3 Days in Istanbul 2024 (The Best Route)
This guide to 3 days in Istanbul has various routes on foot and by public transport. So you won’t miss any exciting places in the city, and you are always available.
In the first two days, you will know the most important temples, palaces, bazaars, and viewing points in and around the city center. On this third day, you will visit some of Istanbul’s less visited jewels and other highlights. Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, and Pierre Loti‘s viewing point are a little further away from the center. Read on for 3 days in Istanbul!
3 Days in Istanbul: Practical Tips
This list of practical tips will help you on your Istanbul trip:
- You can go to the city center or your hotel from Istanbul airports: Metro, bus, and taxi.
- Use public transport.
- Before getting on public transport, buy the practical Istanbul Card, which you can refill.
- Follow the list of things to see and do in Istanbul.
First Day in Istanbul
The route of the first day of 3 days in Istanbul starts at 9 am with a visit to Topkapi Palace, a vast complex where the Harem and Treasury rooms stand out among many other spaces. After finishing this visit, proceed to the Basilica Cistern.
In the afternoon, take the 3 days in Istanbul to the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the top must-visit places. Then cross the famous Galata Bridge and see Galata Tower, one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.
Second Day in Istanbul
Let the route of the second day of your 3 days in Istanbul begin with your visit to Hagia Sophia, one of the most beautiful in the world. Then visit the Blue Mosque. After this stage, take a relaxing walk in Gulhane Park until you reach one of the sides where you can see the Bosphorus.
The 3 days in Istanbul continue in the afternoon by entering the Spice Bazaar. You will feel an explosion of color and scent while enjoying one of the city’s best-known landmarks.
Third-Day in Istanbul
Three days is the last day to see Istanbul. It starts with an early arrival at Dolmabahce Palace on the shore of the Bosphorus. Leaving the palace, passing through the Besiktas neighborhood, you can walk to Ortakoy Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, built-in 1856 on the shores of the Bosphorus, decorated with mosaics and illuminated by high windows. Then proceed to Eminonu.
Are three days in Istanbul enough?
Three days in Istanbul may be enough to see and do the city’s main attractions. However, more is needed to experience everything that Istanbul has to offer fully. If you only have three days in Istanbul, it’s best to prioritize the things you want to see and do most and try to make the most of your time there.
What to do in Istanbul in 3 days?
If you have 3 days in Istanbul, there are many things you can do to make the most of your time in the city. Visit Hagia Sophia, one of the most famous places in Istanbul. Explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered bazaars. Take a boat tour of the Bosphorus, which separates Europe and Asia. Visit Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans. Try authentic Turkish cuisine.
