Istanbul is one of the most standout cities I’ve been to – I’d best describe it as an open-air museum. It’s so historic – wandering some of the city’s streets I felt like I’d stepped back in time. It’s also one of the most-visited cities in the world. Last year Istanbul actually topped the list of the world’s most-visited destinations with a whopping 20 million tourists arriving in the city that year!
The city is strategically located in both Asia and Europe, and Istanbul is a super-poplar layover destination (thanks to the huge and busy Istanbul International Airport). So it makes sense why Istanbul is the current most-visited city in the world!
Bursting to the seams with wow-worthy historical sites and a bazaar that’s sure to awaken all your senses, you’re certain to have a memorable time during your 3 days in Istanbul. We visited the city of Istanbul on a long layover recently and we were surprised by how much we fit so much into our 3 days here.
Featuring the Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, and more – here’s our detailed three-day itinerary for Istanbul.
Top Tip: For your 3 days in Istanbul I highly recommend purchasing a 3-day Istanbul City Pass. This gives you digital tickets and queue-free access to over 100 attractions in the city including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and, more! A 3-day pass costs from €237.50 per person (which is a huge saving considering what you’d pay for all the individual tickets for these attractions!)
Day One: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern & Dinner Cruise
Morning – Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque
I hope you’re excited as your first full day in Istanbul is chock-a-block with the most popular things to do in the city. Today, I recommend ticking off the city’s top attractions to give you a taste of how amazing this city really is. You’ll explore big-hitter attractions like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and end with a memorable dinner cruise on the Bosphorus.
Your first day will set the standard for the rest of your time in Istanbul (FYI, on days two and three we’ll delve into some of the city’s hidden gems!)
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is an obvious choice when in Istanbul. Despite being a major tourist attraction, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. It’s one of the world’s most beautiful mosques and its shining star is the grand dome which is a huge 107 feet wide!
Would you believe that the Hagia Sophia was a cathedral before it became a mosque? Yes, it’s true and it was ordered to be built by Emperor Justinian in the year 537 AD. It wasn’t converted to a mosque for another 1,000 years.
It’s well worth going inside. We were lucky because we didn’t have to queue at all – this was at 9 am – so I’d say that’s a good time to visit. We spent over an hour inside the Hagia Sophia staring at the beautiful, intricate mosaics and giant pillars.
The Blue Mosque
Opposite the Hagia Sophia, you’ll find the Blue Mosque (aka the Sultan Ahmed Mosque). It’s renowned for its hand-painted tiles and stained glass windows. It gets its name because it’s bathed in blue light when night falls.
This famed mosque is believed to have been constructed between 1609 and 1617 and is instantly recognizable on Istanbul’s skyline thanks to its large dome surrounded by four smaller semi-domes.
Afternoon – Basilica Cistern
A short walk from the Hagia Sophia is the Basilica Cistern (pretty much a large water tank). It’s the biggest of hundreds of cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul’s streets. It’s a mesmerizing experience, and you can walk across the wooden platform as water drops on you from the very high ceilings above. Interestingly, the cistern boasts 336 columns, many of which were saved from ruined temples.
The Basilica Cistern has been featured in many Hollywood movies like From Russia with Love (a James Bond movie) and Inferno (with Tom Hanks).
Evening – Dinner Cruise
End your first day in Istanbul on a high note with a dinner cruise along the Bosphorus Sea. You’ll be treated to a 4-course dinner that highlights the best of European and Asian cuisine, after all, the river you’re sailing along connects both Europe and Asia. So it’s only fitting.
Be sure to take in the sights and twinkling lights of Istanbul as you eat because after dinner all eyes will be on the cultural performances. Watch in awe as belly dancers take to the stage as well as Folk and Latin-flamenco dancers. To end the night a DJ will play some hit tunes that are sure to get you on the dance floor.
This well-rated cruise (it has over 500 5-star reviews) is 3.5 hours long and costs from 32 ($35 USD) per person.
The cruise sets sail at 8:30 pm from the dock near Kabatas tram station, however, you can upgrade to include hotel transfers to the dock if you wish.
Day Two: Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower
There’s loads to see during your second day in Istanbul – the morning is all about the city’s famous markets, the bustling Grand Bazaar, and the Egyptian Bazaar (aka the Spice Bazaar). While in the afternoon we recommend checking out the iconic Galata Tower and Galata Bridge.
Morning – Grand Bazaar
Get lost in the narrow twists and turns of Istanbul’s most famous shopping area. It’s a haven of trinkets and everything you don’t really need but will probably buy anyway. We didn’t bother making a purchase here, as I have a feeling everything is severely marked up in price. The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is a tourist trap, but it’s a tourist trap in the nicest sense of the word. Does that make sense?
Would you believe there are over 4,000 stalls here – spread over 61 streets? As I said, you can literally buy everything here. But, if its spices you’re after save buying it until your next stop today.
The Grand Bazaar is a must-visit on your stopover in Istanbul. It remains one of the most-visited attractions in the city. It attracts around 400,000 visitors every day! That’s why I recommend getting here when they open at 8:30 am to avoid the crowds.
Late morning – Spice Bazaar
Just a 10-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar is the Spice Bazaar, sometimes known as the Egyptian Bazaar. There are around 85 stores to be found in the narrow aisle of the market and all sell a variety of spices, teas, dried fruits, and other traditional Turkish treats.
Although we didn’t buy anything here, we were tempted because it smelled so good. However, we had a lot of traveling to do before we went back home to New Zealand and we didn’t want to be lugging anything extra in our already crammed backpacks.
If you have time, I highly recommend checking out the New Mosque (aka Yeni Cami) which is located next door to the Spice Bazaar. It boasts 66 domes and semi-domes and is so photogenic. It also has a gorgeous inner courtyard (where we snapped lots of selfies!)
Afternoon – Galata Bridge & Galata Tower
From the New Mosque walk a few minutes to Galata Bridge and take a leisurely stroll across. This ‘continent-connector’ connects to the lively Karakoy neighborhood on the other side. As you walk along take in the stunning views of the Bosphorus Sea and watch out for local fishermen casting their lines into the water.
You may not realize it as you’ll be engrossed in the sea views as you walk but the Galata Bridge is two stories tall – the upper level has 8 lanes of traffic and it’s where you need to walk to get the best views. On the lower level, you’ll find a long line of vibrant Cafes and restaurants. Speaking of which, if you’re hungry we recommend grabbing food at Galata Sanat Restaurant or Beyaz Inci Restaurant.
Galata Tower
When you get to the other side of the bridge, make a beeline for the Galata Tower. It remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and it stands tall at 63 meters. As you can guess, from this prime vantage point you’ll have one of the best views of Istanbul.
However, it is incredibly popular and when we visited there was a huge line. Therefore, we advise getting here late in the day (after 5 pm if possible). The Galata Tower stays open until 7 pm.
Because the queue was so long we actually skipped visiting the tower on our first visit to Istanbul. And headed to Galata Konak Cafe nearby which offers a similar view of the city.
Evening – Taksim Square
Not too far from the Galata Tower (under a 30-minute walk) – Taksim Square is a hive of activity. And the best time to visit here is in the evening. That’s because it’s known as one of the best places to party in Istanbul!
It comes alive at night and the place is just buzzing with energy. There are heaps of bars and nightclubs here – but my favorites are Escape Club Istanbul (one of the best nightclubs in the city) and Taksim Club IQ. While, if you’re looking for a ‘tamer’ night out you can try Moretenders Cocktail Club.
If you want a more low-key night out the vibrant Istiklal Street is just a 10-minute walk from Taksim Square. It’s buzzing with a kind of relaxed energy (it’s the best way I could describe it) and there are lots of bars, cafes, and boutiques here. You will also likely catch a street performer in action in the evening.
Day Three – Balat, Topkapi Palace, Suleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace
If you haven’t fallen in love with Istanbul yet, you’re certain to today. As on day three (your final day in Istanbul) – I recommend visiting my favorite parts of the city – like the quirky, colorful neighborhood of Balat and the wow-worthy Dolmabahçe Palace!
Morning – Balat
One of the most Instagram-famous neighborhoods in Istanbul is Balat – a quirky, colorful neighborhood on the European side. It’s quite literally a rainbow of color and if you didn’t come here with a smile, you’ll definitely leave with one. Dare I say, Balat is one of my favorite parts of Istanbul.
The homes here are Ottoman-era houses that are painted all different colors and the narrow alleyways, cute cafes, and lovely courtyards here all really captured my imagination. Balat really does look like a curated Instagram feed come to life!
If you love taking photos like me, then you’ll love it here. I will say that Balat is really growing in popularity so if you want to snap some photos without anyone in it – aim to get here early in the morning. We got here at 8:30 am and it was so quiet!
For your coffee fix here, we loved New Balat Cafe and Velvet Cafe.
Afternoon – Suleymaniye Mosque & Topkapi Palace
The Suleymaniye Mosque – one of the largest mosques in the city with a central dome that stands at an impressive 47 meters in height!
Suleyman I (known as Suleyman the Magnificent) is buried here as is his wife and son. And because this mosque is atop a hill the views from here are glorious!
A 30-minute walk away is Topkapi Palace, which is famously home to the wow-worthy Treasury of the Sultan. It is a mosque/museum that features a huge display of weapons and clothing from the Ottoman Era. The Treasury of the Sultan is what most tourists come to see and it’s here you can see hundreds of silver and gold shields and belts that royalty once wore.
While you’re here be sure to check out Gülhane Park nearby it’s flowery paths are lovely to walk through and snap photos.
Late Afternoon – Dolmabahçe Palace
Later in the afternoon, we recommend heading back over to the Asian side of the city to see one of Istanbul’s most beautiful buildings. To me, Dolmabahçe Palace looks like it belongs in Lake Como as it’s so opulent but luckily for you, it’s right here along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait.
Built in 1856, the largest palace in Turkey has no less than 285 rooms, 6 bathrooms, and 46 halls. It has served as the home for 6 sultans and you’ll see examples of Ottoman, Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo architecture on the interior and exterior. Inside you can also see the world’s largest Bohemian chandelier.
The palace closes at 5:30 pm so be sure to get here before then.
Top Tip: For your 3 days in Istanbul I highly recommend purchasing a 3-day Istanbul City Pass. This gives you digital tickets and queue-free access to over 100 attractions in the city including the Dolmabahçe Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and, more! A 3-day pass costs from €237.50 per person (which is a huge saving considering what you’d pay for all the individual tickets for these attractions!)
Evening – Beşiktaş Square
Close to Dolmabahce Palace is the lively Beşiktaş Square – the perfect spot for dinner on your final night in Istanbul. For dinner, we suggest heading to Summit Bar and Terrace which not only has great food but also one of the best rooftop terraces in the whole city
In the evenings, the square comes alive with street performers. This vibrant, fun square is a melting pot of cultures and it’s a great way to end your 3 days in Istanbul.
Are 3 days enough in Istanbul?
Yes, 3 days in Istanbul is just enough time to see all of the city’s main attractions, eat at some great restaurants, and get a feel for this vibrant city. However, if you want to experience off-the-beaten-path Istanbul and do some day trips then I recommend extending your stay in Istanbul to 5 days.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
- We stayed at Kadikoy Otel, smack bang in the middle of the lively Kadikoy action. It was very reasonably priced and tastefully decorated with beautiful Turkish antique-style furniture. The staff here were also insanely helpful! On check-in, they sit you down with some Turkish tea and give you a really detailed insight into the best things to do in Istanbul. And where not to go too – always helpful from a local.
- If you want to splurge then the 5-star Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel is a perfect option. It’s located right next to the Kalamis Marina and, as you can guess, is super-luxurious. It boasts no less than three swimming pools, a spa, gym, and the rooms are spacious and stylish.
- One of the most luxurious hotels in Istanbul is the Four Seasons (pictured above). The rooms here are the epitome of opulence and super spacious and most come with a view of the Bosphorus. As well as that there are several world-class restaurants and a Spa on-site.
- The Dekalb Hotel is another exceptionally-rated hotel in Kadikoy, it scores an impressive 9.5/10 on booking.com. It’s very ornately decorated, to me, the rooms looked like a museum (I loved it!)
Final thoughts on my 3 days in Istanbul!
In short, we really enjoyed our 3 days in Istanbul. In fact, I was surprised by how much we both loved the city. There’s so much to do here – my favorite part though was wandering through colorful Balat. Istanbul is well worth staying for a few days!
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If you enjoyed reading this, you may also enjoy some of my other Europe blogs –
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Last Updated on September 11, 2024 by snaphappytravel