5-Day Istanbul Itinerary: Top Sights & Experiences

Total price From US$914

Created: Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Themes

Travel Idea: Istanbul Adventure for 2 Adults

Explore the vibrant city of Istanbul with this unforgettable trip for two adults! Enjoy 4 nights at the Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG, conveniently located in the historic district of Fatih, Turkey. Your package includes a Private Tour of Istanbul—immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of this magnificent city. Travel hassle-free with private VAN transfers from Istanbul Airport to your hotel and back.

Accommodation: 4 nights at Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG (Fatih, Turkey)
Experience: Private Tour of Istanbul
Transfers: VAN from Istanbul Airport to hotel and return

Trip themes: Family, Adventure, Turkey, Best Holidays

As your travel agent, I recommend preparing for your journey with some excellent guides and books. For Istanbul, "Lonely Planet Istanbul" and "Rick Steves Istanbul" are top choices, offering practical tips and historical context. For a deeper dive into Turkish culture, try "Istanbul: Memories and the City" by Orhan Pamuk, a beautifully written memoir by the Nobel Prize-winning author. For adventure and local insights, "DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul" is also highly recommended. These resources will enrich your travel experience and help you make the most of your Istanbul adventure!

About the destination

Istanbul's historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural legacy can be attributed to its ideal strategic location, spanning the Bosphorus straits that divide Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year history, the city (initially known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and since 1930, Istanbul) has been a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is predominantly Turkish, with many of its residents being recent migrants from rural Turkey, drawn by the prospect of employment and career opportunities in this dynamic, rapidly expanding city. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of the country, it remains Turkey's economic and cultural hub - a status emphasized by its designation as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the UNESCO World Heritage recognition of many of its key landmarks. These range from breathtaking Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs, to the pillars of Hellenistic temples and the remnants of enormous medieval city walls. However, Istanbul offers more than just Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has led to a thriving arts and music scene, with an abundance of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants, and designer fashion stores.

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Included services

30 Dec

Transfer

Transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG

Pick-up time: 13:00 Maximum wait time: 60 minutes Journey time: 35 minutes Private - Standard Van

Private

Standard Van

Maximum wait time: 60 minutes
Journey time: 35 minutes

30 Dec

Hotel

4 Nights

Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG, Primary image

Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG, Restaurant

Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG, Fitness facility

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Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG, Lobby sitting area

Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG

7.6

Good

2302

Istanbul - to 1.5 miles from the centerBED AND BREAKFASTMevlana Kapi Mah. Turgut Özal Millet Cd. No: 189, Topkapi, Istanbul 34104

Standard room

With a stay at Holiday Inn Istanbul City by IHG, you'll be centrally located in Istanbul, within a 10-minute drive of Grand Bazaar and Galata Tower. This luxury hotel is 4.1 mi (6.6 km) from Blue Mosque and 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from Hagia Sophia.

Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a health club, a sauna, and a seasonal outdoor pool. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.

Make yourself at home in one of the 203 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature bidets and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks.

Enjoy pizza at Pizza Kitchen, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Relax with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar.

Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Planning an event in Istanbul? This hotel has 861 square feet (80 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and a meeting room.

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31 Dec

Tickets