Istanbul, the largest city in Turkiye, serves as the country’s cultural, historical, as well as economic center. This 15th largest city in the world has a population of over 15 million residents. Today, we are giving you the ultimate itinerary for Istanbul, the city that lies along the Bosporus strait and resides on two continents, Europe and Asia.
This blog post gives you an idea of how to spend three days in Istanbul. We will take you through the tricks and hacks of Istanbul International Airport, the top places to dine and visit, the best means of transportation, and the most Instagram-able places that Istanbul offers.
Arriving at Istanbul International Airport and how to get around
This airport, located in the Arnavutkoy area within the European side of the city, serves more than 37 million passengers a year.
This airport makes the perfect starting point for our Istanbul Itinerary because major airlines worldwide operate their commercial and cargo flights from and to here.
The first significant thing about IIA is its large and spacious size. The airport features five concourses lettered A, B, D, F, and G and 143 passenger boarding bridges. Concourse G is solely for domestic, and the rest are for international flights.
Visitor Info: Walking belts are featured only in certain areas at the airport.
There is a couple of ways to get around the airport.
The first way is by foot, remembering you will need extra time to arrive at your gate due to this airport’s large size.
The second way to get around IIA is to book their iGA Buggy Service.
Who is eligible for this service?
-iGA Pass Members
Benefits include:
*Lounge Access
*Meet and Greet
*Buggy Service
-Families with 0-2-year-old children
-Guests ages 65+
-Pregnant guests
You can purchase this service through their iGA App and receive a QR code that can scan directly at the airport. With this service, you will get through the airport faster and more conveniently.
Special Services
In addition, for those who require additional help, wheelchair services are available as well. This service can be booked through your airline while purchasing your ticket. Every airline in this world offers this service free of charge. You can book your wheelchair with different pick-up and drop-off locations depending on your needs. The options are:
-In front of your airplane seat, all the way to your arrival spot
-At the airplane door, all the way to your arrival spot
-At your arrival gate, all the way to your next gate, or your arrival spot.
Other Services
Futhemore, IIA has many shops, restaurants, great duty-free, and a fantastic lounge. Many fashion brands, like Hermes, Saint Laurent, and Fendi, are showcased here, as well as food chains like Shake Shack, Burger King, lots of local restaurants, and Starbucks.Also,this airport is nicely marked, with information kiosks all around. Every 300 meters or so, information boards let you know the distance in minutes and directions to your gate, restaurants, shops, and the duty-free.
Transportation from the airport
Transportation from the airport to the city is through private transfer (taxi, car) or a shuttle service.
Visitor Info: If you decide to use taxi services in Istanbul or around, remind the driver to turn on the meter to avoid unnecessary extra charges.
Visitors Info: The taxi ride from Istanbul International Airport to the city center should not cost more than 340 lire, or 19 euros, and should last around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Day 1:
One of the primary means of transportation in Istanbul is via train. All over the city, there are maps with train lanes and connections, and you can purchase your tickets at kiosks at every station.
Visitors Tip: Train tickets can be purchased only in lire or with a credit card; no other currencies accepted.
Head to the Sultanahmed Square
Start your day at Sultanahmet Square, also called the Hippodrome of Constantinople. During the Byzantine Empire, this spot was a sporting and social center of Constantinopole, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Nowadays, it represents a square that carries this long history through statues and monuments and is definitely worth the visit.
Besides the historical aspect, this area features a lot of local cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a little break from the city noise and learn about local culture. Also, there are a lot of small shops selling local goods, souvenirs, and head scarves for women. If you don’t have a head scarf and you want to visit the inside of any mosque in Istanbul, make sure you purchase one here.
Visit the Blue and Hagia Sophia Mosques
Your next stop is the Blue Mosque, located within the Hippodrome. This majestic mosque has quite a history. Constructed between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I, this spot attracts many visitors each year. Under Sultan Ahmed’s time, this mosque was the only one with six minarets besides the Grand Mosque in Mecca. It’s truly a beautiful site and is definitely worth the visit.
Visitor Info: Upon arrival at each mosque, all women must wear a head scarf, and all visitors must remove their shoes and store them in lockers at the entrance.
These mosques are a must-visit and deserve a high spot in our three-day Itinerary for Istanbul.
Next is the historical Hagia Sophia, equally important as the Blue Mosque.This spot was originally a Greek Orthodox church, later transformed into a museum and a mosque. Initially built by the eastern Roman emperor Justinian I in 537 as a Christian cathedral of Constantinople, the church had its minarets added in the 15 and 16 centuries when it became a mosque.
Visitor Info: Ensure you visit this mosque after mid-day to avoid long lines and large crowds.
Lunch at the Panoramic Restaurant
Now is the time for lunch. Walk about 5 minutes south from Sultanahmed Square, and get to one of the most beautiful rooftops in Istanbul, Panoramic Restaurant. This spot offers excellent Anatolian cuisine, a great atmosphere, and gorgeous views of the whole city. Try their Turkish appetizers, Saray kebap, and Sahan kofte, as well as the traditional Turkish coffee, and enjoy the view from the terrace under the sun.
Visit the Basilica Cistern
Your next stop is the Cisterna Basilica or the Subterranean Palace. This spot represents an ancient cistern built in the 16th century, with a prime location, just across Hagia Sophia.
The primary purpose of the cistern was to provide a water filtration system for the Grand Palace of Constantinople, Topkapi, and many other large buildings, through time.
Interesting Fact: Have you ever seen the movie “Inferno” with the legendary Tom Hanks? This movie starts in Italy, moves to Istanbul, through Hagia Sophia, and ends in the Basilica Cistern.
So besides wanting to learn more about Istanbul’s history, you are furthermore a movie fanatic, you must visit this place.
Photoshoot and sunset dinner at Mimar Sinan Teras Cafe
The sun is almost down, and there is nothing better than watching the sunset with a splendid view, plus getting phenomenal photos. Head to the Mimar Sinan Teras Cafe, a two min walk from the Suleymayne Mosque, to do just that.
Visitors Info: We recommend you make a reservation for the terrace photoshoot because it can get pretty crowded there.
Enjoy the sunset, indulge in delicious local food, and warm up with traditional Turkish tea—the perfect way to end your first day in Istanbul.
Day:2
Sunrise at Ortakoy Mosque
Start your day with a sunrise at Ortakoy Mosque. The sunrise is around 7 am, but make sure you arrive there earlier because this place can also get crowded very quickly.This beautiful mosque situated in the Ortakoy area lies right on the water.Enjoy the moment when the sun is kissing the water and feel the morning breeze. Snap a photo or two, and enjoy the beauty of the beautiful Bosfor.
Hop on the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise, with a stop on the Asian side
Continue your day with a cruise along the Bosphorus. Book this fun and educational cruise, and meanwhile discover another side of Istanbul from the beautiful Bosphorus. Not only that, with this experience, you will get to see the Asian part of the city and indulge in a fun shopping experience.
This cruise also includes :
-Pick up from your hotel
-Breakfast
-All Fees and Taxes
Book your Bosphorus experience here.
Shopping at Grand Bazaar, Kapali Carsi
Your next stop is the Grand Bazaar or the Kapali Carsi. This spot is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, with 61 covered streets and over 4000 shops. Each day the Grand Bazaar attracts over 250 000 to 400 000 visitors.
The Grand Baazar is the best place to discover Turkish culture through clothing, gold and silver jewelry, rugs (kilims), spices, food, and much more.
You can “get lost here” and spend hours discovering and shopping.
Visitors Info: The famous Salt Bae or Nusr-Et-Steakhouse has one of its restaurants at the base of the Grand Bazaar.
Dinner at a local restaurant and exploring local specialties
End your night by visiting a local restaurant, because a trip to Istanbul won’t be complete without discovering their fantastic cuisine. Here is a list of some local restaurants.
Tatbak
Adana Ocakbasi
Kardeniz Doner Asim
Galata Simitcisi
Hocapasa Pidecisi
Day 3:
Turkish coffee at North Arth Cafe
Start your day with a traditional Turkish coffee and explore the kilim (rug) museum at this adorable coffee shop North Arth Cafe. Here you can learn the story behind the production of the Turkish Kilims and enjoy the warm hospitality of the owner and staff. Besides Turkish coffee, you can also have a latte or cappuccino and enjoy their beautiful late art. North Art Cafe is a must-visit when in Istanbul.
What is traditional Turkish Coffee, and the secret recipe?
Turkish Coffee is a particular coffee preparation method from Middle Eastern and European countries. The preparation includes combining finely ground coffee beans with water and sugar, and then boiling the liquid to a foaming stage. The brewing stage is unique to Turkish Coffee, which includes using a pan filled with warm sand heated over an open flame. The pot where you prepare the Coffee is called a cezve, and the cups are called fincan.
Visit the Galata Tower +Private Photoshoot at Galata Rooftop
Your next stop is the Galata Tower, built in 1348 and formerly known as Turris Sancte Crucis( Holy Cross Tower). This tower is known as Galata Kulesi Museum, representing one of the most prominent symbols of Istanbul.
The purpose of the tower, back in the days, was to watch over the walls of Galata; however, nowadays serves as an exhibition space for millions of visitors yearly.
Regarding the private photoshoot, make sure you book your slot in advance. The location is the Galata Rooftop Terrace, just across the tower.
Visitors Tip: We recommend a susnset photoshoot, as the lighting is the best, during that time of the day.
There are two options when booking. One is to book a photoshoot with their professional photographer, and the other is a photoshoot plus a chance to rent one of their beautiful dresses. Rooftop Galata’s skillful photographers carefully guide you through the whole process to ensure you get the best photos and videos, and the entire experience is so much fun.
On the rooftop, there are three spots where the photoshoot is perforemed. One is in front of the Galata Tower, another is on a swing overlooking the city, and the third is on a fixed dining room setting, taking you back in time.
Note: No animals whatsoever are harmed in this process.
Visit Taxim Square
After the Galata photoshoot, head to one of the most famous areas in Istanbul, Taxim Square. This beautiful square framed with restaurants, shops, and hotels represents the heart of modern Istanbul. The whole area is very vibrant, and you may stop at one of the local bars for a pre-dinner drink.
Dinner at Eleos Restaurant
The perfect way to end your Istanbul trip is a dinner with the most beautiful view of the city you have explored in the last three days.
So,lasty head to Eleos, a rooftop restaurant located at Taxim. This restaurant specializes in seafood dishes and has a delicious dessert. Enjoy the breathtaking view, and sip a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in honor of your incredible Istanbul journey. Cheers!
Summary: The list of most Instagram-able places in Istanbul
-Blue Mosque
-Hagia Sophia Mosque
-Ortakoy Mosque
-Basilica Cistern
-Grand Baazar
-Galata Tower Rooftop
-Panoramic Restaurant
-Mimar Sinan Teras Cafe
-Taxim Square
Have you ever visited Turkey? Let us know in the comments below. We hope that you liked our three-day itinerary for Istanbul.
