Turkish Food & Culture Tour of İstanbul - 6 Days

Highlights

• Dine at world-renowned Istanbul restaurants like Tugra and Mikla
• Explore Istanbul's historic district of Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar
• Follow an experienced guide on a street food tour of Eminonu and Kadikoy
• Sail to Buyukada, the largest of the peaceful Princes' Islands

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in İstanbul, Dinner at Tuğra Restaurant

Welcome to Turkey! Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting for you outside İstanbul International Airport to transfer you to your centrally-located hotel. Steeped in history and culture, İstanbul is known as "the bridge between Europe and Asia" and is the only city in the world that straddles two continents. Once you settle in and relax a little, get ready for dinner at Çırağan Palace Kempinski. This historic Ottoman palace houses one of İstanbul's most famous restaurants, Tuğra Restaurant and Lounge ("Tuğra" meaning "Signature of the Sultan").

Enjoy incredible views over the Bosphorus Strait from the opulent dining room adorned with intricate Ottoman-era decor. Choose from an array of dishes crafted from centuries-old recipes with a modern twist, from delectable appetizers or mezes to succulent kebabs. No meal is complete without dessert; try a homemade baklava or a warm halva paired with Turkish coffee. Continue the night with drinks along the strait or head back to the hotel to rest for tomorrow's tour of the city. 

Day 2: Guided Tour of Sultanahmet & the Grand Bazaar

Meet your guide for an adventurous day exploring the streets of İstanbul's historic district, Sultanahmet, home to many important buildings and sites from the Byzantine era. Start with a visit to one of the city's most famous sites, the Blue Mosque. Enter this historic landmark from the 17th century to see the interior lined with intricate blue tiles that lent the mosque its name. Head outside to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, now known as Sultanahmet Square. Admire the square's fountain with the mosque as a backdrop, and check out the towering Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius.

Sit down for a quick lunch at an esnaf lokantası, a type of local restaurant with a variety of pre-made meals to choose from. Explore other UNESCO World Heritage sites in the area, such as the Hagia Sophia Mosque or Topkapı Palace, before heading to the Grand Bazaar in the afternoon. Stay close to your guide as you walk down the winding streets and alleys covered by over 4,000 stalls. After strolling around the largest covered market in the world, sit down to enjoy dinner at Mikla, a Michelin-starred restaurant that innovatively combines dishes and ingredients from the chef's Turkish-Scandinavian background. 

Day 3: Street Food Tour of Eminönü & Kadıköy

You might want to skip breakfast this morning—today, you're going to eat your way through the city. Start with the European side at the commercial waterfront area of Eminönü. As you weave through the colorful backstreets, learn about and try different traditional dishes and ingredients, like local cheeses, pickles, puddings, and Turkish delight. Surround yourself with mouthwatering aromas at the Spice Bazaar, with over 85 shops selling local snacks, spices, and sweets for you to try. Grab a dürüm, a delectable wrap filled with tender meat, to keep you going.

In the afternoon, take a short ferry ride across the strait to the Asian side of the city, Kadıköy. Walk along the narrow, pedestrian-only streets, entering local shops and restaurants. Explore one of the many markets in the area; from fresh fruit to seafood to spices, they sell it all. This is the best area to try the favorite local dish of midye dolma, stuffed mussels with rice, and kokoreç, lamb intestines seasoned with traditional spices wrapped in bread. End the street food tour with a restorative glass of Turkish tea called çay in one of the traditional tea gardens overlooking the Sea of Marmara.

Day 4: Bosphorus Boat Tour, Explore Beyoğlu, Relax at a Hammam

Hop on a boat cruise across the Bosphorus Strait today, admiring both the European and Asian shores of the city. Sit back, relax, and admire popular landmarks like the Golden Horn and Ortaköy Mosque from the water. Disembark at Beyoğlu to explore the area by foot, stopping at notable sites like St. Antoine's Catholic Church, Galata Mevlevi House Museum, the Tünel District, and Neve Shalom Synagogue. Don't miss the Galata Tower, built by the Genovese as an observation tower; it's now a museum that makes up the iconic silhouette of the city.

After all the walking you've done on this trip, you deserve a rest at Hurrem Sultan Bath, a Turkish spa called a hammam. Start with a steam bath to open your pores and cleanse your skin in preparation for a body scrub to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells and impurities. After rinsing off, lay down for a full-body massage with essential oils to ease any tension you may be feeling. End the night with dinner at a meyhane, a Turkish tavern. Sample delicious mezes and fish paired with raki, a national alcoholic drink.

Day 5: Sail to Büyükada & the Princes' Islands

Get ready for a full-day adventure as you sail to Büyükada, the largest of Turkey's Princes' Islands. Set off across the Sea of Marmara for a 1.5-hour boat ride and disembark to explore the island by foot or bike. Follow your guide while they share fascinating stories about the island's history as it changed from a place of exile to the home of royalty. If you're visiting during summer, have lunch on the boat or dine in a local restaurant in the winter. Then, enjoy the rest of the afternoon on the island, exploring at your leisure.

Wander through the streets, soak in the slower-paced island life, and enjoy the stunning views of the sea. You can visit one of the beautiful beaches, like Blue Beach or Aya Nicola, or admire the many mansions in the Nizam neighborhood. If you're feeling adventurous, cycle up to the top of the island for panoramic vistas over the sea. On the way back, stop at Aya Yorgi Church, built in 1751, an important pilgrimage place for Christians. As the day winds down, join your guide for a boat ride back to İstanbul.

Day 6: Depart İstanbul

If you have time before your flight, you can explore more of İstanbul on your own. Visit any sites you may have missed, like Basilica Cistern or Chora Church, or have one last dürüm to fill your belly before your flight. Keep an eye on the clock as a driver will be picking you up from your hotel to take you to İstanbul International Airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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