Lucky you. Istanbul is a great city.

Make sure you spend enough time in Sultanahmet, where you will find:

1. Topkapi palace (take the chance to have some tea with a view of the Bosphorus).

2. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque (you will have to cover your hair).

3. The Bizantine (underground) Cistern

4. The Archeology Museum

5. Gülhane Park

6. The Grand Bazaar

Try to eat a meal in one of the many rooftop restaurants that some of the Sultanameth hotels have. If you choose the right one, you will have great views of the Mosques and the Bosphorus.

Catch a show of Darvish dancers. I remember a cafe in Sultanameth in the area around the mosques had them regularly.

On the Sultanameth side of the Galata bridge, try eating from one of the many floating stands (boats).  It is really a sight to see them prepare food while the boats sway back and forth, and the food is great. The departure station of the "Orient Express" is very nearby, but it is not much to see. Yet you may want to walk over and cross it from your list.

Cross the Galata bridge on foot for some great views.

On the other side of the Bridge, take the tram to the Galata Tower and the elevator to the top for great views.

Make sure you take a Ferry tour of the Bosphorous.

Visit Taksim square and İstiklal Caddesi, a pedestrian street with shops, which has very nice restaurants for very good prices. The best ones are farthest away from Taksim square. There are also some great bookshops in Istiklal Caddesi.

There are great beaches on the Asian side of Istanbul, and great sea front outdoor cafes, but you probably will not have time to venture that far.

There are two aquaria, the Istanbul aquarium and "Sea Life", a Madam Tussauds, and the Bostanci Luna Park, but they are not uniquely Turkish. There are also modern art museums, and the financial district and shopping centers there are interesting, but if you are only there for a short time, it may not be worth venturing there. You can get there using the metro.

For nice, inexpensive hotels, Sultanameth is great, and you can also find newer inexpensive hotels around Taksim square.

For transport from the airport, there are buses to Taksim square, which is a central hub for public transport, but taxis are not too expensive.

Dear JR M,

Thank you very much I simply couldn't expect better! Bravo!

Sincerely,

Lala

You must try Hafez Mustapha near the blue mosque an amazing pastry shop where you can enjoy a delicious turkish coffee and Konafa 

Enjoy!

Dear Salem,

thank you for this nice recommendation! Much appreciated!