A week gives Istanbul room to breathe — enough time to cover the historic peninsula properly, get a real feel for Beyoğlu and the Bosphorus, cross to the Asian side more than once, and still take a full day trip without the whole week feeling like a checklist. This builds on our 3-day itinerary; if you've only got three days, start there instead.
Days 1–2: the historic peninsula
Follow the first two days of our 3-day itinerary — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. With a week, add Süleymaniye Mosque and a slower wander through Fatih on one of these afternoons rather than rushing — see our Süleymaniye guide and Fatih & the city walls guide.
Day 3: Beyoğlu and Galata
A full day north of the Golden Horn: İstiklal Avenue, Galata Tower, and the design-and-coffee streets of Karaköy — see our Beyoğlu & Taksim guide and Karaköy guide. Consider adding Chora Church this day too, if you're willing to venture a little further — see our guide.
Day 4: the Bosphorus shore
Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, and — if you have the energy — the longer walk or bus ride up to Bebek and Arnavutköy. See our guide and Bebek & Arnavutköy. Dolmabahçe Palace fits naturally into this day.
Day 5: the Asian side
A full day across the water: Kadıköy's market streets, a slow afternoon in Moda, and — if time allows — a look at Üsküdar's skyline view and tiny Kuzguncuk. See our guides to Kadıköy, Moda, Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk.
Day 6: a day trip
The Princes' Islands — Büyükada or the quieter Heybeliada — make the most natural full-day trip out of the city; see our day trips guide and the island-specific guides for Büyükada and Heybeliada.
Day 7: whatever you missed, plus a hammam
Keep the last day deliberately open — a proper hammam session (see our guide), a return to a neighbourhood you liked, or Balat and Fener's colourful streets if you haven't been yet. See our guide.
