One day in Istanbul: itinerary and highlights

Hagia Sophia is the starting point, the basilica commissioned by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, later transformed into a mosque under the Ottomans: the enormous central dome, the partially preserved Byzantine mosaics, and the large Islamic calligraphic medallions coexist in the same space, telling much of the city's history on their own.

On the same square, just steps away, stands the Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century and known for the over 20,000 Iznik ceramic tiles that cover its interior: entry for visitors is free, with times suspended during prayers.

From here you reach the Topkapi, the residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries: successive courtyards lead to the harem apartments, the treasury hall, and terraces overlooking the Bosphorus—scenic points already used by the sultans themselves to observe the city's maritime traffic.

In the early afternoon, you can venture into the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets, with thousands of shops arranged along streets roofed with decorated vaults: carpets, ceramics, copper objects, and jewelry succeed one another along a path where it's easy to lose your bearings, part of the very experience of the place.

Around mid-afternoon, it's worth descending to the Golden Horn and crossing the Galata Bridge, where fishermen with rods line the pedestrian traffic, to reach the Galata neighborhood on the far shore.

Here you can climb the Galata Tower, the 14th-century Genoese observation point from which you see the entire historic peninsula you've just left, with Sultanahmet's domes and minarets silhouetted against the sea. Alternatively, you can follow the same sunset view from one of many ferries that sail up the Bosphorus, a slower but equally evocative way to end the day on the water.

In the evening, the streets around Istiklal Avenue, the long pedestrian street starting from Taksim Square, concentrate restaurants and bars for dinner, with the old red tram's traffic serving as a reminder of the city's more European soul.

Organizing the day in Istanbul between Sultanahmet and Galata brings together the great monuments of the historic peninsula and the change of perspective on the Bosporus, leaving open the choice between the Galata Tower and an evening ferry to enjoy the sunset on the water.

Left out are the entire Asian shore of the city and a true boat excursion along the Bosporus up to the Black Sea, both destinations more suited to those with more time at their disposal. Crossing in a few hours two continents, from the Blue Mosque to the Bosporus, nonetheless remains an experience that explains well why Istanbul is called the bridge city.