How can I plan a one-day Istanbul itinerary around Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, and a Bosphorus cruise?

As an addition to the usual route: the historic Sepetçiler Kasrı pavilion (owned by the Yeşilay foundation) by the Bosphorus has reopened to visitors. Built in 1643 for Sultan Ibrahim, since 2011 it has housed the 'Green Crescent' organization's headquarters. Visits are possible only on Saturdays, 11:00–13:00, after filling out a form and waiting for confirmation (the form requires an ID number). It's usually closed to the public.

In summer, Topkapi Palace may offer a special Saturday evening schedule: from June 13 to September 13, visits are possible between 20:30 and 22:30. This is useful if you want to see the palace with fewer daytime crowds and combine it with a full old-city itinerary.

For a full day in central Istanbul, a practical route is Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Hippodrome with its columns and the German Fountain, followed by lunch and a walk past Gülhane Park to Topkapi Palace. After the historical sights, you can add the Grand Bazaar or the Egyptian Spice Market and finish with an evening Bosphorus cruise.

If you are already at the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet Square is about a 10-minute walk away. On the way, you can stop at the Column of Constantine, and once you reach the square you will see the other Hippodrome monuments; after sightseeing, you can continue by T1 tram.