3 Days in Istanbul | Attractions to See, Travel Tips & More!
Activity
Activities
Tour
Tours
1574057398 tf 190527052434 013705.jpg
Istanbul Attraction Tickets

Istanbul in 3 Days

Sultanahmet Square, Spice Bazar, Suleymaniye Mosque, Sunset Cruise over Bosporus, Chora Church, Camlıca Mosque, Galata Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Basilica Cistern and many more.

Also known as Constantinople, 3 days in Istanbul reward you with an amalgamation of rich culture and history.  Istanbul is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe or Asia, and is home to magnificent sunsets, the distant sounds of the Namaaz, magnificent towers, and charming cats. Istanbul has the character of a narrator who gradually reveals its beauty, people, food, architecture, and culture. Istanbul features magnificent shorelines with cutting-edge restaurants like Ulus 29 and Mikla and the historical appeal of Hagia Sophia, the beautiful architecture of the Blue Mosque, and magnificent shorelines that  make it a city to remember.

The Istanbul 3 days itinerary is ideal for visitors who have never been there, giving you a taste of many aspects of this amazing city and includes many of the major sights and attractions like Sultanahmet square, blue mosque, Grand Bazaar, etc. However, depending on your travel schedules or interests, you might choose to mix and match or omit some activities. With every passing day, Istanbul city will continue to fascinate you with a variety of experiences and give you the time of your life, from sipping Turkish chai to unwinding in the Hammam to enjoying a hot air balloon tour of the city, boating the Bosphorus, and cycling around the Prince Islands.
Explore All (30)
Things To Do In Istanbul Explore All (72)
Explore All (72)
Istanbul Attraction Tickets Explore All (16)
Explore All (16)

Day 1 in Istanbul

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, also famously known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque is one of the most visited tourist places and applauded for its great architecture. The mosque shines like a blue diamond at night due to the beautiful reflection it creates from the falling lights from minarets.

The interiors consist of hand painted blue tiles and a beautiful combination of the Turkish (Ottoman) empire, Byzantine empire and traditional Islamic architecture. The mosque’s foundation site is the palace site of the Byzantine emperor and in front of the famous museum Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet square.

It is a functioning mosque and the complex contains Sultan Ahmed’s tomb, a madrasah and an infirmary constructed between 1609 – 1616. With the capacity to accommodate 10,000 at a time and the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets, this mosque is a UNESCO world heritage site and a major tourist destination.
Read more
Hagia Sophia is one of the treasured heritage monuments in Istanbul that reminisces of the Byzantine era of architecture. It had been a multi-faceted monument with first being a Greek orthodoxy cathedral, then a mosque and now, a museum.

The exhibition hall is home to a huge collection of mosaics, coverings and marble pillars that age back to several centuries. Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty in Istanbul that stands as a testimony to the glorious past.

Hagia Sophia was built in 532 AD and it was considered the largest cathedral in the whole world for almost a millennium up until 1520. It served as a cathedral for Greeks until 1935 and was then converted into Ayasofya Museum by the president Kemal Ataturk.

At that point of time, the carpets from the floor were removed and it was the first time the intricate design works on the floor came into the limelight. The work of mosaics and frescoes will keep anyone stunned by their majestic and marvellous presence.

Being tourists you would certainly fall in love with some of the points of interest in this monument like the marble door, wishing column and loge of the empress. The museum has been subjected to several renovation and restoration work by the government of Turkey to preserve this heritage building and make it a centre of tourist attraction in the country.

Zillions of tourists have been visiting this architectural marvel year over year. If you are planning to visit Istanbul during your holiday vacation, then do not miss out on visiting this place and getting inspired by the engineering and architecture of the bygone times.
Read more
Located in Istanbul, Turkey, Topkapi Palace is a vibrant and picturesque reminder of the grandeur of the erstwhile Ottoman Empire of Turkey. It literally meant “Cannon Gate” in Turkish and was built in 1459 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

It was of great importance in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was used by the Sultan and his bevy of concubines. In fact, even now, the Imperial Harem is one of the top attractions here! When the sun came down on the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace was converted by the government into a museum, reminiscent of the magnificent Ottoman Empire.

The top two places that have recorded maximum tourist footfall in the palace are the Ottoman Imperial Harem and the treasury of the sultans. It is here that the world-famous Spoonmaker’s diamond and Topkapi dagger are housed!

The lesser-known items which are equally beautiful are the armor, clothing, and manuscripts found here dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries! On account of its age, beauty, and the volumes it tells us about the lives of the flamboyant sultans of the Ottoman empire, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read more
Image Credit : Image by Sinasi Muldur from Pixabay
The Galata Tower, called Christea Turris by the Genoese, is a medieval tower in the Galata Quarter of Istanbul, Turkey , which was built in 1348. It is a high cone capped, cylindrical tower that offers a 360 degree view of the historic town of Istanbul.

The tower has nine stories and is 66.90 m or 219 ft high and was the city’s tallest structure when it was built. Located close to the main junction of Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, it is the ideal place to see Istanbul’s peninsula and the surroundings from a different perspective.

Originally named as the Tower of Christ, Galata Kulesi has so much to offer to its tourists. With scintillating vistas, narrow cobbled streets filled with cafes, restaurants and small art galleries, the area around Galata is zestful all day long.

Entertain yourself with a nightclub on the upper floors of the tower which host a Turkish show. Also relish the scenic Golden Horn, visit highlights like the Eyup Sultan Mosque and enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee with mouth-watering baklava at the hilltop Pierre Loti Café.
Read more
05

Sultanahmet Square

Image Credit : flicker.com/sultanahmet-square
  • The first day of your 3 days in Istanbul is a visit to Sultanahmet Square, which is a major tourist attraction in the center of the city.
  • On your visit to the square, you will discover sights of numerous popular landmarks, churches, museums, mosques, fountains, and historical sights, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, and Topkapi Palace Museum. 
  • Visitors can take a stroll along the streets of the square and find different cafes and restaurants along the way.

Location: Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet Park? No:2, 34122 Fatih/?stanbul, Turkey.

Day 2 in Istanbul

The world’s oldest and largest covered market is located in the heart of Istanbul! The popular and historical Grand Bazaar attracts thousands of visitors and shoppers every day from across the world. Grand Bazaar stays true to its name as the market space sprawls over an area of 30,700 thousand square metres.

It harbours over 4,000 shops, lined along 62 covered lanes that sell everything from apparels and home decor to edibles and items specific to the Turkish culture and cuisine. It is also considered as one of the very first shopping malls in the world and was once a booming hub and centre of the world’s trade and commerce. 

The world-known bazaar is associated with a rich background of history in terms of its conception. The first structure of the bazaar, Cevahir Bedesten was ordered to be built by Sultan Mehmed II for the sole purpose of trading of textiles and jewels, in order to collect income for Hagia Sophia.

In the present day, Grand Bazaar epitomises the Turkish architecture at its best and is one of the most appealing tourist spots Istanbul. It’s enormous structure is an eye-catching edifice in itself, reeling in people’s attention and curiosity from around the world.

Exploring the market through its many lanes serves as an experience that can only be regarded as unique, pertaining to its chic boutiques, range of shopping items and the massive size and variety it offers. The bazaar is as gigantic as a labyrinth, which is what astounds first-time visitors and holds their intrigue in every way.

The market remains open from 10 AM to 7 PM and stays closed on Sunday. It sells a variety of items, from carpets and ceramic items to hammam soaps and traditional confections. The magical Turkish lamps and jewellery also make a good part of the items sold at the shops here. Grand Bazaar has been one of the primary areas of attraction for tourists and continues to be so.
Read more
Basilica Cistern is one of the largest and most popular cisterns located in Istanbul. Among the hundreds of cisterns, Basilica Cistern is the largest one open to the public. It lies in the prominent peninsula that is also home to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Built by the infamous Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the year 542, the structure was used to meet the water needs of the palaces.

The Basilica Cistern is a famous historical site that brings millions of tourists every year. It is approximately 140 meters in length and 70 meters in breadth, spanning across an area of 9,800 square meters. The grand cistern consists of 336 columns, 9 meters long and placed 4.8 meters away.

Each of the columns is different from one another. The most noteworthy part of the Basilica Cistern is the two Medusa heads. The two heads bespoke the marvellous Roman architecture and are believed to be taken from a famous antique building. Located on the north-western side of the cistern, the two heads form the base of two pillars.

It could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water that was filtered and sent to the Great Palace of Constantinople and other important buildings on the First Hill. The Basilica Cistern was opened to tourists in 1987 after the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality made extensive repairs. Also known as the Subterranean Palace, the grand structure of marble pillars makes for a great tourist experience.
Read more

08

Suleymaniye Mosque

Image Credit : flicker.com/suleymaniye-mosque
  • Suleymaniye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque that was commissioned work of the architect, Suleyman I.
  • It is among the most adorable places to visit in Istanbul in 3 days as it sits on top of one of the seven hills in the city and dominates the Golden Horn.
  • This mosque is renowned for its breathtaking size, constituting four minarets and ten gorgeous ?erefes.
  • You can pay a visit to the attraction to admire the fine izník tiles in the mihrab and the window shutters decorated with the mother-of-pearl.  
Location: Süleymaniye, Prof. S?dd?k Sami Onar Cd. No:1, 34116 Fatih/?stanbul, Turkey.

Timing: 8 am to 9.30 pm
09

Sunset Cruise over Bosporus

Image Credit : flicker.com/istanbul-sunset-cruise
  • Enjoying the sunset cruise over Bosphorus is another one of the best things to do in Istanbul in 3 days to explore the city from a unique perspective.
  • Through this cruising experience, you can witness the prominent coastal areas and the magnificent skyline of Istanbul which offers beautiful photo opportunities with a backdrop of the evening sky.
  • On your journey, you can sip your welcome drink and savor the taste of delectable canapes on board while sailing on an elegant yacht.

10

Spice Bazar

Image Credit : flicker.com/specie-bazar-istanbul
  • On the second day of the Istanbul 3 days itinerary, you will pay a visit to the Spice Bazar, which is among the most atmospheric, colorful, and fragrant places in Istanbul. 
  • Also known as the Egyptian Market, the Spice Bazar is renowned for selling spices, dried nuts, Turkish delights, caviar, and much more.
  • Upon visiting the attraction, you will witness heaps of saffron, teas, pepper, and dried apricots beside the shops selling Turkish delights, glass mosaic lamps, and silk scarves.

Location: Rüstem Pa?a, Erzak Ambar? Sok. No:92, 34116 Fatih/?stanbul, Turkey.

Timing: 8 am to 7 pm (Monday to Friday), 8 am to 7.30 pm (Saturday), 9.30 am to 7 pm (Sunday)

Day 3 in Istanbul

11

Chora Church

Image Credit : flicker.com/chora-church
  • One of the best things to do in Istanbul in 3 days is to pay a visit to the Chora Church, which is a medieval Greek orthodox church building well-known for its exemplary Late Byzantine mosaics and frescos
  • It is a beautiful place that attracts a myriad of visitors to the prominent Aya Sofya and offers fascinating insights into Byzantine art.
  • There are five fundamental architectural units in the church with the interiors enveloped with mosaics depicting the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Location: Dervi?ali, Kariye Cami Sk. No:18, 34087 Fatih/?stanbul, Turkey.

Timing: 9 am to 6.30 pm

Price: TRY 65
12

Camlica Mosque

Image Credit : flicker.com/camlıca-mosque
  • On the third day of the Istanbul 3 days itinerary, you will also be taken to the Caml?ca Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Turkey designed by two female architects, Bahar M?zrak and Hayriye Gül Totu.
  • The 72-meters high main dome in the mosque represents the 72 nations living in the city.
  • Upon visiting the mosque, you can explore the museum, art gallery, conference hall, library, and underground parking lot that can accommodate up to 3500 vehicles.
  • It is an authentic architectural marvel of the modern age that has efficient light, heating, ventilation, and acoustics systems.
Location: Ferah, 34692 Üsküdar/?stanbul, Turkey.

Timing: 9 am to 5 pm
13

Galata Bazaar

Image Credit : flicker.com/galata-bazaar
  • The last attraction to see on your 3 days in Istanbul is Galata Bazaar, which is a distinguished social and cultural center of the city.
  • It is one of the coolest shopping streets in Istanbul that houses some remarkable boutique stores.
  • On your visit to the market, you can pay a visit to the antique showroom at Kashif Sofa, the Turkish designer showroom at Arzu Kaprol, and the elegant boutique Atelier 55 on the end.
  • You can also enjoy your coffee and delicious homemade chocolate cake at Mavra or climb to the terrace of Georges Hotel Galata to grab some refreshing drink while enjoying the sweeping views of the city.
Location: Müeyyedzade, Galip Dede Cd. No:95, 34425 Beyo?lu/?stanbul, Turkey.

Timing: 9 am to 10 pm (Monday to Saturday)

People Also Ask About Istanbul

  1. Which are the best museums in Istanbul?


    1. Topkapi Palace Museum: The best museum for rich exhibits, Topkapi Palace is decorated with brightly colored tiles, dazzling marble, and gilded mirrors. It also has a variety of stunning collections, much like a gorgeously adorned set of nested boxes. One of the top places to visit on a 3 days in Istanbul trip.

    2. Carpet Museum: 
    The Carpet Museum, built in a former soup kitchen near the Aya Sofya, has a remarkable collection of Anatolian carpets from the 14th to the 20th centuries that exhibit various techniques, styles, and usage. The panels that interpret the various motifs woven into the rugs add even more intrigue to their exquisite craftsmanship.

    3. Pera Museum: 
    The historical images of Istanbul are found in the Pera Museum which exhibits an extensive collection of paintings from the 17th to 20th centuries. It has a permanent display of artwork by European and Ottoman/Turkish painters.
  2. What are the famous things to do in Istanbul?

    The famous and best things to do in Istanbul in 3 days include taking a Bosphorus cruise to experience the cultural and natural beauty of both continents at once because Istanbul is located on two of them. Take a cruise tour along the Bosphorus coast if you want to travel to two continents simultaneously without having to pass any borders or deal with customs hassles. Experiencing a Turkish bath or traditional hammam can be intimidating because it is very therapeutic and soothing.
  3. Are 3 days enough to visit Istanbul?

    Yes, 3 days in Istanbul are sufficient to give you a solid overview of the city. You can explore the city’s major attractions such as the Sultanahmet Square, Suleymaniye Mosque, Chora Church, Caml?ca Mosque, and many more while you explore the city over a span of 3 days.
  4. What is the best month to visit Istanbul?

    Istanbul is best visited between the months of March and May and again between the months of September and November. The cheapest months are from December to February.
Newly Added Istanbul Experience

Istanbul Top Attractions

Places To Visit In Istanbul
It was exactly as advertised and advised from the flights to tours to tour guides for a superb unforgettable experience.
It was an amazing tour. We enjoyed a lot on this trip as everything was perfect on time
We were very satisfied with the arrangement of the tour during our stay in Istanbul. the tour guides were very friendly. The transport transfer was efficient. The hotels where we stay was great and comfortable.
Great experience! Everything was perfectly organized and they helped us with everything since the beggining
All went smoothly....the internal flights,the taxi pick ups and the hotel in Kusadasi. The tour guides were great and knew their history. Would recommend this
We had a very adventurous trip which was filled with lots of joy and most of the tourist attraction places were covered.
It is beautiful country to visit, with various beautiful places with natural diversity. Loved the places and how it was managed.
It was truly one magical trip we had with the team of Thrillophilia. As also we were completely dependent upon them and I must say they are reliable and trust worthy for your trip and everything related to it. Thank you.
Keeping in mind the no. of days we had and everything we wanted were almost included in this package. Everything was already planned beautifully executed and managed by the people. It was amazing!
We love visiting cultural heritage places and Turkey is one truly packed with it! We loved the experienced and its beauty. And admire how we were supported by the team person who helped us in ever possible aspect, Thank you.

Popular Nearby Places Around Istanbul

Popular Related Destinations

Places to Visit in India

Places to Visit in Delhi Places to Visit in Goa Places to Visit in Pune Places to Visit in Bangalore Places to Visit in Mumbai Places to Visit in Hyderabad Places to Visit in Jaipur Places to Visit in Chennai Places to Visit in Kolkata Places to Visit in Ladakh Places to Visit in Spiti Places to Visit in Andaman Places to Visit in Arunachal Pradesh Places to Visit in North East Places to Visit in Sikkim Places to Visit in Darjeeling Places to Visit in Meghalaya Places to Visit in Gangtok Places to Visit in Rajasthan Places to Visit in Uttarakhand Places to Visit in Kerala Places to Visit in Karnataka Places to Visit in Maharashtra Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh Places to Visit in Kashmir Places to Visit in Manali Places to Visit in Dharamshala Places to Visit in Shimla Places to Visit in Mcleodganj Places to Visit in Nainital Places to Visit in Mussoorie Places to Visit in Dehradun Places to Visit in Rishikesh Places To Visit In Jammu Places to Visit in Srinagar Places to Visit in Chikmagalur Places to Visit in Munnar Places to Visit in Kodaikanal Places to Visit in Ooty Places to Visit in Pondicherry Places to Visit in Wayanad Places to Visit in Coorg Places to Visit in Mysore Places to Visit in Lonavala Places to Visit in Alibaug Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar Places to Visit in Udaipur Places to Visit in Jodhpur Places to Visit in Jaisalmer Places to Visit in Mount Abu Places to Visit in Agra Places To Visit In South Goa Places To Visit In North Goa
Currency Picker
Commonly Used Currencies
INR -
Indian Rupee
USD - $
United States Dollar
EUR -
Euro
SGD - $
Singapore Dollar
AUD - $
Australian Dollar
GBP - £
British Pound
AED - د.إ
United Arab Emirates Dirham
All Other Currencies
ALL - L
Albanian Lek
AMD - դր.
Armenian Dram
ARS - $
Argentine Peso
AWG - ƒ
Aruban Florin
BBD - $
Barbadian Dollar
BDT -
Bangladeshi Taka
BMD - $
Bermudian Dollar
BND - $
Brunei Dollar
BOB - Bs.
Bolivian Boliviano
BSD - $
Bahamian Dollar
BWP - P
Botswana Pula
BZD - $
Belize Dollar
CAD - $
Canadian Dollar
CHF - CHF
Swiss Franc
CNY - ¥
Chinese Renminbi Yuan
COP - $
Colombian Peso
CRC -
Costa Rican Colón
CZK -
Czech Koruna
DKK - kr.
Danish Krone
DOP - $
Dominican Peso
DZD - د.ج
Algerian Dinar
EGP - ج.م
Egyptian Pound
ETB - Br
Ethiopian Birr
FJD - $
Fijian Dollar
GHS -
Ghanaian Cedi
GIP - £
Gibraltar Pound
GMD - D
Gambian Dalasi
GTQ - Q
Guatemalan Quetzal
GYD - $
Guyanese Dollar
HKD - $
Hong Kong Dollar
HNL - L
Honduran Lempira
HRK - kn
Croatian Kuna
HTG - G
Haitian Gourde
HUF - Ft
Hungarian Forint
IDR - Rp
Indonesian Rupiah
ILS -
Israeli New Sheqel
JMD - $
Jamaican Dollar
KES - KSh
Kenyan Shilling
KGS - som
Kyrgyzstani Som
KHR -
Cambodian Riel
KYD - $
Cayman Islands Dollar
KZT -
Kazakhstani Tenge
LAK -
Lao Kip
LBP - ل.ل
Lebanese Pound
LKR -
Sri Lankan Rupee
LRD - $
Liberian Dollar
LSL - L
Lesotho Loti
MAD - د.م.
Moroccan Dirham
MDL - L
Moldovan Leu
MKD - ден
Macedonian Denar
MMK - K
Myanmar Kyat
MNT -
Mongolian Tögrög
MOP - P
Macanese Pataca
MUR -
Mauritian Rupee
MVR - MVR
Maldivian Rufiyaa
MWK - MK
Malawian Kwacha
MXN - $
Mexican Peso
MYR - RM
Malaysian Ringgit
NAD - $
Namibian Dollar
NIO - C$
Nicaraguan Córdoba
NOK - kr
Norwegian Krone
NPR - Rs.
Nepalese Rupee
NZD - $
New Zealand Dollar
PEN - S/
Peruvian Sol
PGK - K
Papua New Guinean Kina
PHP -
Philippine Peso
PKR -
Pakistani Rupee
QAR - ر.ق
Qatari Riyal
RUB -
Russian Ruble
SAR - ر.س
Saudi Riyal
SCR -
Seychellois Rupee
SEK - kr
Swedish Krona
SLL - Le
Sierra Leonean Leone
SOS - Sh
Somali Shilling
SVC -
Salvadoran Colón
SZL - E
Swazi Lilangeni
THB - ฿
Thai Baht
TTD - $
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
TZS - Sh
Tanzanian Shilling
UYU - $U
Uruguayan Peso
UZS - so'm
Uzbekistan Som
YER -
Yemeni Rial
ZAR - R
South African Rand
JPY - ¥
Japanese Yen