Istanbul is a city full of everything you could ever want. Want amazing food? It’s there. Want to hit some high-end shopping? You can find it. Want major Western civilization and Islamic history? It’s there. From boat cruises to four actual seasons, Istanbul has something for everyone. Like all of our guides, our three days in Istanbul guide is designed to help you maximize seeing sights while relaxing in one of the greatest cities in the world.
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Day 1 – Three Days in Istanbul
We recommend hitting some big sites first, with so much to see and do in Istanbul. Many things to see are in old Istanbul, in Sultanahmet Square (an old Byzantium Hippodrome), including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia Museum, and Topkapi Palace. I think that Hagia Sophia is the first place you need to visit.
Hagia Sophia – The Most Interesting Place in Istanbul
Okay, so it may not be the most interesting to you, but it is the most interesting to us as we are both history teachers. Regardless of your interests overall, though, this mosque is fascinating nonetheless!
Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia) originated as a Christian church, originally built in the early 6th century CE by Roman emperor Justinian. It’s said to have begun as a Christian church built in 325 CE by Constantinople I on top of some old pagan ruins (really, many religions just adopt and modify those that came before to pacify older believers and fold them into their ranks – it’s prevalent everywhere). According to Britannica, it was essentially the head of the Byzantine church (think Eastern Orthodoxy) for about 1,000 years before the Ottomans came in and converted it to a mosque.
Atatürk, in the early 20th century, converted the mosque into a museum (how I had first seen it back in 2007) before current President Erdogan converted it back into a mosque in 2020. It is still a UNESCO World Heritage site, and non-Muslims can enter. You can no longer see as much as you once did when it was a museum (you could go almost everywhere), but you can still see remnants of the Christian orthodoxy, such as paintings of Mary and Jesus and Christian crosses. These, of course, are all mixed in with Islamic scriptures (beautiful calligraphy) hanging throughout.
To see the Hagia Sophia, you’ll have several times throughout the day (as long as it isn’t prayer), and you’ll likely have to do some waiting. We waited approximately 40 minutes as we got there when prayer began. The Hagia Sophia WAS free of charge, but is no longer. The cost to enter and skip the lines (we recommend) is around $33 and includes an audio guide. Hagia Sophia tickets are available for purchase here. Women will need a head covering, and everyone must remove their shoes once inside (there are places to put them).
Hagia Sophia Museum
The Hagia Sophia Museum is relatively new since the building was converted back into a mosque. Much of the history and detail can now be found in this museum across from the Blue Mosque in the old Hippodrome.
Admittedly, we did not go into this museum as the cost turned us off a bit, so we were disappointed. At the time, to purchase tickets at the gate for the actual museum was around $20 a person, which at the time was more than a ticket to the Louvre in Paris. We didn’t see the value in it, but it does have good reviews on Trip Advisor, so if you are interested in history and okay with the cost, check it out!
You can book tickets to the Hagia Sophia Museum here and other attractions we’ll detail later in the post.
The Blue Mosque
Directly across from the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque. This mosque is nowhere near as old, built in the early 17th century, but it is no less beautiful (though Istanbul is filled with some of the most impressive mosques you’ve ever seen, it’s beautiful!)
The Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed I, according to Wikipedia, “in the hope of soliciting God’s favour” (read more about the Blue Mosque on the Wikipedia page). It has been restored several times throughout the centuries, but that does not detract from its beauty. You can see the typical Ottoman architecture present in many mosques in Istanbul. Inside, you can see the intricate design along the ceiling and windows.
You can enter the main courtyard of the mosque without needing to stand in line or needing a head covering. There are plenty of people here and some great photo opportunities. Non-Muslims may enter the mosque free of charge, but not during prayer times; you need to form a queue. Women will again need a head covering (plenty are sold around Sultanahmet Square), and all will need to remove their shoes once inside.
The Basilica Cisterns
The Basilica Cisterns, also located in Sultanahmet Square, is far and away our favorite attraction in Istanbul. Built around the same time as the Hagia Sophia by Justinian I, these cisterns were used as water storage for the palace and people (primarily important people) in the area. They continued to serve as water storage for over a millennia until more modern times.
The Basilica Cisterns are amazing to behold. It is underground across the street from the Hagia Sophia, and you follow a distinct path. You’ll see Roman columns designed to uphold the ceiling and water markings for where water levels had historically been.
The lights change throughout the Cisterns, and several art pieces are scattered throughout as well. One of the highlights is the Medusa carvings in the far back corner. There are two columns with the face of the Gorgon carved in and, according to Wikipedia, were brought in from other places during the later Roman era.
There is also a column with some Greek writing, though I couldn’t decipher it. It is a quiet and haunting place with so much history. Also, some movies were partially filmed in the Basilica Cistern, such as From Russia With Love with Sean Connery and Inferno starring Tom Hanks (a Dan Brown movie).
You can also do the Cisterns at night or the “Night Shift.” These tickets can be purchased at the gate and not in advance. It starts at 7:30, there are light snacks, and if you’re lucky, when you go, you’ll find they have live music, which is fun and enchanting as well.
You should buy tickets in advance to help avoid any lines (Cistern tickets are available here). Regular tickets are 450 Lira per person and can be purchased using the link. Nightshift tickets must be purchased in person at the entrance and are 1,000 Lira per person.
Rounding Out Day 1 – Three Days in Istanbul
Those four options give you a pretty solid day 1 in Istanbul. You could probably pick three and do just fine! Before we move on to day two, however, we will discuss some foods that are ubiquitous in Istanbul and worth trying!
Food and Drink in Istanbul
We tend not to recommend specific restaurants on our page (it’s not our forte), and we’ll continue that trend in this post. However, we do want to mention some specific types of food and drink you should try in Istanbul!
Baklava
Baklava is a sweet pastry that’s quite common across the Arab world. It often has honey and pistachio (other types of nuts) and is made using filo pastry. There are infinite variations on this particular treat, but it is always (at least in our opinion) so good no matter where you try it. Seeing how this modern treat originated in Istanbul, it’s certainly the food you must try!
Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Now, we don’t care for Turkish Delight. At all, but that’s just our personal opinion. I remember wanting to try it after reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but upon tasting it…I regretted that wish.
Even so, like baklava, Turkish Delight is everywhere in Istanbul, though it may not have originated there. Turkish Delight is a loose gelatin-type candy that can be mixed with different flavors (usually fruit) and garnished with nuts and powdered sugar. If sweet is your jam (pun intended), try these!
Chestnuts
Along with many other food items, roasted chestnuts are frequently sold around the touristy bits of Istanbul. Unlike the Christmas carols (these aren’t roasting directly on the open fire), they are roasted and sold by the bag. If you enjoy chestnuts, then Istanbul has the perfect walking-around snack!
Raki
Raki is the national drink of Türkiye and can be a great beverage. It’s made from twice-distilled grapes and is popular in nearby regions, too, like the Balkans, where they have their own spin on things and call it ‘raking’ or some version of that spelling. Its strong aniseed flavor reminds me of black licorice, which means it’s not my favorite drink in the world. Still, it’s worth trying a sip while in Istanbul!
Döner
I’m adding döner to this list because it is quintessentially Turkish. It is essentially a Middle Eastern version of a burrito if you have never seen one. It usually has lamb or beef (or a combination), with vegetables and spices, all wrapped in a pita or similar type of bread. They are wonderful creations to eat, enjoy, and, even outside of Türkiye, a reasonably affordable meal.
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Day 2 – Three Days in Istanbul
For your second day in Istanbul, you’ll stay in Sultanahmet Square, but continue to see the history of this amazing city, though some of it more “modern” than sights like the Hagia Sophia or Basilica Cisterns.
Topkapi Palace
For day 2 of your three days in Istanbul, we recommend starting out with Topkapi Palace. It is located just behind the Hagia Sophia and so is very easily accessed, especially if you are already staying in Sultanahmet Square.
This palace served as the center of the Ottoman Empire and housed the Sultans for the bulk of the Ottoman Empire. The palace has several courtyards, each with its own areas to view. In the main courtyard, you’ll find a large green outdoor space and the entrance to the Harem Quarters (at an extra cost).
The Second Courtyard
The second courtyard, immediately to the right upon entering, is where you’ll find most of the food and waitstaff-related items. Here you can learn about the cooks, different foods and desserts, Turkish Delight, and Turkish coffee. This is probably the least crowded area of the palace because it’s also the least exciting, in our opinion (though the coffee was fun to see and read about!).
The Third Courtyard
The third courtyard is where the big ticket items are in Topkapi Palace. Here, you’ll be able to find the Ottoman Treasury, which houses not just money from the empire but also plenty of diamonds and jewels. They are quite beautiful and worth seeing, but do know there is often a line to enter (it is free as part of your entrance ticket).
You will also find the Library of Sultan Ahmed III, which housed thousands of books and manuscripts at one point. It still holds some today, though many of the most precious pieces have been removed to be stored elsewhere. Along with the books, the library’s design is also something to behold as it is filled with wood and ivory.
The Privy Chamber, however, is probably the crown jewel of not just this courtyard but the palace as a whole. It houses what are purported to be relics of the Prophet Muhammad, such as a sword, teeth, locks of hair, and more. It also contains what are meant to be Biblical relics, such as the Staff of Moses and a sword used by David.
Many people come from around the world to visit these as a part of a holy pilgrimage. Others, like ourselves, come to see pieces of history. Like the treasury, it is absolutely worth seeing since it is included in your ticket price, but also, like the treasury, it usually has a line.
The Fourth Courtyard
The fourth and final courtyard contains several mosques and ceremonial rooms, such as the circumcision room. The architecture here is some of the best in the palace and worth seeing. From this part of the palace, you’ll also be afforded beautiful views of the Bosphorous and parts of greater Istanbul.
Topkapi Palace – Cost and Time
We recommend 2-3 hours to see the whole palace, but you could easily spend 4-6 if you truly went through each piece in each room. Tickets cost around $16 for the basic experience, though more, such as tours, etc., can be added on. Here, you can buy your tickets to Topkapi Palace and take it all in stride!
The Grand Bazaar!
The Grand Bazaar is one of Istanbul’s most prized sights. It is one of the oldest covered markets in the world, with construction dating back nearly 600 years. It has 61 different streets, and with over 4,000 shops at the Grand Bazaar, there’s something for everyone. You’ll find art, carpets, trinkets, hookahs, clothing, flags, books, lamps, leather, everything you can think of!
Many locals, however, will tell you that you probably shouldn’t buy anything here because the prices are exorbitant. It is mostly tourist shopping, so prices are high, but we still think there are deals to be had, especially if you like to haggle. You can haggle virtually every seller down from what they offer, probably anywhere from 25-65% (we realize that’s a big difference), depending on the item.
The bazaar is still worth visiting even if you don’t want to buy anything. It’s great to see the variety of items they have for sale and explore the streets around the bazaar. The bazaar is next to Istanbul University, which houses beautiful mosques and other buildings.
As we’ve seen with many other sights, the bazaar is in Fatih (the area where Sultanahmet Square is located) and is a short walk from Sultanahmet Square. The Grand Bazaar is free, but be mindful of pickpockets and bad deals. You can also walk down towards the water and find the spice bazaar. It is a much newer market, but with all kinds of spices and teas for purchase, and it is worth a visit for the smells alone!
If you have a bit more oomph left, you can also keep walking north of the bazaars and head to some older Roman Aqueducts. These aqueducts cross over major thoroughfares; you can’t go up them. But if you’re interested in ancient Roman history or Architecture, the extra walk (a couple of kilometers at most) might be worth the trip!
Rounding Out Day 2 – Three Days in Istanbul
Day 2 in Istanbul has taken you to the great Ottoman Palace and one of the world’s oldest bazaars. Certainly, you could squeeze in more if you wanted, but we like to focus on easy days while still seeing the highlights.
For day three, however, you may do a bit of uphill walking as you head to Galata, where you’ll find the famous tower and one of Istanbul’s major shopping areas.
Day 3 – Three Days in Istanbul
For day three, there are several options depending on where you choose to stay. If, like us, you opt for Sultanahmet Square and the Fatih area, you’ll need to make your way to Galata.
Galata & Galata Tower
You can always take a taxi or the tram/metro in Istanbul. Those options are always available, but we always recommend walking when you get the chance. Now, if you’re in Fatih, the walk to Galata can be somewhat daunting as it sits on top of the hill, but it’s worth it.
To get there, you’ll need to cross the main bridge, which has plenty of space for walking and fishing! You can catch men and women and children fishing off the bridge, though I’ve no idea what it is they are catching! Or you can walk below, closer to the water, where you’ll find many restaurants, all with men trying to lure you in to eat. Sure, the view is good, but choose carefully.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge onto the northeast European part, you’ll begin the climb! It’s a short trek up to Galata Tower but a rather steep one. You can find, however, plenty of exciting shops to pop into and places to grab water or tea if you find yourself tired or wanting a rest to take in the moment.
Galata tower was originally built by the Genoese, though traces of a tower there previously can be traced back to the Byzantine era. However, the Genoese built the tower you see today. They built their little enclave in Constantinople in the middle of the 13th century. The tower (about 100 years later) was eventually added to this walled area, which made it the tallest building in the city!
After the Ottomans took over Constantinople (Istanbul), the Genoese left. Their walls came down, mostly, but the tower remained. Today, it stands as a monument to history, having had several makeovers over the years, but it is a great way to get a view of the city, particularly at sunset.
If you choose to head to Galata Tower, be prepared to wait in line and do a bit more walking, though there is an elevator (more waiting), and it only reaches the 7th floor. If you want the best views or visit the restaurant, you must walk up to the 9th floor.
If you’d like to visit Galata Tower, tickets are available for purchase. Tickets are not cheap, however, and will run you about €31, which can be steep if you’re not interested in stairs or views. While it is busier, we recommend a sunset visit to see the sun going down over old Istanbul.
After (or before) the tower, you can visit a popular coffee shop in Istanbul called Viyana Kahvesi, which has lovely coffee and delicious cheesecake. It is a chain, though if going up the tower isn’t your thing, you can sit in front and enjoy tea or coffee, and people watch those making their way up.
Istiklal Street
One of Istanbul’s busiest shopping streets is just down from Galata Tower. Unlike the Grand Bazaar, here you’ll find more modern shops, plenty of restaurants, bars, pubs, shisha, and a few beautiful older buildings, such as churches.
If you’re interested in general shopping (not high-end), Istikal Street is a great place! If you are not interested in shopping, you can easily skip this part of our three days in Istanbul guide!
Dolmabahçe Palace
At the end of Istiklal Street, if you head down towards the water, you’ll find the Dolmabahçe Palace. Located right on the Bosphorus Strait, Dolmabahçe Palace was built in the middle of the 19th century by Sultan Abdülmecid I to rival palaces in Europe since Topkapi was considered a bit outdated. It served as the home of the Sultans and even Atatürk himself up until his death, at which point it became a museum.
As you find yourself along the Strait, you can stroll along the water and enjoy the Dolmabahçe Palace and Mosque. You can also do more shopping or stop into one of the high hotels for tea or a drink as you sit outdoors and enjoy the weather!
Tickets to Dolmabahçe Palace are around €39 ($42). Tickets for the Dolmabahçe Palace can be purchased here. Tickets include the Ottoman Harem section.
Final Thoughts – Three Days in Istanbul
Istanbul has endless sights, places to visit, things to do, and food and drink to try! Ultimately, Three days is not enough time to truly enjoy all this massive metropolis offers. However, we believe that you can enjoy the best of what it has to offer in a few days, and our three days in Istanbul guide is designed to help you do just that!
If you’re interested in other cities, please check out our other three-day city guides!