Marmara loop: Istanbul, Bursa & Gallipoli · 7 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.
• 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: 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Turkish bath (hamam) with scrub and foam · 1.5 h. Historic hamams such as Çemberlitaş, Kılıç Ali Paşa or Süleymaniye run about €50–120; book ahead and tip the attendant.
• 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.

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: 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.
• Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) · 0.75 h
• 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.

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

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Bursa → Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy)

Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy) · Bursa to Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy), Bus ~4.5h

• Troy archaeological site (Truva) · 2 h. ~30 min south of town by dolmuş; the ruins span many layers, so a guide or the signboards help. Little shade.

Local tip: ~30 min south of town by dolmuş; the ruins span many layers, so a guide or the signboards help. Little shade.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Gallipoli battlefields guided tour (Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair)

Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy)

• Gallipoli battlefields guided tour (Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair) · 7 h. Tours cross by ferry to Eceabat or Kilitbahir and include lunch. Around 25 April (Anzac Day) the peninsula is crowded and roads close.

Local tip: Tours cross by ferry to Eceabat or Kilitbahir and include lunch. Around 25 April (Anzac Day) the peninsula is crowded and roads close.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy)

Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy)

• Kilitbahir Castle by Dardanelles ferry · 2 h. Small ferries cross the strait every ~30 min; the trefoil-shaped Ottoman fort faces Çanakkale.

Local tip: Small ferries cross the strait every ~30 min; the trefoil-shaped Ottoman fort faces Çanakkale.

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

Open day 7 route in Google Maps