3 Days In Istanbul: Your Turkish Long Weekend Itinerary

Istanbul was the first stop of our epic 10-day Turkey itinerary.

We spent 3 days in Istanbul exploring this incredible city that straddles two continents, diving headfirst into its rich history, colorful bazaars, and (my personal favorite) mouthwatering food scene.

I poured hours into planning the perfect Istanbul itinerary, and honestly, I think I nailed it.

Whether you’re planning a quick visit or making Istanbul part of a longer trip through Turkey, this three-day itinerary will help you make the most of your time in Europe’s largest city.

From the iconic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to indulging in Turkish delights at the Grand Bazaar and eating Istanbul’s best street food, I’ve mapped out everything you need for an unforgettable trip.

Get ready to fall head over heels for this vibrant city.

Kate, in a peach-colored hijab and glasses, stands inside the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, illuminated by grand golden chandeliers with intricate Islamic calligraphy and ornate domes in the background.

Snapshot of Your 3 Days In Istanbul

If you’ve only got 3 days to explore this city, don’t worry—you can still see a ton and have an amazing time. Here’s a quick rundown of the itinerary.

Day 1:
City Guided Tour + Hagia Sophia + Galata Tower District + Istiklal Street
Day 2:
Food Tour + Grand Bazaar + Spice Bazaar
Day 3:
Blue Mosque + Topkapi Palace + Sunset Roof Top Dinner

Perfect 3 Day Istanbul Itinerary

Here’s how I’d spend 3 days in Istanbul to see the best of the city and make the most of your time. You can follow the itinerary we did or mix things up and swap in the alternatives I give. Do whatever works best for you.

Day One: Guided Tour + Hagia Sophia + Galata Tower District + Istiklal Street

Your first day in Istanbul is all about diving into the city’s rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, and incredible local culture. It’s packed with unforgettable moments, amazing food, and sights you’ll be talking about for years.

A beautifully arranged Turkish breakfast spread on a round glass table, featuring fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, cold cuts, olives, jams, and breads, set in a sunlit dining area with wooden chairs and large windows.

Morning

Start your day with a traditional Turkish breakfast!

When we stayed at the Valide Sultan Konagi, their breakfast spread was out of this world. Don’t skip this traditional experience!

After breakfast, explore Istanbul with a private guided tour.

Booking a private guide turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.

It was surprisingly affordable and gave us a personalized experience we never could have had on our own or with a group. And, the best part was we got to customize the tour to what we wanted to see. Our guide was very open to changes in the itinerary.

A vibrant scene inside the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, showcasing towering marble columns, golden chandeliers, Islamic calligraphy, and a Byzantine angel mosaic on the dome, with visitors exploring the historic site.

Kate in a peach-colored hijab and glasses, gazes upward inside the Hagia Sophia, standing beneath an ornate golden chandelier, with Islamic calligraphy and intricate Byzantine architecture in the background.

One of our first stops was Hagia Sophia, the most iconic and impressive landmark in all of Istanbul.

Thanks to the city’s complex history, the architecture is a mix of both Christian and Islamic influences, making it one of the most fascinating buildings in the world. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a true masterpiece that has served as both a church and a mosque over the centuries.

One little detail I couldn’t help but notice was that none of the spires are the same. See if you spot it too!

Pro Tip: The line to enter Hagia Sophia is always long. If you don’t want to waste your precious time waiting, I highly recommend visiting with a guided tour or get a skip-the-line E-Pass. Plan to arrive before opening to be one of the first in line!

Opening Hours:
Apr 1 to Sept 31: 9 am to 7 pm
Oct 1 to Mar 31: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fees: entry is free as it is a mosque now.
Time required: 60 minutes

The Obelisk of Theodosius in Istanbul, an ancient Egyptian monument with intricate carvings, stands tall against a bright blue sky, framed by an ornate wrought iron fence in the foreground.

After Hagia Sophia, we stopped at the Hippodrome and the Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Square.

This was once a grand chariot racing arena during the Byzantine Empire, and standing there, you can almost imagine the crowds cheering as the races took place. The Obelisk standing in the middle is massive, and honestly, I still can’t imagine how on earth they managed to get it all the way from Egypt back then.

But the real magic of exploring Istanbul with a private guide was in the hidden gems only locals know about.

Kate in a peach hijab and beige coat stands gracefully in front of an ornate mihrab adorned with intricate blue and white Iznik tiles and Arabic calligraphy, inside a historic mosque in Istanbul.

Kate's husband sits at an outdoor table in a courtyard in Istanbul, as an elderly local man in a vest and checkered shirt serves traditional Turkish tea, with plates of pastries, cheese, and olives in front of him and a family in the background.

We visited the oldest mosque in the city, where the keeper invited us into his home to feast and celebrate the end of Ramadan with his family. It was such an intimate and authentic experience. Definitely one of our favorite moments of the trip.

Our guide also gave us a glimpse of local life by taking us to small neighborhood markets and a local hookah bar, where we got to relax and soak in the atmosphere alongside Istanbulites.

We truly can’t recommend hiring a local guide enough!

Time required for full tour: 4-7 hours

➡️ Click Here To Book Your Private Guided Tour!

The bustling Galata Bridge in Istanbul, filled with pedestrians and fishermen on the upper level, while crowds explore the waterfront restaurants and shops below, with the historic Galata Tower visible in the background under a bright blue sky.

A lively street in Istanbul filled with people walking among colorful buildings, cafés, and market stalls, leading up to the iconic Galata Tower standing tall against a clear blue sky.

A smiling Kate in a denim jacket and white pants walks along a cobblestone street in Istanbul, with the colorful buildings of Beyoğlu and the iconic Galata Tower rising in the background amid bustling crowds.

Afternoon

After the tour, head over to the Galata District for the afternoon.

Cross the Galata Bridge, take in the views, and watch the local fishermen casting their lines. Then, make your way to the iconic Galata Tower.

The tower has an incredible 360-degree view of the city from its upper balcony, but we skipped going up because the line was insanely long, and I thought the entry fee was quite steep.

But you can still get some fun pictures with it from down the street in front of the tower. It gets pretty crowded right below, so just walk a little further down for a better shot.

This is definitely one of the trendiest areas in Istanbul, filled with funky bars, cozy cafés, and cool little shops. It’s a great spot to wander, grab a drink, and soak up the neighborhood’s unique vibe.

Opening Hours: 9 am to 6.30 pm daily
Entrance Fee: 650TL ($18 USD).
Time Required: 1-2 hours

in a beige coat and white pants, holds a glass of red wine while standing in a Turkish carpet shop surrounded by stacks of intricately woven rugs in rich colors and patterns.

A smiling Kate and her husband hold up a beautifully patterned Turkish rug outside a carpet shop in Istanbul, with intricate geometric designs and vibrant colors.

Then, wander down to Istiklal Street, one of the liveliest shopping streets in Istanbul, all the way to Taksim Square.

This area is packed with street food stalls, lively shops where you can test your bartering skills, and street performers keeping the energy high.

We spent over an hour negotiating for a gorgeous handmade Turkish rug in one of the shops that we ended up buying as a wedding gift to ourselves.

Fun fact: We actually eloped in Cappadocia, Turkey, during this trip!

A street food vendor in Istanbul, wearing gloves and an apron, carefully prepares stuffed mussels (midye dolma) at his stall, surrounded by fresh mussels and lemons on a glass counter.

A street food vendor in Istanbul prepares kokoreç, a traditional Turkish dish made from seasoned lamb intestines, as large skewers of the delicacy roast over an open flame beside fresh red peppers on a wooden counter.

Evening

Finish your day by exploring the street food scene in the Galata district before heading back to your hotel.

You’ve got to try the stuffed mussels and lamb intestine sandwiches—yes, lamb intestine! Don’t knock it till you try it. The flavors are incredible, and it’s such a fun way to explore Istanbul’s flavors.

A group of smiling people on a food tour, gathers around a table at an outdoor café in Istanbul, enjoying a traditional Turkish breakfast, with a lively street scene in the background.

Day Two: Food Tour + Grand Bazaar + Spice Bazaar

Day two in Istanbul is all about eating your way through the city and exploring its famous markets. From tasting incredible dishes on both continents to getting lost in the Grand Bazaar, it’s going to be a fun and delicious day!

Kate, with long blonde hair, walks through a bustling spice market in Istanbul, surrounded by stalls filled with dried fruits, nuts, and hanging spices, as shoppers browse the vibrant marketplace.

Kate, in a black dress and beige cardigan, sips on a glass of red pickle juice inside a shop, surrounded by jars of spices, oils, and traditional products, with a bustling market visible through the window behind her.

A man and woman stand in front of a kokoreç street food stall in Istanbul, chatting with the vendor as skewers of the traditional grilled dish roast behind him, under a sign reading "Reks Kokoreç."