Istanbul Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Istanbul

3 days in Istanbul itinerary

Morning

Your Istanbul 3-day itinerary starts with a treat at the Seven Hills Restaurant, which is one of the most famous Instagrammable places in Istanbul. On the menu, you will find a typical Turkish breakfast, which is the best way to fuel up for a busy Istanbul Itinerary.

Keep in mind, prices here are above average, but it comes with a fantastic view over the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. These are two important attractions in Istanbul, and the view totally justifies the price. A reservation is recommended!

After a delicious breakfast and taking some epic photos, go visit the Blue Mosque. After that, walk to the Hagia Sophia to be overwhelmed by beauty. Remember to dress appropriately. Women have to cover their heads, so bring a scarf.

A few steps away from Hagia Sophia is Topkapi Palace, which is going to be your next stop. The Topkapi Palace is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul and will take you 2-3 hours. It’s closed on Tuesdays, so please adjust your itinerary accordingly.

–> Get the reservation at Seven Hills
–> Get the entrance ticket for the Hagia Sophia
–> Get the entrance ticket for Topkapi Palace

Lunch: Hanzade Terrace Restaurant and Hafiz Mustafa 1864 Beyazıt

A short walk away, you will find Hanzade Terrace restaurant. This is going to be your lunch spot for the day, and I believe you won’t be disappointed. We ended up coming back for 2 more meals. And it offers a stunning view over Istanbul.

If you still have space for a little sweet, you simply must visit Hafiz Mustafa 1864 Beyazıt. Here you can try all types of Turkish sweets – traditional and modern. My favorite was chocolate baklava with pistachio. Simply unforgettable! 

Afternoon

The Grand Bazaar is right in front of Hafiz Mustafa, and it is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, you can easily spend a couple of hours in the Grand Bazaar.

Once you are done, check the Beyazit Mosque just behind the market. This is one of the most visited mosques in Istanbul, and it shouldn’t be missed during your visit.

Now, it’s time to take a deep dive into Turkish culture and try one of the best things to do in Istanbul. Visit the Anadolu Nargile Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medreses, which serves Nargile (water pipe) with a glass of Turkish tea.

Dinner: Nusr-Et Steakhouse Sandal Bedesteni or Şeyhmuz Kebap Salonu

Nusr-Et doesn’t need an introduction thanks to the iconic “Salt Bae”. The meat was simply delicious and the atmosphere is delightful. Their signature baklava is also a remarkable specialty to try. 

In case you are on a budget and still want to try some tasty specialties, Şeyhmuz Kebap Salonu is the right place for you. Still located in the same area, it offers several Turkish delights that will make you fall in love with the local flavors.

Morning

During 3 days in Istanbul, you can’t miss the Suleymaniye Mosque. It dates back to 1557 and was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. It’s free to visit, and women will have to cover their heads. 

Explore the area around the mosque and behind the Grand Bazaar for some shopping and picturesque alleys, and head to the Spice Bazaar, your next stop. One of the coolest experiences in Istanbul is exploring the markets, and the Spice Bazaar was probably my favorite.

This is the perfect place to get some authentic souvenirs from Türkiye. Outside the market, you can enjoy the view from the other side of Istanbul and visit Rustem Pasha Mosque and Yeni Cami Mosque.

Lunch: Hamdi Restaurant

And now it is time for lunch! Hamdi Restaurant offers one of the best views in Istanbul. Despite being so popular, it maintains a high-quality service and food. Here I tried probably the best Haydari and a fabulous kebab with pistachio.

It is slightly pricier than in other restaurants in Istanbul, nevertheless, the view, the service, and the food justify it. I actually celebrated New Year’s Eve here, and it is still one of the highlights of that trip.

Afternoon

It’s now time to cross the Galata Bridge and explore the district of Beyoğlu. Your first stop is Galata Tower, which is one of the most famous landmarks in the city and a must of what to see in Istanbul in 3 days.

The tower was built by the Republic of Genoa in 1348, and it was the highest building in the city called Constantinople at that time. After the Genoese colony was dismantled, it was used as a prison, while nowadays it offers a stunning 360 ° view of the city.

Next, head to Tünel Tramvay to find the famous red tram of Istanbul. The ride won’t be particularly long as it ends in Taksim Square – one of the busiest places in the city. Once you get off, I suggest you go back and discover some gems of the area.

First on your list is the Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church, which is one of the hidden places to visit in Istanbul. Keep walking to see the Çiçek Pasajı and the Sent Antuan Kilisesi.

On your way, you will also find thousands of cool shops and markets where you can buy everything, from clothes to souvenirs, from drinks to ice cream. You will see that İstiklal Avenue is packed with people.

Dinner: Barnathan Cafe & Brasserie or Seviç Restoran

Barnathan Cafe & Brasserie offers a lovely view of the Galata Tower and the city. On top of that, the service and the food are great. A reservation must be made as the space is limited. Also, I recommend visiting this restaurant when it’s not windy.

A delicious alternative can be Seviç Restoran, inside the beautiful Çiçek Pasajı. Here I tried some tasty starters and shrimp. Highly recommended and very affordable.

Morning

For the last day of your 3 days in Istanbul, I want you to wake up early and catch a sunrise in Ortaköy Mosque. Sunrise is the perfect moment to enjoy this place with no crowd and just the sound of the water of the Bosphorus. 

After sunrise, head to Dolmabahçe Palace. Located right on the edge of the Bosphorus, it blends European and Ottoman architecture in a way that feels completely different from the city’s older palaces and mosques.

Right outside the palace, you will find Dolmabahçe Mosque. I honestly never read about this mosque in any Istanbul travel guide, so this is probably one of the top secret things to do in Istanbul.

Before you head to lunch, I want you to visit another hidden gem of Istanbul. There is a cute Umbrella Street located right next to the Ben’den Karaköy bar. You can stop here for a coffee or just snap some cute photos.

Later in the afternoon, you should be heading to Balat. Barba Vasilis is one of the best restaurants in the area. They serve a mix of Greek and Turkish cuisine, and it has a fantastic atmosphere & service. It is a perfect spot for a delicious meal.

Afternoon

Next on the menu: Balat! It is one of Istanbul’s most colorful and character-filled neighborhoods. Located along the Golden Horn, this historic area is known for its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and a mix of cultures.

The neighborhood has deep roots in Istanbul’s Jewish history and is home to synagogues, old churches, and faded but beautiful Ottoman architecture.

I feel like Balat is the perfect place to wander without a map or a plan. If you want to know more about the neighborhood and gain local insights, you will love this Balat guided tour.

A cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the best places to see sunset in Istanbul. It gives you the chance to see iconic landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and the Bosphorus Bridge.

Several options are available, from short 90-minute round-trips to longer sunset or dinner cruises. If you are on a tight budget, I recommend the public ferry ‘Karakoy—Eminononu—Kadikoy’ or ‘Ortaköy —Beşiktaş —Eminönü’.

These are top top-rated cruises in Istanbul

🛥 Istanbul: Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide
🛥 Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table
 🛥Sunset or Daytime Istanbul Guided Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks

Dinner: Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine or Gala Kokoreç Laleli

This is the end of your 3 days in Istanbul and I believe that you should wrap it up with a special dinner. And there is no better place than Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine. Their motto is to treat yourself like a Sultan, and as soon as you step in you will understand why.

The restaurant is unbelievably beautiful in every little detail, the service is over the top, and the food tastes amazing. It’s no surprise that it’s recommended by Michelin Guide. In my opinion, it is one of the best restaurants in Istanbul.

If you are not into fine dining Gala Kokoreç Laleli will be the right place for you. This is a very simple barbecue place, but the flavors are simply phenomenal. The staff always will welcome you with a big smile.