Food trip: Istanbul, Bursa & Izmir · 8 days

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Istanbul

• Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) · 2.5 h. Closed Sundays and on the first day of religious holidays. Haggling is expected; agree prices in lira.
• Süleymaniye Mosque & terrace view · 1.5 h. Free and calmer than the Blue Mosque; the rear courtyard looks over the Golden Horn at sunset. Same dress code and prayer-time closures.

Local tip: Closed Sundays and on the first day of religious holidays. Haggling is expected; agree prices in lira.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Istanbul

Istanbul

• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) upper gallery visit · 1.5 h. Hagia Sophia is a working mosque; foreign visitors use a separate paid route to the upper galleries (about €25). Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Queue at opening.
• Topkapı Palace & Harem · 3 h. Closed Tuesdays. Palace plus Harem is about €50; the Museum Pass Istanbul covers both and skips the ticket queue.
• Spice Bazaar & Eminönü waterfront · 2 h. The streets west of the bazaar are cheaper than inside; try balık ekmek from the boats at Eminönü.
• Galata Tower & Karaköy lanes · 1.5 h. Entry about €30 and included in the Museum Pass Istanbul; queues peak at sunset, so go early or late.

Local tip: Hagia Sophia is a working mosque; foreign visitors use a separate paid route to the upper galleries (about €25). Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Queue at opening.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Istanbul

Istanbul

• Bosphorus cruise (Şehir Hatları ferry or private sunset boat) · 2 h. The public Şehir Hatları short Bosphorus tour from Eminönü costs a fraction of private boats; private sunset cruises run about €25–40.
• Balat & Fener walk and Chora (Kariye) Mosque · 3 h. Steep, cobbled streets with coloured houses and cafés; the Chora mosaics charge foreign visitors about €20.
• Kadıköy market food walk on the Asian side · 3 h. Take the ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy (~20 min). Self-guided grazing is cheap; guided food walks cost about €70–100.

Local tip: The public Şehir Hatları short Bosphorus tour from Eminönü costs a fraction of private boats; private sunset cruises run about €25–40.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Istanbul

Istanbul

• Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) · 1 h. Free; closed to visitors during the five daily prayers and for longer at Friday midday. Shoes off, headscarves lent at the door.
• Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan) · 1 h. Run by the city, so not on the Museum Pass; evening entry costs more. Buy online to skip the street queue.
• Dolmabahçe Palace · 2 h. Closed Mondays; visits follow a set route and indoor photography is restricted. Atatürk died here in 1938.
• Whirling dervish ceremony (Hodjapasha) · 1.25 h. A religious Sema ceremony, not a show: no photos during the whirling and no late entry.

Local tip: Free; closed to visitors during the five daily prayers and for longer at Friday midday. Shoes off, headscarves lent at the door.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Istanbul → Bursa

Bursa · Istanbul to Bursa, Fast ferry Yenikapı–Mudanya ~1.5h + bus ~40 min, or bus ~2.5–3h

• Green Mosque & Green Tomb (Yeşil Camii) · 1 h. Free; early Ottoman tilework. Mosque dress code applies.
• Koza Han silk market & covered bazaar · 1.5 h. Silk scarves and towels; tea in the courtyard. Bursa's candied chestnuts (kestane şekeri) are sold nearby.
• İskender kebab lunch in its home town · 1 h. Sliced döner on pide with tomato sauce, yoghurt and butter poured at the table; the founding family's restaurants are around Heykel.
• Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) · 0.75 h

Local tip: Free; early Ottoman tilework. Mosque dress code applies.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Bursa → Izmir

Izmir · Bursa to Izmir, Bus ~5h

• Kemeraltı bazaar & Kızlarağası Han · 2.5 h. One of the largest open bazaars in the country; stop for Turkish coffee in the han courtyard.

Local tip: One of the largest open bazaars in the country; stop for Turkish coffee in the han courtyard.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Izmir

Izmir

• Kordon seafront sunset & Alsancak · 2.5 h
• Konak Square & clock tower · 0.75 h
• Agora of Smyrna · 1 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Depart from Izmir

Izmir

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.