An adaptable travel itinerary for 3 days in Istanbul:
Sip sweet apple tea. Eat sticky baklava. Watch fishermen reel in mackerel from the Galata Bridge. Haggle over colourful Turkish Lamps in the Bazaar. Gaze at the Minarets dotted around the cities horizon. Listen to the call to prayer…
Istanbul. Once the centre of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Many remnants remain of its extensive history. Wake up early and sleep late to make the most out of your time here, or extend your trip and book an extra 3 nights! One thing is for certain, you won’t be at a loss for things to do or see in this city with so much to offer. Here’s an adaptable 3 day Istanbul travel itinerary…
Day 1: Explore the history in SultanAhmet district
Wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed to explore the wealth of sights within the Sultanahmet area – the historical district on the European side of Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia:
Let’s start at the beginning. At one of the oldest and most significant buildings in Istanbul – the striking Hagia Sophia. If only buildings could talk- what stories this one could share. Once a Cathedral built by Emperor Constantine’s son in 360ad and later rebuilt by Emperor Justinian after it was burned down. In 1453 it was converted to a Mosque under Mehmed the Conqueror under Ottoman rule. Today it is a museum.
The Blue Mosque:
Across the Sultanahmet square sits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque which is free to enter (but closed at prayer times for non Muslims). Make sure to look up at the ceiling to absorb the blue tiled patterns to appreciate where it gets its nickname the Blue Mosque. Ensure you are dressed appropriately with arms, legs and chest covered. Headscarves can be borrowed on site and shoes must be removed before entering.
Sit in the Square with a gloopy dondurma, otherwise known as Turkish ice cream from one of the lively vendors who will be happy to put on a show for you with the sticky ice cream.
Indulge your senses in the Bazaars:
After your sugar boost stroll to the Grand Bazaar (be warned it is closed on Sundays). Shop owners will entice you from every direction, beckoning you into their stores of dangling Turkish lamps, colourful Turkish delights and intricate Turkish Carpets. Look up and around at the stunning building it is housed in. Try samples of Turkish delight in the stores where you can buy flavours such as coffee and chocolate. To further indulge your senses continue onwards to the nearby Spice Bazaar to pick up local goods such as apple tea and saffron.
Hamam time:
End your day with an intense massage and invigorating body scrub at a Turkish Hamam.
Follow this up with nargile (shisha/hookah) and tea, or coffee and baklava.
Day 2: Life in the Ottoman period.
Get a taste of life as an Ottoman Sultan at the Topkapi Palace, open at 9am (unless it is a Tuesday as it will be closed!). Built in 1465 and home to 30 Sultans over a period spanning four centuries, today the Palace continues to dominate the landscape perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. Points of interest include the harem where the multiple wives of the Sultans resided, the section of holy relics, the vast courtyards, private gardens and the treasury.
After exploring the vast Palace take respite in adjacent Gulhane Park– the oldest park in Istanbul and once part of the Topkapi Palace.
In the evening:
Once sufficiently rested, walk the Galata Bridge to watch the sunset. For a budget eat stop by one of the stands under the bridge for Bakik Ekmek- a fresh mackerel sandwich caught by the local fishermen on the bridge.
Head to Beyoglu to sample the local nightlife, from jazz bars to dive bars. Read more about that here and here.
Day 3: Kadıköy: The Asian side
While there’s still plenty to explore on the European side, my recommendation is to escape the tourist queues and get more of a local flavor on life in Istanbul by taking the ferry from Eminonu over the Bosphorous strait to Kadikoy. Kadikoy offers a more laid back, local slice of Istanbul with plenty to see and do.
Read my post here for things to do in Kadikoy.
More things to do in Istanbul:
If you have longer or want to squeeze more in your 3 days in Istanbul itinerary try some of the following…
- Head underground to the Basilica Cistern built in 532 to bring drinking water into Istanbul.
- Check out the museums such as the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Archaeology Museum
- Suleymaniye Mosque – many prefer this to the Blue Mosque
- Galata Tower: For panoramic views of the city
- Chora Church
- Dolmabace Palace
- Taksim Square for shopping and nightlife
- Take a cruise down the Bosphorus
- Take a ferry to the Prince’s islands.
For more travel articles on Istanbul read:
Enjoy your time in Istanbul, it is a fascinating city and I can’t wait to return!!
Check out my blog post on tips on travelling Istanbul on a budget here.
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