Istanbul rewards a short trip like few other cities - two continents, thousands of years of history and some of the best food anywhere, all within a walkable old town. Here is a tried-and-tested 48-hour plan.
Day one - the old city
- Morning: the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, side by side in Sultanahmet
- Midday: Topkapı Palace and its gardens overlooking the Bosphorus
- Afternoon: get pleasantly lost in the Grand Bazaar
- Evening: dinner in Sultanahmet, then Turkish tea and baklava
Day two - the water and the new city
- Morning: a Bosphorus ferry between Europe and Asia
- Midday: the Spice Bazaar and a fish sandwich by the Galata Bridge
- Afternoon: climb the Galata Tower for the view, then explore Karaköy
- Evening: dinner in lively Beyoğlu off İstiklal Street
Where to stay
For a first visit, base yourself in Sultanahmet - the main sights are on your doorstep and you can walk everywhere. For nightlife and restaurants, Beyoğlu and Karaköy are livelier. We can book either, plus airport transfers so you are not haggling with taxis on arrival.
Getting there
Istanbul is roughly a 4-hour flight from the UK with frequent departures from London, Birmingham and Manchester. A Friday-evening flight out and a Sunday-night return gives you two full days without using annual leave - the reason it is one of the most popular weekend breaks we book.
Related questions
Is a weekend long enough for Istanbul?+
For the headline sights of the old city, yes - two full days covers the mosques, palaces, bazaars and a Bosphorus cruise. Add a third day if you want to explore the Asian side or the Prince Islands.