Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey, but still is the most popular city in the country. The largest city of Turkey, the most interesting fact about Istanbul is that lies in both Europe and Asia. Deep-rooted history, fascinating culture, enchanting architecture, breathtaking landscapes, delicious foods, bustling markets, and vibrant nightlife are a few of the things that make a holiday in Istanbul intriguing. While there is plenty to see and do in Istanbul, a holiday for 3-4 days is enough to enjoy the essence of the city. While you can check out how to spend 4 days in Istanbul here, we have provided you a detailed 3-day Istanbul itinerary in this historical and cultural capital of Turkey.
3-Day Istanbul Itinerary
If you are struggling to plan your Turkey itinerary, here is a detailed guide about spending 3 days in Istanbul. We have tried to include all the major attractions and the best things to do in the city in this itinerary.
Day 1: Explore the Historical Side of Istanbul
Begin your holiday in Istanbul with a historical tour of the city. Here are the historical places you must include in your Istanbul itinerary.Hagia Sophia
Built in the 5th century, Hagia Sophia was the largest Christian cathedral in the world. The structure was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and today it is one of the most important mosques in the world, although it served as a national museum for more than 86 years. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hagia Sophia is a prominent landmark of the city and is known for its beautiful architecture. The magnificent domes, the splendid glass mosaics, the monolithic marble columns, and the gorgeous interiors make it worth visiting.
Blue Mosque
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes for one of the most important landmarks in the country is the Blue Mosque. Built in the 17th century, the Blue Mosque is the epitome of Ottoman architecture. This magnificent mosque was built by the Ottoman emperor, Sultan Ahmet I and is also called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The mosque has all the trademark signs of Ottoman architecture, including its large dome, eight smaller domes, and six minarets. The 20,000 turquoise–colored, Iznik tiles are the reason why it is called the Blue Mosque. You can visit and explore the Blue Mosque for free.
Topkapi Palace
Another fine example of Ottoman architecture is the Topkapi Palace, which is one of the best places to see in Istanbul. The lavish structure was the home of the Ottoman sultans for several centuries. While the main architecture style here is Ottoman, you will also see influences of Baroque styles along with Islamic, European, and Persian influences. While the exterior of the palace is magnificent, the interior is equally luxurious. As you walk through the palace, you will get to see the imperial treasury, arms and weapons, spoonmaker’s diamond, Topkapi dagger, Prophet Mohammad’s cloak, and more. The Topkapi Library and the harem are a few other interesting places that you should explore in the palace.
Basilica Cistern
One of the most unique historical attractions in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. The place covers an area of 9800 square meters and is spread underneath the city of Istanbul. Built in the 6th century, the cistern was constructed as a channel to supply water to the Great Residence. For several years, the cistern remained sealed, until it was revived somewhere around the 19th century. Exploring the Basilica Cistern is worth it, as its interior is quite fascinating. The columns of the cistern are believed to have been taken from ancient Roman structures. More than 1.5 million people (including tourists) visit this Byzantine structure every year. You can end the first day of your Istanbul holiday with a Turkish meal at one of the restaurants in Sultanahmet area, where these historical monuments and landmarks are located. You can choose to dine at a rooftop restaurant for an amazing view of the area along with delicious food.
Day 02: Sightseeing and Nightlife
Dedicate your second day in Istanbul to more sightseeing and exploring its local neighborhoods. You can also explore the happening nightlife of the city.
Galata Tower
When it comes to sightseeing, Galata Tower is a landmark you must not miss and is included in almost all Istanbul holiday packages. Perched on a hilltop, the Galata Tower is a cylindrical stone structure that was built in 1348. Earlier a wooden structure existed on the site, which was built during the 5th century. But it was destroyed due to natural disasters like earthquakes and fires. The Galata Tower was used as an observatory, watchtower, and a jail by the Ottomans. Today, the Galata Tower is open to the public, where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire area.
Karakoy
As you walk down from the Galata Tower, you reach the narrow lanes of Karakoy, where the old meets the new. Karakoy comprises two adjacent neighborhoods, Galata and Tophane, where you will get to experience the vibe of the city. As you walk around the place, you will get to see several ancient buildings from the Ottoman and Byzantine times, which have been converted into boutique stores, art galleries, and cafes. The place is also home to churches, mosques, and synagogues, all existing next to each other. One place you must not miss here is the Istanbul Modern, which is a contemporary art museum that gives you a glimpse of the cultural scene of Karakoy.
Istikal Avenue
Another place where you can enjoy the vibrant air of Istanbul is Istikal Avenue. This is a 1.4-kilometer-long street filled with restaurants, cafes, art galleries, theaters, libraries, music stores, bookstores, and theatres. One of the most popular things to do here is ride on the Nostalgic Tram, which has been running on the middle of the road since 1990. It is also a great place to try some Dundurma or the Turkish ice cream. The place has several historical buildings, including Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Galatasaray Lisesi, Kirim Kilisesi, French Consulate, and more. If you are craving for some Turkish sweets, do visit the Saray Muhallebicisi, the patisserie, where you can enjoy delicacies like lokma, baklava, and more. End your day with a visit to Taksim Square, which is most popular for its nightlife. There are several restaurants, bars, dance clubs, etc., in and around Taksim Square, promising you a night filled with excitement, fun, and wonder. You can also choose to spend an evening in a rooftop bar here to enjoy drinks as well as panoramic views of the area.
Day 3: Shopping and Cruising
Spend the last day of your Istanbul holiday indulging in some retail therapy. Explore the traditional or local markets where you can buy local products and handicrafts, including souvenirs to take back home. Sunset cruise on the Bosphorous is also a thing you must do on your final day in this Turkish city.
Grand Bazaar
If shopping is on your mind, there is no better place than Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Existing since the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is not just the oldest but also the largest covered market in the world. Today, the market has 60 streets and 15 sections, with stores that sell a variety of things, right from precious jewelry to scarves. It is a great place to buy souvenirs to take back home, although you can also buy traditional fabrics, scarves, Turkish rugs, perfumes, jewelry, iznik pottery, and more. You will also find stores selling gold and silver jewelry embedded with precious stones here.
Spice Bazaar
Another must-visit market in Istanbul is Spice Bazaar. As the name suggests, you will get to enjoy every kind of spice in this market. It is the best place to buy some of Turkey’s most popular spices like saffron, pomegranate sauce, pul biber, sumac, and more. Apart from spices, Spice Bazaar is also where you can buy a variety of Turkish delight, dried fruits, olive oil soaps, Turkish coffee, fruit teas, baklava, herbal remedies, and more. Even if you do not want to buy anything, visit the Spice Bazaar for its colorful sights and exotic aroma.
Cruise on the Bosphorous
The Bosphorous Strait is what divides Istanbul between Europe and Asia. Cruising over the Strait is one of the must-do things in Istanbul. While day cruises also exist, the sunset cruise is a phenomenal one. During the cruise, you will get to see a breathtaking sunset along with some of the famous landmarks of the city, including Bosphorous Bridge, Ortakoy Mosque, Maiden’s Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, and more. Most cruises offer snacks and refreshments, although you can also choose to go for a dinner cruise.
If your cruise does not include dinner, you can choose to dine at a restaurant or cafe with a view of the Bosphorous. There are plenty of restaurants here that serve everything from Turkish cuisine to international delights. Enjoy the last evening of your Istanbul holiday with delicious food and amazing views of the waterfront.
We hope this article answers your question about what to do in Istanbul in 3 days. By following this itinerary, we ensure that you have a great holiday while exploring the major attractions of this Turkish city. To make the most of the city, you should visit the place during the spring season (March to May) and autumn season (September to November).
