Self-guided itinerary · free
Luxury Istanbul: 3 days of palaces, contemporary art and MICHELIN-starred dining
A plan that leaves the classic old-city stops aside and divides three days in Istanbul between palaces, contemporary art and the table: Beylerbeyi and Yıldız palaces, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Istanbul Modern, SALT Galata, the Pera Museum, an evening at AKM and MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
Prepared by: Kolay Seyahat content teamLast updated 23/10/2026Every fact links to an official source
Mild months based on Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü (MGM) monthly climate normals: May–October · source: Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü (MGM)
This is not a package tour. This itinerary is free information. Flights, hotels and experiences are each sold separately, under their own seller’s terms, with separate payment and a separate contract. Prices are never linked to one another.
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Day 1 · Both shores of the Bosphorus: Beylerbeyi Palace and Emirgan
Day 2 · The palace on the hill: Yıldız Palace and Yıldız Park
Day 3 · The Karaköy waterfront, Tepebaşı and AKM
Day 1 · Both shores of the Bosphorus: Beylerbeyi Palace and Emirgan
The morning at the summer palace on the Asian shore, the afternoon at the museum in Emirgan on the European side, and a MICHELIN-starred dinner in Bebek in the evening. This day should not fall on a Monday.
Day 1 · 1 · 09:00–11:00
Beylerbeyi Palace
Closed
Start the day at the summer palace on the Beylerbeyi shore of Üsküdar, run by the National Palaces. In the Ottoman period it was used above all to host foreign heads of state; the official description says Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and Empress Eugénie of France stayed here as guests in 1869. Today the main building is open to visitors, while the sea pavilions and the pavilions in the upper terraced gardens are closed. Arriving when the ticket office opens lets you see the halls while they are quieter. A separate ticket is sold for the garden; if you want to see it too, buy both at the ticket office.
Opening hours
The ticket office is open 09:00–17:00.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Mondays; also closed on New Year's Day and on the first day of the Ramadan and Sacrifice holidays.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Turkish residents 200 TL; foreign visitors 800 TL; reduced ticket 100 TL; garden ticket 100 TL.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
The palace's main building is open to visitors; the Sea Pavilions and the Yellow, Marble and Stable pavilions in the upper terraced gardens are closed.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
The Müzekart is valid at Beylerbeyi Palace, as it is not on the National Palaces' list of exceptions; entering the palace with a weapon is prohibited.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Weapons are not allowed inside, and the rule also applies to law-enforcement officers. The Müzekart museum pass is valid here.
Day 1 · 2 · 12:30–15:30
Sakıp Sabancı Museum
ClosedSpend the afternoon on the European side at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum in Emirgan. The museum sits in a garden setting above the Bosphorus on Sakıp Sabancı Avenue. Check the museum's website for current exhibitions before you go; the programme changes through the year. Ticket sales stop half an hour before closing, so do not leave it too late. After the museum, head to Bebek for dinner.
Opening hours
Tuesday–Sunday 10.00–18.00; ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.
Source: sakipsabancimuzesi.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Mondays; also closed on the first day of the Ramadan and Sacrifice holidays and on 1 January.
Source: sakipsabancimuzesi.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Adults 450 ₺; reduced 330 ₺. Free on Tuesdays; disabled visitors and one companion enter free.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: sakipsabancimuzesi.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Entry is free on Tuesdays, so the museum can be busier if this day falls on a Tuesday. Disabled visitors and one companion also enter free.
Day 2 · The palace on the hill: Yıldız Palace and Yıldız Park
A morning at the palace complex of the late Ottoman sultans on the hill above Beşiktaş, followed by the palace's former outer garden, Yıldız Park. In the evening, a two-MICHELIN-star dinner in Bomonti. This day should not fall on a Wednesday.
Day 2 · 1 · 09:30–12:30
Yıldız Palace
Closed
Yıldız Palace, built on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, is the last great palace the Ottoman state built in Istanbul. According to the National Palaces, its grounds of around 500,000 square metres fall into three parts: the main palace used for government, the private quarters of the sultan and his harem, and the outer garden. As it is a complex spread across pavilions and gardens rather than one large building, take your time. Check the official website before you go for which sections are open that day.
Opening hours
The ticket office is open 09:00–17:00.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Wednesdays; also closed on New Year's Day and on the first day of the Ramadan and Sacrifice holidays.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Turkish residents 175 TL; foreign visitors 900 TL; reduced ticket 60 TL.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
At Yıldız Palace the Müzekart is valid everywhere except the Harem, the Privy Garden and the Small Mabeyn.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
The Müzekart is valid everywhere except the Harem, the Privy Garden (Hasbahçe) and the Small Mabeyn; ask at the ticket office about these three sections.
Day 2 · 2 · 12:30–14:00
Yıldız Park
After the palace, walk down to Yıldız Park on the slope. According to the National Palaces, today's park is the outer garden that belonged to the palace in the imperial era, and it is now open to the public. Of the pavilions that stood in this garden, the Tent, Malta and Chalet pavilions survive. Walk the tree-lined paths and take your lunch break here; you can spend the time until dinner around Nişantaşı and Maçka.
Getting there
- Walk
Good to know
The palace's outer garden is today's Yıldız Park and is open to the public; of its pavilions, the Tent, Malta and Chalet pavilions survive.
Source: millisaraylar.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
The park is not listed with a fee or opening hours; visit in daylight.
Day 3 · The Karaköy waterfront, Tepebaşı and AKM
Contemporary art on the Karaköy waterfront, lunch at a MICHELIN-starred kitchen in the SALT Galata building, the Pera Museum in the afternoon and AKM in Taksim in the evening.
Day 3 · 1 · 10:00–12:30
Istanbul Modern
Booking recommendedStart the last day at Istanbul Modern on the Tophane waterfront. The museum is on Tophane İskele Avenue in Kılıç Ali Paşa; it is a short walk from the Tophane stop on the T1 tram. Online tickets are valid only for the day you choose, so buy yours for the day of your visit. Check the museum's website for current exhibitions and that day's opening hours.
Getting there
- Tram T1 · Tophane
- Walk
Entrance fee
Full ticket 600 TL and 1,000 TL (two full tariffs); reduced 350 TL and 650 TL. Entry is free for Istanbul Modern members, disabled visitors, children under 12 and ICOM, CIMAM and MMKD card holders.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: bilet.istanbulmodern.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Tickets and booking
Tickets are sold on bilet.istanbulmodern.org; a ticket is valid on the date it was bought for.
Source: bilet.istanbulmodern.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
The ticket site shows two full-price tariffs; check which one applies to you when you buy.
Day 3 · 2 · 12:45–14:45
SALT Galata and lunch
ClosedWalk up from the waterfront to Bankalar Avenue. Inside the historic bank building, SALT Galata houses exhibition and event spaces as well as Salt Research, the Ottoman Bank Museum, a bookshop, a café and the MICHELIN-starred Neolokal. Plan lunch at Neolokal, then make time for the free exhibitions and the Ottoman Bank Museum.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday–Saturday 11.00–19.00; Sunday 11.00–18.00.
Source: saltonline.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on the first and second days of the Ramadan and Sacrifice holidays and on 1 January and 1 May.
Source: saltonline.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Free entry.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: saltonline.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
Salt Galata houses exhibition, event and workshop spaces as well as Salt Research, the Ottoman Bank Museum, the Robinson Crusoe 389 bookshop, Neolokal and a café.
Source: saltonline.org · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Get booking and opening-time details from the restaurant's own channels.
Day 3 · 3 · 15:15–17:15
Pera Museum
ClosedIn the afternoon, go up to Tepebaşı for the Pera Museum on Meşrutiyet Avenue. It is a convenient stop for staying in Beyoğlu before the evening at AKM. The exhibition programme changes over the year, so check the museum's website for what is on. On Fridays the museum is also open in the evening.
Getting there
- Metro M2 · Şişhane
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday–Saturday 10.00–19.00; Friday 10.00–22.00; Sunday 12.00–18.00.
Source: peramuzesi.org.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Mondays; also closed on the first day of the Ramadan and Sacrifice holidays and on 1 January every year.
Source: peramuzesi.org.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Full 450 TL; reduced 250 TL; group 300 TL (10 tickets or more). Free for everyone on Fridays 18.00–22.00 and for children 12 and under.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: peramuzesi.org.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Entry is free for everyone on Fridays 18.00–22.00; if your AKM evening is a Friday, do not leave the visit until then, as it can get busy.
Day 3 · 4 · 19:30
Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM)
End the day at the Atatürk Cultural Centre on Taksim Square. AKM has a 2,040-seat Opera Hall and an 802-seat Theatre Hall, and the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet performs here. Choose the evening's performance only from AKM's current programme and buy tickets through official channels. If there is no suitable performance that evening, spend it at the MICHELIN-starred Mikla in Tepebaşı instead.
Getting there
- Metro M2 · Taksim
- Walk
Good to know
AKM has a 2,040-seat Opera Hall, an 802-seat Theatre Hall and the AKM Gallery.
Source: akmistanbul.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet performs at AKM; the current programme is published on AKM's official website.
Source: akmistanbul.gov.tr · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Ticket prices are not listed on AKM's website; ask at the official box office or through AKM's official channels.
Getting around
Getting there
Some of the stops on the T1 Kabataş–Bağcılar tram: Kabataş, Fındıklı-Mimar Sinan Ü., Tophane, Karaköy, Eminönü, Sirkeci, Gülhane, Sultanahmet.
Source: metro.istanbul · last checked 2026-10-23
Getting there
Some of the stations on the M2 Yenikapı–Hacıosman metro: Yenikapı, Vezneciler-İstanbul Ü., Haliç, Şişhane, Taksim, Osmanbey, Şişli-Mecidiyeköy, Gayrettepe, Levent.
Source: metro.istanbul · last checked 2026-10-23
What and where to eat
Recommended places
TURK Fatih Tutak
Bomonti, ŞişliModern TurkishNear a stop on this plan
Two MICHELIN stars (2026). The guide says chef Fatih Tutak showcases regional ingredients and local producers in a cuisine that respects tradition. It fits the evening of day two.
Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-23
Neolokal
Karaköy, in the SALT Galata buildingTurkishNear a stop on this plan
One MICHELIN star (2026). The guide describes a kitchen that builds on respect for Turkish culinary tradition while constantly renewing itself. It fits lunch on day three.
Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-23
Sankai by Nagaya
Bebek, BeşiktaşContemporary JapaneseNear a stop on this plan
One MICHELIN star (2026). The guide notes Japanese chef Yoshizumi Nagaya's mastery of Japanese tradition and technical precision. It fits the evening of day one.
Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-23
Mikla
Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu (18th floor)MediterraneanNear a stop on this plan
One MICHELIN star (2026). The guide says its New Anatolian Kitchen combines respect for tradition with innovation and champions the producers it works with. It is the evening option on day three if there is no suitable performance at AKM.
Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-23
Opening hours and prices vary by venue; check the venue’s own site before you go. Recommendations are not paid placements.
Where to stay
Candidates were picked by distance to the area, star rating, guest rating (weighted by number of reviews) and completeness of hotel details. Ratings, review counts and details come live from our catalogue. Tiers follow the star rating.
Sample dates: 23.11–25.11 (2 nights), 2 adults. Prices change with dates; choose your own dates on the hotel page.
Nişantaşı–Maçka
Close to day two's Yıldız and Bomonti stops; the M2 metro's Osmanbey station is nearby.
Good for: Travellers who want shopping and city life
Karaköy–Tophane
Within walking distance of day three's Istanbul Modern, SALT Galata and Neolokal stops; the T1 tram runs through the district.
Good for: Art-focused travellers
Photos: Pexels (Murat Halıcı, Sümeyye Acar) · Wikimedia (User:Darwinek)
Image credits
- The façade of the Büyük Mabeyn Pavilion at Yıldız Palace — User:Darwinek · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
