Qurayo

3 days · 27 stops

Istanbul in 3 days

Three days in Istanbul with a relaxed arrival in Karaköy and Galata, a day full of history in Sultanahmet and a final day on the Asian side in Kadıköy with its market and food.

Pace
Balanced
Budget
Mid-range
Season
May

Day 1 · Istanbul

Arrival, Galata and the Bosphorus

Arrival in Istanbul, check-in in Galata and a relaxed afternoon around the Galata Tower and Istiklal Caddesi. In the evening, enjoy meze and fish in a meyhane in Karaköy.

  1. 11:00

    12:00

    Travel & transfer: Arrival at Istanbul Airport

    Flughafen Istanbul (IST)

  2. 1 h by taxi

  3. 13:00

    14:15

    Travel & transfer: Transfer from the airport to Galata

    The journey to Galata takes around 60 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. For two people, a pre-booked transfer or a taxi is worthwhile.

    Richmond Istanbulapprox. 900–1,600 TRY pp

  4. 5 min on foot

  5. 14:20

    14:50

    Stay: Luggage storage at the Richmond Istanbul

    Richmond Istanbul

  6. 12 min on foot

  7. 15:02

    16:17

    Lunch: Late lunch at Datlı Maya

    Datlı Mayaapprox. 350–600 TRY pp

  8. 12 min on foot

  9. 16:29

    17:59

    Sightseeing: Views from the Galata Tower

    Galataturmapprox. 1,000–1,500 TRY pp

    Come earlier in the day or book a time slot in advance; the queue can take over an hour.

  10. 10 min on foot

  11. 18:09

    18:54

    Café: Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz

    A tiny coffee house in a side street off Istiklal with especially thick Turkish coffee. A good break after the tower.

    Mandabatmazapprox. 100–200 TRY pp

  12. 3 min on foot

  13. 18:57

    20:12

    Sightseeing: Stroll along Istiklal Caddesi

    Wander past Art Nouveau façades, the Çiçek Pasajı and the historic Tünel funicular. Look for bookshops and antiques in the side streets.

    Istiklal Caddesi

  14. 15 min on foot

  15. 20:27

    22:27

    Dinner: Meze evening at Karaköy Lokantası

    Karaköy Lokantasıapprox. 900–1,500 TRY pp

  16. 8 min on foot

  17. 22:35

    23:20

    Drinks: Nightcap at the Kamondo Stairs

    Kamondo Merdivenleriapprox. 250–500 TRY pp

Day 2 · Istanbul

Imperial Istanbul in Sultanahmet

A day in imperial Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Spice Bazaar and the Süleymaniye Mosque, plus local favourite spots for food and tea.

  1. 08:30

    09:30

    Breakfast: Breakfast at Hafız Mustafa 1864

    Hafız Mustafa 1864approx. 350–600 TRY pp

  2. 15 min on foot

  3. 09:45

    11:30

    Sightseeing: Visit Hagia Sophia

    The former Byzantine cathedral with its enormous dome is the heart of your history tour. Allow time for the mosaics and the gallery.

    Hagia Sophiaapprox. 0–1,500 TRY pp

    Come early in the morning and check the current entry rules and tickets for the upper floor in advance.

  4. 5 min on foot

  5. 11:45

    12:30

    Sightseeing: Explore the Basilica Cistern

    An underground Byzantine water reservoir with hundreds of columns and the famous Medusa heads, pleasantly cool and only a few steps away.

    Basilikazisterneapprox. 900–1,300 TRY pp

  6. 15 min by public transport

  7. 12:45

    14:00

    Lunch: Kebab lunch at Hamdi Restaurant

    Hamdi Restaurantapprox. 700–1,200 TRY pp

  8. 20 min on foot

  9. 14:20

    16:50

    Sightseeing: Topkapı Palace and Harem

    The residence of the Ottoman sultans with courtyards, treasury and views of the Bosphorus. The Harem is a highlight for architecture fans.

    Topkapı-Palastapprox. 1,500–2,200 TRY pp

    The Harem needs a separate ticket. Buy it right at the entrance or online in advance to avoid queues.

  10. 10 min on foot

  11. 17:00

    17:45

    Café: Tea at Mimar Sinan Çay Bahçesi

    A small tea garden on the edge of Gülhane and Sultanahmet, ideal for a çay and a break after the palace.

    Mimar Sinan Çay Bahçesiapprox. 80–200 TRY pp

  12. 15 min on foot

  13. 18:00

    18:45

    Shopping: Spice Bazaar in Eminönü

    The historic Egyptian Bazaar with spices, lokum and dried fruits. Perfect for souvenirs.

    Gewürzbasarapprox. 200–600 TRY pp

  14. 15 min on foot

  15. 19:00

    19:45

    Sightseeing: Süleymaniye Mosque in the evening light

    Mimar Sinan's masterpiece on the hill, with a terrace and wide views over the Golden Horn. The evening is quieter than the daytime.

    Süleymaniye-Moschee

  16. 25 min by public transport

  17. 20:10

    21:40

    Dinner: Ottoman cuisine at Hacı Abdullah

    A lokanta open since 1888 with classic Ottoman dishes such as Hünkar Beğendi. It is on the way back to Galata. Alternatively: Develi.

    Hacı Abdullah Lokantasıapprox. 900–1,500 TRY pp

Day 3 · Istanbul

Kadıköy, local food and departure

Last day on the Asian side: ferry to Kadıköy, market and Çiya Sofrası, Moda promenade, then departure for IST airport.

  1. 08:00

    08:45

    Breakfast: Breakfast at the Richmond Istanbul

    Have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel and check out; your luggage stays at the reception.

    Richmond Istanbul

  2. 25 min by ferry

  3. 09:10

    10:00

    Travel & transfer: By ferry to Kadıköy

    From Karaköy by tram and a short walk to Eminönü, then a ferry across the Bosphorus with views of the Old City.

    Eminönü Fähranlegerapprox. 30–60 TRY pp

  4. 10 min on foot

  5. 10:15

    11:30

    Sightseeing: Stroll through the Kadıköy market

    Streets full of fishmongers, cheese stalls, olives and spices. Perfect for tasting and browsing.

    Kadıköy Marktapprox. 100–250 TRY pp

  6. 8 min on foot

  7. 11:45

    13:15

    Lunch: Lunch at Çiya Sofrası

    Anatolian regional cuisine with dishes that change daily, ideal for food lovers. Backup: Çiya Kebap directly opposite.

    Çiya Sofrasıapprox. 500–900 TRY pp

    Try the seasonal starters from the buffet and ask about the dish of the day.

  8. 7 min on foot

  9. 13:30

    14:15

    Café: Turkish coffee at Fazıl Bey

    A traditional coffee house in Kadıköy serving coffee brewed in sand, a calm stop after the meal.

    Fazıl Bey'in Türk Kahvesiapprox. 80–150 TRY pp

  10. 15 min on foot

  11. 14:30

    16:00

    Sightseeing: Walk through Moda to the coast

    Through the quiet streets of Moda to Moda Park and the waterfront promenade with views of the Sea of Marmara.

    Moda-Promenade

  12. 8 min on foot

  13. 16:08

    16:53

    Café: Ice cream at Moda Dondurmacısı

    Long-established ice cream parlour in Moda, with a farewell scoop of salep or pistachio.

    Moda Dondurmacısıapprox. 60–120 TRY pp

  14. 45 min by ferry

  15. 17:38

    18:38

    Travel & transfer: Back to the hotel, collect luggage

    Take the ferry from Kadıköy to Karaköy and walk a short way to the hotel, where you collect your luggage.

    Richmond Istanbulapprox. 30–60 TRY pp

  16. 15 min by taxi

  17. 18:53

    Travel & transfer: Transfer to IST Airport

    Take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer to the airport, leaving a generous buffer for your departure.

    Flughafen Istanbul (IST)approx. 1,000–1,800 TRY pp

    Book the transfer in advance, as traffic can be heavy on Saturday evening.

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FAQ

How many days do you need for Istanbul?

Three days are enough for the Old City, Beyoğlu and a Bosphorus cruise. With four days you have time for Kadıköy or other neighbourhoods.

Which neighbourhood is best to stay in?

Sultanahmet is closest to the main sights. Beyoğlu and Karaköy offer more restaurants and nightlife.

Is Istanbul expensive?

For travellers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, food and public transport are mostly cheap. Hotels in good locations and entry fees can be higher depending on the season.

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