Istanbul is one of the world’s great historical cities. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it’s the only country in the world to straddle two continents. Its strategic location between these two continents has been a significant factor in the city’s rich and often complex history. From the days of the Crusades, when the city was known as Constantinople, to its heyday as the capital of the mighty Ottoman Empire, there is so much history to discover.
Istanbul’s fantastic history is reflected in its vast array of buildings, entrancing museums, and even within the culture and identity of the city’s residents. However, Istanbul is more than just a city of the past. Turkey and Istanbul have emerged as significant political and economic powerhouses over the past 20 years, ensuring a modern skyline and all the amenities of a well-developed 21st-century city.
As a city easily accessible by air from Europe, Asia, and Africa, Istanbul is an excellent destination for a short break. Our guide to Istanbul focuses on a 3-day itinerary, which incorporates the very best attractions that the city has to offer. We believe this is the perfect amount of time to explore the city’s ancient past and revel in its modern status as one of the world’s most beguiling destinations.
You’ll start your trip to Istanbul in the best-known neighborhood for visitors, Sultanahmet. It’s well known due to its proximity to 5 of Istanbul’s standout attractions. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern all lay in wait for you on day one.
The most famous building in Istanbul and almost 1,500 years old, the Hagia Sophia is one of the world’s greatest buildings. Originally built as a church by the Roman Emperor, Justinian I, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 following the fall of Constantinople. For nearly 500 years, it was used as a mosque before it was reclassified as a museum in 1935. The entirety of the building is now accessible for you to explore. Such is the size and splendor of the building, you should allow at least a few hours to take in the experience.
A very short walk from the Hagia Sophia and through Sultanahmet Park is the Blue Mosque. Built at the start of the seventeenth century, the architect set out with the ambition and vision to build a mosque to surpass even the Hagia Sophia in its splendor. The result of his endeavors is a building of incredible beauty and architectural merit. The mosque is free to enter and accessible to all outside prayer times. The Blue Mosque ranks with the Hagia Sophia at the top of your list of must-see sights on your visit to Istanbul.
After an intensive morning sightseeing, you should grab some lunch. There’s no shortage of options for lunch in and around the Sultanahmet area or the area around the Grand Bazaar, which is the first stop of the afternoon.
A relatively short 15-minute walk from the treasures of Sultanahmet is the Grand Bazaar. If it’s the peak of summer or if humidity is unbearably high, you might prefer to jump on one of the regular trams that run from Kabatas. Beyazit is the tram stop closest to the Grand Bazaar.
The Grand Bazaar dates back hundreds of years and has grown from a few small market stalls to an enormous covered building with its own mini-economy. The number of market stalls is now in the thousands, and they sell everything from carpets to Turkish Delight, spices, and souvenirs. While the Grand Bazaar is undoubtedly very ‘touristy’, there is also a significant amount of trade undertaken by locals. Therefore, try to ensure you pick the stalls to shop in with care. As with any market or souk, the rules are to haggle hard, maintain a smile, and walkaway if the price isn’t right. This is often much easier said than done!
After exiting the Grand Bazaar, you can walk or take the tram back to Sultanahmet. The first of the afternoon’s two remaining sights is the fascinating and splendid Basilica Cistern. Built in 532 AD by Emperor Justinian I (of Hagia Sofia fame), the cistern was created to provide water for the Great Palace. This ancient water store is an underappreciated attraction in Istanbul. Built beneath the ground, the cistern measures an impressive 70 meters by 140 meters and provides a welcome break from the summer heat in Istanbul. For a building with such a functional nature, the cisterns are surprisingly attractive, and aided by some subtle lighting, they provide a very atmospheric experience. Be sure to look out for the upside-down Medusa heads in several mighty pillars.
It’s a relatively short 10-minute walk from the Basilica Cistern to the Topkapi Palace. Built during the 15th century, the Topkapi Palace was the primary residence for the Ottoman Sultans until the nineteenth century. Renowned for its luxury and many tales of indecency and intrigue, this is a fascinating and somewhat disturbing attraction. Designated as a museum in the early twentieth century, this sprawling building is open to explore. Highlights include four different courts, the treasury, and the harem. Note entry to the harem is via a separate ticket, but it is well worth the additional cost. You should allow at least a few hours for a visit to the Topkapi Palace to learn all of its secrets.
After an intense day of history and sightseeing, you’ll be making your way down to the water at Eminonu Square for dinner. It’s a 20-minute downhill walk from Sultanahmet or a short tram ride. Eminonu Square is an attractive location, overlooked by the impressive Yeni Mosque, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Galata Bridge. It’s a popular spot for tourists and locals to congregate, and there are many street vendors offering different snacks and food. Undoubtedly, the best option is the local delicacy, Balik Ekmek, a locally caught fish sandwich. Grilled fish, onions, and salad on baked white bread make for a delicious and cheap evening meal.
After the exertions of the first day, your second day will be a bit more relaxing, taking in the sights of central Istanbul. You’ll start the morning with a visit to the beautiful Dolmabahce Palace on the waters of the Bosphorus.
Sultan Abdul Mecit commissioned the Dolmabahce Palace in the nineteenth century. It was the successor to the Topkapi Palace and reflected a desire for the Ottoman Empire and Sultans to keep pace with the great palaces of Western Europe. Finally completed in 1856, this extravagant and over-the-top palace was the primary residence of Sultans and later Ataturk. The Dolmabahce Palace was also the site of Ataturk’s death in 1938. All the clocks in the building have been set to 9.05 a.m., the time when he passed away. It’s well worth spending a few hours exploring the palace and seeing the different rooms and areas.
Your next destination is Yildiz Park, a swift 15-minute walk east of the Dolmabahce Palace. One of the largest parks in Istanbul, it is often referred to as a leafy oasis in the city. Largely off most tourists’ radars, this beautiful park is a great place to stroll or relax for a few hours. Formerly the grounds of the nearby Ciragan Palace, there’s a lake, several pavilions, and even a museum to explore.
If you exit Yildiz Park on the southeastern corner, you’ll come out into the area of Ortakoy. There are some excellent spots for lunch here, and there are views of the Asian side of Istanbul and the towering Bosphorus Bridge. It’s also worth taking some time out to explore the district.
After lunch, take a taxi down to the area of Karakoy, several kilometers to the west of Ortakoy along the coastline. From here, you’ll start walking up the hill towards the Galata Tower. Once you reach the cobbled streets, you’ll know you’re getting close to the tower. The Galata Tower was built in 1348 and was initially designed to operate as a lighthouse before later being used as a dungeon and a fire spotting tower. The medieval stone tower is a distinctive part of the Istanbul skyline and provides spectacular views across the city, particularly over Sultanahmet. Visiting any time is well worth the entrance fee, but sunset is a particularly evocative time.
From the Galata Tower, it’s just a short walk to the bottom of Istikal Caddesi, the main retail throughway in Istanbul. Istikal Caddesi is a bustling street with all manner of shops and eateries along its length. A tram line runs through the center of the street, running up the hill to Taksim Square. There are numerous lanes and backstreets off of Istikal Caddesi, leading to small neighborhoods, secret rooftop bars, and boutique stores. One neighborhood worth exploring in particular is the French Quarter. You can easily spend a few hours exploring modern Istanbul and discovering further snippets of its glorious past.
At the summit of the hill is Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul. It’s a bustling and energetic location, full of youth and, occasionally, protestors. After ascending the length of Istikal Caddesi, you’ll need a few drinks and a spot of dinner, and you’re in the right place for it. There are too many fine eateries and watering holes in and around Taksim to list, but there is something for every budget. Taksim is also the right place for your evening’s entertainment. Whether it’s a trendy bar, live music, or a quiet game of backgammon (called Tavla in Turkish), Taksim has many choices.
Your last day in Istanbul will see you explore some sights away from the main center.
You’ll start the morning of your final day in Istanbul by taking a Bosphorus Cruise. Departing from Eminonu, cruises typically last several hours and take in several sights. On leaving Eminonu, the boat will typically pass the neighborhoods of Karakoy, Tophane, and Kabatas before passing the waterside palaces of Dolmabahce and Ciragan. The cruise then heads north under the imposing Bosphorus Bridge, taking in Anadolu Fortress on the Asian side and Rumeli Fortress on the European side. Most cruises turn around at this point and make the return journey. Longer cruises that continue to the Black Sea are available, and the return journey typically takes about 6 hours.
On your return to Eminonu, take the eastbound tram across the Galata Bridge to Kabatas station. At Kabatas, there is a pier for the nine islands that make up the Princess Islands. Ferries take around 40 minutes to get to the islands and typically call at Kinaliada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, and Buyukada. The appeal of the islands is clear: they are an escape from the noise, traffic, and pollution of Istanbul. No cars are on any of the islands, meaning transport is by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. There’s a lot of history wrapped up in the islands as they were often used as a location for exiling unwanted prominent figures. The islands of Buyukada and Heybeliada are the best to visit, with some pretty buildings as well as beaches and pleasant restaurants. Lunch and a relaxed afternoon exploring are a perfect way to spend your final afternoon in Istanbul.
For your final evening in Istanbul, there is only one way to spend it: relaxing in a Turkish hammam. A type of steam bath and based on the idea of the Roman spa, they are often located in ornate and beautiful buildings. As you would expect in Istanbul, there’s no shortage of first-class offerings. The Selimiye Hammam is one of the top-rated hammams in Istanbul. It is located in the Harem district on the Asian side of Istanbul and is within walking distance from the ferry terminal, which connects with Eminonu on the European side.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our Istanbul weekend trip guide. Why not try some of our other guides for the Turkey or perhaps other long weekend destinations?
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