A ferry crossing the Bosphorus with the skyline of Eminönü, Istanbul, in the background
Istanbul, Turkey · 14 days itinerary

Istanbul: Two Weeks

Photo by Engin Yapici on Unsplash

This itinerary explores Istanbul over fourteen days. It begins in Sultanahmet with the major monuments and moves through the bazaars, the Bosphorus and Beyoğlu before crossing to the Asian side. Later days cover Balat, the Princes' Islands, museums in Karaköy, the upper Bosphorus, Eyüp and day trips to Bursa and Edirne, ending with lesser-known mosques in the historic core.

14 daysBosphorus cruisePrinces' IslandsBursa and EdirneBy travli· Checked by the travli team, September 2026

Day by day

Day 1

Sultanahmet

  1. 9:00SultanahmetSight
  2. 11:00SultanahmetSight
  3. 13:00SultanahmetWalk
  4. 14:30SultanahmetSight
Day 2

Topkapı

  1. 9:00SultanahmetSight
  2. 13:00SultanahmetWalk
  3. 14:30SultanahmetSight
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Day 3

The bazaars

  1. 9:30BeyazıtSight
  2. 12:30FatihSight
  3. 15:00EminönüSight
  4. 16:00EminönüSight
Day 4

The Bosphorus

  1. 9:30BeşiktaşSight
  2. 13:00Bosphorus cruiseBosphorusSight
  3. 17:00OrtaköySight
Day 5

Beyoğlu

  1. 10:00GalataSight
  2. 12:00BeyoğluSight
  3. 14:00İstiklal AvenueBeyoğluWalk
  4. 17:00TaksimSight
Day 6

The Asian side

  1. 10:00KadıköyWalk
  2. 13:00ModaKadıköyWalk
  3. 15:30ÜsküdarÜsküdarSight
  4. 17:30ÜsküdarSight
Day 7

Balat and the walls

  1. 9:30EdirnekapıSight
  2. 12:00EdirnekapıWalk
  3. 14:00BalatWalk
  4. 16:00Bulgarian St. Stephen ChurchBalatSight
Day 8

The Princes' Islands

  1. 9:00BüyükadaPrinces' IslandsDay trip
Day 9

Museums and Karaköy

  1. 10:00Museum of Turkish and Islamic ArtsSultanahmetSight
  2. 13:30Istanbul ModernKaraköySight
  3. 16:00KaraköyKaraköyWalk
Day 10

The upper Bosphorus

  1. 10:00RumelihisarıSarıyerSight
  2. 13:00BebekBebekWalk
  3. 15:00Sakıp Sabancı MuseumEmirganSight
Day 11

Eyüp and the Golden Horn

  1. 10:00Eyüp Sultan MosqueEyüpSight
  2. 12:00EyüpSight
  3. 14:30Rahmi M. Koç MuseumHasköySight
Day 12

Bursa

  1. 8:00BursaBursaDay trip
  2. 11:00Grand Mosque of BursaBursaSight
  3. 14:00Green Mosque, BursaBursaSight
Day 13

Edirne

  1. 8:00EdirneEdirneDay trip
  2. 11:00Selimiye MosqueEdirneSight
Day 14

Quiet Sultanahmet

  1. 10:00SultanahmetSight
  2. 12:00Sokollu Mehmed Pasha MosqueKadırgaSight
  3. 15:00Çemberlitaş HamamıÇemberlitaşSight
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Istanbul questions

Is two weeks enough for Istanbul?

Two weeks covers the historic peninsula, Asian side neighborhoods, and day trips to Bursa and Edirne. Plan daily ferry crossings and use the tram for short hops within Sultanahmet.

Do I need to book Topkapi Palace tickets ahead?

Buying online ahead saves queuing in high season, and you can book same-day. Check the official Topkapı site for the current fare; the Harem is an extra ticket.

How do I get to Bursa from Istanbul?

The quickest route is the fast ferry from Yenikapı to Bursa's Güzelyalı pier, then a metro and bus into the centre; direct buses from the Esenler terminal take about three hours. Check current fares when you book.

How do I cross the Bosphorus by ferry?

Board public ferries from Eminönü or Karaköy to Üsküdar or Kadıköy. Tap an Istanbulkart at the gate; it's the cheapest way to pay and works on trams, metro and buses too.

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