Istanbul
Istanbul spans two continents across the Bosphorus, pairing centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history with lively bazaars, waterfront neighbourhoods and a food scene people keep coming back for.
Istanbul spans two continents across the Bosphorus, pairing centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history with lively bazaars, waterfront neighbourhoods and a food scene people keep coming back for.
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How Troovz stays freeTwo days add Galata Tower, Süleymaniye Mosque and the Spice Bazaar, with a Bosphorus cruise and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
Temporarily closedFethiye Mosque · Great Palace Mosaic Museum
Weekend · 2 days · 2 adults ·
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62–3 min walk
09:32 Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square) · Morning · 20–30 min5–7 min walk
09:57 Basilica Cistern · Morning · 30–45 min4–5 min walk
10:31 Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque · Morning · 45–60 min9–12 min walk
11:25 Topkapı Palace · Morning · 3–4 hT1 · about 7–16 min
14:41 Grand Bazaar · Afternoon · 90–120 min26A · about 7–13 min
09:58 Süleymaniye Mosque · Morning · 60–90 min12–14 min walk
11:09 Spice Bazaar · Morning · 30–45 min7–9 min walk
11:46 Bosphorus cruise · Morning · 90–150 min14–18 min walk
13:30 Istanbul Archaeology Museums · Midday · 120–150 min11–14 min walk
15:41 Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts · Afternoon · 60–90 minQuick answers to common questions.
The second day crosses the Golden Horn to Galata Tower, comes back to the Süleymaniye Mosque on its hill and down through the Spice Bazaar to the water, where a Bosphorus cruise leaves; it ends in the old city at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. It is the plan's first day on the water. As of 17 Oct 2026.
Two days are a short but complete first visit: the monuments of Sultanahmet on one day, the Golden Horn and the water on the other. They leave out Dolmabahçe Palace and İstiklal Avenue, the neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener, and the Asian side. Those come on the next days of the main plan. As of 17 Oct 2026.
Walk Sultanahmet on the first day and save the cruise for the second, when the route is already at the Spice Bazaar by the Eminönü piers. Seeing the city from the Bosphorus between two hills, Galata and the Süleymaniye, also breaks up the climbing. The Süleymaniye Mosque's terrace looks over the Golden Horn. As of 17 Oct 2026.
Besides the monuments, two days include three museums: Topkapı Palace's treasury and halls on the first day, then the Istanbul Archaeology Museums and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts on the second. The shopping stops are the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, one each day. As of 17 Oct 2026.