# 4 days in Istanbul: a day-by-day itinerary > Four days in Istanbul give you all the classics plus a day across the Bosphorus. The first three days cover the old city, a ferry, Süleymaniye, the bazaars, Topkapı, Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe. Day four is the Asian side: Kadıköy and its market, the Maiden's Tower, the waterfront of Üsküdar and the Çamlıca hill with Turkey's largest mosque. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/in-4-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 ## Day 4 1. [Kadıköy](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/kadikoy.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free Lunch break, about 1 h ↓ 26 min by transport 2. [Maiden’s Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/maidens-tower.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying ↓ 21 min on foot 3. [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free ↓ 29 min by transport 4. [Çamlıca Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free Total with walks: 8 h 16 min ## What to see in Istanbul in 4 days The first three days follow the YesGo score: day one Sultanahmet and the ferry, day two Süleymaniye, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapı, day three the Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe. Day four is built by neighbourhood: everything on the Asian shore. The Asian day is the most different: markets, waterfronts and cafés instead of museums, and a city where Istanbulites live instead of tour crowds. ## Getting around for four days The first three days are on foot and on the T1 tram, which links Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Karaköy and Kabataş. On day four — the ferry across the Bosphorus to Kadıköy, along the shore to Üsküdar and the M5 metro to Çamlıca. One Istanbulkart covers it all. ## What to do instead of the Asian side If the Asian shore does not appeal, give day four to the Golden Horn: the New Mosque and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque at Eminönü, colourful Balat, the Chora church and Pierre Loti hill. That day is in the 5-day itinerary. ## Where to stay for 4 days Sultanahmet or Sirkeci if you want the old city on foot; Karaköy if you want evening life and quick ferries to the Asian side. Do not change hotels on a four-day trip. ## Tips - Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays — swap the days if needed. - The ferry to Kadıköy on an Istanbulkart is a cheap second Bosphorus cruise. - Mosques close to visitors during prayers; the Friday midday prayer is longer. - Kadıköy market is best before lunch; watch the sunset from the Üsküdar waterfront. - Leave shopping at the Grand Bazaar for the end of the trip, when you know the prices. ## Questions ### Is 4 days in Istanbul enough? Yes: three days for the old city, Galata and the palaces, and one for the Asian side. ### What is a good Istanbul itinerary for 4 days? Day one Sultanahmet and the ferry, day two Süleymaniye, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapı, day three the Spice Bazaar, Galata and Dolmabahçe, day four Kadıköy, the Maiden's Tower, Üsküdar and Çamlıca. ### How do I get to the Asian side? By city ferry from Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş in 15–20 minutes, or by Marmaray under the Bosphorus. ### Do I need an Istanbulkart? Yes: one card works for the tram, metro and ferries for the whole trip. ### What is closed on which day? Topkapı on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi on Mondays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. ### Where to stay for 4 days in Istanbul? Sultanahmet or Sirkeci for the old city, Karaköy for evenings and ferries. ### Can I add Cappadocia to 4 days in Istanbul? Only by giving up two Istanbul days: it is a flight away, and a day there is very rushed. ### Where is the best sunset in Istanbul? On the Üsküdar waterfront, with the sun setting behind the old city. ### Is it good with kids? Yes: ferries, the Maiden's Tower boat and Galata Tower are popular with children. ### Can I change the order of days? Yes: the Asian day does not depend on the first three. --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.