Three Destinations. Three Faces of Turkey. One Unforgettable Journey.
This carefully paced 7-day Turkey tour package is built around a simple but powerful idea: instead of rushing through too many destinations, you get real time to experience Istanbul, Bursa and Antalya properly. Your journey begins in Istanbul — the extraordinary city where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosphorus — continues with an unforgettable excursion to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and then moves south to the Mediterranean shores of Antalya for a rewarding mix of history, coastal scenery and genuine relaxation. Istanbul gives you history and grandeur. Bursa gives you Ottoman heritage and mountain scenery. Antalya gives you sunshine, Mediterranean beauty and time to breathe. This is a private and small-group Turkey tour designed for first-time visitors, couples, families, mature travelers and summer holidaymakers who want both sightseeing and leisure in one trip.
Imperial Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar in one immersive full-day tour.
Bosphorus by Night
A spectacular dinner cruise between Europe and Asia with live Turkish music and entertainment.
Bursa & Uludağ
The Green Mosque, the historic silk market, and the cool forested air of Uludağ Mountain.
Kaleiçi Old Town
Antalya's atmospheric Ottoman-era streets, harbour views and boutique courtyards.
Waterfalls & Coast
Antalya's dramatic waterfalls and turquoise Mediterranean coastline, best explored at your own pace.
A Genuine Free Day
One deliberately unscheduled day in Antalya so the trip feels like a holiday, not a checklist.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A natural, unhurried 7-day route: three nights of imperial Istanbul, a full-day excursion into Ottoman Bursa, and three nights of Mediterranean Antalya — including one completely free day to simply enjoy the journey.
Welcome to Istanbul — the extraordinary city where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosphorus. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), your private transfer takes you comfortably to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy time to rest and settle into the city before your first Turkish adventure begins.
In the evening, board a spectacular Bosphorus Dinner Cruise. As darkness falls, Istanbul transforms into a city of illuminated palaces, mosques, bridges and waterfront mansions. Cruise between the European and Asian shores while enjoying a full dinner, live music and traditional Turkish entertainment — from the water, Istanbul's historic skyline takes on an entirely different character.
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
Dinner, music, dance and traditional Turkish entertainment aboard a cruise between two continents.
Today is dedicated to the historical heart of Istanbul, accompanied throughout by your licensed English-speaking guide. Begin with Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most extraordinary monuments — its enormous dome and centuries of religious and political history make it one of the defining landmarks of the city (entrance fee not included). Continue to the magnificent Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, admired for its cascading domes, elegant minarets and exquisite İznik tile decoration.
Next, enter the world of the Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace, the primary royal residence for nearly 400 years, offering a fascinating insight into imperial life, court ceremony and the extraordinary reach of the Ottoman Empire. The day concludes at the legendary Grand Bazaar, wandering its historic covered lanes filled with Turkish carpets, ceramics, jewelry, leather goods, textiles and traditional crafts.
Hagia Sophia
Byzantine cathedral turned Ottoman mosque; one of the great architectural achievements of the ancient world.
Blue Mosque
Six soaring minarets and over 20,000 handmade İznik tiles inside an active place of worship.
Topkapi Palace
The seat of Ottoman power for four centuries, with courtyards, treasury and Bosphorus views.
Grand Bazaar
One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops across 61 streets.
Today you travel from Istanbul to Bursa, a green, mountain-fringed city and the first capital of the Ottoman Empire — essential for anyone interested in the roots of Ottoman history. Visit the celebrated Green Mosque, admired for its refined early-Ottoman architecture and distinctive green and turquoise tile decoration, with its surrounding complex offering an atmospheric introduction to the city's imperial heritage.
Explore Bursa's historic Silk Market, once one of the most important centers of silk production and trade along the ancient Silk Road, then continue toward magnificent Uludağ — the "Great Mountain" that provides a dramatic contrast to Istanbul's urban landscape, with forests, fresh mountain air and panoramic scenery. After a full day of sightseeing, return to Istanbul in the evening.
Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami)
Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I in 1412, considered the culmination of early Ottoman architecture.
Uludağ Mountain
Bithynia's ancient Mount Olympus, rising 2,543m, with panoramic views over Bursa and the Marmara region.
Rather than rushing straight to the airport, the morning is used to enjoy another side of Istanbul at a more relaxed pace than Day 2 — deliberately kept lighter so you experience the city without feeling that every minute is scheduled (approx. 08:00–12:00). Afterwards, transfer from your hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to Antalya (flight cost not included in the standard package).
Upon arrival at Antalya Airport, your private transfer takes you to your hotel. The atmosphere changes completely here: the imperial monuments of Istanbul give way to palm trees, Mediterranean light, sea breezes and the relaxed atmosphere of southern Turkey. Spend the evening at leisure.
Today discover the historic and natural character of Antalya. Explore the atmospheric streets of Kaleiçi, the city's historic old town, where Ottoman-era houses, stone streets, ancient walls and small courtyards create a wonderful atmosphere for walking, especially when sunlight falls across its historic façades.
Enjoy views of the Mediterranean coastline and the striking contrast between the ancient city and the deep blue waters surrounding it, then continue to one of the region's beautiful waterfall areas, where lush vegetation and flowing water provide a refreshing break from the day's history. Antalya is surrounded by a region where Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history left remarkable traces — giving history lovers an extra dimension beyond beaches and resorts.
Kaleiçi Old Town
Antalya's walled historic core, its narrow lanes lined with red-tiled Ottoman houses and boutique shops.
Düden Waterfalls
Water dropping dramatically from limestone cliffs, some of it plunging straight into the Mediterranean.
This day is deliberately left free — one of the most valuable design choices in this itinerary. It makes the 7-day package feel like a genuine holiday rather than seven consecutive sightseeing days. After breakfast, enjoy Antalya according to your own interests: relax at the hotel, explore more of Kaleiçi, walk along the Mediterranean promenade, enjoy a seaside restaurant, shop for Turkish products, visit a local café, or add an optional private excursion or a traditional Turkish bath (hamam) experience.
Travelers rarely remember only the monuments — they remember the morning coffee overlooking the sea, the evening walk through an old stone street, the taste of Turkish food, and the feeling of having nowhere they need to rush to.
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Antalya Airport for your departure flight. For international travelers we offer two options: Option A — Antalya Departure, finishing your Turkey journey directly from Antalya, or Option B — Antalya → Istanbul, returning to Istanbul by domestic flight to connect with an international departure (domestic flights are booked separately unless you request a flight-inclusive version).
See the Journey Before You Travel
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Grand Bazaar
Bursa
+5 moreEvery Landmark, Explained
A closer look at the history, culture and significance behind the places on this itinerary — so you arrive at every stop already understanding why it matters.
Hagia Sophia
Completed in 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years and a defining achievement of late Roman engineering — its vast dome appears to float on light. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 it was converted into an imperial mosque, then a museum, and today functions once again as a mosque while remaining open to visitors outside prayer times. Few buildings on earth embody the layered meeting of Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations as powerfully as this one.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Built between 1609 and 1616 under Sultan Ahmed I, this working mosque takes its popular name from the more than 20,000 handmade İznik tiles that line its interior in shades of blue and turquoise. With six minarets — an unusual and once-controversial number — and a cascade of domes rising above Sultanahmet Square, it remains one of the most photographed silhouettes in the world and a masterclass in classical Ottoman architecture.
Topkapi Palace
The primary residence of Ottoman sultans for roughly 400 years (1465–1856), Topkapi Palace occupies a commanding position where the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn all meet. Its courtyards, harem quarters and treasury — home to the famous Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker's Diamond — offer an unmatched window into Ottoman court life, imperial ceremony and centuries of political power.
The Grand Bazaar
Constructed shortly after the Ottoman conquest in 1461 and expanded over centuries, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets on earth, with roughly 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets. It has been a hub of trade along historic caravan routes for more than 550 years, and today remains a living, working marketplace for carpets, ceramics, jewelry, leather and spices rather than a museum piece.
The Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami)
Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I and completed around 1419–1420, the Green Mosque is widely regarded as the high point of early Ottoman architecture, built when Bursa was still the empire's capital before the conquest of Constantinople. Its interior tilework — a rich palette of green, turquoise and blue — gives the building its name, and the adjoining Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe) houses the mausoleum of the sultan who commissioned it.
Uludağ Mountain
Known in antiquity as the Mysian Olympus, Uludağ rises to 2,543 meters above Bursa and has drawn hermits, monks and mountain travelers for centuries; today it is Turkey's leading winter sports destination and a lush forested retreat in summer. The modern gondola — one of the longest continuous cable-car systems in the world at nearly 9 km — carries visitors from the city up through pine forests to sweeping panoramic views over the Sea of Marmara region.
Kaleiçi Old Town
Meaning "inner castle," Kaleiçi is Antalya's walled historic core, first settled in antiquity and shaped over the centuries by Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman rule. Around 3,000 red-tile-roofed traditional houses line its cobbled lanes, alongside restored mosques, boutique hotels and the ancient harbour — still the most atmospheric place in the city for an evening walk.
Düden Waterfalls
Fed by the Düden River, which vanishes underground for 18 kilometers before resurfacing near the city, Düden forms two dramatic waterfalls — the Upper Falls inland, famous for a walkable cave behind the cascade, and the Lower Falls, where the river plunges roughly 40 meters directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Local legend holds that Alexander the Great watered his horses here during his 4th-century BC campaign through the region.
Everything You Need, Clearly Explained
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Istanbul with daily breakfast
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Antalya with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfer on arrival in Istanbul
- Antalya airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Comfortable, air-conditioned transportation throughout all guided tours
- Full-day Istanbul historical tour (Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar)
- Full-day Bursa excursion with Green Mosque, Silk Market & Uludağ
- Half-day Istanbul tour on Day 4
- Full-day Antalya city tour (Kaleiçi, waterfalls, Mediterranean coast)
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with dinner, music & entertainment
- Licensed English-speaking guide during all guided tours
- Entrance fees to all attractions specified in the itinerary, except Hagia Sophia
- Selected lunches (2–3 during full-day guided tours)
- Secure payment options & free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date
- International flights to and from Turkey
- Domestic flight between Istanbul and Antalya
- Hagia Sophia entrance fee
- Personal expenses, souvenirs & shopping
- Tips and gratuities for guides & drivers
- Optional activities (hamam, private excursions, water sports)
- Dinners and lunches not listed in the itinerary
- Hotel extras (minibar, spa, laundry)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Turkey e-Visa, where applicable to your nationality
Smart Recommendations to Get More From This Trip
Based on patterns from thousands of Turkey itineraries, here's how to make the most of your 7 days in Istanbul, Bursa and Antalya.
Best Time to Book This Route
Late May, June and September offer the best balance of warm Mediterranean weather in Antalya and comfortable sightseeing temperatures in Istanbul and Bursa — July and August are hottest and busiest, so book Antalya hotels early if traveling then.
Photograph Hagia Sophia at Opening Time
Ask your guide to start Day 2 as early as possible — Sultanahmet Square is dramatically quieter before 10:00, giving you clearer photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque before tour groups arrive.
Pack for Two Climates
Bursa's Uludağ excursion can be noticeably cooler than the city below, while Antalya stays warm and humid — pack a light layer for Day 3 and swimwear plus sun protection for Days 5–6.
Add Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Entry
Since Hagia Sophia's entrance fee isn't included, consider pre-booking a skip-the-line ticket for Day 2 — summer queues can run 45–60 minutes, which is time better spent inside.
Use Day 6 for a Traditional Hamam
Your free day in Antalya is the ideal moment to add an optional Turkish bath experience — a relaxing, deeply traditional way to unwind mid-trip without disrupting the guided schedule.
Eat Locally in Antalya
Because dinners are intentionally left open in Antalya, use your free evenings to try Kaleiçi's family-run restaurants — piyaz, tandır kebabı and fresh Mediterranean seafood are local specialties worth seeking out.
Transparent, All-In Pricing
Prices are per adult, based on double-occupancy hotel accommodation, and include everything listed in the Inclusions section above. Child pricing applies to ages 4–11 sharing a room with two adults.
| Tour Type | Adult (per person) | Child, Age 4–11 | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Tour Your own vehicle, guide & pace |
€1,390 | €890 | Daily departures |
| Small Group Tour Max. 12 travelers per group |
€920 | €610 | Fixed weekly departures |
Practical Information for Your Trip
Accommodation Structure
3 nights in a centrally located Istanbul hotel, followed by 3 nights in a Mediterranean-facing Antalya hotel — both with daily breakfast included. Hotel category can be upgraded to 5-star or boutique on request.
Best Time to Travel
May through October is ideal, with June, July and September offering the most reliable warm-but-manageable weather for both city sightseeing and Antalya's beaches. Winter tours can be arranged on request but with a modified itinerary.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Many nationalities can obtain an e-Visa online before arrival; some are visa-exempt for short stays. Requirements vary by passport — please confirm your specific requirement before booking.
What to Pack
Comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for mosque visits (shoulders and knees covered, headscarf for women), a light layer for Uludağ, and swimwear plus sun protection for Antalya.
Physical Level
Easy to moderate — expect a fair amount of walking on cobblestone streets and some stairs at historic sites. The itinerary is suitable for most fitness levels, including mature travelers.
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.
Everything You're Wondering About
5 Stars Excellent Service ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — The History Travel Agency
The pacing of this itinerary was perfect — enough sightseeing to feel like we'd truly seen Istanbul and Bursa, but the free day in Antalya was exactly what we needed. Our guide's knowledge of Ottoman history made Topkapi Palace come alive.
Uludağ was a genuine surprise — we didn't expect a mountain excursion on a Turkey tour and it turned out to be one of our favorite days. Kaleiçi in Antalya was beautiful at sunset, and the hotel transfers were seamless throughout.
Traveled with my parents and this tour struck the right balance for all ages — history-rich mornings, relaxed afternoons. The Green Mosque in Bursa was unforgettable, and having a private tour meant we never felt rushed.
Book Your 7-Day Istanbul, Bursa & Antalya Tour
- Airport transfers included
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Selected meals & Bosphorus dinner cruise
- Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- All airport & city transfers
- Secure payment options
- Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
0090 536 560 10 38
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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.
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