The Perfect 3-Day Istanbul Itinerary

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Istanbul. Some guests will solely breeze by means of on an prolonged layover, whereas different vacationers will find yourself staying a lifetime. But when you solely have 72-hours to discover the sky-high minarets, blood orange sunsets over the Mediterranean, and the hustle and bustle of Ottoman-era Bazaars, we’ve acquired the right itinerary for you.

Many guests to Istanbul are unaware of town’s shape-shifting nature and its nuances, and barely handle to scratch the floor on having an immersive and actually cultural expertise. That’s why we’ve visited a number of instances over the previous yr to craft the final guidelines of what you must see throughout your go to.

3 Days, 18 Incredible Activities

There isn’t simply one approach to see town, not to mention do it justice in just one go to. In the tip, it at all times boils all the way down to which facet of it you’re most wanting to discover. Is it the primeval Greek buying and selling hub of Byzantium? The superb and everlasting Constantinople? Or is it the a lot newer, younger, and extra fashionable facet of Istanbul?

Below, we’ll let you know exactly what’s one of the simplest ways to prepare a 3-day journey to Turkey’s primary metropolitan gem, among the landmarks you may’t miss throughout your go to, and a mixture of what to see for historical past, tradition, procuring, and enjoyable.

*This itinerary has been deliberate for many who have a full 3 days in Istanbul. We would advise you to plan an additional two days for flying out and in of town.

Day 1 – Old Constantinople And Other Historical Districts

We counsel beginning your first full day in Istanbul in Sultanahmet, situated within the coronary heart of the Historical Peninsula – the strip of land jutting out into the ocean the place Constantinople was as soon as confined to, and thus its oldest district.

After gobbling down your hearty Turkish breakfast both at your lodge, or one of many metropolis’s lovable cat-populated cafes, head very first thing to this historic plaza, the place the Old Hippodrome of Constantinople was situated.

Here, you’ll be met with views of two of Istanbul’s most iconic sights: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Located on reverse sides of the identical sq., these two buildings face one another off in a everlasting battle for dominance.

Hagia Sophia & The Blue Mosque

(09:00 – 10:00)

Entry: Free

Dresscode for males: Preferably long-sleeve shirts and trousers, no hats or head coverings except it’s for non secular functions

Dresscode for girls: They should cowl their heads and are suggested to decorate in a conservative method

First, stroll in direction of the middle of the plaza. Admire the flowery fountain shows – when you’re fortunate sufficient they’re on throughout your go to – and the colourful association of blossoms. Take your time taking within the surroundings, the mosques, the encompassing Roman ruins – maybe, seize a simit on the go forward of continuing to your first official attraction.

That would be the Ottoman pearl of the Blue Mosque, and for that, you may be strolling west. The Blue Mosque isn’t arduous to distinguish from different mosques within the metropolis, and even Hagia Sophia herself: in contrast to the pink-colored marble of the latter, it displays a grayish-white hue when the solar shines down upon it, revealing the intricate seventeenth century particulars.

Entering the mosque, which is in reality named after Sultan Ahmed, the identical Sultan who renames the Old Roman Hippodrome you’re in, you’ll quickly study why ‘Blue’ is a extra applicable description. The inside is beautifully-decorated with hand-painted azure tiles, making this some of the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Istanbul.

The Hagia, or ‘Saint’ Sophia traces its origins again to Roman instances, when it was erected as a Christian cathedral and the guts of the Christian Orthodox world, till it fell to Ottoman forces upon the decline of Rome and the conquest of Constantinople within the Middle Ages. Being 1485 years previous, that is the oldest and arguably most spectacular of the 2.

Throughout Istanbul’s historical past it has been a spiritual website for Turkey’s Muslim inhabitants, and apart from a quick interval as a museum – from the democratization of Turkey till the early twenty first century – the constructing’s newly-added minarets go away no query as to whose deity it serves as we speak. Even then, strolling into Hagia Sophia will hardly really feel like moving into a traditional mosque.

Moving onto the cathedral’s former nave, at the moment the mosque’s prayer corridor, you must take your time gazing up, as soon as extra, although this time it’s not a Roman Constantinople that can stare again at you. The post-1500s inside is richly adorned with large mosaics in Islamic calligraphy, and the indelible Ottoman mark is obvious.

In spite the various aspects it’s assumed all through History – cathedral, mosque, museum, then mosque as soon as extra – Saint Sophia is a cussed previous woman who refuses to dim its Roman essence, all of the whereas proudly carrying a Muslim apparel bestowed upon it by its Turkish conquerors. Still to this present day, it’s modern-day Istanbul’s piece de resistance.

Bonus: when you’re a fellow Roman Empire fanatic, maybe you wish to try the Column of Constantine, one in every of Constantinople’s greatest preserved free-standing columns and a UNESCO-recognized construction relationship again to the 4th century. It is free to go to and solely a 13-minute stroll from Sultanahmet Square.

Topkapi Palace

(10:00 – 11:30)

Entry: 320 Turkish liras

There aren’t any dressing guidelines

Still inside the precinct of the Old Hippodrome, head subsequent to Topkapi, one in every of Istanbul’s most essential museums and a big Ottoman palace constructed within the fifteenth century, with the only real goal of housing the Sultan and its court docket. Inside, they’ve saved a lot of the bygone Empire’s most treasured belongings, together with:

Beautiful rugs with intricate patterns as previous as 500 years;
Centuries-old clocks;
Scepters and swords;
Moses’ workers;
Hair from the beard of Prophet Mohammed;
The Sultan’s vests and extra.

Aside from the Historical facet of issues, you’re free to go to the plush gardens, the Hamman as soon as housing the ladies of the court docket (and the Sultan’s many lovers). Since the palace was constructed dealing with the Bosphorus, vacationers are additionally graced with unparalleled views of the long-lasting waterway, and of Istanbul’s Asian – or Anatolian – facet within the distance.

Istanbul is full of museums and heritage landmarks, and with a view to save up some money, I like to recommend you get a five-day Istanbul Museum Pass, granting you a single entry to every of town’s top-rated points of interest, together with Topkapi Palace. According to the official website, the value is at the moment 700 Turkish lira, or roughly USD 37.67.

I do know, the U.S. greenback is totally crushing it worldwide.

Basilica Cistern

(11:30 – 12:30)

Entry: 190 Turkish lira

There aren’t any dressing guidelines.

You nonetheless have a while earlier than lunchtime, and to high off your introduction to Istanbul as Constantinople, I’d advise you to leg it to the Basilica Cistern earlier than the crowds begin gathering. This is likely one of the most spectacular landmarks within the metropolis, and one which even featured on our listing of 6 underground European attractions to flee the warmth over summer time.

Built within the sixth century, it was however a water reservoir for the Roman Great Palace, toppled by town’s later Turkish makeover, a part of a posh system of tons of of comparable cisterns mendacity beneath Istanbul. They all resemble an underwater cathedral with tall, sturdy columns holding the below-ground ceiling, however that is arguably the very best preserved.

Personally, I consider both early within the morning, or lunchtime when most are feeling peckish and are in quest of a chunk to eat are two of the very best instances to go to, as overtourism can get a bit an excessive amount of in different peak visitation hours. You ought to plan accordingly as tickets can promote out shortly, and this attraction doesn’t appear to be included on the Museum Pass.

Once underground, be sure you search for the upside-down and sideways Medusa heads, and sculptures supporting two of the Roman columns. Nowadays, as a result of apparent causes, the cistern isn’t full of water to its full capability to permit for visitation, in order that they shouldn’t be troublesome to identify – and when you’re a fan of Greek mythology, I’d counsel you learn up on the explanation why the heads are mendacity in such an unnatural angle beforehand.

Don’t overlook, after all, to snap as many photos as you may for the ‘Gram, particularly if the cistern is empty. This is indisputably some of the photogenic and dreamy spots in all of Istanbul.

Grand Bazaar and Lunch

(12:30 – 14:00)

In actuality, you would spend a complete day on the Grand Baazar wandering by means of its historic lined streets and over 4000 outlets, providing the whole lot from carpets to spices, and all issues in between.

For the sake of this itinerary, we’re going to take a complete day and squeeze it into 90 minutes, simply sufficient time to seize a chunk at a meals cart or cafe contained in the bazaar, and to take a look at some area of interest outlets of what you’re most involved in shopping for.

During my most up-to-date go to to the Grand Bazaar, I used to be available in the market to purchase gold. Many folks assume the bazaar is only a vacationer entice and a spot the place they’re prone to get ripped off, however the fact is much from that. People have been buying and selling gold contained in the Grand Bazaar for tons of of years and plenty of outlets are owned by multi-generation jewelers. With the nice alternate fee of the USD, mixed with the flexibility to barter instantly with suppliers, it’s a improbable place to buy gold proper now.

You could make your approach to a specific space of the market based mostly on what you’re most involved in, whether or not that be antiques, clothes, carpets, leather-based, furnishings, or different specialty outlets.

Alternative concept: If you’ve been to the Grand Bazaar earlier than, or the considered a market with over 250,000 guests per day overwhelms you, head to a bougie lunch within the space as a substitute. Just 3 minutes on foot from the bazaar is an ultra-premium restaurant referred to as Nusr-Et, which is bound to impress even essentially the most discerning diner. If you’re after a funds lunch expertise, strive Pudding Shop – Lale Restaurant that’s fashionable with each vacationers and locals alike.

Go For A Stroll In The Colorful Balat & Fener

(14:00 – 15:00)

Entry: Free

Open-air attraction the place no dressing guidelines apply.

Istanbul is comprised of many layers, and through a chronic weekend, we don’t have sufficient time to tick all the containers on our bucket listing. So we’ll have to be sensible. There are tons of Instagrammable districts full of colourful homes round the entire metropolis, each on the European and the Asian sides, however for a newcomer, perhaps they need to be concentrate on these two:

Balat & Fener, two historic neighborhoods that now virtually type a single entity.

Reaching Balat or Fener from Sultanahmet Square, the place you began your tour, shouldn’t be greater than 20 Turkish lira, in line with this online taxi calculator, however be sure you verify official fares on the BiTaksi app and watch out for taxi scams and dodgy drivers as Turkey has been not too long ago named the fifth country the place these incidents are most definitely to occur.

Arriving to Balat & Fener, you may be met with the basic European-style streets resulting in a hilltop monument – extra particularly, the fifteenth century Greek Patriarchate & St George’s Church. Prior to the First World War, Greeks have been one of many largest ethnic teams in Turkey, owing it to the truth that, in Ancient Times, Constantinople was Greco-Roman territory.

Now they’re a minority throughout all the nation, together with Istanbul, however the vibes in Balat & Fener are notoriously distinct from different districts like Sultanahmet and Galata. It is extremely scenic, with tall home windows and really colourful picket facades which can be an Ottoman trademark making for stunning landscaping.

Besides the ‘Colored Houses of Balat’, you don’t wish to miss the Neo-Byzantine-styled St Stephen’s Bulgarian Orthodox Church, one other mark of the world’s historically Christian nature and of one other of Istanbul’s historic residents, the Bulgarians. It was famously made out of prefabricated forged iron, and it is likely one of the few ‘iron churches’ left.

Istanbul Photo Session

(15:00 to 17:00)

Just earlier than the golden hour hits is the right time to take essentially the most memorable and exquisite photographs on this unbelievable rooftop studio situated within the Fatih/Belat neighborhood. Acclaimed photographer Ahmet Bolat creates beautiful photographs and movies for vacationers, with the last word backdrop of town behind. You can put on your individual garments or undergo his in depth assortment of clothes and genuine Turkish costumes for each women and men.

Sessions begin at $100 USD.