There are few cities in the world quite like Istanbul.
Straddling Europe and Asia on either side of the Bosphorus, this extraordinary city has been known through the centuries as Byzantium and Constantinople and has served as the capital of great empires. Today, it is a fascinating mix of ancient mosques, Ottoman palaces, colourful bazaars, rooftop restaurants and bustling neighbourhoods.
I had long been intrigued by Istanbul, so when my good friend Lorna Willis Edwards returned from a short break in the city and offered to share her experiences, I was only too pleased to hear all about it.
She had just 72 hours in Istanbul, but as she discovered, that is enough time to experience many of the city’s highlights – although perhaps not enough to stop you wanting to return.
Here is how to make the most of three days in Istanbul.
Arriving in Istanbul
The first thing that strikes you about Istanbul is its sheer size. This is not a compact European city break where everything sits conveniently around one central square. Istanbul sprawls across two continents, divided by the Bosphorus and connected by bridges, ferries and an extensive public transport network.
That makes choosing where you stay particularly important.
For a first visit, Sultanahmet is hard to beat. This is the historic heart of Istanbul and puts you within walking distance of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern.
Alternatively, Beyoğlu, on the other side of the Golden Horn, provides a livelier base with easy access to Galata, İstiklal Avenue, restaurants, bars and rooftop terraces.
🇹🇷 Istanbul Tip: Don’t try to see the entire city in three days. Concentrate on a couple of areas each day and allow time simply to wander. Istanbul is a city where some of the most memorable experiences happen between the major attractions.
First Evening – Cruise the Bosphorus
One of the best introductions to Istanbul is from the water.
On our first evening we took a sunset cruise along the Bosphorus, and it proved to be a wonderful way to get our bearings.
From the water you begin to appreciate Istanbul’s remarkable geography, with Europe on one side and Asia on the other. Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions, mosques and modern buildings line the shores while ferries constantly criss-cross the strait.
As the sun begins to disappear, the skyline takes on an entirely different character, with the silhouettes of domes, minarets and bridges creating one of those classic Istanbul views.
If you have only 72 hours in the city, I think a Bosphorus cruise is a great way to start.
Day One – The Historic Heart of Sultanahmet
For the first full day, stay in Sultanahmet where several of Istanbul’s most important sights are within easy walking distance of one another.
Hagia Sophia
Few buildings tell the story of Istanbul quite like Hagia Sophia.
Originally constructed as a Byzantine cathedral in the sixth century, it later became a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, then a museum in the 20th century before once again becoming a working mosque.
Whatever your interest in history, architecture or religion, it is an extraordinary building and one of the city’s essential sights.
As Hagia Sophia remains an active place of worship, visitors should check the latest arrangements before travelling and dress appropriately.
The Blue Mosque
Directly opposite Hagia Sophia stands another of Istanbul’s great landmarks – the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque.
Its six minarets dominate the Sultanahmet skyline, while the mosque takes its popular name from the thousands of blue İznik tiles decorating the interior.
Entry arrangements can be affected by prayer times, so build a little flexibility into your day.
Visiting Mosques: Remember that these are active places of worship rather than simply tourist attractions. Dress respectfully, follow instructions at the entrance and be prepared for visitor access to pause during prayers.
Basilica Cistern
One of Istanbul’s most atmospheric attractions lies beneath the streets.
The Basilica Cistern was constructed during the Byzantine era to store water for the city. Today its forest of columns, reflections and subdued lighting create an almost mysterious atmosphere.
Look out for the famous Medusa heads supporting two of the columns.
The cistern has undergone extensive restoration since our original visit, making this one attraction I would certainly include in a modern Istanbul itinerary.
Topkapı Palace
Allow plenty of time for Topkapı Palace, once the administrative centre and royal residence of the Ottoman sultans.
The palace complex contains courtyards, ornate rooms, collections of imperial treasures and spectacular views across the Bosphorus.
The Harem is also well worth seeing if time allows, providing another fascinating glimpse into life within the Ottoman court.
After a full day exploring Sultanahmet, find a rooftop terrace, order something cold and enjoy the Istanbul skyline.
You will have earned it.
Day Two – Taksim, İstiklal Avenue and Galata
Our second day showed us a completely different side of Istanbul.
Take the funicular towards Taksim Square and then walk down İstiklal Avenue, one of the city’s best-known streets.
This lively pedestrian thoroughfare is lined with shops, cafés, restaurants and historic buildings, with Istanbul’s famous red heritage trams rattling through the crowds.
Rather than rushing straight down the main street, explore some of the side streets and passages along the way. This is where Istanbul starts to reveal some of its character beyond the headline attractions.
Eventually you will reach Galata.
Galata Tower
Rising above the surrounding streets, Galata Tower is one of Istanbul’s most recognisable landmarks.
The medieval stone tower dates from the Genoese period and today operates as a museum, with its elevated position providing tremendous panoramic views across the city.
Even if you don’t go inside, the surrounding Galata neighbourhood is enjoyable to explore with its steep streets, cafés, independent shops and restaurants.
From here continue downhill towards Karaköy, another lively area packed with cafés and places to eat.
You can then cross Galata Bridge on foot towards the historic peninsula.
Pause along the way and you’ll almost certainly see fishermen lining the bridge, their rods stretching out over the Golden Horn while ferries constantly manoeuvre below.
It is one of those wonderfully everyday Istanbul scenes.
Day Three – Istanbul’s Bazaars
Save some time on your final day for Istanbul’s markets.
Start with the Spice Bazaar, where colourful displays of spices, teas, nuts, dried fruit and Turkish delight provide a feast for the senses.
Then continue towards the enormous Grand Bazaar.
Calling it a shopping centre doesn’t really do it justice. This is a maze of covered streets and thousands of shops selling everything from carpets and jewellery to ceramics, leather goods, lamps and souvenirs.
Getting slightly lost is almost part of the experience.
Don’t be afraid to haggle where appropriate, but enjoy the conversation rather than treating every purchase as a battle to secure the lowest possible price.
And if you enjoy Turkish delight or baklava, resistance is probably futile.
🛍️ Bazaar Tip: Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. The Grand Bazaar is enormous and much more enjoyable when you’re wandering rather than watching the clock.
What to Eat in Istanbul
Food should be a major part of any visit to Istanbul.
Kebabs are only the beginning.
We loved gözleme, thin flatbreads cooked on a hot plate and filled with ingredients such as spinach, cheese or meat.
Fresh fish is another Istanbul staple, particularly around the Bosphorus and Golden Horn. The restaurants around Galata Bridge can be touristy, but the setting is entertaining, with ferries coming and going and fishermen casting their lines from the bridge above.
Then there are the sweet treats.
Baklava and Turkish delight are everywhere, while a glass of traditional Turkish tea is almost impossible to avoid – and why would you want to?
Turkish coffee is another experience altogether: small, strong and definitely not something you drink right to the bottom!
☕ Food Tip: Don’t restrict yourself to restaurants. Bakeries, markets, street-food stalls and small neighbourhood cafés are all part of the Istanbul experience.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
We stayed in Sultanahmet, which I think remains an excellent choice for a first visit.
Our hotel was Hagia Sofia Mansions, a collection of historic buildings close to Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace.
The location meant many of the major sights were right on our doorstep, while the Ottoman-style surroundings added to the sense of being in the historic heart of the city.
For travellers who prefer nightlife, restaurants and a more contemporary atmosphere, Beyoğlu is another excellent option.
Areas around Beşiktaş and Ortaköy provide yet another perspective, particularly if you enjoy being close to the Bosphorus.
And then, of course, there is the Asian side of Istanbul – something that might just have to wait until the next trip.
Getting Around Istanbul
Istanbul’s traffic can be extremely busy, so taxis are not always the quickest way to travel.
Fortunately, the city has an extensive network of trams, metro lines, funiculars and ferries.
An Istanbulkart can be used across much of the public transport network and is particularly useful if you plan to make several journeys during your stay.
For shorter distances, walking is often the best option. Sultanahmet, Galata, Karaköy and parts of Beyoğlu are particularly rewarding on foot, although be prepared for some steep streets around Galata.
And don’t overlook Istanbul’s ferries.
They are not simply a tourist attraction but part of everyday life in the city and provide one of the most enjoyable ways to cross between Europe and Asia.
⛴️ Getting Around Tip: For a first visit, combine walking with trams and ferries rather than relying entirely on taxis. You’ll see far more of the city along the way.
Is 72 Hours in Istanbul Enough?
Yes – but only just. Three days gives you enough time to experience many of Istanbul’s greatest sights, cruise the Bosphorus, wander through its bazaars, sample the food and explore several different neighbourhoods.
What it won’t do is allow you to see everything. We left wanting to explore more of the Asian side, spend longer along the Bosphorus and discover more of the neighbourhoods away from the main tourist trail.
And perhaps that is exactly how a great city break should end. Istanbul is exciting, chaotic, historic, colourful and at times completely overwhelming. But it is certainly never boring.
After 72 hours, there was only one real conclusion. We needed to come back.
About This Istanbul Experience
A big thank you to my good friend Lorna Willis Edwards, who originally shared the experiences and photographs from her 72 hours in Istanbul for Just One For The Road.
Her trip provided the inspiration for this guide, which has since been updated to provide more useful information for anyone planning their own Istanbul city break.
