12 days in Istanbul Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya) and Kapali Carsi. Spend the 20th (Fri) floating through the air with a balloon tour. And it doesn't end there: explore the ancient world of Basilica Cistern, admire the masterpieces at Istanbul Modern Museum, get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, and steep yourself in history at Galata Tower.

For traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Istanbul trip planner .

If you are flying in from Qatar, the closest major airports are Atatürk International Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in July, and nighttime lows around 23°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) so you can travel back home.