Istanbul is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. This Istanbul 3 Day Travel Guide will help you plan your next visit so you see the most important areas in this beautiful city!
Istanbul’s Unique Location
The allure of this city lies in its unique location on the map. Straddling the beautiful Bosphorous Strait, Istanbul falls within two continents. One part is located in Europe while the other is in Asia. As such, the city’s population is quite diverse, representing a unique intersection of many cultures.
The unique geography and picturesque location adds to Istanbul’s global traffic. It is a popular stopover city for people traveling throughout Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Weary air travelers take overnight breaks to grab some doner kabob or purchase souvenirs from the Grand Bazaar.
Istanbul 3 Day Travel Guide
When you only have a few days in Istanbul, you don’t want to waste any time. This Istanbul 3 Day Travel Guide contains top attractions, popular neighborhoods and helpful tips for you to easily plan an action packed 3 day visit!
Top Attractions, Neighborhoods & Tips
Mosques:
Hagia Sophia: One of the most popular attractions in Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Originally built between 532 to 537 as the Roman’s Christian Cathedral of Constantinople, this place of worship was an icon in the Christian world for nearly 1000 years until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453. It was later converted from a cathedral to a mosque with notable changes to its interior. In 1931, the Hagia Sophia was closed to the public for 4 years and reopened as a museum to the public. In 2020, it was reclassified as a mosque and remains a place of worship, welcoming visitors and worshipers daily.
There are visible changes made to both the interior and exterior to change it from a cathedral to a mosque. For example, bells and altars were remove. Depictions of Jesus, Mary, saints and angels are no longer present. Originally built to face Jerusalem, the focal point for prayer was moved to a different angle from the original, now facing towards Mecca.
Modern Empty Nester Tip: To visit the Hagia Sophia, be prepared in advance. Bring a scarf and wear modest clothing and socks. Shoes must be removed for cleanliness and can be placed in cubbies provided. Men cannot enter with shorts and women must cover their hair, bare arms and bare legs/feet. At the entrance, they sell disposable robes, costing roughly $1 USD in case you need it!
Blue Mosque: Located across the square from the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque is a smaller mosque with beautiful interior mosaics. This mosque can get very crowded, so it’s best to avoid peak times if possible. If pressed for time, consider skipping this mosque and head to the Hagia Sophia.
Bazaars:
Grand Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar is a must-see attraction in Istanbul. With kiosks filled with local souvenirs, spices, jewelry and more, you will see numerous goods made in Turkey that represent the culture. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to negotiate pricing!
Spice Bazaar: A smaller version of the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul’s nearby Spice Market focusses on local spices that you can purchase by the pound. They can even vacuum pack them for freshness and travel. The Spice Bazaar also has several souvenir kiosks located inside as well. Once again, be ready to haggle!
Modern Empty Nester Tip: This market is particularly good to visit on Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed and if you still need to buy some small souvenirs.
Arasta Bazaar: Located near the Blue Mosque, you can visit this lesser known bazaar if you have to wait for to enter the Blue Mosque (we went when it was closed for 15 minutes to minimize crowds). Pricing may be lower here than the Grand Bazaar. Ideally, it is best to know your prices.
Modern Empty Nester Tip: Be wary of people trying to lure you into the Arasta Bazaar area. English speaking people stand nearby the Blue Mosque looking for unsuspecting people to bring into their shops. Don’t be shy and proceed to the bazaar only if you want to. Do not feel pressure to purchase anything. Prices may be lower for certain items, especially if you negotiate. For example, I bought a small bottle of saffron from here. It was less expensive than the cost in the Grand Bazaar for the same product.
Istanbul’s Waterfront
Visit the waterfront for some Simit bread, grilled corn, local fish and other vendor specials. You can also take a boat cruise for a scenic ride along the Bosphorous.
Galata Quarter
Galata Tower Museum: This tower was originally built as a watchtower for surveillance to protect Istanbul during the mid-fourteenth century. It is now a museum attracting visitors from all over the world. You can visit this looming tower and museum in the Beyoglu district. Climb to the top and experience beautiful 360 views of Istanbul!
Galata Bridge: You certainly know you’re in Istanbul when you cross Galata Bridge. This bridge connects the northern part of Istanbul with Old Istanbul and has stunning views. Look to the East and West to see the European and Asian sides of the city. Images of distant mosques, unique architecture, beautiful waterways and lots of people surround you. Fisherman line the bridge hoping for a daily catch. This is where the colorful intersection of cultures meet.
Beyoglu District: The Istanbul 3 Day Travel Guide cannot be complete without visiting this colorful and trendy district! Located after the Galata bridge and separated by the Golden Horn from Old Istanbul, this district makes a great home base and contains many of the trendier areas such as Galata, Karakoy and Taksim. Each area is different and worth visiting. Hit the shops on Istiklal Street near Taksim Square. Enjoy a cafe near the waterfront in Karakoy. Or walk around Galata quarter. Stores are open late and streets are full of people in the evenings. Delicious bakeries and trendy restaurants are everywhere!
Plan Your Next Visit to Istanbul
This Istanbul 3 Day Travel Guide will help you plan your itinerary during your next visit to Istanbul. Indeed, there is so much to do and see in Istanbul. You will leave feeling like you have only touched the tip of the iceberg! But that’s part of the excitement when visiting this rich city. You will no doubt make plans to return to beautiful Istanbul for more discoveries in the near future.
Want to discover more cities in Turkey? Cappadocia is one city that should be on top of your list!
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