Istanbul in 5 days, from Sultanahmet to Pera
5 days · First stay in Istanbul, couples, long weekends, history and architecture lovers · April to June, September to November
Five days and four nights in Istanbul, in two neighbourhoods: the old city of Sultanahmet, with Topkapı, Hagia Sophia and the Süleymaniye, then Pera, across the Golden Horn, with Galata Tower, the Bosphorus cruise up to the mouth of the Black Sea and the Kılıç Ali Paşa hammam.
from 820 € per person
Price collected on 22 October 2026. Based on 2 adults, listed hotels, private airport transfers and activities, breakfast included at Hotel Ibrahim Pasha; flights, breakfast at the Pera Palace, site entry fees outside the guided tour and meals not included. Indicative price, taxes included, to be confirmed with your request.
Itinerary
- Days 1–3 Istanbul, Sultanahmet · 2 nights — Hotel Ibrahim Pasha
- Days 3–5 Istanbul, Pera · 2 nights — Pera Palace Hotel
Activities included in the indicative price
- Private transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet (price per vehicle) · 52 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts à Istanbul — accessed 23 October 2026
- Guided tour of Istanbul's highlights: Topkapı Palace and harem, Süleymaniye, Grand Bazaar, Pera, lunch included (7 hours) · 107 € per person
Public price collected on: Civitatis, visite guidée des lieux incontournables d'Istanbul — accessed 23 October 2026
- Long Bosphorus cruise on the municipal ferry, Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı, return (about 6 hours) · 6 € per person
Public price collected on: feribotseferleri.com.tr, croisière sur le Bosphore en vapeur, tarifs et horaires 2026 — accessed 22 October 2026
- Bath at the Kılıç Ali Paşa hammam, Tophane (basic package) · 55 € per person
Public price collected on: istanbul.com, meilleurs hammams d'Istanbul — accessed 22 October 2026
- Private transfer from Beyoğlu (Taksim) to Istanbul Airport (price per vehicle) · 52 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts à Istanbul — accessed 23 October 2026
How it works
Istanbul is best seen in two parts. The historic peninsula, between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, holds the Byzantine and Ottoman monuments inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye and Topkapı Palace. North of the Galata Bridge, Pera and Galata were the Genoese quarter, then the district of embassies and grand 19th-century hotels; evenings are spent here, on İstiklal Avenue and in the lanes of Karaköy.
So this stay spends two nights in each neighbourhood: the old city early in the morning, Pera at dusk, without crossing town by car every day. Istanbul is 3h30 from Paris and 3h15 from Lyon by direct flight3h30 from Brussels by direct flighta few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop.
At a glance
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque in the late afternoon | Hotel Ibrahim Pasha |
| 2 | Guided tour: Topkapı and its harem, Süleymaniye, Grand Bazaar | Hotel Ibrahim Pasha |
| 3 | Hagia Sophia and the museums, then move to Pera | Pera Palace |
| 4 | The Bosphorus by ferry to Anadolu Kavağı, hammam in the evening | Pera Palace |
| 5 | Galata Tower, Karaköy, departure |
Days 1 and 2: Sultanahmet
An Ottoman house by the Hippodrome
Istanbul Airport is 46 km from Sultanahmet, about an hour's drive without traffic; a private transfer is included in the price. You stay at Hotel Ibrahim Pasha, 24 rooms in two Ottoman houses on a quiet street by the old Hippodrome. Breakfast is included, and the rooftop bar looks over the Blue Mosque and the Sea of Marmara. The hotel was priced at about €245 a night for early June.
On the first evening, walk across Hippodrome Square to the courtyard of the Blue Mosque. The imperial mosques are places of worship: visits are outside prayer times, with arms and legs covered, and women cover their hair.
Topkapı, the Süleymaniye and the Grand Bazaar
On day two, a seven-hour guided tour links sights that are hard to fit into one day on your own. Topkapı Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans, unfolds through its successive courtyards, its treasury and its harem; it is closed on Tuesdays. The tour then moves on to the Süleymaniye, an imperial mosque of the old city, and the Grand Bazaar, closed on Sundays. It ends in Pera and on İstiklal Avenue, which you will come back to over the next days. Lunch and entry tickets are included.
Days 3 and 4: Pera and the Bosphorus
Hagia Sophia, then the Pera Palace
Day three starts early at Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century basilica that is once again a working mosque. Foreign visitors reach the upper gallery by a paid visitor route, with an entrance separate from the ground floor, which is kept for prayer; the route closes early on Friday afternoons. Close by, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, founded in 1869, hold the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Tiled Kiosk of 1472. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, in the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha built in 1520 facing the Hippodrome, has one of the world's leading carpet collections.
In the afternoon, cross to the other bank. The Pera Palace Hotel opened in 1895 for Orient Express passengers; the first hotel in Istanbul to have electric light, it keeps Agatha Christie's room 411 and Atatürk's room 101, now a museum. It was priced at about €350 a night for early June, room only. In the evening, İstiklal Avenue, a pedestrian street over a kilometre long with a red tram, leads to Taksim Square. The Pera, Galata and the Golden Horn page describes the area.
The Bosphorus to the Black Sea
On day four, the municipal ferry's long route leaves Eminönü and sails the full length of the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavağı, at the mouth of the Black Sea. The return trip takes about six hours including the stop and costs 320 Turkish lira, about €6. You pass Dolmabahçe Palace, the fortress of Rumeli Hisarı at the narrowest point of the strait, and the yalı, wooden Ottoman mansions on the water: some 360 villas and yalı survive on both shores.
In the evening, head to the Kılıç Ali Paşa hammam in Tophane, a few minutes from Karaköy, designed by the architect Sinan. The basic package costs about 3,000 Turkish lira, about €54.
Day 5: Galata and departure
Climb Galata Tower when it opens, before the crowds. Built by the Genoese in the mid-14th century as part of the Galata walls, it later served as a prison, then as a fire lookout. Then walk down to Karaköy and the Galataport promenade on the Bosphorus. A private transfer takes you to Istanbul Airport, 44 km away, about an hour without traffic.
Good to know
- Closing days. Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. The Hagia Sophia visitor route closes early on Friday afternoons for the main weekly prayer.
- Traffic. Istanbul traffic can double driving times. Between Sultanahmet and Pera, walking across the Galata Bridge is often quicker.
- When to go. Average highs rise from 22.2 °C in May to 26.9 °C in June and exceed 29 °C in July and August. Ramadan and religious holidays change opening hours at some places: see Ramadan and holidays 2027 in Turkey.
- Money. The ferry and the hammam are paid in Turkish lira; on 9 October 2026, €1 was worth 55.10 Turkish lira.
- Entry requirements. The visa and entry requirements guide covers the document required and the length of stay. The rule for your country:
Entry requirements
| Nationality | Visa | Travel document | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | No visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, continuous or split | National ID card or passport, valid for at least 150 days after the date of entry and in good condition; an expired passport is not accepted. An ID card extended by five years is officially accepted, but a valid passport is strongly recommended | France Diplomatie, Conseils aux voyageurs, Entrée / séjour (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Details: Minor travelling without one of their parents: ID card or passport valid 150 days after entry and a return travel authorisation signed by the parent(s) (service-public.fr form). French-Turkish dual nationals: carry a valid French document for the return; the Turkish authorities do not always inform the consulate of an arrest. Always carry ID. Registration on Fil d'Ariane recommended. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French citizens entering with their ID card are exempt from the 150-day validity rule, and a French passport expired for less than five years is accepted; France Diplomatie nevertheless requires 150 days' validity and states that an expired passport is not accepted. Travelling with a document valid for at least 150 days avoids any refusal, at boarding or on arrival | |||
| Belgian | No visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days | See the official page | SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Voyager en Turquie, Informations pratiques (Site last updated 2 July 2026) |
| Details: Belgian (European) driving licences are valid. Travel insurance with assistance, repatriation and legal cover is considered absolutely necessary. Belgian-Turkish dual nationals: no Belgian consular assistance in Turkey; exit bans have been reported. Registration on Travellers Online recommended. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry is possible with an ID card, with no 150-day validity requirement; a Belgian passport expired for less than five years is accepted; otherwise, the passport must remain valid for 60 days after the end of the stay, i.e. 150 days for a 90-day stay | |||
| Swiss | See the official page | The FDFA asks travellers to always carry their passport or ID card for checks — See the official page | DFAE (Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages – Turquie (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| Details: Swiss-Turkish dual nationals: treated exclusively as Turkish, in principle without Swiss consular protection; those liable for military service should check with the Turkish representation before travelling, as they could be called up. Major medical procedures and hospital stays must be paid in advance. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry is possible with an ID card, with no 150-day validity requirement; a Swiss passport expired for less than five years is accepted; otherwise, the passport must remain valid for 60 days after the end of the stay, i.e. 150 days for a 90-day stay | |||
| British | No visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism or business, on a full 'British citizen' passport; other British passport types should check with the Turkish Embassy | Passport with an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank page | GOV.UK (FCDO), Turkey, Entry requirements (Site last updated 19 October 2026) |
| Details: Carrying photo ID is a legal requirement. When leaving Turkey with a dual British-Turkish child aged 18 or under, you may need permission from the Turkish parent; some hotels refuse under-17s without a parent unless written consent is provided. Driving: a 1968 international driving permit, obtained in the UK, or a UK licence notarised in Turkish; the 1949 permit is no longer accepted; a green card for third-party insurance is required | |||
| German | No visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; leaving for a day no longer starts a new 90-day stay. The exemption does not give an absolute right of entry | Passport, temporary passport, ID card or child passport, accepted even if expired for up to one year; temporary ID card accepted but not recommended. A passport needs one blank page | Auswärtiges Amt, Türkei: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise, « Einreise und Zoll » (Site last updated 20 October 2026) |
| Details: No special rules for minors travelling alone or with one parent if they left Germany legally; a German-Turkish child needs a German document to return to Germany. German-Turkish dual nationals: treated only as Turkish, consular help limited or impossible; leave on the passport used to enter. Germans, especially those with ties to Turkey, have been refused entry or arrested over social media posts or activities in Germany. German driving licences are recognised for tourist stays. Travel health insurance with repatriation strongly recommended | |||
| Dutch | No visa for stays of up to 90 days with a Dutch passport or ID card; for longer stays, check with the Turkish embassy in the Netherlands | Passport or ID card valid for at least 150 days on arrival; a passport needs at least 1 blank page | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026) |
| Details: Each child needs their own passport or ID card; an adult travelling alone with children under 18 should carry the documents required for travelling with a minor. Dutch driving licences are valid. Dutch-Turkish dual nationals: treated as Turkish; questioning, phone searches, arrest or exit bans are possible. Always carry your passport or ID card. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch citizens entering with their ID card are exempt from the 150-day validity rule; the Dutch ministry requires 150 days for both passport and ID card | |||
| Luxembourgish | Not checked by Sabaro: see mae.gouvernement.lu | ||
| Irish | Not checked by Sabaro: see ireland.ie (DFA) | ||
| Swedish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regeringen (UD) | ||
| Danish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk) | ||
| Norwegian | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | ||
| Polish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Odyseusz (MSZ) | ||
| Czech | Not checked by Sabaro: see MZV ČR | ||
| Austrian | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | ||
| Italian | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | ||
| Spanish | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | ||
| Portuguese | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | ||
| Finnish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | ||
Rules change: always check the official website before you travel.
- Safety. Istanbul is not among the areas advised against by the foreign ministries Sabaro follows. The safety in Turkey guide goes through the country area by area. The advice from your country:
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | The country is under heightened vigilance and the terrorist risk remains high nationwide. Keep away from gatherings and demonstrations, which can lead to arrest; political statements, including sharing posts on social media from abroad, can lead to an entry or exit ban. Advised against (red): the immediate vicinity of the Syrian and Iraqi borders; movement may be restricted in Reyhanlı, Kırıkhan, Siirt, Şırnak and Hakkari districts. Advised against unless essential (orange): Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır and Batman provinces, where an escort arranged with the local authorities is recommended. Iran is advised against; the land border has been closed in the direction of Iran since 2 March 2026. Earthquakes are frequent (those of 6 February 2023 devastated the south-east): install the AFAD Acil app. Balloon flights in Cappadocia: check the operator's safety measures. From 9 to 20 November 2026, COP31 in Antalya may disrupt travel and limit hotel availability. | Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | The risk of terrorist attacks persists nationwide: stay alert and avoid crowds, political gatherings and the vicinity of official buildings. All travel near the Turkish-Syrian and Turkish-Iraqi borders is strongly advised against; as a precaution, the Iranian border areas are advised against. When travelling to Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, Muş, Bingöl, Bitlis, Batman, Kars, Iğdır, Ağrı, Van, Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Siirt or Tunceli provinces, also inform the Belgian embassy in Ankara. The earthquakes of 6 February 2023 severely hit eleven south-eastern provinces, including Gaziantep, Hatay, Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman. Forest fires in summer in the south and south-west; illicit alcohol causes dozens of deaths every month: buy only from official shops and bars. | SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (Belgique), Conseils aux voyageurs (Site last updated 2 July 2026) |
| Switzerland | Travel to certain parts of the country is advised against. The risk of terrorist attacks persists at all times nationwide; most attacks have taken place in the south-east, Istanbul and Ankara. Regular protests and demonstrations, especially in Istanbul, with possible local curfews. Advised against: travel to the border areas with Syria and Iraq (landmines along the eastern border). Advised against for tourism and any non-urgent travel: Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. In the other provinces bordering Syria and Iraq, the greatest caution: travel by day, avoid rural roads, be accompanied by a trusted local person. Much of the country lies in an earthquake zone; forest fires in summer. | Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| United Kingdom | Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey, mostly in the south-east, Ankara and Istanbul; targets include public buildings, places of worship, airports and large gatherings. Regular demonstrations in Istanbul and other cities, which may turn violent: avoid them. Against all travel: within 10 km of the Syrian border. Hakkari province: permission from the Governor's Office is needed for areas near the Iraqi and Iranian borders. Mount Ararat (Ağrı province): special military zone, paid permit from the Doğubayazıt government office. Earthquakes are frequent (magnitude 6.2 in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025); wildfires in summer. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, ministère britannique des affaires étrangères), Foreign travel advice (Site last updated 19 October 2026) |
| Germany | Terrorist threat in all parts of the country, especially the large cities; frequent demonstrations in big cities, to be avoided. In the immediate border area with Syria (Şanlıurfa and Mardin provinces) and with Iraq, avoid all travel that is not strictly necessary; landmines near the Syrian border, where all photography is forbidden. German citizens have been arbitrarily arrested, banned from leaving or refused entry, often over social media posts, shares or likes, a petition or membership of a Kurdish association in Germany; phones may be checked on arrival. People with family ties in Turkey and dual nationals are most affected. The 2023 earthquakes caused tens of thousands of casualties in eleven south-eastern provinces. Any road accident can lead to an exit ban. | Auswärtiges Amt (ministère fédéral des affaires étrangères, Allemagne), Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 20 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Turkey-specific advice: it refers travellers to the travel advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de la Défense, de la Coopération et du Commerce extérieur (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 22 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution nationwide (level 2 of 4). High terrorist threat, with attacks in Istanbul and Ankara; the situation in the south-east is particularly serious. All travel strongly advised against within 10 km of the Syrian border; all but essential travel advised against to Hatay, Kilis and Şırnak provinces. A ban on demonstrations is in force in Istanbul: avoid all gatherings. The earthquakes of 6 February 2023 hit ten south-eastern provinces, including Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman and Hatay. Hot-air balloon accidents in Cappadocia and paragliding accidents at Ölüdeniz and Fethiye: use reputable operators and check your insurance. | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, ministère irlandais des affaires étrangères), Travel advice (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| Sweden | The Swedish ministry advises against all travel to the area near Syria and Iraq, up to 10 km from the Syrian and Iraqi borders, and against non-essential travel to the whole of the border provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari (decision of 28 March 2022, in force until further notice). The embassy in Ankara asks for particular caution near the Iranian border and reports temporary security zones, closed or restricted, in several border provinces. Stay alert to the risk of attacks in crowded places; avoid demonstrations. | Utrikesdepartementet (UD, ministère suédois des affaires étrangères), UD avråder (Site last updated 28 March 2022) |
| Denmark | The whole country except the orange and red zones: take extra care because of the risk of unrest and terrorism. Orange (non-essential travel advised against): the south-eastern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari; if you go, use main roads only, travel outside towns by day only and never alone. Red (all travel advised against): within 10 km of the borders with Syria and Iraq. Security zones may be closed at short notice, especially in the east; do not trek alone in the south-eastern mountains. Risk of severe earthquakes and of forest fires in summer. | Udenrigsministeriet (ministère danois des affaires étrangères), Rejsevejledninger (Site last updated 17 June 2026) |
| Poland | Level 1, normal caution, for the country. Level 4 (do not travel): the 30 km border strip with Syria, Iraq and Iran in Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, Hakkari, Van, Ağrı and Iğdır provinces. Level 3 (avoid travel): Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Van provinces outside the cities of the same name, and Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak, Hakkari, Ağrı, Iğdır, Diyarbakır, Siirt and Batman provinces. Level 2 (increased caution): the cities of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Van. Terrorist and earthquake risk; do not photograph military sites or fly drones near them. | Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (ministère polonais des affaires étrangères), service Odyseusz (Site last updated 15 October 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution. Weigh carefully any travel to the big cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) and to the regions bordering Syria, Iraq and Iran, where Turkish armed forces are heavily present. The main tourist areas, such as the Mediterranean riviera from Antalya to Alanya and the Aegean region, are considered safe. Strictly avoid crowds and demonstrations; transport may be disrupted. | Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (ministère tchèque des affaires étrangères), Upozornění na cesty (Site last updated 12 March 2026) |
| Netherlands | Yellow for most of the country: specific security risks. Red, do not travel: the Turkey-Syria border area and the Turkey-Iraq border area. Orange, essential travel only: Şırnak and Hakkari provinces, where violence occurs regularly, especially at night in remote rural areas, and the Habur border crossing (Iraq), keeping to the main road. Higher risk of terrorist attacks nationwide (PKK, Islamic State); regular demonstrations, especially in Istanbul. Turkey's disinformation law provides up to 3 years in prison for sharing messages deemed false. Earthquake-prone country; forest fires in summer. | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
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Frequently asked questions
Can we stay on the Bosphorus?
Yes. The Çırağan Palace Kempinski, a former imperial palace, and the Four Seasons at the Bosphorus, in the 19th-century Atik Pasha palace, are on the water in Beşiktaş. They replace the Pera Palace, at a markedly higher price.
Should Topkapı and Hagia Sophia be booked in advance?
The day-two guided tour includes priority tickets for Topkapı. For Hagia Sophia, arrive early in the morning, when the queue is shortest.
Can the stay be extended?
Yes. The Princes' Islands are about an hour and a half by ferry from Kabataş. You can also continue to Cappadocia, as in the Istanbul and Cappadocia in 8 days idea.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes, at a slower pace: the Bosphorus by boat and Galata Tower appeal to children. At Galata Tower, under-18s must be accompanied by their parents.
A travel advisor replies by email. Free, no commitment.