Itineraries for Your Trip to Istanbul
3 Days in Istanbul for First Timers
I still remember my first morning in Istanbul, when I emerged into the sunshine of Sultanahmet Square and saw the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia punctuating the skyline like bookends.
Years after that, I moved to Istanbul, and I’ve been exploring the vast and awe-inspiring city for almost a decade now. I still marvel at the Bosphorus Strait slicing through the center of the city, at the ever-present history in Sultanahmet, and at the bubbling modern energy of Kadıkoy. The metropolis can seem overwhelming for a first-time visitor, but this itinerary will guide you through key highlights in three days.
Summers are sticky and winters are wet, but the climate is otherwise mild and comfortable.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a visit to the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood.
Spend today in Sultanahmet, the heart of the Old City and home to the most famous and significant historical sights in Istanbul. Visit the Hagia Sophia, a mosque that was previously a museum and a church, as well as Topkapi Palace, the imperial seat of the Ottoman sultan. Take time to explore the Grand Bazaar and its many shops and winding walkways.
End the day with a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, lined with Ottoman palaces, fortresses, and ornate summer houses.
Start the morning at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where shops spill over with local spices, scarves, Turkish delights, and other treats. Walk across the Galata Bridge or catch the tram to Karakoy to explore the “new” city and its late-Ottoman-era architecture. Visit the Galata Tower and explore the passages and side streets of Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul’s main boulevard.
At sunset, grab a drink and admire the views in one of the cafes built into the Galata Bridge itself. End the day in relaxation with a Turkish bath at Aga Hamami, the oldest bathhouse in the city.
Istanbul spans two continents, and today you’ll explore two distinct neighborhoods on the city’s Asian shores: Uskudar and Kadikoy. Start by exploring the mosques and markets near Uskudar Square, then stroll the beautiful neighborhood’s shoreline for glimpses of the Maiden’s Tower.
Afterwards, catch the Marmary subway line to Kadikoy, where artists and creatives congregate in the many cafes, bars, and restaurants that dot the neighborhood. Peruse the colorful produce market, visit some art galleries, and join a food tour to sample Kadikoy’s rich and diverse food scene, which spans trendy restaurants, traditional eateries, and street food vendors.
