• Meet the tour guide, who will pick you up and start the tour with the Hagia Sophia, also known as the Aya Sofia. Inside this large mosque, the many mosaics on its walls shed light on the religions and variety of civilizations that dominated the city through time.
• After visiting the mosque, spend some time viewing the statues and monuments in the area. From Egyptian obelisks to the large water fountain and the stunning Hippodrome, there are plenty of unique pieces of architecture to view here.
• For a bite, head down the main street where the tram runs and go inside one of the traditional Turkish restaurants. Local chefs firing up hot bread outside on the street will beckon you in to try some of the most delicious and juicy meats served with fresh bread, vegetables, and drinks. Although a little bit pricier than a local home kitchen, the experience alone is worth it.
• Your last stop with your tour guide will be across the street to the Basilica Cistern. Enter through a small door to walk downstairs and find yourself in an ancient Roman aqueduct. With over 300 columns holding up the ceiling of the aqueduct, a small boardwalk leads visitors across the fish-filled waters. At the end of the boardwalk, two Medusa heads hold up two of the columns.

Note: The Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays.

• Spend the morning wandering the Spice Bazaar before it is crowded out with locals and tourists. The Spice Bazaar is much smaller compared to its Grand Bazaar counterpart. Filled with aromatic smells, vibrant colours, and plenty of locals haggling for goods, the Spice Bazaar is the perfect place for your guide to showcase the modern-day culture of the city. Plenty of loose teas, spices, and traditional Turkish desserts are sold in the bazaar.
• Purchase some of the baklava, as it is a Turkish traditional dessert. If you are looking for gifts to take home Lokum does not spoil quickly, or pick up some loose tea or spices.
• In the afternoon, walk up the street to the Sultanahmet Mosque. The mosque is unique since it supports six minarets unlike most mosques that have only have three or four. Upon entering the mosque, you will understand why it is commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque. Thousands of tiny blue tiles line the inside of the mosque, making it one of the most beautiful interiors. Note: Be sure to dress respectfully and cover-up, as the mosque is still in use today and is used for prayer multiple times a day. Since it is used for prayer, the mosque closes for 30 minutes during prayer.
• If you are looking for the ultimate views, head to the nearby streets and dine or grab drinks at one of the rooftop bars. You will be able to see the minarets from up high.

• Stroll through Istiklal Avenue, the busiest street in the city of Istanbul. On a regular day, over 6 million people walk up and down the street. Lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Istiklal Avenue has endless daytime entertainment and nightlife options. The street is most famed for being the home of the Red Tram. Pay as you get on the tram and take a ride up or down the street.
  Note: If you want to try something new, head into one of the restaurants with their food on display. Known as “home kitchens”, these restaurants produce some of the most delicious and tasty food selections. Pay by the number of plates you order, and don’t forget to grab bread. Bread is always free in Turkey and goes with everything!
• At the end of Istiklal Street lies the beautiful neighbourhood of Galata. Home to the Galata Tower, this neighbourhood in the city offers entertainment and shops for the more creative visitor. The cobbled streets are filled with music shops, art shops, and tiny boutique restaurants and hotels. Before sunset, head up to the Galata Tower and soak in the 360-degree views. If you plan your trip right, you might even hear the call to prayer coming from every direction.
• When nighttime rolls around in the city, make your way back to Istiklal Avenue to spend the night bar-hopping around the clubs and bars that line the street. Head down the side streets where the locals go to have a more authentic nightlife experience. Note: One of the top bars for locals in the city is known as The Joker. We can ask around and climb the 7 stories up to party all night long like a local!

• Today, we will visit the Topkapi Palace, once the home of many great sultans who ruled Istanbul during the infamous Ottoman Empire. The museum showcases many artifacts from the Ottoman civilization and provides insight into the luxury and beauty of the empire as it progressed throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. Spend most of your time checking out the jewellery displays, incredible swords and weapons that showcase the wealth of the sultans of Istanbul.
• After you view the palace, be sure to wander around the beautiful gardens and find the viewpoint behind the palace. The viewpoint provides incredible views of the skylines of Istanbul, with Galata to the north and the Asian side of the city to the east.
• In the afternoon, head to the maze-like lanes of the Grand Bazaar, where your tour guide will walk you around more than 4000 tiny shops inside and outside the covered bazaar. With colourful ceramics, clothing, and jewellery, there are plenty of authentic as well as modern items for sale. While many shops specialize in gold and silver, there are also tiny boutiques that offer stones that are special to Turkey, such as turquoise.

Note: The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

• Spend your last day in the city travelling from one continent to another. As Istanbul is situated on the continental divide between Europe and Asia, it is possible to take a ferryboat from the European side of the city across to the Asian side. You can hop on a boat from Eminonu, Karakoy, Ortakoy, or Besiktas and head across the Bosphorus River to the neighbourhood of Kadikoy. If you are looking for the longest boat ride with spectacular views of the Maiden’s Tower and both sides of the city, grab the boat from Ortakoy or Besiktas. 

Or

• If you are looking for something more organized, ask your guide to book you a Bosphorus boat cruise. Either three or five hours long, these boat cruises head north up the river towards the Black Sea and then turn around and return down the Bosphorus.
  Author’s tip: Since Kadikoy sits on the edge of the Aegean Sea and the Bosphorus River, the neighbourhood has a steady supply of fresh fish. Indulge in some of the delicious seafood at one of the seaside restaurants in the beautiful area of Moda.