# 3 days in Istanbul: a day-by-day itinerary > Three days is the right amount for a first visit to Istanbul: the old city, the bazaars and the Bosphorus without rushing, and a day for the rest of the city — usually the [Galata Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/galata-tower) and [Dolmabahçe Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/dolmabahce-palace). Each day is built in the order with the least walking, with lunch in between. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/in-3-days ## Day 1 1. [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia.md) — YesGo score 91/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · €25 ↓ 3 min on foot 2. [Basilica Cistern](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/basilica-cistern.md) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ 1,950–2,250 TL ↓ 5 min on foot 3. [Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hippodrome.md) — YesGo score 77/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free ↓ 3 min on foot 4. [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque.md) — YesGo score 86/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free Lunch break, about 1 h ↓ 19 min by transport 5. [Bosphorus ferry cruise](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/bosphorus-ferry.md) — YesGo score 76/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Price: verifying Total with walks: 6 h 35 min ## Day 2 1. [Süleymaniye Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque.md) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free ↓ 12 min on foot 2. [Grand Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/grand-bazaar.md) — YesGo score 61/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free Lunch break, about 1 h ↓ 19 min by transport 3. [Topkapı Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/topkapi-palace.md) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · 2,750 TL with the Harem Total with walks: 6 h 46 min ## Day 3 1. [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque.md) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free ↓ 20 min by transport 2. [Spice Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/spice-bazaar.md) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free ↓ 16 min on foot 3. [Gülhane Park](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/gulhane-park.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free ↓ 19 min by transport 4. [Galata Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/galata-tower.md) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Price: verifying Lunch break, about 1 h ↓ 23 min by transport 5. [Dolmabahçe Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/dolmabahce-palace.md) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · 2,000 TL Total with walks: 6 h 43 min ## 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. ## Tips - [Topkapı Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/topkapi-palace) is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays, the [Grand Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/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. --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.