Istanbul & Bursa 7-Day Program
A week that combines Istanbul's magic with Bursa's calm: the Old City and the Bosphorus, then two nights in Bursa with the Uludağ cable car and the first Ottoman mosques.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
7 days • 6 nights • Turkey
7-day Turkey tour program: Istanbul, Sapanca and Bursa
A full week in Turkey without changing hotels: you stay in Istanbul and make day trips to Sapanca and Maşukiye, to Bursa and Mount Uludağ, and to the Princes' Islands, in a private car with an English-speaking driver.
About the program
The 7-day Turkey tour program is the first thing people ask about when visiting Turkey for the first time: what can I see in one week without spending half of it on roads and in airports? Our answer in this program is simple: one hotel in Istanbul all week, and from it you set out on day trips to the best of its surroundings. That way you see the Old City and the Bosphorus, the nature of Sapanca and Maşukiye, Bursa and Mount Uludağ, and the Princes' Islands, and you pack your bags only once.
The program suits families and those traveling with children or older people, because its rhythm is balanced: a day in the city, then a day in nature. The Bursa trip is the longest (about two and a half hours each way), which is why it is followed by a light day of your choice. If you prefer a week with a different character, such as the Black Sea, the beaches of Antalya or an overnight stay in Bursa, you will find the alternatives on this page. The price depends on the season, the hotel category and the number of travelers, and we send you a written offer via WhatsApp.
Trip highlights
- One hotel in Istanbul all week: no changing hotels and no packing your bags again
- The Old City: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar
- The Bosphorus by car and by boat, and Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side
- A day in nature: Lake Sapanca, Maşukiye village and the Kartepe cable car
- A day in Bursa: the Grand Mosque, the Silk Bazaar and the Uludağ cable car
- An open day of your choice: the Princes' Islands, Şile and Ağva, or shopping
The program day by day
- Day1
Arrival in Istanbul
Our driver meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and takes you to the hotel where you will stay all week. After a rest, a short walk along İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square, or a quiet dinner near the hotel, is enough for this evening. We hand you a SIM card and go over the schedule for the coming days with you.
- Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen
- Hotel check-in
- İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square
- Day2
The Old City and the Grand Bazaar
A day of history: we start at Sultanahmet Square with the Blue Mosque, then Hagia Sophia and the underground Basilica Cistern. After lunch we enter Topkapı Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its gardens overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. We finish at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar to shop for Turkish delight, coffee and gifts.
- Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Basilica Cistern
- Topkapı Palace
- Grand Bazaar
- Spice Bazaar
- Day3
The Bosphorus between two continents
We follow the European coast of the Bosphorus: Dolmabahçe Palace, then Ortaköy and its mosque by the bridge, then Bebek and Rumeli Fortress. After that comes a boat tour between the two continents, then we cross to the Asian side to climb Çamlıca Hill and visit its Grand Mosque, and watch Istanbul from above at sunset.
- Dolmabahçe Palace
- Ortaköy
- Bebek and Rumeli Fortress
- Bosphorus boat tour
- Çamlıca Hill and its mosque
- Day4
Day trip to Sapanca and Maşukiye
We leave the city for nature on a drive of about two hours east to Lake Sapanca. We start with the village of Maşukiye, with its streams, small waterfalls and restaurants among the trees, then ride the Kartepe cable car above the forests. In the afternoon we relax on the lakeshore, and for those who like to be active, ATVs and ziplines are available. We return to Istanbul in the evening.
- Maşukiye Village
- Kartepe Cable Car
- Sapanca Lake
- ATV and zipline activities (optional)
- Day5
Day trip to Bursa and Mount Uludağ
The longest and richest day of the program: we set out early for Bursa via the Osmangazi Bridge, about two and a half hours away. We visit the Grand Mosque and the Silk Bazaar at Koza Han, then take the Uludağ cable car up to the highlands: snow in winter and green meadows in summer. On the way back we stop at the ancient plane tree in İnkaya for tea, and arrive in Istanbul at night.
- Osmangazi Bridge
- The Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
- Koza Han (the Silk Bazaar)
- Uludağ Cable Car
- The Plane Tree at İnkaya
- Day6
Open day: the Princes' Islands, Şile and Ağva, or shopping
A day to your taste, in which you choose one of three: the Princes' Islands by ferry, where there are no private cars and you explore Büyükada on foot or by bicycle and electric cart; or a trip to Şile and Ağva on the Black Sea; or a shopping day at the malls and wholesale markets. Tell us your choice a day ahead so the driver can plan the timing.
- The Princes' Islands (Büyükada)
- Or: Şile and Ağva
- Or: Mall of Istanbul and the Laleli and Osmanbey markets
- Day7
Transfer to the airport
Depending on your flight time: last-minute shopping or a quiet breakfast at the hotel. The driver picks you up at the agreed time and takes you to the airport about three hours before departure. Have a safe journey, and we'll see you in a future story.
- Hotel check-out
- Transfer to the airport
Included in the program
- Pickup and drop-off at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) in a private car
- Accommodation for 6 nights with breakfast in one Istanbul hotel (4-star, upgrade available)
- 5 tours (days 2 to 6) in a modern car with an English-speaking driver, up to 10 hours a day
- Fuel, parking and bridge and highway tolls during the tours
- Turkish SIM card with a data plan (one per booking)
- Follow-up from the OYA team on WhatsApp throughout the trip
Not included
- International flights (we book them for you on request)
- Turkey entry visa for nationalities that require one — Do you need a visa?
- Entrance fees for museums, palaces and sights
- Tickets for the Bosphorus boat, the Kartepe cable car, the Uludağ cable car and the island ferry
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional activities such as ATV, ziplining and skiing
- Travel health insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
Suggested accommodation
| City | Nights | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 6 | A 4-star hotel in Taksim, Şişli or Sultanahmet all week, with an upgrade available to 5 stars or a room with a Bosphorus view. We choose the area with you according to your priority: shopping and restaurants, or being close to the sights. |
The Bursa trip is a long day (about 5 hours on the road there and back). If you are traveling with small children or older people, it can be replaced with a lighter day, or you can choose the 7-day Istanbul and Bursa program, which includes an overnight stay there.
We may adjust the order of the days according to closing days and the weather: Topkapı closes on Tuesday, Dolmabahçe on Monday, and the Grand Bazaar on Sunday.
The Uludağ and Kartepe cable cars may stop temporarily because of wind or maintenance, and the island ferries may be affected by the weather.
The type of car depends on the number of travelers, and child seats are available on advance request.
The price depends on the season, the hotel category and the number of travelers, and we send you the final offer via WhatsApp.
Same length, different character
Other ways to spend a week in Turkey
If nature, the sea or staying overnight outside Istanbul suits you better, these programs have the same length.
Trabzon & Uzungöl 7-Day Program
A week in Turkey's Black Sea region: two nights on Lake Uzungöl, a night in Ayder among the mountains, Sümela Monastery and the city of Trabzon, with an English-speaking driver.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
Antalya 7-Day Program
A week on the Turkish Riviera: a seaside resort, the Old Town and Düden Waterfalls, the Olympos cable car, Side and Manavgat, and Alanya Castle.
PriceDepends on the season — request your quote
Book this program
Book the 7-day Turkey program
Add your arrival date, the number of travelers and the hotel level, and you will receive a written offer with the final price via WhatsApp.
Questions & answers
Questions about the 7-day Turkey program
Are 7 days enough to see Turkey?
One week is enough for one region seen well, not for all of Turkey. That is why we keep you in Istanbul and its surroundings: the Old City, the Bosphorus and the trips to Sapanca, Bursa and the islands. If you would like to add Trabzon without rushing, the 10-day Istanbul and Trabzon program is the better fit.
What is the best tour program in Turkey for one week?
It depends on what you like. For a first visit and for families we suggest this program: Istanbul with day trips. For nature lovers and cool summer weather: the 7-day Trabzon and Uzungöl program. For the sea and resorts: the 7-day Antalya program. And for those who want to stay overnight in Bursa: the 7-day Istanbul and Bursa program.
Do I need a visa to enter Turkey?
It depends on the nationality of your passport. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco enter without a visa for up to 90 days, and other nationalities need an e-Visa or a visa from the consulate. The details for each nationality are in the Turkey visa guide.
How much is the 7-day Turkey program?
We don't set a fixed price because it changes with the season, the hotel category, the number of travelers and the type of car. Send us your dates and the number of people, and we will send you a written offer with the final price before any payment.
Can the program be customized or the days swapped?
Yes, the program is fully customizable: the Bursa trip can be swapped for a lighter day, a night in Sapanca can be added, or the stay can be extended. Tell us what you prefer and we will adjust the offer.
From the OYA guide
Read before you travel
10-day Turkey itinerary for families: Istanbul, Bursa and Trabzon
A balanced 10-day family itinerary in Turkey that combines city, nature and snow or lakes, with ideas for children's activities and practical tips on accommodation and getting around with little ones.
Cost of traveling to Turkey in 2027: how do you calculate your trip budget?
Instead of generic numbers that don't fit your trip, we explain the components of travel costs in Turkey and what raises and lowers them, with a simple way to calculate a one-week budget and practical saving tips.
Best time to visit Turkey in 2027: a guide to months and cities
Turkey has varied climates, so what suits Istanbul may not suit Antalya or Uzungöl in the same month. A month-by-month guide helps you choose the timing and the destination together.
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Personal service from start to finish
Didn't find the perfect program?
We design a custom program for you, with the number of days, cities and hotels you want — just tell us.