Can I visit Istanbul in just 3 days and if so, where should I go? Istanbul is one of the biggest cities in the world. It extends across 2 continents and bears the history of centuries.
There are loads of things to do in Istanbul but we have put together a guide for you to enjoy Istanbul in just 3 days. It sounds impossible but if you have a good plan it is totally doable.
We highly recommend that you visit Turkey with a 2-week planned itinerary and spend 3 days only in Istanbul.
This guide is all about how you spend 3 days in Istanbul. Keep reading!
The Sultanahmet area is a historical place in Istanbul. It holds magnificent sites and buildings that date to both the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. These monuments were well preserved over the years to tell the story of ancient times. The good news is these sites are a close distance from each other and if you are on a flying visit to Istanbul you can see them all in a short time. So, let’s jump to the must-visit attractions in Sultanahmet.
The Blue Mosque, also known as Sultanahmet Mosque, was built in the Ottoman era during the rule of Ahmet I. The Blue Mosque is a very popular tourist attraction and an active mosque as well.
It closes during the 5 times daily prayers for about 30-40 mins and longer for midday Friday prayers.
Visiting the Blue Mosque is a great way to discover Ottoman architecture.
Entrance fee: FREE
Pro Travel Tip: Women should wear covered clothes and a headscarf before entering the mosque (cheap headscarves are available for sale in the vicinity of the mosque)
While walking through Sultanahmet Square you can visit the Hagia Sophia or Aya Sofya in Turkish, which is a stone-throw away from The Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sophia was inaugurated as a Greek Orthodox church in 350 C.E. but it is now converted into an active mosque.
The good news is Hagia Sophia is open to visitors in-between prayer times and the entrance fee is now free for everyone.
Check these 9 highly recommended mosques to visit in Istanbul
The Basilica Cistern is another splendid tourist attraction in Sultanahmet to include in your 3 days in Istanbul.
It’s a 5-minute walk from Hagia Sophia. It is basally a large underground Cistern built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565).
The Basilica Cistern site also showcases unusual-looking Medusa heads that tourists find especially interesting. I always get a strange feeling whenever I go down into the Basilica Cistern.
- Entrance fee: 190 TL / person
Note: Unfortunately, Museum Pass Istanbul is not valid for the Basilica Cistern.
Your next destination site for your 3 day trip in Istanbul should be the Grand Bazaar.
The Grand Bazaar is claimed to be the largest covered market in the world. Yeah, that’s right! And it is easy to get lost in its narrow streets but doesn’t worry, it’s a part of the grand bazaar authentic experience.
The Grand Bazaar has 64 alleys, 22 entrances, and 4000 stores which means you can find anything you are looking for here.
From jewelry, and antiques, to custom-made Turkish food, and textiles. Literally, anything you could ask for.
It is probably clear that you can’t do the whole bazaar in one afternoon but exploring the area surrounding a particular entrance would be enough for a 3 day itinerary in Istanbul.
After marching through the whole Bazaar, you will probably be tired and need a place to relax. If yes, then head to Ağa Kapisi café for a splendid view of the Bosphorus you must go to the top floor of the café.
The food is good, and the prices are reasonable. Keep in mind that the place gets quite busy, especially at night.
Here is the location for Aga Kapasi Cafe
Topkapi Palace is also one of the top attractions in Sultanahmet. So, if you feel like spending more time discovering the area, visit the Topkapi Palace.
The Ottoman imperial palace was built by Mehmet II the Conqueror, 6 years after the conquest of Constantinople, and served as the main residence and headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.
If you have a few minutes to spare you can visit the less popular Carpet Museum located behind the Hagia Sophia.
The carpet Museum showcases old Turkish rugs from the 14th-19th century.
If you are a fan of vintage rugs like I am, don’t miss this opportunity to see a 500-year-old rug preserved in almost original condition.
This is one of the most visited places in Istanbul. This busy street contains a mix of traditional and modern shopping. It is located within the historical Beyoglu district. This busy street spotlights the diversity of Istanbul and Turkey. There is so much to do here. You can have a good meal, catch up on some shopping or have a cup of coffee while overlooking the endless passage of Istanbul’s cosmopolitan population.
If you walk to the end of Istiklal street you will end up at the Beyoglu-Karakoy Tunel station, which is one of the oldest subway stations in the world. The original Trams have been restored and provide a cool and touristy experience. It really takes you back to the late 1800s and one can only imagine what a special experience this was 145 years ago. Make sure that you have your Istanbulkart so that you can enjoy this experience.
This is a really short trip that takes you to Karakoy in a few minutes. Once you arrive in Karakoy follow the signposts up to Galata Tower. The Galata area is known for its boutique specialty coffee shops and decadent ice-cream shops. If you want to take pictures, it is advisable to go early in the day like we did. There are some ideal picture sites.
If you just want to visit Galata Tower and enjoy the view from up there, perhaps you need to go at sunset. The Tower is 67 meters tall, providing the perfect viewing point.
After a day of shopping and sightseeing, you want to explore the vibrant and artsy Moda. A busy area in Kadikoy that is the perfect evening to late-night adventure. The dining options are numerous and the atmosphere is really cool. We usually go there and just start from one side going wherever the wind blows. We are never disappointed in Moda.
On your final day, you want to recover from all the walking, sightseeing, and pleasure eating. This is the perfect time to indulge yourself at a Traditional Turkish bath or Hammam. There are several treatments available to choose from, whether you want to treat yourself to a session in the sauna or require a full-body massage. It is one of those experiences that you won’t really comprehend until you have tried it yourself.
For an unforgettable Hammam experience check Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami
After that refreshing hammam experience, you don’t want to tire yourself with too much walking and traveling. Now is the time to take a Bosporus cruise. The cruise packages are available all day and with different options like food etc. I would say take a 1 hour guided cruise that takes you past the important landmarks. It is always good to see these sites from the sea. If the weather holds up then the journey will be even more enchanting. Kick back, enjoy the breeze, and the sites.
First time we visited Istanbul was in January. Turkey in January can be really cold and that’s why we decided to look for central located hotels that are close to all the main attractions in the city. So here are our recommended places to stay so that you can spend the maximum time on having fun. 3 days is not a long time so you need to take the full benefit of all that Istanbul has to offer.
Save this on Pinterest!
