Nowadays, people are used to traveling to major cities for just a few days to check out the sights and attractions. There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul, but if you are planning to travel to the city for only three days, you may not be able to do much else. To make your visit to Istanbul more enjoyable, book a longer stay. You will be more likely to venture out and explore more of the city. This will also allow you to explore the city at your own pace and not feel rushed.
Turkey is a country with rich history and culture but, if you’re planning on spending a week or more in this part of the world, three days is definitely enough to take in all the sights.
Whether you’re planning to fly to Istanbul or journey there by train or bus, it will take approximately three days to see the main highlights of this remarkable city. This means that you will definitely need to get an early start! Fortunately, Istanbul is a very walkable city so it’s easy to take a break to explore on your own whenever you need a break.
Spend a day in the old city.
If you’re planning to spend three days in Istanbul, you’ll need to set aside time for traveling around the city. The easiest way to do this is by booking a hop-on hop-off bus tour and getting off at all of the major sights. This will allow you to see as much as possible without feeling rushed.
Be sure to visit the Blue Mosque.
If you have a short time in Istanbul, make sure to focus on the highlights. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. All of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are must-sees.
See the Hagia Sophia.
The Hagia Sophia is a great place to begin your trip to Istanbul, as it’s the city’s most famous attraction. It’s located right in the heart of the historic area, making it easy to explore the rest of the sites, and it’s also close to the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. So, if you’re planning to make a quick trip to Istanbul, it’s definitely worth adding the Hagia Sophia to your itinerary.
Wander through the Grand Bazaar.
Depending on how much time you have and whether you plan to explore other parts of Turkey, three days is plenty of time to visit the Grand Bazaar. Plus, the shops stay open late, so you can shop late into the evening. If you want to add on a few days to your trip, consider adding on a visit to the Hagia Sophia or some of Istanbul’s other sights.
Shop for antiques.
This is a great question! It really depends on what you want to do in Istanbul. If you plan to explore the city, consider adding three days to your trip. You may want to visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Süleymaniye Camii, each of which will take at least a few hours to see. If you’re more interested in shopping, you could also add another day to your trip to visit a bazaar or two.
Visit the Topkapi Palace.
The best way to see the highlights of Istanbul is to spend at least three days on your trip. You’ll need at least eight hours each on a day to visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, and at least five hours each on the remaining days. With more time, you can also enjoy the other sights, like the Basilica of Saint Sophia, the Archaeological Museum, and the Church of Agios Sophia.
Conclusion
If you are traveling to Istanbul for the first time, it is wise to plan on a 3-day visit. You will need several days to explore the sights and get to know the city, and three days is plenty of time to see the major attractions. While you can visit Istanbul in two days, you won’t be able to see everything you want to, and it will take much longer to experience the real Istanbul.