This plan keeps each day in one area, so you spend your time sightseeing rather than in Istanbul’s traffic. It assumes you stay in or near Sultanahmet or Karaköy and use an Istanbulkart for the tram and ferries.
Day 1: Sultanahmet highlights
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Hagia Sophia at opening (€25 for the upper gallery), then the Blue Mosque. Check the prayer times first. |
| Midday | The Hippodrome, then lunch. Try köfte at a classic Sultanahmet köfteci. |
| Afternoon | The Basilica Cistern (30–40 min), then the Istanbul Archaeology Museums or a hammam. |
| Evening | Sunset from a rooftop terrace in Sultanahmet, or the Basilica Cistern evening session. |
Day 2: The palace and the bazaars
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Topkapı Palace with the Harem, about 3 hours (closed Tuesdays). See our Topkapı guide. |
| Afternoon | The Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays), then walk uphill to the Süleymaniye Mosque. |
| Late afternoon | Head down through the old shopping streets to the Spice Bazaar and Eminönü. |
| Evening | Walk across the Galata Bridge at sunset and have dinner in Karaköy. |
Day 3: Galata, the Bosphorus and the Asian side
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Open Galata Tower to beat the queue, then walk İstiklal Avenue to Taksim. |
| Midday | Take a Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü (the public line or the Şehir Hatları short tour). See ferry vs tours. |
| Afternoon | Ferry to Kadıköy for the market streets, coffee and dessert. |
| Evening | Meze and dinner at a Kadıköy meyhane, then ferry back under the lights. |
Day 4 (optional): Palaces and neighbourhoods
Visit Dolmabahçe Palace in the morning (closed Mondays), then the waterfront at Ortaköy. In the afternoon, explore the colourful streets of Balat and Fener on the Golden Horn.
Day 5 (optional): The Princes’ Islands
Take a ferry from Kabataş or Eminönü (about 1.5 hours) to Büyükada. It’s car-free, with wooden mansions, bike rides and seafood. It’s a nice break from the city in spring and autumn.
Itinerary tips
- Swap days 1 and 2 if day 2 falls on a Tuesday (Topkapı) or a Sunday (Grand Bazaar).
- Friday midday prayer closes mosques for the longest period of the week.
- Book skip-the-line tickets in high season (April–October).
- Pick a base from our where to stay in Istanbul guide.
More Istanbul guides
- Istanbul travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Istanbul
- Where to stay in Istanbul
- Hagia Sophia tickets and visiting rules
- Topkapı Palace tickets and the Museum Pass
- Bosphorus cruise: ferry vs tours
- Istanbul Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Istanbul
FAQ: Istanbul itinerary
Is 2 days enough in Istanbul?
It’s enough for Sultanahmet and a bazaar, which are days 1 and 2 above, but you’ll miss the Bosphorus and the Asian side. Three days is the minimum we recommend.
Which day is best for Topkapı Palace?
Any day except Tuesday, when it’s closed. Go at opening time, and on a weekday if you can.
Can I do Istanbul on a layover?
With 10 hours or more, yes. Take the M11 metro and tram to Sultanahmet (about 80 minutes each way) and see Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Allow 3 hours back at the airport for an international departure.
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