Istanbul rewards walking. The historic peninsula is small; the Bosphorus side trips are the side dish. Plan three days in Sultanahmet and two on the European/Asian sides for balance.
No. 01
Hagia Sophia at opening
1,500 years of Christian and Islamic architecture in one dome.
Free entry, but the queue stretches an hour by 10 a.m.
Tip · Open from 10 a.m.; visit on a weekday to avoid Friday prayer closure.
No. 02
Blue Mosque interior
20,000 İznik tiles under six minarets.
Free, working mosque — closes briefly for the five daily prayers.
Tip · Time your visit between prayer calls; women should bring a headscarf.
No. 03
Grand Bazaar wander
4,000 shops in 61 covered streets since 1461.
Not for shopping — for the labyrinth experience. Stop for Turkish coffee in one of the hidden hans.
Tip · Closed Sundays. Don't bargain unless you really intend to buy.
No. 04
Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü
1.5-hour public ferry up the strait.
Locals' ferry beats tourist cruises — same view, 15 lira instead of 50 euro.
Tip · Take the 'long Bosphorus tour' from Eminönü; it stops in Anadolu Kavağı for lunch.
No. 05
Basilica Cistern
6th-century underground water palace with Medusa columns.
Recently re-lit and reopened — atmospheric, cool, and a great mid-afternoon stop.
Tip · Book online to skip the line; the audio guide is worth it.
No. 06
Süleymaniye Mosque view
Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, with the city laid out below.
Quieter and grander than the Blue Mosque, with the best free terrace view in town.
Tip · Free; combine with kuru fasulye at the famous bean restaurants on the back street.
No. 07
Galata Tower and Karaköy walk
14th-century tower with the city's classic Bosphorus view.
The tower is overpriced (350 lira) — but the walk through Karaköy to it, past coffee roasters and galleries, is the real attraction.
Tip · For the same view free: rooftop bar at the Anjelique or Soho House.
No. 08
Asian-side day in Kadıköy
20-minute ferry to a foodie neighborhood on the other continent.
Less touristed, with the city's best food market and dozens of meyhanes (taverns).
Tip · Try Çiya Sofrası for regional Anatolian dishes.
No. 09
Turkish bath (hamam)
Çemberlitaş or Kılıç Ali Paşa — 16th-century Sinan-built hamams.
A 90-minute scrub and steam in a 500-year-old building is the Istanbul reset.
Tip · Book the 'full traditional' package; tip the attendant 10%.
No. 10
Sunset on the Galata Bridge
Fishermen on top, fish-sandwich stalls below.
The Golden Horn going gold, with the city's silhouette in front of you.
Tip · Eat balık ekmek (mackerel sandwich) at Eminönü for 80 lira — Istanbul's iconic snack.
Istanbul is layered — every alley has a 1,000-year story under it. Walk slowly, drink çay constantly, and you'll start to feel it.