Got queries about Istanbul? Don’t worry we got all your questions answered! So welcome to the gateway between Asia and Europe and the nation of thousand mosques and cats!! We have been to so many amazing cities around the world, but Istanbul is one of the most awe-inspiring cities we’ve been to thus far and will always hold a special corner in our heart. We hope this Istanbul Travel Blog helps you plan a perfect Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days. 3 Days in Istanbul we felt is just about right to give you enough time to cover all the best things to do in Istanbul.
Istanbul definitely one of the prettiest ancient cities in Asia, and the crown jewel city of Turkey. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey which is the country’s economic, cultural and historic hub. Its home to breathtaking architecture and ruins dating all the way back to the 7th century BCE when the Greeks colonized the settlement and called it Byzantium. It was later changed to Constantinople under the Ottoman Empire and eventually Istanbul.
With a population of over 15 million people, making it one of the largest cities in Europe. While for many it’s natural to assume that Istanbul is Turkey’s capital but it isn’t, that title goes to ‘Ankara’ which is the financial capital. The most interesting part is the Bosphorus Strait, the continental boundary between Asia(Eastern half) and Europe(Western half) making this nation geographically interesting and a perfect travel destination.
We have been planning trip to Turkey for quite some time now and Istanbul was the first city which we explored, that has Byzantine churches adorned with mosaics and frescoes all over and magnificent mosques decorated with high minarets,. This city mesmerized us at every turn and now its your turn to see it through your own eyes. Some of you might wonder about how many days would be enough to explore Istanbul, well we would recommend spending at least 3 days here to be able to explore this incredible historic city.
Istanbul Travel Itinerary 3 Days: Things to know before you go
1.Turkey Currency : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
You can use Turkish Lira which is easily accepted everywhere. If possible, try to carry some hard cash as most of the local shops don’t accept plastic money apart from few big stores. You would even find ATMs at every corner so don’t have to worry much if you run short of cash.
Tip: We mostly withdrew cash from Halkbank (gov.) that charged less transaction fee.
2. Language in Istanbul, Turkey : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
Turkish language is spoken all over the nation. More than 85M people lives in Turkey but only 1% of them understands and speaks English. We really had a hard time interacting with people, but they would still try to help you with broken English. We would recommend using google translator whenever necessary.
3. Best time to visit Turkey : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
If you wish to avoid the scorching heat during the day, we would suggest it would be really nice if you can plan your vacations between April – May and September – October. While the summer months June, July, August are extremely hot and humid, and between November-March it might even snow.
We went in the month of April and the weather was absolutely perfect. The sun was not too scorching and the nights were soothing and pleasant. Also these months of the year are not high season so you can expect less tourists.
4. Is Istanbul safe : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
Turkey as a country is very safe to travel around, even if you are a solo traveler or travelling with friends & family. Still you must take good care of yourself and people around with you as safety should always be the first priority. We felt absolutely safe around every nook and corners.
5. Turkey Mobile Networks : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
On arrival we issued a Vodafone Simcard worth 46$. Yes that was one of the most expensive sim card we ever purchased. Stores at the airport would only accept dollar or euro. We would suggest taking a sim card from any local shop outside airport, that would be pretty cheaper. Our sim was valid for 28days offering 20GB data+750 min local calls+1000 sms.
6. How to apply for an E-visa for Turkey : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
If you have a valid US, Canada or Schengen visa then you can easily apply a single entry Turkish e visa online for a fee of 44$ per person prior to arrival. Apply your online visa here.
Please note: Your US, Canada or Schengen visa needs to be valid during the duration of your stay in Turkey.
7. Food in Istanbul : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
This is our favourite subject. One can never go wrong with food here, this city is an absolute food paradise. You would find hundreds of restaurants at every lanes and corners you step your foot serving cuisines from all around the world.
We ate at multiple restaurants and tried street food too, and found it to be very pocket friendly. We almost ate every strange looking food and seriously had hell of time enjoining Turkish cuisine. Turkish people love having tea, which is basically served in a very stylish pear shaped cup, no need to ask where you would find those, its served almost everywhere around every corner.
Some of our favourite Turkish delicacies are Menemen which is a Turkish style omelet prepared with peppers tomatoes herbs etc. Also you can’t go wrong with Turkish Kabab platters, Shawarma rolls, Burek, Manti (Turkish ravioli served with yogurt). If you have a sweet tooth like us, guys you are at the right destination than. We would recommend trying some of the famous Turkish dessert – Kunefe, Baklava, Turkish delight, Sutlac and lot more, but these were our daily dose.
8.Transportation in Istanbul
Both public and local transportations are easily available to go around the city. You would see yellow taxis standing everywhere. At times we tried taking the city bus unaware of the fact that you need to purchase Istanbul Card (electronic boarding pass) for metro, tram and bus services as they don’t accept direct cash. You can easily buy those cards from the airport itself where it directs to any bus service. We mostly walked everywhere so that we could burn some extra calories. However during rush hours the taxis might charge something unusual than actual so ask them you would prefer going with meter rates.
Things to Remember
1. There are two airports in Istanbul the most common and bigger one is Istanbul airport (IST) on the European side. The smaller one is Sabiha Gokcen Airport ( SAW) on the Asian side. Both are quite far from the main city centre. Make sure to check closely at which airport you land and from where your flight departs.
2. You’ll will always need Turkish Liras (TL) in smaller denominations (5, 10, 20) to pay for the transportation services and others. You can withdraw TL from an ATM or currency exchange at either at airport or outside. Small shops always don’t accept dollars/euros or plastic money, so its recommended to carry cash at all times.
3. You will be visiting most of the mosques here, we would recommend packing a head scarf( for women) along with you, so that you can cover your head to show respect towards their culture. You can also buy scarf from the entry gate however they would charge unbelievable price which didn’t make any sense to us.
4. There are countless number of hotels in Istanbul, we would recommend staying at the main areas like Sultanahmet or Taksim Square for easy access to almost everything, while these are the two most happening areas. Book your hotels HERE.
Getting around Istanbul : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
We boarded direct flight from Nairobi, Kenya and reached Istanbul (IST) by late afternoon. It was a flight of 6 hours, unfortunately it got delayed by 2hrs. We pre booked a cab from get your guide which was already there for our pickup once we arrived.
We stayed in Istanbul for 3 nights, and for the first 2 nights we stayed at a hotel at Sultan Ahmed Square. It almost took 1hr to reach from the airport with crazy traffic. And the last night we decided to spent at Taksim Square. Istanbul Traffic is seriously notorious so be prepared to spend extra time in traffic than expected, if you’re travelling during the day time.
With more than 15M population Istanbul is immensely crowed with people and cars everywhere. The streets are cobbled, very narrow and really complicated and it was very difficult to navigate the roads and lanes without google maps. It was crazy to see even trams entering those narrow lanes while we really skipped a heart beat while walking across the roads.
Honestly walking is the best mode to explore here because most of the monuments from one place to the other can be easily covered on foot. Some streets are very small and filled with street vendors where cars cannot even enter. Streets of Istanbul converts into a whole new world at night. It has a very lively night life. You would see people stay out late and party hard. Most of the roadside cafeterias and restaurants remain full with people enjoying their coffee, food and shisha with friends and family. We had a great time there hopping the bars and cafes.
Best things to do in Istanbul : Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
We had lots of exciting visions about Istanbul before visiting and surely its an incredibly fascinating city in every ways, which is a mix of everything- fun, food, fashion, culture, history that feels so contemporary yet ancient. So without further ado, here are the list of best things to do in Istanbul, and this is how we explored the corners just in 3 days.
Our Istanbul Itinerary 3 Days
- Day 1 – Visit Suleymaniye Mosque, Experience the Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Hodjapasha and go for dinner at any Turkish restaurants of your choice.
- Day 2- Take a cruise on the Bosphorus, Explore the hidden corners of Balat neighborhood, Go for Turkish Bath(Hamam)
- Day 3- Visit the Topkapi Palace Museum, Visit Hagia Sophia Mosque(Ayasofya), Visit The Blue Mosque, Visit the Grand Bazaar or The Spice Market, Take a walk along The Galata Bridge, Walk up to The Galata Tower, Take a stroll at Taksim Square
Day 1
Visit Suleymaniye Mosque
After checking in late we didn’t want to waste time in the room. Had a cup of coffee to clear our head and shake off the jet-lag. Later went out to see what could be done before it gets dark. Its always a great idea to keep a paper map handy, so that you can easily locate the monuments you wish to visit and get a clear idea where and how far it stands from where you stand.
So our first stop for the day was the Suleymaniye Mosque. We walked crossing the bazaar and colourful markets. The walk to Suleymaniye Mosque from our hotel was almost for 20min passing small climbs and stairs. Turkey means lots of walking so make sure you wear comfortable shoes always.
Suleymaniye Mosque is a very beautiful mosque that you should not miss visiting while you are in Istanbul. This artistic Mosque was constructed in the 16th Century by the Ottoman Empire representing the eminence of the Ottoman era, which is built on top of the Third Hill of Istanbul. The architecture and the intricacies of the work, each and every detailing is just so amazing. Its very easy to get around the mosque on your own but if you wish to consider a guide we would highly recommend (Musa +905445481108). He can definitely be an amazing guide throughout your Istanbul trip. Tell him we said hello if you meet him.
For almost 462 years, the Suleymaniye Mosque was the largest mosque in the city, until Camlica Mosque grabbed the title in 2019.This mosque opens from 08:30- 11:30am, 1:00- 2:30pm, and again from 3:30- 4:45pm closing between the prayer breaks. Entry is absolutely free for the mosque.
The view outside the mosque is stunning from where you can see Istanbul’s Galata area and the city as well which makes it one of the best vantage sunset point. By the time we reached it was almost 5pm and sunset happens pretty late there, around 7pm so we got enough time to enjoy some Turkish tea and watch the sun go down painting the city orange.
Make sure you walk towards the back side of the mosque where you would find beautiful cafeterias overlooking the city and the mosques. We went inside a café called Mimar Sinan café for the high tea and seriously there was no match to the view over anything.
Experience the Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Hodjapasha
Right after the sunset we walked across the main street and headed towards Hodjapasha for the Whirling Dervish Ceremony. The way to the cultural hall was very tricky as it stands in between hundred street shops and multiple connecting lanes. Even google maps failed to show us the exact location so we asked passers by for assistance. However we managed to reach the venue before time.
The show starts every day at 6:30pm and 8:30pm at Hodjapasha Cultural Center which lasts approximately 45 minutes. We pre-booked our tickets for Whirling Dervishes show from get your guide. You can get your tickets HERE. This is a definitely a must see, we assure you this would surely be an unique experience. Try to reach the hall 15min prior to the show, we aren’t sure whether they would allow you to enter once the show begins. Photography and videography are not allowed inside. Entry tickets costs 400TL per person.
There is a lobby outside where you can lounge for sometime before the show begins. Of course there are multiple organizers for Whirling Dervishes show, but Hodjapasha is the most renowned and the best one. Lights went off, the show began and there was complete silence. The music continued for some time and later the dervishes entered spinning around along the rhythm of the instruments. We cannot explain how it feels inside the nerves watching the Dervish whirl in synchronization and getting into mystical and spiritual trance of perfection.
It kept us stare for all the while and seriously wondered how they could whirl for that long, amazing! Post the show we finished our dinner at one of the food joint right outside and walked towards hotel ending this beautiful evening.
Day 2
Take a cruise on the Bosphorus
We arrived at the Eminonu dock from where all the cruises mostly departs. You can take direct taxi to the port or tram from Sultanahmet, Karakoy and Galata. Cruising at the Bosphorus is one of the must thing to do while in Istanbul. The Bosporus is a natural strait forming the continental boundary between Asia and Europe connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Spend some time relaxing and enjoy the panoramic view of Eurasia.
The ferries departs from the port daily from 10am to 8pm every hour. A cruise on the Bosphorus is probably one of the most beautiful tourist attraction here, so definitely try to squeeze time for this ride. You don’t need any advance booking for the tickets, while you can directly purchase the same from the captain standing near the entry to the ferry. Per person cost for public Bosphorus cruise is 60 TL( round trip) for 2hrs.
We choose a seat for us and grabbed a cup of coffee from the cafeteria inside the ferry. There are no restaurants inside and no meals available, its just the ferry ride so go prepared. You can also pack some eatables from outside as well and enjoy the same along the ride. The weather was pleasant and we absolutely enjoyed the ferry ride, gazing at the panoramic view of Istanbul right from the Bosphorus strait. You can book also book your Bosphorus dinner cruise HERE
Explore the hidden corners of Balat neighborhood
Once back on land we boarded a taxi for Balat which took 15 min to reach with crazy traffic(paid 28TL). Balat is a district located in the old city, on the European side of Istanbul that has been traditionally home to the minorities. This neighborhood of Istanbul was once known as the Jewish quarter of the city which has some of the most colourful buildings and cafeterias that are truly spectacular. This district is hidden past the shores of Eminonu along the Golden Horn. We would definitely recommend visiting this place.
We entered the streets and experienced a whole new Istanbul. There were vibrant colours all round, aroma of freshly bakes, ice cream bars and everything that would make your soul happy. Its a perfect photogenic little town that is not very touristy and a great place to explore and enjoy a quiet cup of evening coffee.
This is however a residential area, so there isn’t any popular attraction to visit. The houses here are mostly over 200-years-old making these historic wooden homes the most photographed buildings in the city. We strolled around the cobbled and narrow streets from one to the another enjoying this beautiful location and its vibe. Its a perfect quirky destination for those who enjoy taking loads and loads of pictures, as it offers nice setting for street photography for your social media feed.
Go for Turkish Baths(Hamam)
We booked our hamam bath for late at night, so that we can go back to our room relaxed and revived after the tiring day and it was also a great opportunity to detox. This is definitely that one thing you cannot miss to experience while in Turkey. We would recommend going for a Turkish hamam at Tahiri Galatasaray Hamami(since 1481). Make sure you book your hamam bath in advance. Book here.
What is Hamam?
Turkish hamam bath is the Ottoman variation of taking the steam bath, and is an ancient practice of relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care. It is a kind of bath that combines steaming, exfoliation, massage, bubble foam wash and finally a cold-water shower from one chamber to the next.
This was our first time having hamam and definitely excitement was at peak. We entered the hall passing the reception lobby and were directed to the changing room which also had locker facility as well. Later we were given waterproof slippers, fluffy towel, bath wrap and water bottle.
There are special bath attendants inside the hamam, the men are called “Tellak” and the women “Natir,” who would help you with every service throughout the session. Arriving downstairs we entered the Turkish traditional bath which consists of a main circular and large marble steam room with high ceilings that is heated by a furnace with hot air flowing through ducts under the floor. Its basically like a sauna room if you have been to any. The surrounding walls are lined with individual sinks, referred as “kurna”, which remains filled with water. You can use the metal or copper bowls provided which are called “tas” to drench the water over your body if you feel overheated.
It felt like a community steaming where we and other bathers lay to experience the heat for almost 50min followed by massage and scrubbing for men. I (puja) was taken to a different room for women for the scrub and bath.
Things to know before you go to the Bath
1. Traditionally hamams are used by both men and women together. But the Turkish bath has 2 sections (1 for each sex).All of the attendants and those who give the massage and scrubs will exclusively be of the same sex as the bathers.
2. Men usually completely strip and wear nothing underneath the bath wrap. Women, on the other hand, typically keep their underwear on (but often not their bra) underneath the bath wrap. The choice is yours.
3.The Galatasaray Hamami is open from 7am to 10pm for men, and the women’s section is open from 8am to 9pm every day.
4. If you have sensitive skin or you are allergic to some products, you can bring your own soap and shampoo.
Our experience with hamam bath was amazing, had the best time. Post bath, grabbed shawarma wraps on our way and headed back to the hotel calling it a night.
Day 3
Visit the Topkapi Palace Museum
Topkapi Palace served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries and now it’s the second most visited attraction in the city, after Hagia Sophia. After the end of Ottoman Empire in 1923 government transformed Topkapi into a museum.
Entry charge for Topkapi Palace+Hagia Irene Church Museum+Harem Section is 285TL and for Topkapi Palace+Hagia Irene Church Museum is 200TL with free audio guide. The Imperial Gate to Topkapi Palace is less than a meter away from Ayasofya. You can buy your tickets HERE. Topkapi Palace opens from 9 AM to 6 PM in the summer and 9 AM to 5 PM in the winter every day except for Tuesday. Try to reach the palace by 9am because by 11am you would see forest of people wandering around.
Topkapi Palace covers an area of 700,000 sq m and there’s so much to see inside. Within the Topkapi Palace Museum, you will find several chambers, four courtyards and concubines with all sorts of beautiful historical architectures which are dedicated to preserving the history and the culture of the Ottoman Empire. Covering the entire palace on foot might take 3-4 hours easily, so keep good amount of time in hand. It’s easy enough to visit Topkapi Palace on your own, but if you like history and wish to know everything in details you can even get a guide (we would highly recommend guide Musa +905445481108)
Do visit the lavish Harem and its treasury featuring precious gems and artifacts .Within the Harem section, you will find all sorts of extremely well-preserved multiple rooms covered in colourful and intricately designed mosaics. This is the largest and most important section because there stands the apartments of the Queen Mother, quarters of the sultan to the royal baths.
Glare at the beauty of Hagia Sophia Mosque(Ayasofya)
Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya is the most iconic structure in Istanbul and definitely a must see. If you ask us that one thing we would recommend to see in Istanbul, for sure it would be this mosque. The inside of it is truly incredible. Ayasofya was built between 532 – 537 AD by the Byzantine Empire. It was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman empire and was considered as the epitome of architecture, formerly known as the Church of Holly Wisdom. Thousand years later it was taken over by the Ottoman Empire and converted into a mosque in 1453. In 1935, the Republic of Turkey established it as a museum and later in 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque again. There is no entry charge for Hagia Sophia and it remains closed only on Mondays.
Get inspired by the beauty of The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque which is also an Ottoman-era historical mosque from the 17th century built between 1609-1616 which sits close to Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque’s name comes from the hand painted blue tiles in its interior. During the night the whole mosque gets lighted up as the lights illuminates the mosques domes, 6 minarets and secondary domes bathing the entire structure in blue. It is also one of the most visited and popular tourist destination.
The view of The Blue Mosque from outside is just spectacular. It draws thousands of tourists everyday, so it’s best to get there as early as possible in the morning. The Blue Mosque is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day and remains closed for 45 minutes before the call to prayer and all morning on Friday (until 2:30pm).There is no entry charge to enter the mosque. Unfortunately when we went, the interiors were under renovation so we could not go inside the mosque.
Visit the Grand Bazaar or The Spice Market
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest market located just 20 minute walk from the Sultanahmet area. This market place has 4000 shops and 61 covered streets selling everything from carpets, precious and semi precious jewelry, food items, colourful lamps, home decors, leather goods, ceramics, spice, Turkish souvenirs and lot more attracting thousands of visitors daily. Both the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are within walking distance from Sultanahmet Square.
We felt the rates of everything inside the grand bazaar are pretty expensive and if you are looking for something in budget, shops outside the grand bazaar are worth its price. Make sure you always bargain the original price as the shop owners cater their high prices. In Turkey and there is no better place for shopping inside and outside than the Grand Bazaar. The bazaar opens from 10 AM to 6 PM every day(closed on Sundays) and its free for all to enter.
Take a walk along The Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge is the heart of Istanbul, and to experience Istanbul at its most magical hour, walk across the Galata Bridge during the sunset, and once you cross the bridge, look west toward Europe and east across the Bhosphorus and Asia.
It is a modern 2-level bridge connecting Karakoy district with Sultanahmet, the old town district. We went for a walk during the sunset and it was surrounded with shrieking seagulls, the mosques atop the seven hills of the city, crazy traffic and many locals fishing from the bridge on the side walks. Underneath the bridge there are restaurants and cafes that serve drinks and food all day and night. Come here to enjoy a beer while watching the ferries making their way to and from the ferry docks.
Walk up to The Galata Tower
Galata Tower, is a medieval stone tower from the Ottoman period offering amazing panoramic view of Istanbul cityscape. From Galata bridge we turned on our GPS and walked towards the Galata Tower which took about 15- 20 minute of walking from the end of the bridge. You would see the streets leading to the tower are lined up with interesting cafes and shops with all latest fashion trends.
Its a very happening place with hundreds of bars and cafeterias around. If you wish you can even climb up the Galata Tower(100TL per person and free for children under 7 years ) and watch the gorgeous sunset, but while we went the crowd was crazy so decided to skip that part. You can also visit the Galata Tower during the morning hours if you want to avoid heavy crowds and long queues. Would suggest going before noon so that you can get your tickets faster. Galata Tower opening hours are between 08:30am till midnight (April 1 and November 1)which are considered as the summer season. During winter, it opens at 10am in the morning and closes at 8pm in the evening while the Museum is open 7 days a week.
Take a stroll at Taksim Square
Spend the rest of the evening here at Taksim Square which is actually one of the best places to stroll around, eat good food and enjoy the nightlife which is considered to be the heart of modern Istanbul. It was just a few day before the Ramadan when we visited Istanbul and the streets were filled with bustling crowds having their best time. There are lots of restaurants, shisha parlors and cafeterias around this square.
You can also pay a visit to the Monument of Republic(looks good at night) which was built to commemorate the formation of Turkish Republic in 1923. If you enjoy shopping, consider a visit to the Istiklal Street which is the longest and elegant pedestrian shopping street. We sat at one of the shisha bar and enjoyed the evening listening to good music and finally after a busy day everyone deserves a chill.
So guys hope you find this blog helpful planning yours, and if you have any queries please write it down in the comment section below. We would try to help with the best of our knowledge.
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