Istanbul in 3 days: what not to miss

You could not see all of Istanbul even in a month, but three well-planned days are enough to get to know its most important faces. Here is how to make the most of them.

Day 1: Sultanahmet, the heart of the old city

Start your day at Hagia Sophia, which from the 6th century served as a church, then a mosque, later a museum, and today once again functions as a mosque. Across the square stands the Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century, and a few steps away is the Basilica Cistern, a Byzantine underground reservoir with its famous Medusa heads. Devote the afternoon to Topkapı Palace, home to the Ottoman sultans for centuries – be sure to see the Harem and the Treasury.

Day 2: bazaars, Süleymaniye and Galata

The morning is perfect for the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, and the fragrant Spice Bazaar by Eminönü. Above them rises the Süleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece by the architect Mimar Sinan, with wonderful views over the Golden Horn. Towards evening, cross the Galata Bridge, climb the Galata Tower and stroll along İstiklal Avenue to Taksim Square.

Day 3: the Bosphorus and the Asian side

Day three belongs to the water. A Bosphorus cruise reveals palaces, fortresses and wooden waterside mansions (yalı) on both shores. Lovers of grandeur should visit Dolmabahçe Palace; to end the day, take a ferry to the Asian side – to Kadıköy or Üsküdar – and watch the sunset over the skyline of the old city.

The flavours of Istanbul

Istanbul is also best discovered through its food. Start the day with a simit, a crunchy sesame-crusted bread ring, and a glass of Turkish tea. On the waterfront at Eminönü, try balık ekmek, a grilled fish sandwich, and in Karaköy, pistachio baklava. Evenings are made for a meyhane, a traditional tavern serving a parade of small meze dishes, or for a Turkish coffee on a terrace overlooking the Bosphorus.

Useful tips

• Check opening days: Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays.
• Respect the dress code in mosques: shoulders and knees should be covered, and women cover their hair with a scarf. Tourist visits are restricted during prayer times.
• Istanbulkart is a handy card for trams, the metro and ferries.
• Comfortable shoes are a must – Istanbul is a city of hills and cobblestones.

On our Magical Cappadocia & Istanbul tour, we visit Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, the Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque with an expert guide, while the final day is set aside for the bazaars and, if you wish, a Bosphorus cruise.