Istanbul, Bursa and Sapanca in 5 days
City and nature · family · Istanbul → Bursa → Sapanca
Three days in Istanbul, then a day in Bursa and on Mount Uludağ, and a day at Lake Sapanca and Kartepe.
Day 1: The Ottoman heart of Istanbul
Every stop today is within walking distance in Sultanahmet.
-
9:00
Hagia Sophia
Start early, before the crowds, to see the famous dome in peace. Hagia Sophia is a mosque today, so respect prayer times and dress modestly.
5-minute walk -
10:30
Topkapı Palace
Home of the Ottoman sultans for about four centuries: the courtyards, the Harem, the Treasury and the Sacred Relics.
10-minute walk -
14:00
Lunch: Sultanahmet köfte
Grilled köfte with white bean salad is the area's best-known dish.
5-minute walk -
15:30
Basilica Cistern
An underground Byzantine water reservoir held up by hundreds of columns, including the two Medusa heads.
5-minute walk -
17:00
Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Square
Visit the mosque outside prayer times, then stroll the square at sunset.
10-minute walk -
19:00
Grand Bazaar
A walk through one of the oldest covered markets in the world before closing, or save it for the morning of day three.
Day 2: The Bosphorus and the palaces
A day on the European shore of the Bosphorus, with a cruise between two continents.
-
9:00
Dolmabahçe Palace
The last palace of the sultans, with crystal chandeliers and a long waterfront façade.
5-minute walk to Kabataş pier -
11:30
Bosphorus cruise
From Kabataş or Eminönü, past palaces, bridges and waterside villages.
15-minute taxi -
14:00
Ortaköy
Lunch on stuffed baked potato (kumpir) beside Ortaköy Mosque under the Bosphorus Bridge.
20-minute taxi -
16:30
Galata Tower
Panoramic views over the historic peninsula and the Golden Horn.
10-minute walk -
18:30
İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square
Istanbul's best-known pedestrian street: shops, sweets and the historic red tram.
Day 3: Markets and the Asian side
Shopping in the old markets in the morning, then across the water to Asia.
-
9:30
Spice Bazaar
Spices, Turkish delight, nuts and tea in Eminönü.
15-minute walk -
11:00
Süleymaniye Mosque
Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, with a courtyard overlooking the Golden Horn.
20-minute ferry from Eminönü -
13:00
Üsküdar and Maiden's Tower
Lunch on the Asian shore facing Maiden's Tower.
15-minute taxi -
15:30
Çamlıca Grand Mosque
A huge modern mosque on a hill overlooking Istanbul from the Asian side.
25-minute taxi -
17:30
Kadıköy and Moda
Kadıköy's food market, then a walk along the Moda seafront at sunset.
Day 4: Bursa and Mount Uludağ
Bursa was the first Ottoman capital, about two hours' drive away via the Osmangazi Bridge.
-
7:00
Leave Istanbul
Leave early to beat Istanbul traffic. The road is about 155 km via the Osmangazi Bridge.
Arrive in central Bursa -
9:30
Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii)
One of the most important early Ottoman mosques, with twenty domes and an indoor fountain.
5-minute walk -
11:00
Old bazaars and the Silk Han
Silk, cotton towels and Bursa's candied chestnuts.
Taxi to the cable car station -
13:30
Uludağ cable car
Ride up the mountain with views over the city, and have a grilled lunch in the forest. Snow in winter.
30-minute drive -
17:00
Cumalıkızık village
An Ottoman village of colourful houses and cobbled lanes, known for its village breakfast.
Return, or stay the night in Sapanca
Day 5: Lake Sapanca and Kartepe
A quiet nature day about 1.5 to 2 hours from Istanbul.
-
9:00
Lake Sapanca
Turkish breakfast with a lake view and a walk along the promenade.
25-minute drive -
11:30
Maşukiye village
Small waterfalls and trout restaurants by the river in the forest.
-
14:30
Mount Kartepe
Views over the lake from above, and skiing in winter.
About 2 hours back to Istanbul -
18:30
Back in Istanbul
A last evening walk or some shopping before you fly.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Photographers and licences.