Seven days is a good length to enjoy Istanbul without rushing: a tour of the city's landmarks, three trips outside it that mix nature and sea, and an evening on the Bosphorus, without wearing out the children with a packed schedule. This plan follows the order of our weekly Istanbul program, with what to expect each day and tips to help you enjoy the trip.
The seven days at a glance
| Day | Program |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Airport pickup and transfer to the hotel |
| Day 2 | Istanbul city tour of the main landmarks |
| Day 3 | Green Bursa day trip |
| Day 4 | Sapanca, Maşukiye and Izmit trip |
| Day 5 | Princes' Islands trip |
| Day 6 | Bosphorus evening cruise with dinner |
| Day 7 | Drop-off and transfer to the airport |
This is the order of our group program, and it may shift slightly with the weather and your flight times. The private-car program instead includes two Istanbul tours (the European and the Asian side) and a Sapanca, Maşukiye and Izmit trip, with full flexibility in arranging the days.
Day 1: Arrival and rest
You land, your driver meets you and takes you to the hotel, a 4-star hotel in Şişli in our program. Rest after arriving, then head out for a short walk around the neighborhood and an easy dinner near the hotel. Don't load the first day with a heavy schedule, since most trips arrive tired.
Day 2: Istanbul's landmarks
The city tour day is by private car with a private driver. Choose the places that matter most to you, such as the Sultanahmet area, the old markets and Bosphorus viewpoints. It is best to start early before the crowds, leave time for lunch and breaks, and put the places that need the most time first.
Day 3: Green Bursa
A full-day trip within a tour group, including transfers, lunch and the cable car ride. You visit the Green Mosque, the Ottoman bathhouse, a Turkish sweets hall, the Safari station, a preserves hall and a clothing shopping hall, with the big and small cable cars and a lunch. The trip is fairly long because of the distance, so get a good night's sleep beforehand and wear comfortable clothes.
Day 4: Sapanca, Maşukiye and Izmit
A day among nature and lakes, visiting Lake Sapanca, the Maşukiye waterfalls, the forests of Izmit and the Moon viewpoint, with stops to shop at a Turkish delight factory and a natural honey gallery. Maşukiye has an activity area with safari bikes, a zipline and a giant swing, and these fees are separate and paid on the spot. This is often the children's favorite day.
Message us on WhatsApp and our team will reply within minutes.
Day 5: The Princes' Islands
A sea trip leaves at 10:30 in the morning with a tour around the Maiden's Tower, then stops at Burgaz island for an hour of free time among the colorful houses and the beach, then the Big Island with lunch served before arrival and two hours of free time. It is a relatively calm day, which suits coming after two long days of trips.
Day 6: The Bosphorus evening
An evening aboard a cruise ship on the Bosphorus with dinner. The Bosphorus night has two programs: a fully alcohol-free Arabic program, and a Turkish night with an international atmosphere. You can find the details of each on the Bosphorus cruise page. Keep the daytime light so you can enjoy the evening.
Day 7: Departure
Drop-off and transfer to the airport by private car. Leave generous time before your flight, since Istanbul traffic is unpredictable, and check your bags and documents the night before.
Tips for a successful family trip
- Balance heavy and light days: Bursa is a long day, the Princes' Islands are lighter, and Sapanca sits between them in nature.
- Pack for the season: see our guide to the best time to visit Istanbul for the weather month by month.
- Extra activities cost extra: fees such as the aquarium and the Maşukiye activities are not included in the trip price, so set aside a small budget.
- Book early during school holidays: demand for hotels and trips goes up.
- Flights are not included: the price does not cover flight tickets to and from Istanbul.
Group or private car?
In the group program, starting from $850 for two, the Bursa, Sapanca, Maşukiye, Izmit and Princes' Islands trips and the evening cruise run within groups, while the Istanbul tour and airport transfers stay by private car. In the private-car program, starting from $1,450 for two, a private driver stays with you all week with full flexibility in arranging the days and choosing between the European and Asian sides each day. It suits larger families or anyone who prefers privacy and control of their time.
