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Things to do in Istanbul

12 places · 17 h 10 min of sightseeing · 3 days

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

How many days do you need in Istanbul?

12 places add up to 17 h 10 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 3 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 55 min

2 days — 11 h 40 min

3 days — 17 h 10 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. Hagia Sophia — 3 h visit. A monumental basilica built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I, which served as a church, mosque, and museum. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–19:30.
  2. Kanuni Sultan Suleyman 1 Turbesi — 20 min visit. This mausoleum is dedicated directly to Suleiman the Magnificent, a key ruler of the Ottoman Empire, complementing knowledge about the dynasty.
  3. Blue Mosque — 1 h 15 min visit. It is the only mosque in Istanbul that has six minarets. Hours: Mon–Sun 08:30–12:15, 14:00–16:45, 17:45–18:30.
  4. Hurrem Haseki Turbesi — 20 min visit. It presents the richly decorated coffin of Sultan Roxelana, one of the most influential women of the Ottoman Empire, in contrast to less detailed tombs.
  5. Topkapı Palace — 4 h visit. As the residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, from the 15th to the 19th century, it now houses the treasury and the Harem.
  6. Sultan Ahmed Tomb — 30 min visit. The mausoleum, built after 1617 next to the Blue Mosque, is the resting place of Sultan Ahmed I and his family.
  7. Suleymaniye Mosque — 1 h visit. This is the largest mosque in Istanbul and a masterpiece by architect Sinan, also offering panoramic city views, unlike smaller temples.
  8. Bosphorus Bridge — 30 min visit. It connects two continents over the Bosphorus Strait, forming a dynamic gateway best admired from a ship's deck.
  9. Galata Tower — 1 h 30 min visit. Built in 1348, it stands 67 meters tall, making it the highest stone tower built by the Genoese in Galata. Hours: 09:00–20:30.
  10. Dolmabahçe Palace — 2 h 30 min visit. This is a luxurious 19th-century sultan's residence, combining European styles, which requires a longer guided tour, unlike smaller monuments.
  11. Taksim Meydanı — 45 min visit. It is a modern city center from which important streets begin and urban meetings take place.
  12. Hippodrome — 1 h 30 min visit. This historic square, the former Hippodrome of Constantinople, was the center of chariot races and public life, featuring three obelisks and columns.
  13. Grand Bazaar — 4 h visit. As one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, it boasts over 60 streets and 4,000 shops under one roof. Hours: Mon–Sat 9:00–19:00.
  14. Maiden's Tower — 1 h 30 min visit. It stands on a small island at the entrance to the Bosphorus and is accessible by boat, offering unique views and a cruise experience, unlike the Galata Tower.
  15. Chora Church — 1 h 15 min visit. It is famous for its extraordinary 14th-century mosaics and frescoes, which are among the best examples of Byzantine art, unlike later palaces. Hours: 09:00–18:00.
  16. Gezi Park protests site. This is not a permanent place to visit, but refers to dynamic social events in Turkey, requiring monitoring of current information.
  17. Şehzade Mosque — 1 h visit. Designed by Mimar Sinan, it is the first work the architect considered complete during his apprenticeship.
  18. Hatice Turhan Sultan Türbesi — 15 min visit. Inside is the intricately decorated tomb chamber of Sultan Hatice Turhan, strategically located near the New Mosque for a quick visit.
  19. Walls of Constantinople — 1 h 30 min visit. Remains of ancient city walls that defended Constantinople for centuries, offering the opportunity for a long walk, unlike individual monuments.
  20. Basilica Cistern — 1 h 15 min visit. It is Istanbul's largest cistern from the 6th century, supported by 336 columns, including two with Medusa head bases. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–19:00.
  21. New Mosque — 40 min visit. Located right next to the Galata Bridge and the Egyptian Bazaar, it stands out with a facade adorned with Iznik tiles, making it an ideal stop while exploring the markets.
  22. Hagia Irene — 1 h visit. It is one of the few Byzantine churches in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque, unlike Küçük Ayasofya Camii.
  23. Fatih Mosque — 50 min visit. Built on the site of the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, it is a monumental example of early Ottoman architecture, unlike later imperial mosques.
  24. Ortaköy Mosque — 40 min visit. Located right on the waters of the Bosphorus, it provides an ideal bridge backdrop for photos, distinguishing it from historical temples inland.

Where to eat

What to see in Istanbul in one day?

Hagia Sophia, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman 1 Turbesi, Blue Mosque, Hurrem Haseki Turbesi, Sultan Ahmed Tomb, Bosphorus Bridge.

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