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Preplanned City Guides and Travel Itineraries

3-day Istanbul City Guide

Our 3-day Istanbul City Guide shows you a step-by-step time line and itinerary for your stay in Istanbul. Follow it and get the best of your days in the city.

Take a look at other preplanned Istanbul City Guides:

1-day Istanbul City Guide5-day Istanbul City Guide >

DAY 1

Leave hotel - See tested hotels >
Take Tram Line T1 to Sultanahmet stop
09:00-10:30 Hagia Sophia (Museum, 20 TL)

Why visit

  • Istanbul's most famous attraction
  • One of the world's architectural wonders
Read more about Hagia Sophia

Photo: youngrobv

Take a walk to Sultanahmet Park
10:30-11:00 Sultanahmet Park (Park and outdoors, Free)

Why visit

  • Amazing view on Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
  • Beautiful park
Read more about Sultanahmet Park

Photo: Bruno Girin

Take a walk to Blue Mosque
11:00-11:45 Blue Mosque (Church, Free)

Why visit

  • World-known landmark
  • Impressive and unique mosque with six minarets
Read more about Blue Mosque

Photo: S-Square

Take Tram Line T1 from Sultanahmet stop to Sirkeci stop (Direction:Kabatas) - 25’
12:10-12:55 Eminönü Neighborhood (Park and outdoors, Free)

Why visit

  • Oldest neighborhood of Istanbul
  • The center of the city
Read more about Eminönü Neighborhood

Photo: kiwanc

Lunch time
Take a walk to Süleymaniye Mosque
15:00-16:00 Süleymaniye Mosque (Church, Free)

Why visit

  • Second largest mosque in Istanbul
  • Masterpiece of star architect Sinan
Read more about Süleymaniye Mosque
Take a walk to Beyazit Square - 25’
16:25-16:40 Beyazit Square (Park and outdoors, Free)

Why visit

  • Grand open space
  • Istanbul's principal meeting place
Read more about Beyazit Square

Photo: chocorayto

Take a walk to Grand Bazaar - 10’
16:50-17:50 Grand Bazaar (Monument, Free)

Why visit

  • The world's oldest covered market
  • Dazzling atmosphere
Read more about Grand Bazaar

Photo: eurotrip_it

end of day 1

DAY 2

Leave hotel - See tested hotels >
Take Tram Line T1 to Gülhane stop
09:00-11:30 Topkapi Palace (Museum, 20 TL)

Why visit

  • World heritage site
  • One of Istanbul's most known attractions
  • Once the center of a great empire
Read more about Topkapi Palace

Photo: gsz

Take a walk to Basilica Cistern - 10’
11:40-12:40 Basilica Cistern (Monument, 10 TL)

Why visit

  • Istanbul's most unusual tourist attraction
  • Relaxing atmosphere
Read more about Basilica Cistern
Lunch time
Take Tram Line T1 to Kabatas stop (Direction: Kabatas)
Take the funicular from Kabatas to Taksim Square
15:00-15:30 Taksim Square (Park and outdoors, Free)

Why visit

  • Popular meeting place
  • Busy transportation hub
Read more about Taksim Square

Photo: Salim Virji

Take a walk to Istiklal Avenue
15:30-16:30 Istiklal Avenue (Park and outdoors, Free)

Why visit

  • Exquisite pedestrian shopping street
  • One of the most famous avenues in Istanbul
Read more about Istiklal Avenue
Take a walk to Galata Tower - 15’
16:45-17:45 Galata Tower (Monument, 10 TL)

Why visit

  • The best 360° views of the city
  • One of the city's most striking landmarks
Read more about Galata Tower

Photo: brunoboris

Take a walk to Galata Bridge - 15’
18:00-19:00 Galata Bridge (Monument, Free)

Why visit

  • Istanbul's great landmark
  • Romantic appearance
  • Stunning view over the Golden Horn
Read more about Galata Bridge
end of day 2

DAY 3

Leave hotel - See tested hotels >
Take the ferry from Eminönü to Üsküdar - 20’
10:00-11:00 Üsküdar Neighborhood (Park and outdoors, Free)

Why visit

  • A taste of Asia
  • Charming district
Read more about Üsküdar Neighborhood

Photo: kiwanc

Take the ferry from Üsküdar to Kabatas
Take a walk to Dolmabahçe Palace - 30’ in all
11:30-14:00 Dolmabahçe Palace (Museum, 20 TL)

Why visit

  • One of the most glamorous palaces in the world
  • Houses the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier
Read more about Dolmabahçe Palace
Lunch time
Take a walk to Kabatas tram stop
Take Tram Line T1 from Kabatas stop to Eminönü stop
Take a walk to Suleymaniye Hamam
16:00-17:30 Süleymaniye Hamam (Monument, 35)

Why visit

  • Relaxing experience
  • Oldest hamam in Istanbul
Read more about Süleymaniye Hamam
end of day 3

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