Itinéraire de voyage

Day 1 — Sultanahmet, Sirkeci & Eminönü

Morning

• Start early at Hagia Sophia, then cross Sultanahmet Square to the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome.
• Have breakfast beforehand at a nearby café; try menemen, cheese, olives, bread, and tea.
• Transit: Take tram T1 to Sultanahmet. The morning sights are within a 5–10-minute walk.
• Allow extra time for security lines and prayer-time closures.

Afternoon

• Visit Topkapı Palace. Add the Harem only if energy and time allow.
• Walk downhill through Gülhane Park to Sirkeci.
• Food: Late lunch at Şehzade Cağ Kebap near Sirkeci.
• Transit: The walk from Topkapı through Gülhane to Sirkeci takes about 15–20 minutes.
• Skip if tired: The Harem, which requires a separate ticket and roughly an additional hour.

Evening

• Walk or take T1 to Eminönü and explore the Spice Bazaar.
• If energy permits, cross Galata Bridge for sunset and dinner in Karaköy.
• Food: Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası; reserve ahead.
• Transit: The Spice Bazaar is about 10 minutes on foot from Sirkeci. Crossing the bridge to Karaköy takes another 20–25 minutes; T1 is the easy backup.

Rainy-day alternative

• Replace Gülhane Park and the sunset walk with the Istanbul Archaeological Museums or the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam.
• Take T1 from Eminönü to Karaköy rather than walking across the bridge.

Day 2 — Fener, Balat, Galata & Beyoğlu

Morning

• Explore Fener and Balat, focusing on the colorful streets, historic houses, neighborhood cafés, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.
• Food: Breakfast at Forno Balat.
• Transit: From Eminönü, take a Golden Horn ferry to Fener if the schedule is convenient; otherwise use a bus such as 99A. Avoid taxis during rush hour.
• Expect steep and uneven streets; comfortable shoes are essential.

Afternoon

• Return toward Karaköy, then ride the historic **Tüne