Vast and magnetic, Istanbul is not only the gateway to the East, but also the threshold to a world that, just a short flight away, you would not expect. A journey in distance, in time and in the imagination. Are you planning a getaway to the Turkish capital and looking for ideas on what to see in Istanbul in 3 days ? Below we are going to share with you a perfect itinerary to get to know the “essentials” of the city in 72 hours.
We know that Istanbul is a huge city, stretching almost to infinity and full of extraordinary monuments and charming corners. What do we mean by this? That 3 days in Istanbul may not be enough, but it is enough to take home an unforgettable memory of this city. And best of all, the desire to return to continue exploring it.
Istanbul in 3 days: what to see, itinerary and recommendations
It may be its light, the steep streets with so much history, the rooftops, the mosques, the Bosphorus or the warm çay at dusk. It may be the soundtrack composed by the call to prayer of the muezzin mixed with the waves and the cries of the seagulls. It may be its colours or its flavour… Whatever it is, no one is immune to the charm of Istanbul. You have been warned.
This post is designed for first-time travelers, for all those who want to discover the essential corners… in short, a perfect guide to explore Istanbul in 3 days.
Ready to discover what we believe to be the best route to get to know the city? Below we detail our day-by-day itinerary in Istanbul , we hope you find it useful!
– Day 1: 3-day itinerary in Istanbul –
Sultanahmet and boat ride on the Bosphorus
We're starting our 3-day trip to Istanbul in style: today we'll explore the Sultanahmet district, the historical and religious heart of the city. If you only have a few hours to spare in this city of 15 million people, you should spend them here.
These are the visits we recommend you make:
Tomorrow
- Sultanahmet Square is the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople where today some of the most emblematic buildings of the city are located. Don't miss the Egyptian obelisk!
- Hagia Sophia , one of the symbols of the city, was born as a Byzantine basilica, then transformed into a mosque (for about 500 years), before being declared a museum during the time of Atatürk and, a few years ago, it was converted back into a mosque.
- Blue Mosque , another mosque of infinite beauty (although be careful, in 2021-2022 it is undergoing restoration work).
- Basilica Cistern , this ancient underground cistern is a different and interesting visit, which thanks to the 336 columns looks like a real basilica. Don't forget to look for the two columns that stand on Medusa's head.
Late
- Topkapi Palace , was the residence of the city's sultans until Sultan Abdülmecit I decided to move to Dolmabahçe Palace (which we will visit tomorrow).
- Grand Bazaar , with more than 64 alleys and thousands of shops… if you are looking for something, you will find it here 😉
- Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu , will delight lovers of the past and all things vintage… this station is nothing more and nothing less than the initial/final stop of the legendary Orient Express.
- The Spice Bazaar is a market specialising in spices, tea, infusions, nuts and sweets, although there are stalls of all kinds in the surrounding area.
- A boat trip along the Bosphorus is the best way to put the finishing touch (we'll tell you about the details later) to the first day of your trip to Istanbul. Don't miss it for anything in the world, because old Constantinople from the water dazzles with that timeless beauty that only a few cities have. The boats leave from the ferry port of Eminönü and only cost about €3 (at the current exchange rate).
Extra tips:
- Head up to the rooftop Seven Hills Restaurant for a çay (or whatever you like) , one of the best viewpoints in Istanbul .
- For food you have many options, we recommend the buffet at Sefa Restaurant , the Ottoman cuisine at Mathba Restaurant or the keftas at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta .
- And sweeten the deal, you can go to Mesale Restaurant & Café for dinner and/or smoke a shisha while listening to Turkish music (you can even watch a whirling dervish show for free, no ceremony, just dancing). Alternatively, go to a rooftop in Istanbul for dinner.
– Day 2: 3-day itinerary in Istanbul –
Taksim and Karakoy
We hope you slept well and that breakfast wasn't stingy, because today another day full of activities awaits you. This city is only known by giving your feet joy, Macarena. Or more than joy, movement, lots of movement.
We are going to suggest these stops, all located in the European zone, on the other side of the Galata Bridge (Beşiktaş, Taksim, Pera, Karakoy districts):
Tomorrow
- Dolmabahçe Palace , unlike Topkapi Palace which is in Ottoman style, this palace is in neoclassical and baroque style.
- Taksim Square , the epicentre and heart of Turkish social life, always lively and noisy, is a must see.
- Istiklal Caddesi , Istanbul's most famous shopping street, full of shops, restaurants, stores and where the iconic red tram passes.
Late
- Galata Tower , we did not go up the tower, but we did see it carefully and from all its “angles”. And we did not go up because, as you will see in the next point, we had a “plan B” (which in this case is really a “cheap plan”).
- Galata Konak Café , having a coffee, tea or a soft drink up here should be listed in every guide to Istanbul. It is right next to the Galata Tower, so the views are VERY similar and with the added bonus of seeing the same tower hehe.
- Karaköy is one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in the city, full of street art, trendy venues and charming corners. It is not very large, but it is one of those places that you have to discover at your leisure.
- Galata Bridge , crossing it is one of the best things to see and do in Istanbul and even more so at sunset, when in the company of a few fishermen, you can enjoy the spectacle of lights and colors that dyes the sky behind the silhouettes of the minarets of the mosques.
Tips:
- Istanbul's hills are legendary, so the ideal way to start your day is at Dolmabahce Palace and take the funicular up to Taksim Square . You'll save yourself a good sweat :-p
- For lunch you can try one of the famous kebabs in Taksim Square or for a change of pace, we recommend the Georgian restaurant Galaktikon (delicious!) which also has a rooftop where you can enjoy beautiful views.
- And for a snack-dinner we recommend two plans: savory (try a balik-ekmek , a very famous fish sandwich in Istanbul), or opt for sweet (go eat baklava at the Güllüoğlu bakery ).
– Day 3: 3-day itinerary in Istanbul –
Alternative neighborhoods
Today we will discover some of the alternative areas of the city, not as touristy as those we saw the other days, but absolutely charming. The only problem is that we are going to give you a lot of work, we warn you.
Spoiler alert: we're going to climb a steep slope, pass through neighborhoods full of personality, and cross into Asia!
Tomorrow
- Suleiman Mosque , we had not yet had the opportunity to visit it and we believe that it is one of the top visits in Istanbul.
- Sefa i Hurrem Café is the ideal place to have breakfast or drink a mint lemonade (delicious) while enjoying the panoramic view of Suleiman, Sultanahmet, Galata and the Bosphorus. For us, it is one of the best views of Istanbul .
- Pierre Loti Viewpoint , and from one panoramic view to another. The Pierre Loti Viewpoint is another place that will allow you to contemplate Istanbul from above. Tip: go up by funicular and walk down through the monumental Muslim cemetery (beautiful).
- Eyüp , you will arrive at this conservative neighborhood and pilgrimage center, as it is home to the 4th most sacred mosque in Islam ( Eyüp Sultan Camii ), after Mecca, Medina and Al-Aqsa.
- Balat , the former Jewish quarter, is now full of hipster bars and colourful houses. Fun fact: when Sephardic Jews were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula between 1492 and 1498, many of them came here.
- Fener , further north, is the Greek Orthodox quarter where, among other things, you can see the Greek Orthodox College or the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George.
Late
- Üskudar , the Asian side of Istanbul, could not be seen in a week… so imagine in an afternoon. But we have enough time to enjoy one of the best sunsets in Istanbul. To do so, first take the ferry from Fener pier to Üskudar (3 stops, approx. 50 min). And once there, walk to the famous “ Carpet Café ”, a few concrete steps with amazing views of the Maiden’s Tower floating on an islet in the Bosphorus. Have a çay , wait for the sunset and you will not be disappointed.
- For dinner, if you still have energy, you can take a bus/taxi to the nearby Kuzguncuk neighborhood , famous for appearing in many Turkish series (we ate very well at Metet Közde Döner ).
Tips
- We are aware that this day is quite (VERY) stressful. But we have come to walk around Istanbul in 3 days, right? Well, let's go! An idea if you only have two days and you want to go to the Asian area, is to include it on the second day. From Karaköy there are ferries to Üskudar.
- If you have to cut something , we would say that the Fener neighborhood is the least interesting part (although it has its charm, eh).
Map with the itinerary of Istanbul
To make it much easier and more visual, we have put all the visits on a map, each day with a different color. Take a look:
We've reached the end of our three-day itinerary in Istanbul and we feel like we've made the most of it. Of course, if you want to take it easy, we understand (plus, you can always come back to visit the city more calmly). But if you're one of us, we hope you've enjoyed our day-by-day itinerary and that you have an unforgettable getaway in this beautiful corner of Turkey.
Have we forgotten any must-see things to do in Istanbul in 3 days?
