My route
Sign in
WorldTurkeyIstanbulIstanbul in 3 daysMy routeRoute

3 days in Istanbul: a day-by-day itinerary

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: the great dome and four minarets above Sultanahmet SquareThe Basilica Cistern in Istanbul: rows of lit columns reflected in the waterThe Egyptian obelisk on the Hippodrome of Constantinople with the Blue Mosque behind

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
7 of 13 free; 6 paid — see “Cost”
Duration
3 days, 9:30 to 16:16 each day
Start and finish
Hagia Sophia → Dolmabahçe Palace
On foot
≈ 39 min in total
Transport
5 rides, ≈ 1 h 40 min
Lunch
around 12:46
With kids
better with older kids

Day-by-day plan

Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.

Day 1 · Istanbul09:30–16:05 · 5 places · 6 h 40 min

  1. Hagia Sophia

    · 1 h 15 min · €25

  2. 3 min on foot

  3. Basilica Cistern

    · 45 min · ≈ 1,950–2,250 TL

  4. 5 min on foot

  5. Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)

    · 20 min · Free

  6. 3 min on foot

  7. Blue Mosque

    · 45 min · Free

  8. Lunch · 1 h
  9. 19 min · transport or taxi

  10. Bosphorus ferry cruise

    · 2 h · Price: verifying

Day 2 · Istanbul09:30–16:16 · 3 places · 6 h 50 min

  1. Süleymaniye Mosque

    · 45 min · Free

  2. 12 min on foot

  3. Grand Bazaar

    · 1 h 30 min · Free

  4. Lunch · 1 h
  5. 19 min · transport or taxi

  6. Topkapı Palace

    · 3 h · 2,750 TL with the Harem

Day 3 · Istanbul09:30–16:13 · 5 places · 6 h 40 min

  1. Fatih Mosque

    · 30 min · Free

  2. 20 min · transport or taxi

  3. Spice Bazaar

    · 40 min · Free

  4. 16 min on foot

  5. Gülhane Park

    · 30 min · Free

  6. 19 min · transport or taxi

  7. Galata Tower

    · 1 h · Price: verifying

  8. Lunch · 1 h
  9. 23 min · transport or taxi

  10. Dolmabahçe Palace

    · 1 h 45 min · 2,000 TL

Go · start

Add nearby

Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.

New Mosque

Istanbul, Turkey

↝ 3 min20 minfree

Karaköy

Istanbul, Turkey

↝ 7 min1 h 30 minfree

Galataport

Istanbul, Turkey

↝ 13 min1 h 30 minfree

What the route costs

7 of 13 are free; 6 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.

1Hagia Sophia911 h 15 min€25
2Basilica Cistern7045 min≈ 1,950–2,250 TL
5Bosphorus ferry cruise762 hPrice: verifying
8Topkapı Palace633 h2,750 TL with the Harem
12Galata Tower541 hPrice: verifying
13Dolmabahçe Palace461 h 45 min2,000 TL
Other 7 places5 hFree
Total14 h 50 min7 of 13 free

How the three days are built

Day one holds the places with the highest YesGo score, day two the best of the rest, day three what is left that is worth your time. Every day fits into about seven hours with lunch.

Day three is the easiest to move: if it rains, swap it with another day; if the weather is clear, keep the Galata Tower for the late afternoon light.

Is 3 days in Istanbul enough?

For the classic sights, yes. What three days do not cover is the Asian side, the Princes' Islands and the quieter neighbourhoods — that is a fourth or fifth day.

How to do it right

  • Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays — move the days around them.
  • Mosques close to visitors for prayers; plan the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye between prayers.
  • The T1 tram links Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Karaköy and Kabataş — most of the plan is along its line.

Questions

Is 3 days in Istanbul enough?

Yes for a first visit: the old city, the bazaars, Topkapı, the Bosphorus and Galata. For the Asian side and the islands add another day or two.

Can I do this itinerary with kids?

Yes, but swap the long palace visits for shorter stops. There is a separate family route: Istanbul with kids.

Which day should come first?

The day with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque: they are the most visited, and the morning of your first day is when you have the most energy.

Is Dolmabahçe Palace worth it?

Yes if you like palaces: 285 rooms and crystal chandeliers on the Bosphorus. One 2,000 TL ticket covers the state rooms, the Harem and the Painting Museum; closed on Mondays.

When is the best time for the Galata Tower?

At opening (8:30) or after 20:00. Sunset has the longest queue. Tickets are €30 for foreign visitors.

Which days are the main sights closed?

Topkapı on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. Mosques close to visitors during prayers.

How do I get between the old city and Galata?

Walk across the Galata Bridge or take the T1 tram to Karaköy; the tower is a short uphill walk from there.

Can I add the Asian side?

Yes, as a fourth day: a ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy or Üsküdar takes about 20 minutes.

Where should I stay for 3 days?

Along the T1 tram — Sultanahmet, Sirkeci or Karaköy — so all three days start on foot or a few stops away.

What if it rains?

Swap in the indoor sights: the Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapı and Dolmabahçe. Keep the Galata Tower for a clear day.

Sources and fact-check

  • Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
YesGo editorial team

More Istanbul routes

Other cities in Turkey: one-day routes