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Our 3 days in Istanbul itinerary

Here is a summary of our itinerary, which allowed us to discover the essentials of Istanbul in three (well-paced) days:

• Day 1 : Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Little Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque and New Mosque
• Day 2 : Topkapi Palace, the colorful houses of Balat, Chora Mosque and sunset in Üsküdar
• Day 3 : Stroll through the districts of Taksim, Galata and Karaköy, cruise on the Bosphorus and visit to Kadiköy

Find the detailed itinerary and our recommended places on the map below:https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=17uvzttRMfrnlejL21yFCuKHW-0BLrag&ehbc=2E312F

Day 1 in Istanbul: Visit to Old Istanbul (Sultanahmet and Eminönü)

This day is the busiest of the three, as it includes visits to many of the monuments in Old Istanbul, a city brimming with interesting sights. Starting with Hagia Sophia , the rest of the itinerary can be explored on foot. It might seem daunting, but it’s perfectly manageable. Put on your best walking shoes, and let’s go!

1. The Hagia Sophia Basilica

Probably the most famous monument in the city, the Hagia Sophia, or Ayasofya, is a must-see in the city.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , its history is turbulent. Originally a Christian basilica (the largest in the world at the time of its completion) built in the 4th century, Ayasofya was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in 1453. In 1934, it became a museum, losing its status as a place of worship, until 2020 when it became a mosque again.

From all its transformations, the result is a superb blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture , with a massive and imposing exterior and an impressive interior, dominated by a huge dome and where one can still admire superb Christian mosaics.

Since January 2024, there has been an entrance fee for tourists , around €25, and unfortunately, the visit is limited to the upper floor of the mosque, which left us feeling a bit disappointed, despite the free audio guide available on our smartphones. The ticket also grants access to the mosque museum, but we didn’t visit it; we already had a full day!

We recommend arriving early for opening time , as the monument attracts many visitors. We also purchased a skip-the-line ticket through Get Your Guide to ensure we didn’t waste time in the queue.

Practical information: 💶 Price : €25 per person 🕘 Opening hours : Daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm ⏳ Visit duration : Approximately 1 hour 👕 Dress code : Head and shoulders must be covered for women, legs must be covered for both women and men. Scarves are available for purchase next to the ticket office for €1.50

2. The Blue Mosque

Just opposite Hagia Sophia and Gülhane Park is another iconic monument: the Blue Mosque , or Sultanahmet Mosque . It takes its name from the more than 20,000 blue ceramic tiles that adorn its interior and its imposing dome.

When it was built in 1616, it was the only mosque with six minarets, apart from the one in Mecca. This situation caused much controversy and prompted the latter to add a seventh minaret to appease the faithful.

We really enjoyed visiting this mosque. Once inside the courtyard, the view of the domes above the entrance is spectacular. The interior is just as beautiful, all in shades of blue.

However, due to its location in the heart of the old city and its renown, the Blue Mosque is very touristy, and it can quickly feel crowded in the inner courtyard. That’s why it’s often recommended to arrive when it opens at 9 a.m.

During the rest of the day we visited other mosques, much less touristy but just as beautiful, which we will present to you later in the itinerary.

Practical information: 💶 Price : Free 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Closed during prayer times. You can find the prayer times here . ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes 👕 Dress code : Clothing covering shoulders and knees is required (free headscarves and sarongs are available at the entrance)

3. Seven Hills, rooftop with views of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

It’s not easy to get a nice, unobstructed view of Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque while walking around… So we went in search of a viewpoint and found the Seven Hills restaurant, which offers a panoramic view of both buildings (located 5 minutes from the Blue Mosque).

The prices are exorbitant, so we don’t necessarily recommend stopping there to eat; rather, we recommend having a coffee or a refreshing drink, as we did, to access the panoramic terrace and enjoy the view!

4. The Hippodrome of Constantinople

Right next to the Blue Mosque, you can walk through the Hippodrome of Constantinople , or at least what remains of it. A testament to the city’s Byzantine past, when it was called Byzantium , this gigantic hippodrome hosted chariot races.

Burned down by the Crusaders in 1204 during the sack of Constantinople, little remains today except its outline on the ground, which gives a sense of the building’s former grandeur. And the bronze horses that now adorn St. Mark’s Square in Venice originally decorated this hippodrome!

In the middle of the square, three columns remain that served as decorations for the hippodrome:

• Theodosian Obelisk : As the oldest monument in the city, this obelisk was erected by Pharaoh Thutmose III and brought back to Constantinople by Theodosius I, who added an engraved marble base.
• The serpentine column : a bronze remnant of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
• the walled-up obelisk : formerly covered with bronze plates.

5. The Basilica Cistern

Still in the same district, the next visit takes us underground to see the most amazing monument in the city: the Basilica Cistern, or Yerebatan Sarnıcı (“the Sunken Palace”).

This immense cistern from the Byzantine era, capable of holding 78,000 cubic meters of water, once supplied water to the palace of the Byzantine emperors, and later to Topkapi Palace. It’s a truly impressive visit , leading us through no fewer than 336 columns in a subdued atmosphere where the interplay of light shifts throughout the tour, sometimes blue, sometimes orange, lending this forest of columns an air of mystery.

The columns are all quite different in style, as they come from various temples. Don’t miss the two columns at the back resting on enormous Medusa heads , or the column covered in buds (or eyes?) towards the end of the visit.

You may even have already seen this Basilica Cistern in the cinema, in James Bond’s From Russia with Love or in Inferno , the sequel to The Da Vinci Code .

Practical information: 💶 Price : Approximately €22 on site (800 TL) or €32 with a  skip-the-line ticket, which can be very useful in high season (up to 1 hour wait) 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; 7:30 PM – 11:50 PM ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes

6. The Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque

Located in the Fatih district , this mosque, sheltered from the tourist crowds, is nonetheless worth a visit. Completed in 1665 by the imperial architect Sinan , who also oversaw the construction of the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha houses a beautiful interior, entirely tiled in blue. Four fragments of the Black Stone of Mecca are concealed within: above the entrance door, in a glazed tile, at the top of the mihrab, and at the minbar.

Practical information: 💶 Price : Free 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Closed during prayer times. You can find  the prayer times here. ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes

7. Little Hagia Sophia

The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, better known today as Little Hagia Sophia (or Küçük Ayasofya Camii), is an ancient Greek church designed on the same model as the Hagia Sophia basilica, before being converted into a mosque under the Ottoman Empire.

While its exterior is understated, constructed entirely of brick, the interior surprises with its dome overlooking eight columns and its beautiful blue and white paintings. A pleasant visit, away from the crowds .

Practical information: 💶 Price : Free 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM. Closed during prayer times. You can find  the prayer times here. ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes

After a busy morning of sightseeing, we took advantage of being in the Fatih district to have a lunch break. There are many restaurants around Little Hagia Sophia.

8. The Grand Bazaar

Another iconic Istanbul landmark, the Grand Bazaar is the world’s largest covered market , sprawling over 30,000 square meters with 3,600 different shops.

With approximately 300,000 visitors a day, the Grand Bazaar is a bustling place, but it can be the perfect stop for souvenir shopping. Jewelry, carpets, tableware, clothing—you can find just about anything there.

While it’s often listed as a must-see, we can’t really say it was love at first sight for us, due to the crowds and the many similar shops. However, we did take the time to explore these inner streets and discovered some places worth visiting:

• Nuruosmaniye Mosque : a pretty mosque, located at the eastern entrance of the Grand Bazaar and which stands out due to its simplicity.
• Sandal Bedesteni : one of the oldest parts of the bazaar where textile merchants worked, under beautiful brick arches. Today, it houses a Nusret Gökçe restaurant (Salt Bae).
• Zincirli Han : a small haven of peace in the middle of the Grand Bazaar, this former caravanserai now serves as a two-story inner courtyard where you can come to get your hair cut or watch the cats napping in the shade of the large chestnut tree.
• Cebeci Han : another inner courtyard sheltered from tourists, housing two cafes where regulars come to play cards.
• Cevahir Bedesten : In the center of the Grand Bazaar sits the Cevahir Bedesten, also known as the Old Bazaar. This is where you will find the most beautiful (but also the most expensive) products.
• Book Market : Exiting the Grand Bazaar on the west side, pass through the book market ( Sahaflar Çarşısı). ). This small outdoor courtyard is filled with booksellers’ stalls, where you can find beautiful illuminated manuscripts for sale.

On your way to the Grand Bazaar, don’t miss the Column of Constantine , which once served as the zero kilometer point for all distances in the Byzantine Empire.

9. The Bayezid II Mosque

This imperial mosque , built in 1506, is a pleasant place to visit. Located just outside the Grand Bazaar but away from the crowds, it impresses with its large dome and lovely inner courtyard.

10. The Süleymaniye Mosque

For us, this is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul. The Süleymaniye Mosque, or Mosque of Suleiman. is the third largest in the city, after the Çamlıca and Hagia Sophia mosques, built for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

After admiring its magnificent facade from the inner courtyard, you are greeted inside by a vast dome covered in painted details. The complex surrounding the mosque is well worth exploring, with a peaceful cemetery and a beautiful terrace offering stunning views. of the Bosphorus and Galata.

Practical information: 💶 Price : Free 🕘 Opening hours : 8:30 am – 4:45 pm. Closed during prayer times. You can find the prayer times here. ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes

11. The New Mosque (Yeni Camii)

We end this day, full of mosque visits, with the New Mosque. (or Yeni Camii). This mosque is not actually as new as its name suggests, since its construction began in 1597 and was completed in 1663. If its construction took so long, it was because of its cost and its location in Eminönü, a Jewish quarter at the time, which caused a lot of controversy.

You can’t miss it because it’s located at the exit of the Galata Bridge on the Eminönü side and it looks as if it’s floating on the Bosphorus. It’s one of our favorite mosques. ; its size is impressive, and its red, blue, and green ceramic tiles and mosaics are magnificent. Plus, it’s much less crowded than the Blue Mosque.

A little tip : after seeing the inside of the mosque from below, walk along its right side and take a small staircase that will lead you to the interior balconies. From there, you’ll have a superb view from above!

Practical information: 💶 Price : Free 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Closed during prayer times. ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes

12. The Egyptian Bazaar (or Spice Bazaar)

Another Istanbul bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar (or Spice Bazaar), is the ideal place for all your gourmet shopping. Turkish delight in every color, spices of every kind, pistachios galore—every stall is an invitation to taste.

Smaller and prettier , we preferred this one to the Grand Bazaar and took the opportunity to bring back half a kilo of Turkish delight, enough to last all winter! Little anecdote : the bazaar is called Egyptian only because it was built thanks to tax money brought back from Egypt.

13. The Galata Bridge

A true emblem of the city, the Galata Bridge connects old Istanbul (Eminönü) to modern Istanbul (Karaköy). Built in 1845, it was the first bridge to link these two sides of the river. It is a very wide bridge, allowing cars, buses, and trams to pass through its center and accommodating pedestrians and anglers on its sidewalks. It also has a lower level housing numerous restaurants, particularly seafood restaurants (very touristy and not necessarily inexpensive).

It’s particularly appreciated for its breathtaking views of the Bosphorus, the New Mosque, and the Galata Tower, and for its tireless fishermen , present at all times of day. It’s also a great spot to admire the sunset!

Day 2 in Istanbul: Visit to Topkapi Palace and the Balat and Üsküdar districts

1. Topkapi Palace

If there is one museum to visit in Istanbul, it is the Topkapi Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site ). It is actually a former palace where the sultans, their family and their court lived, and which today displays a great many objects dating from the Ottoman Empire.

It was within this sumptuous palace that the Ottoman sultans lived for nearly 400 years, between 1478 and 1853. It was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II, the one who conquered Constantinople in 1453 and then gave it its current name, Istanbul.

First, we recommend arriving early to enjoy a peaceful visit, as around 11:00 AM most tourists and group tours arrive. Second, since the route is flexible, here are what we consider to be the most important places to visit:

• The harem (second courtyard, on the left): we recommend starting with the harem, as it constitutes a small palace within the grand palace (300 rooms (!), but only about twenty are open to the public) and attracts many visitors. It served to house the sultan’s mother, his four wives, and about a hundred concubines. The place is magnificent and boasts superb rooms richly decorated with faience tiles.
• The Imperial Treasury (3rd courtyard, on the right): this room truly lives up to its name; we’ve never seen so many precious stones in our lives, and such magnificent ones at that! It is in this room that the most expensive objects that belonged to the sultans are stored. The most famous is the Spoon Merchant’s Diamond, an 86-carat gem surrounded by 49 other diamonds. A room of excess.
• The Pavilion of Holy Relics (3rd courtyard, on the left): this room houses the most precious relics of the Islamic world, including relics that belonged to the Prophet Muhammad and the staff that enabled Moses to part the Red Sea.
• The Baghdad Kiosk (4th courtyard, on the left): a very pretty pavilion adorned with beautiful tiles and featuring a fountain in its center. In the background, a view of the Bosphorus and the Galata Tower visible on the horizon.
• The Abdülmecit Kiosk (4th courtyard, on the right): for a panoramic view from two different locations on the Bosphorus.

And we haven’t even mentioned the rooms housing the sultans’ caftans, the calligraphy, and the arms collections… A very rich and interesting visit. We thoroughly enjoyed wandering from room to room and courtyard to courtyard, learning more about the lives of the Ottoman sultans.

Practical information: 💶 Price : €41 on site or skip-the-line ticket booked online (more expensive). Included in the Istanbul Museum Pass . 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00–16:45 (January-March), 9:00–18:00 (April-December), closed on Tuesdays. ⏳ ​​Visit duration : 3 to 4 hours

2. Coffee break (Turkish) at Caferağa Medressi

We escaped the crowds of Topkapi and Sultanahmet by dropping our backpacks at Caferağa Medressi to enjoy a Turkish coffee and rest our weary legs. This haven of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of Sultanahmet was actually a Quranic school in the 16th century.

On the way, we suggest you take Soguçesme Street , which is to the right of the Topkapi Palace exit. This street is lined entirely with wooden houses, the material used at the time to limit damage during the frequent earthquakes. Charming, but a shame that all the houses have been converted into hotels…

3. Stroll through the colorful neighborhoods of Fener and Balat

We leave the Sultanahmet district, which kept us busy for a day and a half, to head further north to the Fener and Balat districts. 

The small Balat neighborhood, known as the Jewish and Orthodox quarter, has become popular on social media thanks to its colorful houses. We wondered if it was really worth a visit… After going, we can confirm that it is! As in many places, once you’ve left the touristy and Instagrammable spots behind, the crowds thin out and the authentic places emerge.

We loved getting lost in the streets of Fener and Balat; we found it had a very different atmosphere from other Istanbul neighborhoods, with mostly residential streets and no cafes, restaurants, or souvenir shops (except at the very bottom of Balat). Here, children play together in the street, laundry hangs from windows waiting to dry, and mothers return home with shopping bags. Time seems to have stood still.

Our advice is to stroll through the streets without having too much of a goal in mind, but here are two places worth noting:

• The Phanar Greek Orthodox College : seemingly out of place, we were impressed by this colossal college that towers over the small, colorful houses. It is the most prestigious Orthodox college in Istanbul and was built in 1597.
• The famous colorful houses : these are the houses that made Balat famous. Obviously, there are more tourists on this street than on the others.

We had lunch at Balatkapi , a restaurant located at the entrance to Balat, slightly off the beaten path on a quiet street. The menu features mostly European brunch-style dishes, very well prepared, and at fairly European prices. We also tried a San Sebastian cheesecake , a cake not originally from Turkey as its name suggests, but which has now become a symbol of the city – thanks to social media – and it was excellent!

4. The incredible Chora Mosque

Located a little higher than Balat and Fener, this mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, differs from all those we have visited previously.

Like Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora is an ancient Christian building that was converted into a mosque (in 1511), but mosaics and frescoes dating from the Byzantine Empire can still be seen there.

We were captivated by the remarkably well-preserved (and restored) frescoes and the gold-ground mosaics. A magnificent patchwork that you should hurry to admire before it is covered over again, as is the case at Hagia Sophia. Fun fact: “Chora” means “outside the city,” because the church was built outside the walls of ancient Byzantium.

Free before, the mosque unfortunately became a paid attraction in 2025. It now costs €20. to visit it.

Practical information: 💶 Price : €20 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM in summer. Closed during prayer times. ⏳ Visit duration : 30 minutes

5. Sunset in Üsküdar (Asian side)

We boarded a ferry and left the western shore for the first time, heading to the Asian side, to Üsküdar. We didn’t really explore the neighborhood itself, as the goal was to walk along the shore to Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi), a renowned spot for sunset. From here, you can admire the European side of Istanbul as it bathes the sun in different colors throughout the sunset (although it must be said that the two shores are quite far apart). A pleasant stroll among Istanbul residents, tourists, and fishermen.

A quick note about the Leander Tower: this tower was once a tollbooth, then a lighthouse, and later a fortress. Today it houses a café and a restaurant, and crossings are made with private boat companies.

This tower is the subject of several legends , but we will only recount one: according to Greek mythology, a young woman was imprisoned in Kiz Kulesi, which means “the tower of the maiden.” Her lover, named Leander, secretly swam to her every night, guided by the light of a lantern. One night, the lantern went out, and Leander drowned…

Day 3 in Istanbul: Exploring Modern Istanbul and Kadiköy

1. Stroll through the Taksim and Beyoğlu districts

To start this third day, we take a morning to explore the streets above Galata, starting with Taksim Square which we reach by metro (and to allow us to do the visit on the way down because our legs are starting to hurt after 3 days in this city).

Taksim Square is a huge square, serving as a rallying point for Istanbulites during demonstrations. It is bordered by the Holy Trinity Church , one of the largest Orthodox churches in the city, and served by Istiklal Caddesi , a very large pedestrian street lined with shops and beautiful buildings .

Walking up this street, you’ll come across a series of charming covered passages that we highly recommend exploring. Don’t miss the most beautiful: Çiçek Pasajı, with its Art Deco decorations and stained glass windows, and the Avrupa Pasajı, with its row of statues overlooking the shops. Not far from this passage is the lovely Armenian church of Üç Horan .

Continuing along Istiklal Caddesi, you’ll come across the Misir Apartmani building with its white Art Nouveau facade. Inside, you can go up to the top floor to enjoy the superb panoramic view of Galata from the terrace of Café 360 Istanbul .

Right next to this building is the beautiful Church of Saint Anthony of Padua , one of the largest Catholic churches in the city. The inner courtyard leading to this church is equally lovely to behold.

A little further west, you’ll find the Pera Palas , a luxurious palace that once welcomed passengers on the Orient Express, including Hemingway, Josephine Baker, and Greta Garbo. We were curious and strolled through the lobby, where we saw the very first working elevator in the country.

2. Stroll through the Galata and Karaköy districts

The Galata district

We arrive in the Galata district, a very lively area, especially in the evening. We walk down Galip Dede Caddesi Street , a small street known for its many record and musical instrument shops. It is on this street that the Divan Ediyabati, a convent of whirling dervishes, is located .

Finally, we found ourselves facing the famous Galata Tower , an iconic landmark of the Istanbul skyline. This tower served as a prison and then an observatory during the Ottoman period, before becoming a museum offering a stunning panoramic view. The price of admission (around €30, included in the Istanbul Museum Pass ). If you don’t want to enter it, you can admire it from the cafes and pastry shops that have sprung up all around the tower.

The Karaköy district

We set off towards Karaköy, passing the beautiful Camondo staircase in its Art Nouveau style. The Karaköy district , just below Galata, borders the Bosphorus. It’s colorful, pedestrianized, and its streets are shaded by foliage. It’s a very pleasant place to take a break from the crowds and enjoy a Turkish coffee in one of its many cafes. Located north of the Golden Horn, Karaköy has become the trendy part of the city, taking on a whole new atmosphere in the evening. Stretching along two main streets, it’s easy to explore quite quickly.

3. Discovering Istanbul’s street food

We took advantage of this long walk to taste the best that Istanbul has to offer in terms of street food.

So we searched for the best restaurants in each area of ​​Taksim and Galata, and here is a short list of addresses and specialties that we recommend:

• An Islak Hamburger (or wet burger) from Kizilkayalar Taksim , a kind of small burger dipped in tomato sauce.
• Profiteroles from Inci Pastanesi : a very popular dessert in Turkey, this address is the place to go to eat them with a good Turkish coffee.
• A cheese börek from Sakariya Tatlicisi : a small savory flaky pastry that can be found with cheese, spinach or meat.
• An ici köfte from Sabirtasi Restoran : a small fried dumpling filled with rice, vegetables and meat.
• A balik ekmek from Mario the Fisherman : a delicious fish sandwich bought near the Galata Bridge. Our favorite dish of this walk and one we highly recommend!
• A simit from Galata Simit Shop : a type of Turkish bagel, you will find street vendors selling simits everywhere in the streets of Istanbul.

And if you still have an appetite, here are some other specialties we wanted to try before our stomachs told us to “stop”:

• The kumpir from Patatos : a Turkish specialty, are baked potatoes stuffed with vegetables and meat.
• The durums at Asmali Mescit Dürümcü : it’s impossible to leave without tasting a durum, and this address is among the most renowned for this dish.
• Serince Çiğ Köftecisi ‘s çiğ köfte : meat and bulgur balls served as wraps at this address.

4. Bosphorus Cruise

We continue our exploration of Istanbul with a cruise on the Bosphorus. A very popular activity in this city, the options are numerous but can be divided into two categories:

• The short cruises , which last approximately 2 hours and take you to the Mehmet Fatih Bridge
• The long cruises , which last nearly 6 hours to reach Anadolu Kavagi

There is also this cruise that depart in the late afternoon to watch the sunset from the Bosphorus.

For our part, we opted for the 2-hour cruise, which was more suited to our schedule and still allowed us to see the essential points of interest visible from the river.

We booked this cruise through Get Your Guide for €7 per person, departing from the pier near Dolmabahçe Palace. In two hours, we were able to see a great many things, such as Galatasaray University, the White Mosque of Ortaköy, Küçüksu Palace, and the impressive Europa Castle.

It was a really lovely walk , paced by a guide who told us a lot about the monuments we saw and about the history of Istanbul. We were able to see many places quite far away that we wouldn’t have had time to explore on our own.

We loved it and highly recommend you do one during your trip to Istanbul!

5. Dolmabahçe Palace and Mosque

Dolmabahçe Palace succeeded Topkapi Palace as the official residence of the Sultan, from 1853 to 1922. In a much more European style, this palace differs greatly from Topkapi.

We didn’t visit it due to lack of time, but we did venture as far as its entrance portico to admire the Clock Tower and the splendid Dolmabahçe Mosque . This mosque, also in a more European style, truly stands out from all the others we had seen before (and boasts some of the world’s most slender minarets).

Practical information: 💶 Price : €30 🕘 Opening hours : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Closed on Mondays ⏳ Visit duration : 2 to 3 hours

6. Stroll through Kadiköy (Asian side)

We boarded again, but this time on a public ferry to Kadkiöy. We took the ferry from the Kabatas pier, which is located right next to Dolmabahçe Palace.

Kadiköy is a young and vibrant district on the Asian side, particularly renowned for its street art and relaxed lifestyle. During our walk, we visited two “sub-districts” of Kadiköy: Moda and Rasimpasa .

Moda boasts a large number of cafes, restaurants, and shops. We stopped at Malavita Coffee to enjoy a refreshing drink on its quiet, shaded terrace. We visited on a day when Kadiköy’s football team, Fenerbahçe SK, was playing, and the entire neighborhood was decked out in the team’s blue and yellow colors, chanting the club anthem. We witnessed the fans’ passion firsthand!

We then walked to Rasimpasa to hunt for street art. There’s some everywhere, but to see the impressive tiger mural, you have to go to the top of Kir Kahvesi Street . We really liked this neighborhood, more than Moda; it felt more authentic, with lots of terraces and restaurants where we wanted to stop.

We spent the end of the day there, having dinner at AÇT Durum v Meze , a small restaurant where the owner prepares all the dishes himself. The meze were excellent and very reasonably priced! Finally, we ended the evening on a light note (not so light) at Tasko to try künefe, a Turkish dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, sugar syrup, and… cheese. Surprisingly delicious.

Other things to do in Istanbul

It’s difficult to do everything in three days, so if you plan to stay longer in Istanbul, here are a few activities worth checking out:

• Attend a whirling dervish ceremony
• Relax in a hammam and Turkish bath
• Visit one of the city’s many museums : the Mosaic Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Atatürk Museum or Istanbul Modern, the museum of contemporary art.
• Take a boat to the Princes’ Islands
• Visit Rumeli Hisarı , the Byzantine fortress

Where to stay in Istanbul?

Choosing the right accommodation is important in such a large city. There are many neighborhoods, but in our opinion, the best locations are Galata, Karaköy, and Sultanahmet.

These are located on the banks of the Bosphorus, making them ideal for exploring the other shores by ferry and close to the city’s main points of interest.

Staying in the Galata district

We opted for this area, which is more modern and lively than Sultanahmet and teeming with good places to eat and have a drink in the evening or for breakfast.

Our hotel, the Maravilloso Hotel Galata , was ideally located in Galata, just steps from the tower, the metro, the tram, and right above a pastry shop that served delicious San Sebastian cake! The staff was incredibly friendly and gave us lots of great recommendations (and plenty of bottled water, which is so convenient in a city like Istanbul). Highly recommended!

Staying in the Karaköy district

Located just below Galata, Karaköy is a very lively district, often described as the trendy part of town . For travelers looking to immerse themselves in the local nightlife, it’s the perfect place.

There are many hotels in this small area, including some highly rated ones like the Fama Karaköy and the Ferman Port Hotel .

Staying in the Sultanahmet district

Sultanahmet is the Old Town of Istanbul. It’s home to most of the city’s monuments, such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. It’s ideal for walking to all the main attractions, but it’s also a very touristy area where finding places away from the crowds can be difficult.

Here, you can choose accommodation with a view of the Marmara Sea or Ayasofya, like The And Hotel Sultanahmet or the Glamour Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci.

When to go to Istanbul?

Istanbul is a city that can be visited year-round, although it’s more pleasant to go when the weather is nice. We recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons, between May and June or between September and October , to avoid the tourist crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather.

In summer , it’s still a pleasant city, but temperatures can get very hot and there are many more tourists. We went in August, and it was still very manageable; you just need to get up a little earlier to visit the main monuments before the crowds arrive.

How long should you spend visiting Istanbul?

We spent three full days in Istanbul and had a packed schedule that allowed us to discover the city’s highlights. We therefore recommend at least three days to complete the itinerary we’ve outlined in this article.

If you can, staying 4 days or more will allow you to explore more distant places like the Princes’ Islands or complement your visit with other museums!

How to get around in Istanbul?

We recommend exploring each neighborhood on foot to fully immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere and discover its charming pedestrian streets. Be warned, the city has many hills, so bring plenty of water to make the walk more comfortable!

But since Istanbul is a very spread-out city, taking public transport quickly becomes necessary to get from one district to another or to cross the Bosphorus.

Take public transport with an Istanbulkart

That is why we advise you to buy an Istanbulkart as soon as you arrive , available for sale at the machines in the metro or tram stations.

This is a rechargeable card, similar to London’s Oyster card, where you can add credit that is then spent on each journey. The card costs 200 TL (approximately €6) and can be used by multiple people. This quickly pays for itself as it allows you to pay less for your journeys. You can then top up the card at various ticket machines.

Note : You will also pay for each transport taken, including within the same transfer.

The Istanbulkart gives you access to Istanbul’s entire public transport network: buses, metro, trams, and ferries. All these modes of transport have a fixed price, except for the ferry, which varies depending on the departure and arrival piers. Overall, however, public transport is very affordable .

We recommend taking the ferry rather than the metro if you want to cross the Bosphorus, to enjoy the beautiful views of the different shores. Finally, getting around Istanbul is quite easy with an app like Google Maps or Citymapper.

How to get to Istanbul from the airport?

Two airports serve Istanbul today: Havalimani ( IST), 35 kilometers from the city center, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), 50 kilometers away.

By public transport

Both airports are directly served by the metro (line 11 for Istanbul Airport (IST) and line 4 for South Istanbul Airport (SAW), so it’s quite easy to reach the city center by public transport. Allow approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Istanbul Airport (IST) and 2 hours from South Istanbul Airport (SAW), depending on the location of your accommodation in Istanbul.

Warning : The airport is a great place to buy an Istanbulkart, but don’t make the same mistake we did! Buy it from a light blue Istanbulkart kiosk. We mistakenly bought a PTT card from a dark blue kiosk right next to it, thinking it was the same thing, but it wasn’t at all; we just wasted money on a useless card.

By taxi or private hire vehicle

If you want to get to Istanbul more quickly, you can take a taxi. You can contact one directly on site or order one through Uber (which only lists public taxis in Turkey) or BiTaksi.

We didn’t take any taxis during our trip, so we can’t speak to their experiences firsthand. However, we read many negative reviews about taxis and ride-hailing services, especially from Istanbul airport: refusal to use the meter, price gouging, aggressive behavior, etc.

That’s why we recommend contacting your hotel to arrange a shuttle to pick you up. Most establishments offer this service and organize it with trusted drivers.

To give you an idea of ​​the price: our hotel located in the Galata district offered it to us at 1250 TL (approximately €34) from IST airport.

What budget is needed for 3 days in Istanbul?

For three days and three nights in Istanbul, our total budget was €1510, or €755 per person. Note that these three days in Istanbul were part of a larger two-week trip to Turkey.

During our stay in Istanbul, the country was experiencing the worst of the inflation it has been going through for the past few years. This was particularly noticeable in the prices of restaurants and activities, which seem to increase every month. Our budget is therefore only indicative and will very likely be completely different in a year’s time.

As for food, we ate out every day, often a quick lunch and an inexpensive restaurant for dinner, with a coffee or snack break in the afternoon. We stayed in the Galata district and booked our hotel through Booking.com a few months in advance. The same goes for our flights, which we booked through Skyscanner about five months in advance.

Type of expense	Budget
Plane	€294
Restaurants & Cafes	€174
Hotel	€130
Tours & Activities	€116
SIM card	€28
Transportation	€13
Total	€755

Practical information

The currency used in Istanbul

Turkey is not part of the European Union, and its currency is the Turkish lira . However, it is common to see prices displayed in euros. This is due to the economic crisis the country is experiencing, which is causing instability in the Turkish lira; conversely, the euro is more stable.

Regarding payments , we noticed during our road trip that Turks were still quite attached to cash payments . However, it is possible to pay by credit card almost everywhere in Istanbul.

Buy a SIM card

Depending on your phone plan, you may need to buy a SIM card for your stay in Istanbul. Since Turkey wasn’t included in our plan, we had to buy a prepaid Turkish SIM card .

We chose Vodafone, which has one of the best coverage options, along with Turkcell and Turk Telekon. We each bought a 20GB plan for €28 to cover our road trip of just over two weeks (you don’t need that much data for a weekend in Istanbul). Above all, wait until you arrive in the city to buy your SIM card at a mobile operator’s store rather than at the airport where the prices are exorbitant.

Is the water safe to drink in Istanbul?

Tap water in Turkey is not safe to drink , so it’s essential to buy bottled water during your visit (about 30 euro cents for a small bottle). We didn’t get sick, but we were careful to brush our teeth with bottled water. During our road trip in Turkey and our stay in Istanbul, our hotels restocked our fridge with bottled water every day!

Which pass is needed to visit Istanbul?

Several passes are available to discover the different monuments of Istanbul, and as the prices of the visits are quite high, it can quickly become worthwhile.

The most interesting is the Istanbul Mega Pass , which includes a Bosphorus cruise, a transport card and a guided tour of the Blue Mosque and gives you a choice of several visits including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace or the Basilica Cistern.

The Istanbul Museum Pass may also be of interest, giving access to Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower, as well as the city’s main museums, including the Archaeological Museum and the Mosaic Museum.

There are other passes, more focused on guided tours, and the comments we have read about them are quite mixed, as they are rather restrictive in terms of planning and not always clear on how to join the activities.

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