Itinerary Summary
Three days in Istanbul cover Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace with its harem and the Archaeology Museum. A one-hour flight brings you to Izmir for Ep…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Landing in Istanbul and an Evening Around Sultanahmet
10:00
2.5h
Arrival and tram to Sultanahmet
Clear immigration, buy an Istanbulkart at the airport machine and ride the M11 to Gayrettepe before switching to the Marmaray for Sirkeci. The whole trip costs less than a taxi and avoids the ring road traffic.
📍 Istanbul Airport (IST)
15:00
2h
First orientation walk on Sultanahmet Square
Walk between the two great mosques and the obelisks of the old Hippodrome to get your bearings, then find the tram stops you will use tomorrow. Street sellers are persistent, so keep walking and smile.
📍 Sultanahmet, Istanbul
19:00
2h
Dinner in a courtyard restaurant
Eat imam bayildi, white-bean stew and pide in a walled courtyard off Divan Yolu, away from the touts on the main square. Most places are alcohol-free near the mosques, so ask before ordering wine.
📍 Sultanahmet, Istanbul
💡 Pro Tip: IST is on the European side and linked to the old city by the M11 metro and Marmaray line, about 75 minutes in total. The city runs on UTC+3. Most monuments in Sultanahmet open at 09:00 and close around 17:00 in winter. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the Turkiye visa section before booking flights.
Days 2-7 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$47035%
Comfort hotels, 6 nights in Istanbul and Izmir
Food & DiningUS$27020%
Kuru Fasulye, Pide, Manti and Sutlac lunches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do you need for Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Ephesus?+
Allow at least two full days in Istanbul for Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi with its harem, plus one full day for Ephesus. Pergamon needs another half to full day. This 7-day route fits them in at a steady walking pace, but book timed entries for Topkapi and Hagia Sophia to avoid long queues.
Is the Pergamon acropolis climb manageable for older travellers?+
The acropolis sits on a steep hill reached by car or cable car, then uneven stone paths and steps. The Asclepieion below is flatter and easier. Travellers with limited mobility should use the cable car and skip the upper terraces, and visit in the morning before the heat. Wear shoes with grip, as the stone is polished and slippery.
What should I wear when visiting mosques and religious sites in Turkiye?+
Women should cover hair, shoulders and knees, and men should cover shoulders and legs. Carry a light scarf for mosque entries such as the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye. Shoes come off at the door, so wear socks or slip-on footwear. Avoid visiting during prayer times, and dress modestly at shrine and tomb sites.
How do you reach Ephesus and Pergamon from Istanbul?+
Fly from Istanbul to Izmir, about one hour, then take a car or tour transfer south to Selcuk for Ephesus, roughly another hour. Pergamon is north of Izmir, about two hours by road from Selcuk. Book internal flights early and allow a full day for each site; trains and buses serve the region, but a car saves time.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 7 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,050–1,640 (≈ €910–1,430), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: History & Culture
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