Istanbul in 3 days: what to see day by day
Ready-to-use 3 days itinerary for Istanbul: 11 places grouped geographically into walking routes (18 h of pure visiting time) with opening hours and places to eat along the way.
1 day · 2 days · 3 days · Things to do in Istanbul
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Day 1 · 6 h 15 min visiting · approx. 540 m walking between stops
- 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.
- Sultan Ahmed Tomb — 30 min visit (approx. 320 m from previous stop). The mausoleum, built after 1617 next to the Blue Mosque, is the resting place of Sultan Ahmed I and his family.
- Hippodrome — 1 h 30 min visit (approx. 80 m from previous stop). This historic square, the former Hippodrome of Constantinople, was the center of chariot races and public life, featuring three obelisks and columns.
- Blue Mosque — 1 h 15 min visit (approx. 130 m from previous stop). 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.
Where to eat along the route (Day 1)
- Sultanahmet Köftecisi — Instead of a varied menu, it offers iconic, traditional köfte meatballs, perfect for a quick meal, which sets it apart from other restaurants.
- Mahmiye — It serves full Turkish cuisine dishes from traditional recipes, unlike the neighboring cafes and ice cream parlors.
Day 2 · 6 h 30 min visiting · approx. 3 km walking between stops
- 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.
- Galata Tower — 1 h 30 min visit (approx. 1.6 km from previous stop). 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.
- Suleymaniye Mosque — 1 h visit (approx. 1.4 km from previous stop). This is the largest mosque in Istanbul and a masterpiece by architect Sinan, also offering panoramic city views, unlike smaller temples.
Where to eat along the route (Day 2)
- Neolokal — It combines Anatolian culinary traditions with a modern approach, using ingredients from small local producers and recreating forgotten recipes.
- Caribou Coffee — As a coffee shop chain, it offers free Wi-Fi and comfortable interiors, which distinguishes it from small spots like Poika Coffee.
Day 3 · 5 h 15 min visiting · approx. 6.6 km walking between stops
- Bosphorus Bridge — 30 min visit. It connects two continents over the Bosphorus Strait, forming a dynamic gateway best admired from a ship's deck.
- Dolmabahçe Palace — 2 h 30 min visit (approx. 3 km from previous stop). This is a luxurious 19th-century sultan's residence, combining European styles, which requires a longer guided tour, unlike smaller monuments.
- Taksim Meydanı — 45 min visit (approx. 1.2 km from previous stop). It is a modern city center from which important streets begin and urban meetings take place.
- Maiden's Tower — 1 h 30 min visit (approx. 2.4 km from previous stop). 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.
Where to eat along the route (Day 3)
- Karaköy Güllüoğlu — Unlike restaurants with main courses, this is an iconic place serving only traditional baklava, made for generations.
- Mikla — Beyond the traditional menu, it presents modern Anatolian cuisine on the hotel's rooftop, offering views of the Bosphorus and Hagia Sophia.
Things to do in Istanbul — all places with visit times
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