Istanbul in 4 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Have you booked an excursion to Istanbul? Great! The metropolis between Europe and Asia is simply wonderful. A four-day holiday will give you the opportunity to discover Istanbul's best monuments, taste the typical flavours and immerse yourself in its chaotic and haunted atmosphere. You will also have the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle to see quieter corners of the city. Read on for all the things to do and see in Istanbul.

To kick off your holiday, we start with the Turkish city essentials: Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı). They are located in the heart of the old town within walking distance of each other. We start our tour in the basilica, a symbol of the cultural mix...

Step inside Hagia Sophia, the jewel of Byzantine architecture

It was built in just six years (532-537) and inaugurated by Emperor Justinian. Various marbles were used to clad the walls and columns: white from Marmara, green from Euboea, yellow from Africa and pink from Synnada, a city in Asia Minor. Located at the highest point in Istanbul, the four minarets and the dome are visible from all over the city.

With the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque and the mosaics inside were covered over with lime. Nevertheless, they were fascinated by such an architectural masterpiece. A few centuries later, the father of modern Turkey, Atatürk, turned it into a museum.

But in 2020, it has been turned back into a mosque by Erdogan's will. Now that it is once again a place of worship, it is undoubtedly one of the best mosques in Istanbul. Learn all about its history in detail by booking a guided tour of Hagia Sophia.

Get up close to the Blue Mosque

Built in the 17th century, it is considered the last great work of the Ottoman Empire. It stands opposite Hagia Sophia on the site of the Great Palace of Constantinople. Today, no one would question its beauty, but during its construction, a few critical voices questioned Sultan Ahmed I's choice.

The bone of contention was the budget because the Blue Mosque was financed with the city's money and not with war booty. Indeed, the Ottoman Empire had just suffered heavy military defeats against the Safavid Empire and was not shining against the Austro-Hungarian Empire either.

Fortunately, the sultan did not change his mind and today we can enjoy the most beautiful mosque in Istanbul. Inside the mosque, the large stained-glass windows, the suggestive lamps hanging from the ceiling and the mosaics depicting tulips, fruits and vegetables stand out. Discover all its nooks and crannies by booking a guided tour of the Blue Mosque.

Enter the Cistern Basilica

Often the most precious treasures are hidden beneath the surface. A short distance from Hagia Sophia, a sober building on Yerebatan Street conceals a treasured destination: the Basilica Cistern. It was built during the reign of Justinian I (AD 527 - AD 565) and ensured the water supply to the Great Palace of Constantinople, a gigantic complex of buildings erected at the behest of Constantine the Great.

After the conquest of Byzantium by Sultan Mehmed II (1453), everything was destined to change. The Ottomans preferred running water to stagnant water and the Basilica Cistern was gradually abandoned. In the mid-16th century, the Dutch explorer Gyllus discovered the underground cistern and told the story in his travel book. After a few centuries, this magical place was brought out of oblivion.

Today, it is a much sought-after attraction, especially for its haunted atmosphere, and you can book a guided tour of the Cistern Basilica. After crossing the threshold, you will enter an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. There is still water and walkways allow you to walk under the columns.

Enjoy a dinner with a view

After your visit, you can stroll around the neighbourhood, go back to the hotel to freshen up and then head out again for a nice dinner. In the vicinity of this day's three attractions is a seafood restaurant with an incredible view of the Sea of Marmara: Seafront Lounge. In addition to fish and seafood, you can enjoy salads, vegan dishes and traditional desserts (Akbıyık Cd. 3). You can also book a food tour of Istanbul to get to know all the delights of crazy cuisine.

If on the first day we focused on Istanbul's must-see sights, today we focus on an often overlooked attraction...

Be amazed by the Topkapi Palace

Istanbul is so beautiful that some attractions get overshadowed. Topkapi Palace is one of these, yet it is an enchanting mansion that will transport you back to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire. Built during the reign of Mehmed II, it was the centre of political power until 1853 when Sultan Abdülmecit I moved the court to Dolmabahçe Palace.

The complex is vast and has thousands of treasures to be discovered. It is therefore almost essential to book a guided tour of Topkapi Palace to enjoy the whole complex. Even so, here are the five places that have made the biggest impact on me:

• Courtyard of the Favourites: where the Sultan's concubines lived who for some reason were not married to him.
• Imperial Hall: a vaulted and richly decorated room. In the middle is the throne.
• Harem: a large structure with over 400 rooms.
• Divan: the supreme council of state.
• Treasure Room.

Rest body and soul in Gülhane Park.

Just a few metres from Topkapi Palace is the oldest park in the city. Its name means "house of roses" and in Ottoman times it was part of the imperial garden. It remained in the possession of the sultans until 1912 when it was opened to the rest of the public.

Its vast grounds are home to century-old oak and walnut trees, floral decorations, the first statue of Atatürk and a large pond. If you're travelling to Istanbul with children, it's a great place for them to run around or play in the leisure areas.

Find a bargain in the Grand Bazaar

After a well-deserved rest, take the tram from Gülhane station in the direction of Bağcılar and get off at the Beyazıt - Kapalıçarşı stop. Here you will find **one of the largest and oldest markets in the world: the Grand Bazaar.

It is located near the city walls and its construction began shortly after the Ottoman conquest. The Grand Bazaar was born to stimulate the economic prosperity of the city and to this day still attracts thousands of customers. If you want to go home with a typical souvenir or are looking for a Christmas gift, the Grand Bazaar is the place to go. To give you an idea, you can buy the following products:

• Carpets and kilims, rugs that are characterised by their eye-catching designs. If you are interested, I recommend you visit Şişko Osman, Dhoku or Şengör Halı.
• Çay**, the Turkish tea**. Locals prefer black tea accompanied with cakes and biscuits both sweet and savoury. However, there is no shortage of more fragrant fragrances such as jasmine, lemon or pomegranate.
• Typical sweets. The most famous is baklava, a puff pastry with pistachios, honey, walnuts and sesame seeds. Take the opportunity to try a künefe (a dough made of thin threads called kataifi with a cheese filling and topped with sugar, nuts and lemon) and a lokma, a fried bread dumpling glazed with honey, syrup and cinnamon.
• Hammam accessories. The most characteristic item is the peştemal, a cotton towel with a fringed striped design.
• Ceramics, a Turkish classic. Traditional designs reproduce tulips, but you can find objects in Hittite style (inspired by Anatolian cave paintings) or contemporary.
• Jewellery. The shops specialising in gold are concentrated on Kalpakçılarbaşı Street. Silver jewellery, on the other hand, can be found in the Old Bazaar (Iç Bedesten).

The Princes Islands (Kızıl Adalar) are an archipelago in the Sea of Marmara consisting of nine cays: Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınalıada, Sedef, Yassıada, Tavşan, Kaşık, and Sivriada. In the 19th century, this natural paradise became a holiday destination for the wealthy classes who built elegant Victorian-style mansions.

Take a ferry and get away from the hustle and bustle

On the Princes' Islands, time seems to stand still- there are no cars and you can only travel by bicycle or electric vehicle. To reach this peaceful spot, you can simply take a ferry from the neighbourhoods of Kabataş (European shore) or Kadiköy (Asian shore). Alternatively, you can book an excursion to the Princes Islands which includes boat transport and an expert guide. From Istanbul, the trip takes about an hour and a half.

If you visit Turkey in summer, I recommend going to the Princes' Islands between Monday and Thursday. On weekends, thousands of people from Istanbul leave old Constantinople to enjoy the beaches and stroll through the pine forests. In this case, forget about enjoying the silence. In general, it's best to visit in spring and autumn. Most boats will take you to Büyükada, the largest of the archipelago. Once you arrive, you will be able to do different activities:

• Explore the island. At the top of the hill is Aya Yorgi, an Orthodox monastery built in 1905. Its main attraction is the icon showing St George slaying a monster that comes out of the sea. Further down, Çankaya Street is home to magnificent residences such as the Yalman Mansion and the Fabiato, Izzet Pasha and Mizzi pavilions.
• Enjoy the beaches. The longest and wildest is Halik Koyu in the northwest. If you're travelling with young children, Aya Nikola and Nakibey are ideal.
• Renting a bike is the best way to get around the island. Büyükada has a hiking route that starts from the main square and takes in the most beautiful spots in the surrounding area.
• Enjoy water sports: paddle surfing, windsurfing, sailing, etc.
• Admire the ruins of Trotsky's house. After being expelled from the Soviet Union, the Russian politician lived in Büyükada (Hamlacı Sk. 6) for four years.

Bid farewell to the island with a fish dinner

In Büyükada, the restaurant that collects positive reviews is Secret Garden. It is housed in a 19th-century wooden mansion that was completely restored in 2013. The speciality is grilled fish cooked and presented with a modern touch. Other attractions are the magnificent terrace and the decoration with attention to detail (Çiçekli Yalı Sk. 24). To return to Istanbul you can opt for the water taxi.

With the decline of the Roman Empire and the consequent separation into two entities, Constantinople became the most important metropolis of the ancient world. The Byzantine emperors embellished the city with formidable buildings and Christian churches. Fortunately, the traces of this civilisation have not been erased by the Ottoman conquest...

Start at the Hippodrome

We start our tour at what is now Sultanahmet Square. To do so, hop on the Istanbul sightseeing bus to get there in comfort. In the past, the Hippodrome in Constantinople had a capacity of 30,000 people. The elongated shape of the square and the Obelisk of Theodosius remind us of its past. This monument comes from the Temple of Karnak in Egypt and was moved to the heart of Istanbul in 390.

At the other end of the square is the German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi), a small arbour that Emperor Wilhelm II gave to the sultan in 1901 as a token of friendship. If you close your eyes, you can imagine the beams that sped along the racecourse. After the ride, head towards the Golden Horn, past Sultan Ahmet Square and in a few minutes you'll reach the next stage.

Don't miss St. Irene's Church, the first church in Istanbul

Just a few metres from Topkapi Palace, one of Istanbul's finest monuments, stands a doyen of the metropolis straddling Europe and Asia. Its origins are somewhat uncertain but it is thought to have been built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. It housed the Patriarchate of Constantinople until the construction of Hagia Sophia.

Its peculiarity lies in the dome, which is not supported by columns but by the vault. The interior is very simple and what stands out is the black silhouette of a cross on the semi-dome. Throughout its history it has had multiple uses; it was an armoury, a museum of military antiquities and a concert hall (Topkapı Sarayı 1).

Visit the Valens Aqueduct

When it was built in the 4th century, the Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri) was one kilometre long and carried water to the capital from the Belgrade Forest. In reality, it was part of a larger network that ensured the water supply to the largest city in the ancient world. Today, only a couple of sections remain standing and the most imposing is in the Fatih district.

Enter the Church of St. Saviour of Cora

Being located in the Edirnekapi neighbourhood and quite far away from the busy area, most tourists dismiss St Saviour of Cora in favour of visiting more central attractions. However, if you plan to stay 4, 5 or 7 days in Istanbul, it's well worth the trip.

The place of worship is home to the most beautiful mosaics in the city, which stand out for their bright colours, enormous size and strong symbolism. The most notable are the Christ enthroned with the patron Theodore Metochites, the Dormition of the Virgin and the Christ Pantokrator (Kariye Cami Sk. 18).

Say goodbye to Istanbul from the sea

Day four is the last chance to take photos that will reap likes on Instagram. As you've seen, there's plenty to do and see in Istanbul. To immortalise the best sights, there's nothing better than booking a cruise on the Bosphorus. Head away from St Saviour's Church and head out to sea.

The boats cross the Golden Horn and pass monuments such as Rumelia Castle, Beylerbeyi Palace and St. Stephen of the Bulgarians, one of the few churches built in cast iron. The experience lasts about an hour and a quarter. You can also book a Bosphorus cruise with music and dinner if you prefer to enjoy the illuminated city at sunset.