June 15, 2026 · 1 dk okuma
Three Days in Istanbul: The Itinerary I Give My Friends
Seventy-two hours, two continents, one unforgettable city. Here is exactly how I'd spend three days in Istanbul — museums, markets, ferries and food.
Every month a friend of a friend lands in Istanbul and asks me the same question: "I only have three days — what do I do?" This is the answer I send them.
Day 1 — Sultanahmet, the open-air museum
Start early at Hagia Sophia before the queues build, then cross the square to the Blue Mosque. After lunch, descend into the cool silence of the Basilica Cistern and finish in the Grand Bazaar — get lost on purpose, it's the only way to see it properly.
Day 2 — The Bosphorus and the Asian side
Take the morning ferry from Eminönü, watch the palaces slide by, and get off in Kadıköy for the best food market in the city. Çamlıca Hill at sunset gives you both continents in a single view.
Day 3 — Local Istanbul
Balat's painted houses, coffee in Karaköy, and an evening hamam. Leave the checklist at the hotel today.
Want this itinerary tailored to you? That's exactly what I do. Get in touch and we'll build your perfect three days.