The Ultimate 6-Day Istanbul Itinerary: Where to Stay, What to Eat, & Lessons from Our June Trip
Six days in Istanbul were exactly enough to figure out what we'd repeat in a heartbeat and what we'd skip next time. We flew into IST in early June, based ourselves in a cozy Airbnb near Galata Tower, and spent our days working through the city's big-ticket sights, wandering neighborhoods, and eating our way through everything from standout meals to a few I’d recommend passing on. This post covers it all: how we got from the airport into the city, where we stayed, what we did, what we ate, and the honest pros and cons about the things we'd absolutely do again and the things we wouldn't.
Getting from IST Airport into Istanbul: Our Private Transfer Experience
Book the Transfer
Typically, we try to take public transportation into the city when traveling to Europe, but that wasn't a great option coming from IST Airport into Istanbul. We'd originally planned to grab an Uber or taxi, but then Nick found Istanbul Shuttle Port, a private airport transfer service, and I'm so glad he did. They were waiting for us when we arrived, the car was very clean, and they dropped us off right in front of our Airbnb. We also scheduled them for our return flight, which left at 6 am and they were right on time and even showed up in a Maybach SUV! I highly recommend this private airport transfer. There is an option to book in advance, but we actually booked on our flight to IST, so they do accept last-minute bookings. Our driver was very helpful with our luggage, there was water waiting in the private transfer, and the communication was very easy. Overall, we paid $128, which was round-trip. It takes about 45 minutes to get from IST to the Galata Tower, and it was 100% worth it. If you want to see what our full travel day looked like, check out this video!
Where We Stayed: Our Airbnb in the Galata Tower Neighborhood
The Bosphorus Strait not only separates Istanbul into two different continents, but it also bisects the city into two very distinct parts. The Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are both in the Fatih District, and the Galata Tower and Istiklal Street (the most famous pedestrian street in Istanbul) are both on the other side of the bridge. I wanted the shopping and more vibrant nightlife, so we stayed in this Airbnb, which was right next to the Galata Tower, in the Karaköy neighborhood. It was a 1-minute walk to Istiklal Street, a 1-minute walk to the Galata Tower and Galata Bridge, and 2 minutes to the subway. The apartment was a one-bedroom, with two full baths, a full kitchen, living room, and washing machine, which is a must when we travel. Even if you choose not to stay in this exact apartment, I would definitely recommend staying in this area.
What We Did: Our Istanbul Itinerary and Excursions
We stayed in Istanbul for 6 days, but to be honest, you could probably do it all in 4 days. Several historical and religious sites are a must-add to your itinerary, but they are all pretty much in the same location in the Fatih District. These are the Istanbul excursions I would absolutely add to your itinerary.
If you’ve seen the movie Inferno, then you should be familiar with this underground water source. But if you haven’t, then you definitely need to visit the oldest cistern in the city. Dating back to the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern is truly amazing. In fact, it still hosts concerts and gatherings throughout the year. However, make sure to check availability before booking your ticket. The Turkish government recently took over the Basilica Cistern, and it was actually closed part of the time we were there.
The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are literally facing each other and can easily be visited on the same day. In fact, I would highly recommend this because both require pants to be worn by the men, and ladies have to cover their knees, shoulders, and hair. If you are visiting in the summer, it can be very warm, so the fewer days you have to wear pants, the better. Make sure you check the call to prayer times before planning your visits to the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque because both close 45 minutes prior to each call to prayer and remain closed up to an hour after. Also, make sure to wear or bring a pair of socks with you to the Blue Mosque. You are required to remove your shoes when you enter.
Istanbul's Asian Side: Ferry from Karaköy to Üsküdar and a Perfect Day in Kadıköy
The absolute best way to see the Bosphorus Strait is by taking the ferry to the Asian side. You don’t need a passport, and thousands of Turkish citizens actually use this method of transportation every day to commute back and forth to work. Most locals use their Istanbulkart to tap and pay for transportation, but you can also use Apple Pay. The total cost of the ferry each way was about $5 per person, and was significantly cheaper than a private boat or dinner cruise. The Asian side of Istanbul was our absolute favorite part of the city! For the perfect day in Turkey, take a late morning ferry from the Karaköy ferry port to the Üsküdar stop on the Asian side. Then, work your way all the way to Kadıköy, stopping to shop at Mudo (this is where Nick started his linen collection), and then work your way back down to the water, stopping at all of the shops and markets along the way. The Kadıköy street food was some of the best food we ate the entire trip.
Check out this video for a complete review all of all of these excursions plus a list of things you could probably skip.
What We Ate: The Great Meals, the Just-Okay Ones, and Our Top Recommendations
Where to Eat in Istanbul
Breakfast and Cafes:
Minoa Pera: a great blend of traditional Turkish breakfast and American breakfast, and only a 1 minute minute walk from the Galata Tower. The prices were very reasonable, the portions were massive (the picture below shows a serving for 1), and the outdoor seating was perfect. Not my first pick for coffee, but the food was delicious.
Cafe Privato: the most Instagrammable of all of the places mentioned. Famous for its bookshelf staircase, Cafe Privato is part bookstore, part breakfast and cafe, located in the Beyoglu neighborhood. I would also recommend stopping by in the afternoon for one of their cakes or pastries.
Noir Pit Coffee Co: this is where the locals go in theFıratlı Pasajı neighborhood. We enjoyed adelicious croissant and coffee before our ferry ride to the Asian side of Istanbul, and this was the perfect spot. Not as many offerings, but great if you are looking for a smaller meal to start the day.
Galata Süheyla: if you are looking for a spot the locals go to and a traditional Turkish breakfast, this is where you should go, which is also in the Beyoglu area. Everything we ordered tasted amazing and definitely fills you up for a long day of sightseeing.
Lunch, Dinner, and Bars:
Bağ Pera Wine: as a wine lover, I was so happy to stumble across this wine bar right by Istiklal Street. All of the wines were from Turkey; there are tasting options so you can enjoy wine from all over the country, and the staff was so nice and knowledgeable when making recommendations. You can stay for dinner, but we liked it better as a pre-dinner drink spot.
Şehzade Cağ Kebap: located in the Fatih District, this is one of the best meals that we had. You choose your meats, and then choose from the sides that they offer. And from there, you build your meal. There is no alcohol (which is common for most restaurants in the Fatih District), but we enjoyed an ice-cold Fanta and people watched throughout our meal.
Borsam Taşfırın Bahariye: the closest thing you’ll get to a flatbread pizza, but better. We visited the location on the Asian side, near Kadıköy. Make sure to grab a seat right next to the prep line, so you see how they make the Lahmacun from start to finish.
What We'd Do Again (and What We Wouldn't)
What to Prioritize on Your Istanbul Itinerary
If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, there are 3 things I would absolutely recommend doing while you are there:
Absolutely visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern. Buy the tour package that includes all 3, and spend one full day visiting these religious and historical sites in the Fatih District. They are all located right next to each other, so it is easy to visit all 3 in one day.
Take the ferry to the Asian side! Go hungry, wear your comfortable walking shoes, and spend the afternoon wandering the Kadıköy neighborhood. Buy spices from the spice markets, stop and have a beer at one of the restaurants by the water, and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for $5.
Make breakfast your main meal. Whether you visit Galata Süheyla for a traditional Turkish breakfast or stop by Cafe Privato for Instagram pictures and an omelette, make breakfast your main meal.
What's Not Worth Your Time or Money in Istanbul.
Seven Hills Restaurant. You’ve seen it on social media, and the views are absolutely incredible, but the food was mediocre and you have to dodge the pigeons the whole time (I obviously did not make it out unharmed…)
A Bosphorus dinner cruise. Don’t pay over $100 for a dinner cruise along the Bosphorus Strait when you can pay $5 to take the ferry and see the same sights. The weather on deck was cold, so we spent most of the night inside on the cruise, and the food was not very good. Save your money on this one.
