From the Bosphorus to the Mediterranean
Three destinations. Three unforgettable faces of Turkey. One beautifully balanced 7-day journey.
Imagine beginning your holiday beneath the glowing skyline of Istanbul, where ancient Byzantine monuments, Ottoman palaces, magnificent mosques and the Bosphorus create one of the world's most extraordinary cityscapes. This is the meeting point of two continents, a city that has served as the capital of three empires and continues to reveal a new layer of history around every corner.
From there, travel inland to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, where elegant mosques, historic silk markets and the forested slopes of Uludağ reveal a quieter, deeply atmospheric side of Turkish heritage — a refreshing contrast after the intensity of Istanbul's imperial core.
Finally, leave the historic peninsula behind and journey south to Antalya, Turkey's Mediterranean jewel, where stone-paved old town streets, Ottoman-era houses, warm sunshine, dramatic coastal cliffs and cascading waterfalls create the perfect setting for the final, unhurried days of your Turkey holiday.
This carefully balanced 7-day Istanbul, Bursa and Antalya tour package combines world-class sightseeing, deep history, local culture, nature and genuine leisure time without overwhelming travelers with too many destinations in too few days. Every night has been considered, every travel day kept realistic, and one full day left free — because a memorable holiday isn't only about monuments; it's about the freedom to actually enjoy them.
Discover the empire. Experience Ottoman heritage. Then slow down beside the Mediterranean.
Istanbul — Empire & Culture
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus dinner cruise.
Bursa — Ottoman Roots
The Green Mosque, historic silk market and the panoramic slopes of Uludağ Mountain.
Antalya — Mediterranean Escape
Kaleiçi Old Town, dramatic coastal scenery, cascading waterfalls and a full day at your own pace.
Designed for Travelers Who Want More Than a Checklist
This itinerary deliberately gives you time to experience each destination properly, rather than rushing through too many Turkish cities in seven days. It is especially well suited to:
7-Day Turkey Tour Itinerary Summary
| Day | Destination | Experience | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Istanbul | Arrival & Bosphorus Dinner Cruise | Istanbul |
| Day 2 | Istanbul | Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar | Istanbul |
| Day 3 | Bursa | Green Mosque, Silk Market & Uludağ Mountain | Istanbul |
| Day 4 | Istanbul → Antalya | Half-Day Istanbul Experience & Domestic Flight | Antalya |
| Day 5 | Antalya | Kaleiçi, Mediterranean Coast & Waterfalls | Antalya |
| Day 6 | Antalya | Leisure & Mediterranean Holiday | Antalya |
| Day 7 | Antalya | Airport Transfer & Departure | — |
Total: 7 Days / 6 Nights · Accommodation: 3 nights Istanbul + 3 nights Antalya.
Your Highlights at a Glance
- Istanbul's imperial historic peninsula
- Hagia Sophia
- The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
- Topkapi Palace
- The Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with entertainment
- Bursa, the first Ottoman capital
- The Green Mosque
- Bursa's historic silk heritage
- Uludağ Mountain
- Kaleiçi Old Town, Antalya
- Antalya's Mediterranean waterfalls
- A full dedicated Antalya leisure day
- Private airport & city transfers
- English-speaking licensed guide
- 3 nights Istanbul + 3 nights Antalya
Your 7-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day walk through imperial Istanbul, Ottoman Bursa and Mediterranean Antalya — click any day to see the full details, timings and included meals.
Your Turkish adventure begins as you arrive in Istanbul, the extraordinary metropolis where Europe and Asia meet along the legendary Bosphorus. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, your private transfer welcomes you and takes you comfortably to your Istanbul hotel. After check-in, take some time to settle in and relax before the city reveals another personality after dark.
🌉 Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
Begin an unforgettable evening on the Bosphorus. As the sun disappears and the city's lights begin to shimmer, cruise between the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. From the water, the historic skyline becomes a spectacular panorama of illuminated mosques, palaces, bridges and waterfront mansions. Enjoy dinner accompanied by music and traditional Turkish entertainment — a romantic, atmospheric and unforgettable first night in Turkey.
After breakfast, dedicate the day to the magnificent historic heart of Istanbul. Few cities on earth offer such a concentration of history — shaped by Byzantine emperors, Ottoman sultans, merchants, scholars and architects across fifteen centuries.
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🕌 Hagia Sophia
One of Istanbul's defining monuments, celebrated for its enormous dome and extraordinary layered history. Hagia Sophia is a fascinating meeting point between Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. Entrance fee not included in the standard package.
🕌 Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Elegant cascading domes, graceful minarets and exquisite İznik tile decoration make this one of Istanbul's most recognizable landmarks, set within a wonderful historic square.
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👑 Topkapi Palace
For centuries this extraordinary palace complex stood at the center of Ottoman imperial life. Its courtyards offer insight into royal ceremonies, administration and court life.
🛍️ Grand Bazaar
End the day among the fascinating covered lanes of Istanbul's historic Grand Bazaar — carpets, ceramics, jewelry, textiles and handcrafted products in one of the city's most enduring commercial traditions.
Today, leave Istanbul temporarily and travel toward Bursa, a city surrounded by lush landscapes and mountain scenery. Bursa holds a special place in Turkish history as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, combining imperial heritage, traditional markets, religious architecture and spectacular mountain scenery.
🕌 Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami)
Celebrated for elegant Ottoman architecture and distinctive green and turquoise tilework, the Green Mosque and its surrounding complex give an atmospheric introduction to Bursa's imperial past.
🧵 Historic Silk Market
Bursa became one of the most important centers of silk production and trade. Explore the traditional market atmosphere and discover Turkish textiles, scarves and locally produced crafts.
⛰️ Uludağ Mountain
The atmosphere changes from historic city streets to forests, fresh mountain air and panoramic scenery — a refreshing natural contrast to Istanbul, before returning to Istanbul in the evening.
After breakfast, enjoy a more relaxed half-day Istanbul experience, giving you time to discover another side of the city before beginning the journey south. Then transfer from your hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to Antalya (not included in the standard package). Upon arrival at Antalya Airport, your private transfer takes you to your hotel.
The atmosphere changes dramatically: the imperial monuments of Istanbul give way to palm trees, Mediterranean light, sea breezes and the relaxed rhythm of southern Turkey. Spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Today discover the fascinating combination of history, nature and Mediterranean beauty that makes Antalya one of Turkey's most appealing destinations.
🏘️ Kaleiçi Old Town
Walk through narrow stone streets surrounded by historic walls, Ottoman-era houses, small courtyards and inviting cafés — an intimate, photogenic contrast to the monumental grandeur of Istanbul.
🌊 Mediterranean Coast
Antalya's deep blue sea and rugged coastal cliffs provide a striking backdrop to the city's historical heritage — the essence of the Turkish Riviera.
💦 Düden Waterfalls
The sound of flowing water and surrounding greenery offer a welcome, refreshing break from sightseeing at one of the region's beautiful waterfall areas.
After several rewarding sightseeing days, Day 6 deliberately remains free. A memorable holiday isn't only about monuments — it's also about the freedom to enjoy a slow breakfast, walk beside the sea, discover a small café or simply sit beneath the Mediterranean sun.
Suggested Antalya experiences: relax at your hotel · explore more of Kaleiçi · walk the coastal promenade · enjoy a seaside restaurant · shop for Turkish products · discover local cafés · spend time by the sea · enjoy a Turkish bath (hamam) · or request an optional private excursion.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Antalya Airport for your onward journey. Two departure options are available:
Option A — Antalya Departure: finish your holiday in Antalya and continue onward from Antalya Airport.
Option B — Antalya → Istanbul: return to Istanbul by domestic flight and connect with your international departure. Domestic flights are separate from the standard package unless a flight-inclusive quotation is specifically arranged.
A Closer Look at Every Place You'll Visit
Detailed background on the history, culture and tourism significance of every major site on this Istanbul, Bursa and Antalya itinerary.
🕌 Istanbul — Empire, Culture & the Bosphorus
Istanbul is the only city in the world built across two continents, and its historic peninsula concentrates more than 1,600 years of imperial history into a walkable area. This tour focuses on its four defining landmarks plus an evening cruise along the strait that made the city legendary.
Hagia Sophia
Commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years before its conversion into an Ottoman mosque in 1453. Its soaring dome — engineered without modern technology — remains one of history's great architectural achievements. Today it stands as an extraordinary meeting point between Byzantine mosaics and Islamic calligraphy, and a must-see introduction to Istanbul's layered identity.
Why it matters
- One of the most architecturally influential buildings ever constructed
- Living evidence of Istanbul's Byzantine-to-Ottoman transition
The Blue Mosque
Built between 1609 and 1616 under Sultan Ahmed I, this working mosque takes its popular name from the more than 20,000 hand-painted İznik tiles that line its interior. Its six minarets and cascading domes were designed to rival — and visually complement — Hagia Sophia directly across the square, creating one of the most photographed skylines in the world.
Why it matters
- A masterpiece of classical Ottoman mosque design
- Still an active place of worship today
Topkapi Palace
The primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, Topkapi Palace is a sprawling complex of courtyards, pavilions and treasury rooms overlooking the Bosphorus. Its collections include imperial jewels, sacred relics and centuries of court ceremony, offering a rare window into the administration and daily life of one of history's most powerful empires.
Why it matters
- The seat of Ottoman power for four centuries
- Spectacular views over the Bosphorus and Golden Horn
The Grand Bazaar
Founded in 1455 and expanded over centuries, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets on earth, with over 4,000 shops along 60-plus covered streets. Far more than a shopping stop, it is a living continuation of Istanbul's centuries-old trading culture — carpets, ceramics, gold, leather and spices under vaulted brick ceilings.
Why it matters
- One of the world's first and largest covered markets
- An authentic, atmospheric shopping and cultural experience
🌿 Bursa — First Ottoman Capital & Green Landscapes
Before Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453, Bursa was their capital and spiritual heartland. It remains one of Turkey's most underrated destinations — a UNESCO-listed historic core wrapped in silk-trading heritage and mountain scenery.
The Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami)
Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I and completed in 1424, the Green Mosque takes its name from the green and turquoise İznik tiles that decorate its interior. Widely regarded as the architectural masterpiece of early Ottoman design, it marks the transition between Seljuk-influenced building styles and the great domed mosques that would later define Istanbul.
Why it matters
- A defining monument of early Ottoman architecture
- Part of Bursa's UNESCO World Heritage listing
Bursa's Historic Silk Market
Bursa's position on the Silk Road made it one of the Ottoman Empire's most important centers of silk production and trade for centuries. Its historic covered markets and hans (caravanserais) still trade in textiles, scarves and locally woven crafts, offering an authentic connection between commerce, craftsmanship and Ottoman history.
Why it matters
- Centuries of continuous silk-trading tradition
- Excellent, less touristy shopping for authentic textiles
Uludağ Mountain
Known in antiquity as Mysian Olympus, Uludağ rises to 2,543 meters and is Turkey's most famous ski and nature destination. A cable car (teleferik) climbs from the city through pine forests to panoramic viewpoints, offering a dramatic natural counterpoint to the historic streets below — beautiful in every season.
Why it matters
- One of Turkey's most scenic national parks
- A refreshing nature break within the itinerary
🌊 Antalya — Mediterranean History & Turquoise Coast
Founded in the 2nd century BCE, Antalya has passed through Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman hands, and today combines that layered history with Turkey's most celebrated stretch of Mediterranean coastline.
Kaleiçi Old Town
Enclosed within ancient city walls overlooking Antalya's old harbour, Kaleiçi (literally "inner castle") is the original core of the city, showcasing Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman architectural layers. Its narrow cobblestone streets, red-tiled Ottoman houses, boutique shops and courtyard restaurants make it one of Turkey's most photogenic old towns.
Why it matters
- One of the best-preserved old towns on the Turkish coast
- Ideal for slow walking, photography and local shopping
Düden Waterfalls
Formed where the Düden River reappears from a karstic spring, the Upper Düden Waterfall (also called the Alexander Waterfall, after Alexander the Great is said to have watered his horses there) cascades through a landscaped park of walking trails and picnic areas. The Lower Düden Waterfall dramatically plunges directly into the Mediterranean Sea.
Why it matters
- A rare waterfall that empties straight into the sea
- A cool, green escape from the coastal heat
Antalya's Mediterranean Coast
Antalya's dramatic limestone cliffs drop directly into deep turquoise water, forming the heart of the Turkish Riviera. The city's appeal lies precisely in this contrast — ancient ruins and Ottoman streets on one side, endless Mediterranean coastline on the other — making it Turkey's leading resort destination and a favorite among families and couples alike.
Why it matters
- Some of the most striking coastal scenery in the Mediterranean
- The perfect finale to a history-rich itinerary
Where You'll Stay & What You'll Eat
Accommodation
- 3 nights in Istanbul, hotel with daily breakfast
- 3 nights in Antalya, hotel with daily breakfast
- 6 total hotel nights
- Choice of 3-star, 4-star or 5-star category
Specific hotel names and room categories are confirmed according to the selected hotel category and availability at the time of booking.
Meals
- 6 breakfasts (daily, at your hotel)
- 2–3 lunches during organized full-day tours
- 1 dinner — Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with entertainment
This lighter meal structure gives you the freedom to discover Antalya's restaurants independently on your leisure day.
Included & Excluded Services
Included in This Tour
- 3 nights Istanbul hotel + 3 nights Antalya hotel
- Daily breakfast (6 mornings)
- Private Istanbul airport transfer
- Antalya airport transfers
- Comfortable transportation during organized tours
- Full-day Istanbul historical tour
- Full-day Bursa excursion
- Half-day Istanbul experience
- Full-day Antalya city tour
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with entertainment
- English-speaking licensed guide on guided days
- Entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary, except Hagia Sophia
- Selected lunches
Not Included
- International flights
- Domestic flights (Istanbul ⇄ Antalya)
- Hagia Sophia entrance fee
- Personal expenses
- Tips & gratuities
- Optional activities
- Private excursions not specifically listed
- Hotel extras (minibar, spa, laundry, etc.)
- Travel insurance
Why This Is an Excellent Honeymoon & Family Turkey Holiday
This itinerary has a particularly attractive emotional rhythm — discovery followed by relaxation — which is exactly what makes it work equally well for couples and families.
🕌 Istanbul — Romance & Grandeur
Illuminated monuments, the Bosphorus, elegant Ottoman architecture and an unforgettable dinner cruise set a memorable tone from day one.
🌿 Bursa — Heritage & Serenity
A quieter, greener day among mountain scenery and Ottoman history — a gentle pause between two more intense destinations.
🌊 Antalya — Mediterranean Time Together
Finish beside the sea with warm evenings, historic Kaleiçi streets, coastal walks and a full day genuinely free to relax together.
7-Day Istanbul, Bursa & Antalya Tour Price
Because hotel category, travel dates and group size affect the final price, here is a realistic starting price for this style of 7-day, 6-night private and group Turkey package — final pricing is confirmed once your travel dates and hotel category are set.
- Private guide & vehicle throughout
- Fully flexible schedule
- Best for couples & families
- Small-group guided departures
- Great value for solo & budget travelers
- Same core itinerary & inclusions
- Upgrade to 4★ or 5★ hotels
- Add domestic flights or extra nights
- Honeymoon & special-occasion touches
Indicative pricing based on current market rates for comparable 7-day, 6-night Istanbul–Bursa–Antalya private and group packages, double-occupancy, 3★–4★ hotel category. Prices vary by season, hotel category and group size. International and domestic flights are not included unless specifically requested and quoted.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 Stars Excellent Service — The History Travel Agency
The Bosphorus dinner cruise on our first night set the perfect romantic tone, and finishing the week in Kaleiçi with the sea right outside our window was exactly what we needed. Our guide in Istanbul made Topkapi Palace come alive with stories we'd never have found on our own.
Perfect pacing for kids — enough history to keep it interesting, and a full free day in Antalya so nobody was exhausted. The Uludağ cable car in Bursa was a huge hit with our children. Transfers were always on time and the guides were fantastic with the kids.
I booked the group tour and never felt like "just another tourist." The Grand Bazaar visit and the Green Mosque in Bursa were highlights I still think about. Antalya's Düden Waterfalls were a stunning surprise I hadn't expected from the itinerary.
Practical Tips for This Itinerary
Coordinate Your Domestic Flight
The Istanbul–Antalya flight isn't included — book it to align with your Day 4 airport transfer time.
Keep Day 6 Free
Resist the urge to over-schedule your Antalya leisure day — it's designed to feel like a genuine holiday, not a seventh tour day.
Dress for Mosque Visits
Modest clothing and a headscarf for women are required inside the Blue Mosque; shoes are removed at the entrance.
Plan Around the Heat
Summer temperatures in Antalya regularly exceed 30°C (86°F) — carry water and schedule outdoor time for morning or late afternoon.
Allow Shopping Time
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar and Bursa's silk market reward unhurried browsing — build in extra time if souvenirs are a priority.
Consider Your Departure City
Departing internationally from Antalya can save a return flight to Istanbul — ask us about flight-inclusive quotations.
Book Your 7-Day Istanbul, Bursa & Antalya Tour
- 3 nights Istanbul + 3 nights Antalya, breakfast included
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Selected lunches + Bosphorus dinner cruise
- Entrance fees (except Hagia Sophia)
- All airport & city transfers
- Secure payment options
- Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
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Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.