moving from one to another by ferry.

Haliç, the natural harbor that separates the European coast in two

The Golden Horn is a tongue of sea that insinuates itself into the heart of Istanbul. For 2000 years it was the main port of the city and was protected by long walls. To secure maritime access, a huge iron chain closed the way to enemy ships.

From here, you will enjoy a 360° panorama of European Istanbul.

Spice Bazaar

Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar (Misir Çarşisi), this is an institution in the city. If you're a cook, you'll find hundreds of exotic ingredients such as Rose Petals (a Turkish specialty), Çörek otu (Nigella seeds or sometimes black cumin) or Pul Biber, Aleppo pepper.

Visit two places of worship

The first stop is the Yeni Valide Mosque. It was built in the 18th century during the reign of Ahmet III, who dedicated it to his mother. The temple is located on Çamlıca Hill, one of the highest points in the city.

From here you can admire an incredible panorama towards the Princes' Islands and the Uludag Mountains.

Once the visit is over, you can go to the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque. It gets its name from the adjacent pier (uskudar) and is part of a complex that includes a hospital, a school and a large kitchen. This huge building was designed by Mimar Sinan, the quintessential Ottoman architect.

Navigate to Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace is a magnificent building in the Beşiktaş district that stands on land that has been reclaimed from the sea during the 18th century. It was the official residence of the sultans from 1853 to 192 and its architectural style reflects the spirit of the time.

Turkey wanted to open up to Europe and the new center of power winked at the West with this Versailles-inspired palace. I encourage you to book a visit to the Dolmabahçe Palace to also see its gardens bathed by the waters of the Bosphorus. After the visit, the ferry will take you back to the starting point.

If you are passionate about history and the First World War in particular, I recommend a trip to Gallipoli. This peninsula separates the Sea of Marmara from the Aegean Sea and has been the scene of a fierce battle between two empires: the British and the Ottoman.

Sailing to Gallipoli

The UK's goal was to capture Istanbul and establish a safe sea route between Russia and the Mediterranean. The high command believed that the Ottomans would capitulate quickly but they did not reckon with the resistance led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of the modern Turkish state.

The offensive ended up being a disaster for the attacking forces and many soldiers were left forever on the peninsula. The trip to Gallipoli is one of the most interesting excursions you can do from Istanbul for its historical interest and the beauty of the surroundings. There you can see:

• ANZAC Cove, the headquarters of the Australian and New Zealand troops during the eight months of the campaign.
• Brighton Beach, the place where the military rested between battles. It owes its name to the homonymous district of Melbourne.
• Monument to the 57th Infantry Regiment, commemorates the first soldiers who faced the British troops.
• Lone Pine Memorial, the monument that honors the Australian fallen.
• Johnston's Jolly, an Allied cemetery.
• Mehmetçik Monument, a statue depicting a soldier carrying a wounded man in his arms.

Interesting factsGenerally, tours depart from a central location in Istanbul and last between 10 and 15 hours. You will have to get up a little early but I assure you that it is worth it.

As for the cost, it usually ranges between 80 € and 120 € and includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch and an expert guide. If you decide to go, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

End the day in a special place

If you want to end the day in style, I recommend dining at Feriye, a restaurant with an impressive panoramic window overlooking the Bosphorus, the Ortaköy Mosque and the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge.

It is located in a complex of palatial buildings by the sea and offers a cuisine that reinterprets Turkish classics. If you travel to Istanbul in summer, you should book in advance. I recommend ordering:

• Mezze, an assortment of appetizers usually served before the main course.
• Karnikara, black pea hummus.
• Atom, a cream made with strained yogurt, dried cayenne peppers, garlic and butter.
• Manti, a spicy beef.
• Lamb meatdumplings.

No trip would be complete without some well-deserved relaxation. In Istanbul, leisure is synonymous with Hammam. For this reason I recommend you dedicate a morning to the delights of the Turkish baths.

End your vacation in style

After breakfast, take a stroll to Ağa hamamı, the oldest Turkish bath in the city. It was built in 1454 by Mehmet the Conqueror and was intended for himself and his male heirs.

In Ottoman culture, the hot bath was a very important ritual and an essential part of social life. Today, when booking a Turkish bath you can choose from four packages: traditional, massage, double massage (body and head) and Ottoman. You will leave reborn!

And if you want more alternatives, here's this article on Turkish baths in Istanbul.

Look for the best spots in the Balat district

In the past, the Balat neighborhood hosted a community of Jews, Muslims and Christians. In fact, many Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492 moved here. Over the years, Balat fell into decay and its colorful buildings were left in the olive tree.

Fortunately, Unesco earmarked some funds for the restoration of Istanbul's historic areas and Balat was reborn from the ashes. It is a fascinating place and is known as the hipster quarter of Istanbul.

In addition to the steep streets and colorful houses, tourists come here to admire the Greek Orthodox Fanar College - its shape and red bricks reminiscent of a castle - and take a break in the many bars, cafes and stores in the area such as the Maison Balat cafe, the Toy Museum and the Vodina street bars.

Say hello to Istanbul with a fish-based meal

Before heading back to the hotel to finish your packing, why not enjoy a meal and a nice after-dinner drink? If you want to end the trip in style, I recommend walking over to Galata to eat at a restaurant with a view - Eleos.

Its cuisine combines the tradition of Greek tavernas with the flavors of the Aegean. Eleos serves mainly seafood and from its terrace you can admire a splendid panorama over Istanbul. Take the opportunity to take some last pictures.