🗓️ 1 Woche in Istanbul: Der vollständige Kultureintauchen-Plan

Istanbul isn’t a city you visit — it’s a city you feel. With over 2,000 years of layered history, vibrant street life, and rich culinary traditions, it deserves more than a rushed walk through Sultanahmet. If you’ve got one full week in Istanbul, this itinerary will take you deep — through empires, across continents, into bustling markets and hammams, and back out into sunset-lit ferry rides and rooftop feasts.

This is your 7-day cultural immersion plan: a perfect blend of history, food, religion, art, local life, and rest.

📅 Day 1 – The Imperial Core (Sultanahmet)

Start your journey with Istanbul’s most iconic sights in the Old City:

• Hagia Sophia (Mosque & Museum)
• Blaue Moschee (early morning or late afternoon)
• Cisterna Basilica
• Topkapi-Palast (including the Harem section)
• Gülhane-Park for a relaxing stroll afterward

Mittagessen: Try traditional Turkish meatballs at Sultanahmet Köftecisi

Abend: Rooftop dinner with views of Hagia Sophia
👉 [Book skip-the-line tickets for Hagia Sophia + Topkapi here]

📅 Day 2 – Religion, Architecture & Local Vibes

Explore Istanbul’s religious heart and peaceful backstreets:

• Süleymaniye-Moschee (Sinan’s masterpiece)
• Rustem Pasha Mosque (stunning Iznik tiles)
• Großer Basar – focus on carpets, antiques, and gold
• Zeyrek & Fener–Balat walking route for local color, street art, and churches

Nachmittag: Stop at Süleymaniye Café for tea with a view

Dinner: Meze and raki at Asmalı Cavit
👉 [Join a walking tour of hidden Ottoman mosques + backstreets]

📅 Day 3 – Bosphorus Beauty & Palatial Splendor

Today is all about opulence and water views:

• Bosphorus Cruise (morning ride – short or full-day)
• Dolmabahçe-Palast (European-inspired Ottoman grandeur)
• Stroll through Beşiktaş or visit Yıldız Park

Mittagessen: Essen Sie bei Karaköy Güllüoğlu for top-tier baklava

Nachmittag: Besuchen Galata-Turm for 360° views
Walk down Istiklal-Straße to Taksim Square

Dinner: Rooftop at Mikla oder Neolokal
👉 [Book a Bosphorus cruise + Dolmabahçe combo tour]

📅 Day 4 – Slow Morning + Hammam + Art

Take it easy today with a mix of relaxation and contemporary culture:

• Morning Hammam Session: Choose Kılıç Ali Paşa oder Hurrem Sultan Hamam
• Istanbul Modern oder SALT Galata for modern art and design
• Walk through Karaköy’s cafés and concept stores
• Optional ferry ride to Princes’ Islands for a quiet afternoon bike ride and seafood lunch

Dinner: Back in town, try a casual meal in Cihangir oder Moda

👉 [Book a luxury hammam session or full spa experience]
👉 [Add a gallery day pass or ferry ticket package]

📅 Day 5 – Cross to Asia: Kadıköy, Moda & Üsküdar

Take the ferry to the Asian side and explore local life:

• Kadıköy Market: Browse olives, cheeses, and spices
• Moda: Art cafés, seaside stroll, street art, secondhand bookstores
• Try street food: lahmacun, midye dolma, simit, kokoreç

Afternoon in Üsküdar:

• Besuchen Mihrimah-Sultan-Moschee
• Enjoy the Salacak shoreline view of Leanderturm
• Option: Taxi up to Çamlıca Mosque and Hill

Dinner: Sunset return ferry + dinner in Karaköy or Galata
👉 [Join a guided ferry + food tour of the Asian Side]

📅 Day 6 – Markets, Food & Cooking Class

Dive into Istanbul’s culinary soul today:

• Visit the Spice Bazaar early (avoid crowds)
• Shop for Turkish delight, saffron, teas, and oils
• Stop by Egyptian Bazaar Street for dried fruits and baklava

Nachmittag: Join a Turkish cooking class – learn to make dolma, meze, and more

Abend: Dinner is part of your class — or eat light and finish with kunefe oder Turkish coffee at a traditional lokanta
👉 [Book a cooking class with a local chef — includes ingredients + recipes]

📅 Day 7 – Faith, Legacy & Free Time

Use your last day to reflect, wander, and do what you missed:

• Besuchen Chora Church / Kariye Mosque (mosaics)
• Walk along the ancient Theodosian Walls
• Browse Arasta Bazaar oder Nişantaşı for final shopping
• Stop by a quiet mosque or hidden han

Optional: If you’re spiritual, take a moment to visit Eyüp Mosque and ride the cable car to Pierre Loti Café for one last panoramic view

Dinner: Choose your favorite neighborhood one last time

👉 [End your week with a spiritual heritage tour or final rooftop dinner booking]

🎟️ Suggested Add-Ons & Bookings

• ✅ [Istanbul Museum Pass (Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Dolmabahçe, Galata)]
• ✅ [3-day ferry + tram card (Istanbulkart)]
• ✅ [Cooking class with market visit]
• ✅ [Luxury hammam or spa day]
• ✅ [Private Bosphorus sunset cruise]

🧳 Final Thoughts

A week in Istanbul gives you just enough time to fall in love — with its food, skyline, history, and people. By balancing big sights with hidden gems, fast-paced tours with lazy ferry rides, you’ll experience Istanbul the way locals do: not just as a place, but as a living rhythm.

✨ Ready to plan your dream Istanbul week?
Combine this itinerary with skip-the-line tickets, ferry cards, and unforgettable local experiences.
👉 [Click here to build your 7-day Istanbul pass + tour bundle