Istanbul — the only city in the world spanning two continents (Europe and Asia), 16 million inhabitants, 2700 years of history. For first-timers, 3 days is the minimum to grasp the basics. Here is the optimal itinerary.
📅 Day 1: Sultanahmet (Byzantine + Ottoman heart)
- 09:00 Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) — built 537 AD as Christian cathedral, converted to mosque 1453, museum 1934-2020, back to mosque 2020. Free entry, but go early (queues by 11:00). 30-40 min.
- 10:30 Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) — across the square, 1616 AD. Famous for 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. Free, but closed during prayer times (5x/day). 30 min.
- 12:00 Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — Byzantine underground cistern from 532 AD, 336 columns, Medusa heads. 600 TL. 45 min.
- 13:30 Lunch in Sultanahmet — Hamdi Restaurant (kebabs with Golden Horn view), Matbah (Ottoman cuisine).
- 15:00 Topkapı Palace — Ottoman sultan residence 1465-1856. Harem extra ticket essential. 3 hours. 950 TL combo.
- 19:00 Sunset from Galata Bridge or Çırağan Palace.
📅 Day 2: Beyoğlu + Bosphorus
- 09:00 Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — 4000 shops, jewelry/carpets/spices. Bargain hard. 2 hours.
- 11:30 Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) — Eminönü, 1660 AD. Turkish delight, spices. 1 hour.
- 13:00 Lunch — Eminönü fish sandwich (balık ekmek) from boats by Galata Bridge.
- 14:30 Bosphorus cruise — public ferry from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı (full Bosphorus, 90 min one way, 35 TL). Or short evening dinner cruise (60 EUR).
- 19:00 İstiklal Caddesi — pedestrian street from Taksim Square to Galata. Vintage tram, shops, restaurants, music venues.
- 21:00 Galata Tower — sunset view of the city (650 TL).
📅 Day 3: Asian side or extras
- Option A — Asian side: ferry to Kadıköy (15 min, 12 TL), Moda neighbourhood, Salt Galata. Authentic local Istanbul.
- Option B — extras: Dolmabahçe Palace (1856, modern Ottoman, marble), Chora Church (best Byzantine mosaics in the world).
- Option C — Princes' Islands: ferry to Büyükada (90 min), no cars, horse carriages, beaches.
- Evening: hammam experience — Çemberlitaş Hamamı (1584) or Cağaloğlu Hamamı (1741), 500-1000 TL.
🚇 Transport tips
- İstanbulkart — buy at any metro station (60 TL deposit). Use for metro/tram/ferry/bus. Avoid paying cash.
- Airport (IST): M11 metro to city, 1 hour, 30 TL.
- SAW airport: Havabüs bus, 1.5 hours, 200 TL.
- Avoid yellow taxis without taximeter — fixed price scams. Use BiTaksi app.
💰 Budget
3 days for 2 people: 4* hotel in Sultanahmet 100-150 EUR/night, museums 150 EUR/person, food 50 EUR/person/day, transport 20 EUR/day. Total: 700-900 EUR for couple.