Istanbul, Edirne and Gallipoli in

Istanbul's classic sights, plus a day in Edirne and one night at the Gallipoli battlefields, wrapping up on the Asian side.

Use the Old City as your base. On the second day, head south to the Gallipoli Peninsula and spend a night in Çanakkale. The next day, visit the Troy ruins before returning to the city. On the fourth day, explore Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar. On the fifth day, visit Edirne to see Sinan's Selimiye Mosque. The last two days cover the Bosphorus and the Asian side. Five of the six nights are spent in Istanbul. The two long bus journeys each take 2.5–5 hours, making this a good fit for visitors interested in Ottoman and First World War history who want to get out of the city.

Around April 25 (ANZAC Day), Gallipoli is extremely busy, so book accommodation well in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and First Look at the Old City

Istanbul（Hippodrome of Constantinople、Blue Mosque、Hagia Sophia）

About 1.5 hours to the Old City by airport shuttle bus or metro. In the afternoon, stroll around the Hippodrome area on foot.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 2 · Gallipoli Peninsula Battlefields

Çanakkale（Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park (Çanakkale Epic Promotion Center)、Anzac Cove、Lone Pine Cemetery & Memorial、Chunuk Bair (Conkbayırı)）

Early in the morning, take a tour or hire a car along the Sea of Marmara coast to Eceabat, about 4.5 hours. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the battlefields, then cross the strait in the evening and spend the night in Çanakkale.

The battlefields are spread out, so without your own car, a tour is the easiest option.

Stay: Çanakkale Waterfront City Centre

Day 3 · Troy Ruins and Return to the City

Çanakkale（Trojan Horse & Kordon Waterfront） → Troy Ruins

Stroll along the Çanakkale seafront in the morning, then drive about 30 minutes to the Troy ruins. In the afternoon, return to Istanbul via the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, about 4 hours.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 4 · Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul（Topkapi Palace、Basilica Cistern、Grand Bazaar、Süleymaniye Mosque）

Walk to Topkapı Palace within the Old City, about 3 hours. In the afternoon, take the T1 tram or walk to the Grand Bazaar and the Süleymaniye Mosque.

Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 5 · Day Trip to Edirne

Edirne（Selimiye Mosque、Selimiye Arasta、Old Mosque、Üç Şerefeli Mosque、Meriç Bridge）

Take a bus from the Esenler long-distance bus terminal to Edirne, about 2.5–3 hours. Explore the city on foot and return the same way in the evening.

The last bus back leaves around 20:00, so buy your return ticket in advance.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 6 · Bosphorus Cruise and the New City

Istanbul（Dolmabahçe Palace、Bosphorus Strait Cruise、Galata Tower、İstiklal Avenue & Taksim Square）

Take the T1 tram to Kabataş, visit the palace, then take a Bosphorus cruise. On the way back, walk to Galata Tower and İstiklal Avenue.

Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 7 · Kadıköy on the Asian Side and Departure

Istanbul（Spice Bazaar、Kadıköy & Moda）

Take a ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy, about 20 minutes. Browse the market and walk along the Moda seafront. In the afternoon, take a bus or metro to Sabiha Gökçen Airport, about 1 hour.

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