4 days to visit Istanbul

The first day is dedicated to the must-sees, the panoramas, the landscapes and the monuments that make Istanbul what it is.

Tour of Galata The day begins in the central district of Galata. To get there, take the metro to Sishane station. The Galata Tower will get you straight into the swing of things. Built in 1348, the watchtower stands like a sentinel. It's the perfect place to learn about Istanbul's history and take in the beautiful views. Then head down the spiral staircase, stopping to see the various artefacts and interactive exhibits that make up the new Galata Tower Museum.

The Kamondo Art Nouveau staircase and Bankalar Caddesi

Head for the winding Kamondo staircase on Rue Voyvoda, which starts near the base of the Galata Tower.

This curved Art Nouveau staircase was financed by Abraham Salomon Kamondo, a prominent Jewish banker, in the 1870s. At the foot of the staircase, one of Istanbul's most beautiful streets, Bankalar Caddesi, appears with its majestic stone facades. From the 1850s onwards, this was the Ottoman Wall Street, where the Empire housed its financial institutions and banks.

Try a balik ekmek

Several street restaurants offer the speciality, balik ekmek (grilled fish bread with lime and a little chilli), one of Istanbul's most delicious bites. Here are two places to try it: Karakoy Lokantasi and Mario. An absolute flavour bomb!

Explore Karakoy

Karakoy is one of Istanbul's busiest districts. Encircling the port between the Galata Bridge and the new Galataport complex, it is home to an endless array of cafés, boutiques and galleries (some housed in former warehouses). Stroll through the streets of Karakoy after lunch and head towards the bridge, keeping an eye out for the street art murals.

Visit the railway museum and stop off at the Orient Express Café

Sirkeci station is magnificent inside and out. Built in 1890 by the Oriental Railway, it served as the last stop for the legendary Orient Express train from Paris to Istanbul. It was still in service in 2009, but then came to a halt when the tracks were uprooted.

Fans of Agatha Christie and railway enthusiasts will love setting foot on the historic quays. You can almost see Istanbul through the eyes of an intercontinental traveller seeing Constantinople for the very first time. Located inside the station, the Istanbul Railway Museum (free admission) displays photographs and documents relating to the Turkish railways, while the Orient Express Cafe offers a tea or coffee break in a vintage setting, with paintings and photographs.

Admire the sunset from Galata Bridge

End your day where you began, back in Galata. The Galata Bridge is a popular vantage point for admiring the sunset.

Day 2 takes you to the most colourful corners of Istanbul. To begin with, take the ferry to Fener.

Photograph colourful houses and discover antique shops

It's time to explore one of Istanbul's most colourful neighbourhoods, Balat/Fener. This pair of cute neighbourhoods with Jewish and Greek roots are known for their antique shops, dizzying alleys and multitude of colourful houses. The most beautiful façades are clustered around Kiremit and Merdivenli streets in the Balat district.

St George's Cathedral and the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Close to the Painted Houses, St George's Cathedral and Ecumenical Patriarchate is another important Christian monument in Istanbul. Representing 1,700 years of Orthodox Christian history, the complex consists of several buildings grouped around a courtyard. Entry is free, but you must pass through a security check.

The Spice Bazaar

The Spice Bazaar is just as interesting as the Grand Bazaar. It's just as crowded and frenetic, and the mountains of spices, piles of soaps and herbal teas are beautifully displayed on the stalls.

A diversion to the Kariye Mosque and the Fatih Mosque

The Kariye Mosque, also known as the Chora Church (free admission), was founded in the 4th century as a church before being converted into a museum. Today, it is an active mosque. Outside prayer times, visitors can go inside to see the beautiful Byzantine frescoes and iconographic paintings.

The Fatih Mosque stands proudly atop one of Istanbul's hills. From the second-floor mezzanine, there is an incredible bird's-eye view of the carpeted prayer floor. The ablutions fountain in the central courtyard, surrounded by arches, is simply perfect. The mosque is linked to the Sahn-i-Seman Medressa, an important centre of astronomy, mathematics and theology in the sultan's time.

After two days in Europe, it's time to head to Asia.

Ferrying from Europe to Asia

The third day begins with a ferry crossing of the Bosphorus. This is a typical Istanbul experience, especially when you follow this particular route that runs from west to east. The ferries to Kadikoy leave from Karakoy and Besiktas. The latter route is particularly beautiful as it takes you directly past the Dolmabahce Mosque. When you arrive at the Kadikoy jetty on the Anatolian side, you have officially crossed from Europe into Asia.

Explore Kadikoy

In some ways, Kadikoy is a slightly more subdued version of Karakoy. Its narrow lanes are also lined with cafés and cute shops. Kadikoy has a more local and relaxed feel. You can make a quick diversions to the bookshops and walk along Moda Caddesi, where there are gift shops and specialist cafés.

The streets closest to the pier are packed with markets, delicatessens and shops. The Kadikoy market features stalls overflowing with olives and stacks of vine leaves, jars of local honey, packets of green tea, hand-baked wooden spoons and kitchen accessories...

The Uskudar coastal footbridge

Take the ferry down the coast to Uskudar. A cultural centre since Ottoman times, Uskudar was once a stop on the historic Silk Road. This is where traders bought their saddles, horses and equipment before saying goodbye to Europe and hurrying on to Asia.

The Uskudar coastal footbridge faces directly towards Karakoy, with breathtaking views of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace across the water. Walking north towards the ferry terminal, you will pass the glittering Shemsi Pasha Mosque.

The houses of Kuzguncuk

Uskudar is a huge area with several discreet districts, including Kuzguncuk (which means "Little Raven"). It represents the quintessence of a peaceful and idyllic residential area with painted wooden houses.

Day 4 is devoted entirely to exploring Arnavutkoy, Cihangir and Cukurcuma.

The Sinan Pasha mosque and the tomb of Barbarossa

The Naval Museum is well worth a visit if you have a particular interest in the maritime history of the region. A few steps away, the Sinan Pasha Mosque was built in 1555 for the great admiral Sinan Pasha.

Across the street from the mosque, the tomb of Hayreddin Barbarossa is the final resting place of the man nicknamed Beard, the legendary Ottoman admiral whose escapades inspired the film Pirate of the Caribbean.

Admire the Ottoman-era mansions of Arnavutkoy

Arnavutkoy ("Albanian Village"), a charming district, hugs the coast with its tall houses built in the late 19th century and infused with Art Nouveau elements. Lose yourself in the steep streets, where colourful staircases and breathtaking views await you.

A traditional Turkish bath at the Aga Hamami

Taking a Turkish bath is commonplace, even customary in the country. Built in 1454 as a private bath for Mehmed the Conqueror, Aga Hamami describes itself as Istanbul's oldest hammam. Aga is located close to Taksim Square and offers attractive packages, including a bath for €35.

Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue

The pulsating heart ofIstanbul is undoubtedlyIstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square: the shops and restaurants wedged between the beautiful 19th-century Ottoman facades; the pedestrian street buzzing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Treat yourself to one last gourmet treat: pistachio baklava stuffed with ice cream at Istanbul's most famous café, Hafız Mustafa 1864. Finish this itinerary in Taksim Square, the emblematic square lined with monuments and mosques.