Istanbul in 7 Days: everything you need to know

A week in Istanbul is the perfect occasion to visit it in depth and, why not, explore its surroundings. The Magna Graecia cities on the eastern shore are jewels of the ancient world.

We start the trip with the essentials of Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome.

Stand open-mouthed at the Blue Mosque.

No stay in Istanbul would be complete without a visit to the Sultan Ahmet Khan I Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. The epithet is due to the mosaics inside that reproduce geometric and floral motifs.

A few centuries ago, its six minarets provoked much debate. Only the mosque in Mecca had six towers and some considered this an affront. To solve the problem, a seventh minaret had to be added to the Meccan temple. Admission is free, but if you really want to get to know it in depth, :::link|text=booking a guided tour of the Blue Mosque|element=2866::: is the smartest option.

By the way, you won't be able to enter wearing shorts or with your shoulders uncovered. For more info, I recommend you to read the post with tips for visiting Istanbul.

Stroll in a place rich in history: the Hippodrome

In the early 3rd century, the Roman emperor Septimius Severus had an arena built for horse racing. When Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, the hippodrome was remodeled to match the city. Over the years, governors added details to decorate this important piece of the city.

One of these is the majestic Egyptian Obelisk. The monument was erected in Egypt during the reign of Thutmose III and honored the victory in the Syrian military campaign. It came to Constantinople thanks to Theodosius the Great and since then dominates its surroundings. Another attraction is the Serpentiform Column that decorated the temple of Apollo at Delphi. Today, the arena has been replaced by Sultanahmet Square.

Cross the threshold of Hagia Sophia

The third stop of the day is a monument that was important to two empires: the Byzantine and the Ottoman. Like other Istanbul attractions, Hagia Sophia has also had a turbulent history. It was built during the reign of Constantine I in 325 on the foundations of a pagan temple, was damaged by fire and successively rebuilt and enlarged by Constantius I.

In the 6th century it was burned again during the Nika insurrection and with the arrival of the Turks it was converted into a mosque. Despite all these changes and destruction, it remains an icon of Istanbul and one of the most beautiful places of worship in the world. Take your time to visit it before moving on to the next stage.

End the day by seeing the whirling dervishes

Are you familiar with the concept of "Sufism". If you don't know, it is the spiritual dimension of Islam although there are several theories about it. Sufism interprets Islam in a different, more tolerant way, favoring metaphysical detachment.

Sufists reach the divine through the famous dance of the whirling dervishes and booking a ticket for a performance of the Whirling Dervishes is a must.

To start the day, I have chosen a place that dates back to Byzantine times. A sober gate separates the surface from the bowels of Istanbul.

Enter a haunted place

It is located between two of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Like other buildings in the city, it was commissioned under the reign of Justinian I and stands on the foundations of a Roman basilica. The purpose was to supply water to the imperial palace, a palace complex that has not survived the passage of time. The Basilica Cistern is a majestic space that stands out for its tranquil atmosphere and the Medusa heads that adorn the columns. I recommend you book a guided tour where you will enter without queuing and an expert guide will tell you all about this magical monument.

Delight your palate with the best Turkish meats

Surely you have eaten a kebab in your life, but the ones in Spain pale in comparison to their Turkish counterparts. If in our country is known mainly the doner, in Istanbul they have a wider range of opportunities:

• Iskender. For many, the best recipe you can try in the country. The pita is filled with roasted lamb meat, tomato sauce, sheep butter and yogurt.
• Adana, a charcoal-grilled wide skewer. It is flavored with onion, garlic, cumin and red bell pepper. It is usually served with basmati rice, herb couscous or bulgur pilaf.
• Patlıcan, the recipe for eggplant lovers. The meat is marinated for about half an hour and, once ready, cooked together with this vegetable. It is usually accompanied with a yogurt sauce.
• Şiş, a very popular version. Unlike the other kebabs, it employs smaller pieces of meat grilled on wooden skewers
• Testi, a version that comes from Cappadocia. It is a stew of meat and vegetables cooked inside an earthenware jar.

Rest on the Golden Horn

For the fourth day, we are planning a long and fascinating excursion. It is best to reserve your strength by doing a relaxing activity the evening before. For this reason, I recommend a cruise on the Bosphorus. There are dozens of excursions, some will take you for a walk along the waterfront, others include the entrance to an attraction. If you want, you can opt for an evening cruise with dinner and drinks included.

Until a few years ago, not many tourists ventured to the Asian shore. However, it is a very fascinating area and well worth a visit.

Start the day by honoring tradition

Before starting the tour, treat yourself to a kahvalti, the Turkish breakfast consisting of:

• Cheese. The assortment usually includes feta (beyaz peynir), ior (similar to cottage cheese), kasseri (a hard cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk) or other specialties
• Green and black olives
• Pastırma (cured, air-dried and spiced beef)
• Kaymak (thick cream)
• Menemen, a pan with green peppers, tomato sauce and eggs.
• Sukklu yumurta, made with dried beef sausage with egg, is another classic.

Kahvalti also includes more common ingredients such as fruits and jams. Turks often accompany these delicacies with simit, a ring of bread coated with sesame seeds. As for beverages, breakfasts include a cup of black tea. On the Asian side, you can enjoy a good breakfast in...

• Beyaz Firin, an institution since the mid-nineteenth century. I recommend you try their böreks, delicious spinach puff pastries (Yasa Cd. 23).
• Midpoint, the franchise that has conquered Turkey. In Istanbul you can find it in several places but the most scenic is undoubtedly the one in the Kadikoy neighborhood. Here you can enjoy a breakfast in front of the sea (Fener Kalamış Cd. 116).
• Ceviz Ağacı, a classic of the eastern waterfront. On Sundays you can enjoy a rich brunch with free buffet. It is located in the Koşuyolu district and is usually very busy (Muhittin Üstündağ Cd. 85).
• Süt Yumurta Reçel, an establishment known for its menem. You can fill your cup of tea as many times as you want (Ali Suavi Sokak 30).

Walk the streets of a district on the rise

No foray on the eastern shore should exclude Moda, Istanbul's fashionable district (pardon the redundancy). Indeed, if this area has risen up the rankings, much is due to this district that has benefited from the arrival of young people and hipsters.

Vintage stores, bars and pastry shops attract passers-by while antique lovers flock to Tellalzade Sokak street where the pace of shopping is much more relaxed compared to the Grand Bazaar. To see the bustling streets from a different perspective, hop on the nostalgic streetcar, a historic convoy that serves 10 stations in the neighborhood.

Stroll to Haydarpaşa

Next up is a classic Asian Istanbul landmark: the Haydarpaşa train station. German architects Otto Ritter and Helmuth Cuno designed a neo-Renaissance style building with two elegant turrets and a sandstone roof. It was inaugurated on August 19, 1908 and in its long history has witnessed important historical events.

Enjoy the sunset at Kuzguncuk

To get to the next stage, find your way to the Nakkaştepe stop. A few bus lines pass near the station that will take you there.

Kuzguncuk has something special. It rises between the Bosphorus and the hills sloping down to the sea and is known for its mansions and wooden houses. Greeks, Jews, Armenians and Turks lived here peacefully and all left their mark. Strolling around, you will see churches, synagogues and mosques and countless charming bars and cafes.

In recent years, it has gained a lot of popularity. The reason for the success is the Turkish TV series, as the neighborhood is the backdrop for numerous film shoots. It is a peaceful area that has nothing to do with the chaotic center. If you want to succeed on Instagram, you just have to look for the most suggestive corner. Perhaps immortalizing the cats resting peacefully.

A 5-day vacation in Istanbul (or more) will give you the opportunity to discover nearby locations. A good option is to cross the Aegean to explore the Asian side and the heritage of Greeks and Romans. Most tours last two days and cost around 600 €. Generally, the price includes two lunches, one night in a hotel, a professional guide and entrance fees to the attractions.

Discover the treasures of Magna Graecia

On the first day, a bus will pick you up at a central location in Istanbul around 7:00 or 8:00. The trip is quite long and an early start is necessary. These tours include an expert guide, breakfast and lunch, one night in a hotel, entrance fees to the monuments and round trip transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle. Buses usually stop at:

• Meryem Ana, the home of the Virgin Mary. According to the scriptures, Mary and St. John the Apostle fled the persecutions against Christians in Palestine and took refuge in this corner of present-day Turkey.
• Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Also known as the Temple of Diana, it was the first place of worship to use marble. Daughter of Zeus and Leto, Artemis was the Greek goddess of fertility.
• Ephesus, the pearl on the shores of the Aegean Sea. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2015 and boasts attractions such as Hadrian's Temple, the Sacred Way and the Library of Celsus
• Isa Bey Mosque, where three religions come together. It was originally a pagan temple converted into a Christian church and then a Muslim mosque. It acquired its last function in 1375 by the architect Ali of Damascus.

On the second day, the trip resumes in the morning. The driver will take you to ** Pamukkale**, a stunning natural attraction declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Cotton Castle, a place that looks like something out of a storybook. It is a natural pools originated after an earthquake. They are characterized by the white rocks that contrast with the emerald color of the waters. In my opinion it is one of the best excursions that can be made from Istanbul.
• Travertine pools, these are white limestone formations in the form of pools formed over thousands of years due to the accumulation of calcium carbonate dissolved in the water of the thermal waterfalls.
• Thermal waterfalls these thermal waters cascading through the pools in the mountain of Pamukkale. The water flowing from the waterfalls has a high concentration of minerals, so they could have healing and beneficial properties for the skin.
• Ruins of Hierapolis this ancient city located on top of Pamukkale. In Roman times, it was an important healing center due to its hot springs, until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 7th century AD.

To conclude your week, I recommend you to rest body and soul in a hammam. Below you find the destinations we like the most.

• Hürrem Sultan Hamamı, the hot springs built by Mimar Sinan, the most important Ottoman architect of all time. He was a contemporary of Michelangelo and some historians consider him his Turkish equivalent (Ayasofya Meydanı 2).
• Ağa Hamami, the Turkish bath near Taksim Square, the heart of the European quarter. Its construction dates back to the 15th century and it was originally the private hamam of Mehmed the Conqueror and his sons (Turnacıbaşı Cd. 48).
• Cağaloğlu Hamamı, the last great hamam built in the Ottoman era. It was inaugurated in 1741 and unlike other baths in Istanbul, it retains its original decoration. For the full experience, I recommend "The Ottoman Luxury Service," a pack that includes a bubble massage accompanied by Turkish tea, homemade sorbet, desserts, snacks and fruit (Prof. Kazım İsmail Gürkan Cd. 24).
• Süleymaniye Hamamı, the Turkish bath of Suleymaniye the Magnificent. It was built in 1550 for the private use of the sultan. It is located a few meters from the Suleymaniye Mosque and is the only mixed hammam in the city (Mimar Sinan Cd. 20).
• Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı, the baths built by the will of Admiral Kılıç Ali Paşa. He was one of the most important figures in the Ottoman navy and is even mentioned in Don Quixote under the name "Uchali". An attendant - natır for ladies, tellak for men - will welcome you at the entrance and accompany you throughout your stay. This haman has some gentler treatments for children. It can be a good plan if you travel to Istanbul with your little ones (Hamam Sk. 1).
• Tarihi Galatasaray Hamamı, a place that has hosted pashas, grand viziers and kadi, the Muslim judges. For relaxation, I recommend choosing a "Pasha," a treatment that includes Turkish bath, scrub, bubble bath and a 50-minute oil massage (Turnacıbaşı Cd. 8).

Turkey's most famous and representative city is enchanting and when the sun gives way to night, its enchantment is even more evident. To conclude your vacation, you can dedicate some time to enjoy the skyline. Here are the best panoramic points of Istanbul:

• Salacak, a locality in the Üsküdar district. From here you can take stunning photos of the Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi) and the western shore of the city.
• Camlica Hill, the relief where the first Greek colony of Byzantium was located. It is a natural park overlooking the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the eponymous bridge.
• Galata Tower. From the summit you can enjoy a breathtaking 360º view.
• Pierre Loti Hill. It is located above the Golden Horn and pays homage to the French writer Julien Viaud known as Pierre Loti. To avoid the crowds, I recommend you to go up here during the week.
• Otaðtepe, a place famous for its view over the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.