Tours / Istanbul Essentials
Istanbul Essentials
The best of Istanbul in a long weekend, ideal as a start or end to a bigger trip.
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Istanbul
- Price: free custom quote for your dates
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapı Palace
- Basilica Cistern
- Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus cruise
- Spice Bazaar
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Istanbul
Private transfer to your hotel. Free evening; optional welcome dinner in Sultanahmet.
- Day 2
Old City
Guided day: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace. Evening free.
- Day 3
Bazaars and the Bosphorus
Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar in the morning, then a cruise along the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. Optional: Turkish bath (hamam) experience.
- Day 4
Depart
Free time, then private transfer to the airport.
Add-ons: Food tour in Kadıköy (Asian side) · Whirling dervish ceremony · Princes' Islands day trip
What's included
- Hotel nights as listed, with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Transfers between cities (domestic flights or private vehicle, as listed)
- English-speaking licensed guide on touring days
- Entrance fees for sites listed in the itinerary
- Local support contact on WhatsApp during the trip
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Visa / e-Visa fees if your passport requires one
- Lunches and dinners unless listed
- Optional activities (e.g. balloon flight) unless listed
- Tips for guides and drivers
Good to know
- Hot-air balloon flights depend on the weather and are confirmed by the authorities on the morning of the flight. If yours is cancelled we will try to rebook on another morning where the itinerary allows.
- Mosques require modest dress: shoulders and knees covered; women bring a scarf for the head.
- Some sites (Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cappadocia valleys) involve uneven ground and walking. Tell us about any mobility needs and we'll adapt the plan.
Want to change something?
Add days, swap hotels or combine with another region. A local specialist will tailor it for free.
Customize This Tour