THE Best things to do in Istanbul for 3 days
Let’s discover the best places to visit and things to do in Itsanbul for 3 days
Istanbul is a city full of history, culture, and mouthwatering cuisine.This city which straddles both Europe and Asia is a vibrant and captivating destination with so much to see and do! It can be overwhelming to plan your activities.
In this blog post, we’ll provide you with the perfect itinerary for a three-day visit to Istanbul.
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Day 1:
On the first day, you can visit the Blue Mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul and is famous for its intricate blue tiles. From there, stroll to Hagia Sophia, a former Greek Orthodox church turned mosque turned museum. Admire the stunning architectural features and cultural significance of the building. End your morning at the Basilica Cistern Museum. You have to pay an entrance fee if you want to see the Basilica Cistern museum. It is 340 lyras per person but it is so worth it!
After that long morning, you can have a nice meal nearby at caferagamedrese and enjoy the terrace. My personal best on a hot day is the Turkish raviolis and the handmade lemonade. To end this nice meal, a turkish coffee is a must to wake you up for what is awaiting you 😉
On the afternoon have a walk on the old city and go to the grand bazarIt is THE place to shop and try your negotiation skills. It is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. From beautiful handmade carpets to colorful handscarf and natural beauty product or turkish delicatecy you can find whatever you want.
Day 2:
On the second day, you should go to the Bosphorus Straits. You can take the tramway to go directly to Emineru station. It is the place where you can choose which boat and where to go.
In the morning you can take a boat that can take you to Uksudar. From there, you can enjoy a lunch with a view of the Bosphorus and appreciate the local scenery.
After a meal, you can take the boat again and visit the famous Galata Tower. A cable car will take you there. You can go to the top of the tower, and from there, you’ll get a stunning view of Istanbul and its surroundings. Continue and visit Istiklal Avenue, a 1.4-kilometer-long pedestrian street home to numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants. You can enjoy the nicest spots in this part of the city. It is filled with small and cute streets. For the night owl, you can continue on bars and enjoy the Istanbul nightlife with the city’s nightclubs!
Day 3:
After this long and erasing day 2, enjoy your coffee of the morning with fresh baklava. After that typical breakfast, continue the pleasure and go to the hammam to refind the energy. I will recommend the emblematic Hurrem Sultan Hamami.
In the afternoon you can visit the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. Even if it is placed in the same spot as the citern museum, a full day of visiting monuments can be quite tiring. So it is better to split between at least two days.
And that’s it! With this itinerary, you’ll get to experience the most famous landmarks, markets, and neighborhoods in Istanbul. Of course, there are many more places to see and explore, and we encourage you to venture off the beaten path and discover your own hidden gems. Enjoy your visit to Istanbul and have a look down to the best food to try 😉
Going back home but you do not know what kind of present you can buy to your loved ones? Check my list of items to buy without taking too much space on your carry-on !
Turkish Food to Try:
Salted
- Sucuk: dry and spicy sausage (I honestly find it excellent)
- Mantie: dumplings served with usually greek yoghurt
- Kebab: meat with thin bread served with pepperoni
- Kumpir: potatoes filled with different kinds of toppings (corn, gratified cheese, red cabbage…)
- Shishe kebab (sheep meat so has a strong taste)
- Chorba: a tomatoes soup incredibly tasty
- Gozlme: Gözleme is a savory Turkish stuffed flatbread
Sweet
- Baklava: Rich pastry of phyllo dough and nuts
- Turkish delicatessen: Tahini paste, filled with lukum and enrolled in pistachios or dried fruits
- Lukum: There is no best way to enjoy it with a Turkish coffee to balance the sweet taste of the lukum with the strong coffee taste
- Katmer: Cousin of the baklava, it’s my personal favorite. It is light and filled with pistachios
- Knaffeh: Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry
Turkey in a Nutshell
Cost of life: The local currency is the Turkish Lyra; 1€= 28.6 lyras; 1$= 26 lyras and 1£=33.46 (as of 09.07.2023 bear in mind that the exchange rate is constantly fluctuating; One basic meal = 4-7€ A bed on a hostel = 20-40€
Travelling: You can use Uber almost everywhere or there as taxis available (you can negotiate the price for the taxis, not the Uber)
Visa: You do not need a visa if you plan to go for less than 90 days (French citizens) You should check on your local government website to see for your specific country
Health: esthetisim tourism is flourishing in Turkey (from hair implants for men to lips and breast implants for women) but be aware that some are dangerous and can lead to disease or worse. The government of Turkey to avoid those sad consequences had a list of certified places where you can have a medical or esthetic surgery: https://www.healthturkiye.com/
Security: The border next to Syria and Iraq is a red zone and can be very dangerous, please avoid the area. There has been some deadly accident that has been reported where the hot air balloon was not safety adequate.
Are you planning to continue your trip to Turkey and enjoy the beachside? Check my post on Antalya for 3 days.
