Istanbul in 5 days: old city, Bosphorus and Galata
Istanbul · Türkiye · 5 days
Best time to visit Istanbul
April to June and September to NovemberApril to June and September to November are the comfortable months, with mild days and fewer queues. July and August are hot and crowded; January and February are cold and wet, with occasional snow. Museums and palaces close one weekday a week, so check the day before you plan it.
Travelling from the Gulf: Istanbul is one of the busiest Eid destinations from the Gulf: flights and Sultanahmet hotels for the Eid weeks sell out early and cost the most. Ramadan is observed but the city carries on by day; Sultanahmet square fills at iftar, and the Blue Mosque keeps its usual prayer-time closures. The summer break is hot and crowded, but everything is open.
Flights, stay and entry for Istanbul
Flight and entry details below are for travellers starting from Saudi Arabia.
Flights
About 3 hours 45 minutes from Riyadh; Istanbul Airport (IST) is far from the old city, so allow about an hour into town. Türkiye uses the same time as Saudi Arabia.
Search RUH → IST flightsAll flight routesWhere to stay
Sultanahmet for the old city on foot, or Karaköy and Galata for restaurants and nightlife.
Find a stay in IstanbulStay connected
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data when you land, so maps and ride apps work without waiting for a SIM card or Wi-Fi.
eSIM and travel extrasEntry rules
Saudi citizens with an ordinary passport can enter Türkiye without a visa for tourism, for up to 90 days in any 180. Entry depends on your passport, not on living in Saudi Arabia: other nationalities may need a visa or an e-Visa, so check the official portal before booking.
Türkiye e-Visa (official portal) Türkiye visa and entry rules Entry notes in the Istanbul guideWhat 5 days in Istanbul cost
| Style | Per person per day (SAR) | Per person per day (USD) | Whole trip (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 220–380 | 59–101 | 1,100–1,900 |
| Mid-range | 450–800 | 120–213 | 2,250–4,000 |
| Luxury | 1,400–2,600 | 373–693 | 7,000–13,000 |
Per person per day, flights excluded, with a double room shared between two. Prices in lira move fast, so these SAR figures are a rough guide; Sultanahmet and Bosphorus hotels cost most. Rough estimate at October 2026 prices; USD 1 = SAR 3.75.
Day 1: Sultanahmet: the old city
- Morning
Hagia Sophia
Arrive when it opens. The building works as a mosque, so foreign visitors pay an entry fee and use the upper gallery; visits pause for the five daily prayers. Shoulders and knees covered, and women cover their hair.
- Afternoon
Topkapı Palace
The Ottoman sultans’ palace above the Bosphorus, with courtyards, the treasury and sea views. It is closed on Tuesdays. The Harem is included in the combined ticket with Hagia Irene, so buy that one rather than the palace-only ticket. Allow three hours.
- Evening
Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque
Entry is free but closed to visitors at prayer times, so go outside them. The square between the mosque and Hagia Sophia is at its best at dusk.
Day 2: Bazaars and the Golden Horn
- Morning
Basilica Cistern
A 6th-century underground water reservoir next to Hagia Sophia, with 336 columns. Go early to avoid the queue; it takes about 45 minutes.
- Afternoon
Grand Bazaar
Over 4,000 shops under one roof. It is closed on Sundays. Compare two or three shops before buying and bargain politely; ceramics, leather and textiles are the usual buys.
- Evening
Süleymaniye Mosque
Sinan’s great mosque on the third hill, with a terrace looking over the Golden Horn. Walk down through the Spice Bazaar area to Eminönü for dinner.
Day 3: The Bosphorus
- Morning
Dolmabahçe Palace
The 19th-century palace on the European shore, entered on a guided route. It is closed on Mondays and on the first day of religious holidays. Allow two hours.
- Afternoon
Bosphorus ferry
The public Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü runs up the strait past palaces and wooden waterfront houses; the ride is about 90 minutes each way, and much cheaper than private tours. Sit on the upper deck.
- Evening
Ortaköy
A waterfront village under the Bosphorus Bridge, known for baked potatoes (kumpir) and views of the mosque against the bridge. Busy at weekends.
Day 4: Galata and Beyoğlu
- Morning
Galata Tower
A medieval stone tower with a viewing gallery over the Golden Horn and the old city. Go at opening time; the queue builds from mid-morning.
- Afternoon
Istiklal Avenue
The long pedestrian street from Galata to Taksim, with bookshops, old passages and the historic tram. Walk it uphill, then take the metro back.
- Evening
Karaköy
Below the tower, a district of small cafés, restaurants and galleries by the water. A good place for a long dinner.
Day 5: Islands and the Asian side
- Morning
Büyükada, Princes’ Islands
About 90 minutes by ferry from Kabataş. The island has no cars: hire a bicycle or walk to the hilltop and the old wooden mansions. Take an early boat to have time for a fish lunch.
- Afternoon
Kadıköy market
Take the ferry from the island or Karaköy to the Asian shore. The covered market sells fish, cheese, olives and sweets; a relaxed place with fewer tourists.
- Evening
Moda seafront
A tea garden walk along the Marmara shore, with the sun setting over the old city across the water.
Getting around Istanbul
Buy an Istanbulkart for the metro, trams, buses and ferries. Use the tram for Sultanahmet, the metro for Taksim and ferries to cross the Bosphorus; taxis get stuck in traffic. Ask for the meter to be switched on, or use a ride-hailing app.
Istanbul questions
Is 5 days enough for Istanbul?
Yes for the main sights on both shores at an easy pace. With 3 days, drop the islands and the Asian side and compress the bazaars into one day.
What should I wear in the mosques?
Cover shoulders and knees, remove your shoes, and women should carry a scarf for the hair. Mosques close to visitors during prayer, so plan around the call to prayer.
Which airport is better, IST or Sabiha Gökçen?
Istanbul Airport (IST) takes about an hour to the old city by metro and bus or taxi. Sabiha Gökçen is on the Asian side and is better if you stay in Kadıköy. Compare total travel time, not only fares.
Can I use Saudi riyals in Istanbul?
Pay in Turkish lira for the best rates. Cards are widely accepted; exchange offices in the old city give better rates than the airport. Check the day’s rate before you change a large amount.