Istanbul in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary
Contents
In short: Day 1, Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi; day 2, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, the Süleymaniye and a Bosphorus cruise; day 3, Galata, İstiklal and the Asian side in Kadıköy. Watch out for closing days.
Before you go: what to book
- Topkapi Palace: usually closed on Tuesdays; online tickets available.
- The Grand Bazaar: closed on Sundays.
- Mosques: closed to visitors during prayers; cover up, headscarf for women. Foreign visitors pay to enter Hagia Sophia, via a dedicated entrance.
Always check opening days and hours on the official websites: they can change.
Day 1: Sultanahmet
Morning: Hagia Sophia. Start early with Hagia Sophia, then the Blue Mosque opposite (outside prayer times).
Midday: the Basilica Cistern. Go down into the Basilica Cistern, a forest of Byzantine columns.
Afternoon: Topkapi. Visit Topkapi Palace, home of the sultans, and its terraces over the Bosphorus.
Evening: Sultanahmet at night. Dine near the Hippodrome, with the monuments lit up.
Day 2: bazaars and the Bosphorus
Morning: the Grand Bazaar. Get lost in the lanes of the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays).
Midday: the Süleymaniye. Climb to the Süleymaniye Mosque, Sinan’s masterpiece, with views over the Golden Horn.
Afternoon: the Bosphorus. Pass through the Spice Bazaar, then board at Eminönü for a Bosphorus cruise.
Evening: Karaköy. Dine in Karaköy, by the water.
Day 3: Galata, İstiklal and Kadıköy
Morning: Galata. Climb Galata Tower for the view over the city.
Midday: İstiklal. Walk down İstiklal Avenue to Taksim, with its historic tram.
Afternoon: Kadıköy. Take the ferry to Kadıköy, on the Asian side: market, cafés and local life.
Evening: Moda. Sunset on the Moda promenade, then back by ferry.
A fourth day? Day trips
- The Princes’ Islands, car-free, by ferry.
- Balat and Fener, colourful districts on the Golden Horn.
- Dolmabahçe Palace, on the European shore of the Bosphorus.
Our tips for these 3 days
- Start early: the big sights are far more pleasant at opening time.
- Group your visits by area to cut down on travel.
- Get an Istanbulkart for trams, metro and ferries.
- Bring covering clothes and a scarf for mosques.
- Haggle at the bazaar with a smile, without feeling obliged to buy.
Where to stay for these 3 days?
All the areas are covered in our guide Where to stay in Istanbul. To go further, see Things to do in Istanbul.
Frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Istanbul?
Three days cover Sultanahmet, the bazaars, the Bosphorus and the Asian side. Add a day for the Princes' Islands or Balat.
Which closing days should I avoid?
Topkapi Palace is usually closed on Tuesdays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. Mosques close to visitors during prayers.
How do I cross to the Asian side?
By ferry, from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy: the crossing offers a lovely view of the city.