Unique Istanbul Itinerary: 4 Days
We had an amazing 4-day trip to Istanbul when traveling back to South Africa from Albania. This unique Istanbul itinerary includes the must-see sites and some local explorations. You can easily move some things around to do this trip in 3 days.
Wilhelm and I have both been to Istanbul before. I went with my family in 2008! It was a while ago yes, but the trip was memorable so we both didn’t feel the need to go into all the palaces and museums. Wilhelm went more recently in 2018. Interesting we both went in the winter around Christmas/NYE times.
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Can I really do everything?
YES!
As I look back and write about our itinerary, I literally don’t know how we fit everything into each day. This unique Istanbul itinerary may look hectic, but I promise it’s possible. We also walked around a lot, which meant that we opted for maybe a 50-minute walk instead of a 20-minute tram ride. I didn’t feel rushed while we were getting from place to place. If you start the day early and end late (and sleep when you get home), anything is possible!
However, please note that we did not visit all the sites that I have written out for you to visit! We had some lazy mornings but instead of staying in bed until 11am, we could have been out there doing all this…
How long should I stay in Istanbul?
I’ve been asked a couple of times if 2 days is enough to see all the sites in Istanbul and honestly the answer is no. You’ll probably have a little bit of fomo unless you have 3 days. Our trip was 3 full days and a half.
We were lucky that our flight out of Istanbul was at 1am so we had a full day. Depending on your flight schedule, you may just have half a day here and that’s okay too.
We did this trip at the end of a 20-day European adventure and so I was feeling dead tired.
Visiting the Historical Sites
People easily spend 7 days just visiting Istanbul and taking in all the historical sites, mosques, and museums. However, you can still have a full schedule just by visiting the sites and doing the the experiences that mean the most to you. Don’t feel bad if you can’t visit everything because there is literally too much to do.
If you do plan to visit more than three sites, I suggest you buy the Istanbul e-pass in advance. This is a combo ticket that includes the Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabache Palace, and so much more. Check on what you plan to do and then decide if it’s the right move for you. The 2-day pass is around 110 euros and the three-day pass is 160 euros per person. Sometimes the entrance ticket isn’t included in the pass but once you enter it comes with a guide (seem a little odd to me), so check the fine print to make sure the entrance to all you want to visit is also included.
The pass also includes some boat rides and your airport bus transfer. Be sure to read the fine print before deciding! Although some sites you can easily do on your own, the skip-the-line functionality can be worth it as well as having the option to go on a guided tour.
You can book directly here or you can book via viator and have the option to cancel closer to your travel date. If you’ve read my other guides, you know I love viator because I like having a reliable third party to be held accountable in case of any issues with local tours and to help with refunds.
2024 Update: The Hagia Sofia now has a €25 entrance fee (to help cut back on crowds that enter the mosque). Check out the new rules here.
Where to stay in Istanbul
Istanbul is HUGE!
Galata Tower
We stayed in the Galata neighborhood in a cute little Airbnb. We didn’t end up needing a kitchen at all.
Galata was close to the neighborhoods that we wanted to visit and had a great evening atmosphere around the Galata Tower. I loved taking walks by the Galata Tower at night. In the summer, shops are open until 11pm or later and there are tons of bars and restaurants.
Galata is closest to the Karaköy train station. It takes 3 stops and about an hour from the Istanbul Airport to get here.
Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is the heart of Istanbul’s historic district, and many of the city’s most famous landmarks are within walking distance. On Days 1 and 2, staying in Sultanahmet will cut down your morning commute to the mosques and museums but you really can stay anywhere.
Luggage Storage
If you are arriving earlier than your check-in time or need a place to store luggage after checking out from an Airbnb, check out Bounce storage at Taksim Square.
Unique Istanbul Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Dinner
Take the train, bus, or taxi from the airport to your accommodation.
We had a fantastic late lunch/early dinner at Arada Beyrut, a Lebanese restaurant that was right next to our Airbnb. There are four locations around the city and all look amazing.
Take a walk around Galata in the evening. I LOVED the vibe each night.
Instead of going to the bar, you can also take a walk around Taksim Square which is a busy nightlife, shopping, and dining area. There is a vintage tram that goes up and down Istiklal Caddesi, the city’s main pedestrian boulevard.
Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Mosques, Hamam Experience, and Bazaars
Morning
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your accommodation or a local cafe. Getting a quick smit or Burek is the way to live like a local in Istanbul. We had coffee at Mundo Novo. I suggest getting a Turkish coffee or espresso because the americano was super watery. But the vibe is very cute.
Topkapi Palace Museum
Then, make your way to the Topkapi Palace Museum as soon as it opens at 9am. Buy your tickets in advance for the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Blue Mosque. This will help you avoid the long lines. Most visitors spend 2-3 hours inside the museum. The place is the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Be sure to visit the Harem section, the Imperial Treasury, and the beautiful gardens.
Blue Mosque
Nearby visit the Blue Mosque, known for its stunning blue tiles. The mosque is open every day but is closed to visitors at prayer time. Women should wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. You may be able to borrow a robe to put on over your outfit if necessary.
Make a stop at the Hippodrome of Constantinople where you can see remnants of the ancient Hippodrome, including the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column.
Basilica Cistern
If you’ve got time, stop to see the Basilica Cistern. Skip the line and go on this quick tour to make the most of your time.
Afternoon
Get lunch at a nearby restaurant or cafe. There are plenty of options around Sultanahmet. You can also stop by the Arasta Bazaar.
As we went to the Süleymaniye Hamam, we had lunch at a small, local spot Özen Lokanta, just down the road from the hamam. The food was excellent.
Option 1: Süleymaniye Hamam
Then, visit the Süleymaniye Hamam for a couples experience. It’s the only hamam in Istanbul that will take couples together and I loved our experience; it’s something small to fit into your day that will make this unique Istanbul itinerary different.
Read the full guide to know what to expect.
Option 2: Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern
This area is also home to the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. If you’re not interested in going to a hamam, then skip that and continue to explore the historical sites after lunch.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Next, enter the Süleymaniye Mosque. The views from here are really spectacular. The mosque itself will just take 10 minutes to see. Süleymaniye Mosque is one of Istanbul’s largest and most beautiful mosques.
Vefa Bozacisi
Stop to get some of the famous Boza at Vefa Bozacisi. This custard-like drink is a Turkish specialty. Back in the day, Boza sellers used to walk the streets. Now, you can find it here or perhaps in another restaurant or grocery store. Turkey’s founder, Ataturk also drank here back in the day and his cup is framed in the shop.
Walk across the street to get some roasted chickpeas, which should be sprinkled on the boza. It’s an odd but amazing combination!
Market time
The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are located near the Süleymaniye Mosque. Out of the two, the Grand Bazaar has more stalls and sections. The Spice Bazaar is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. It’s worth walking through both of them!
I really liked the antique section of the Grand Bazaar. The whole thing is a maze though- it’s one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Here, you can shop for souvenirs, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, and more. Go with the intention to get lost and explore!
Dinner
After a full day of exploration, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, where you can savor traditional Turkish cuisine. There are so many restaurant options in Istanbul that you shouldn’t need to go too much out of your way during your unique Istanbul itinerary to find great food. Check what’s around you at the time using Google Maps or check the vibe as you walk around.
You can also Head back to Galata Tower and go to Snog Bar, which also has great cocktails for sunset!
We overlapped in Istanbul two nights with our friends from Joburg!
If you’ve got the energy, walk along the Bosphorus to admire the cityscape after dinner on your way back to your accommodation.
Day 3: Explore Quirky Istanbul + Boat Tour
Morning
Option 1: Istanbul Modern Art Museum + Museum of Innocence
I love modern art museums so instead of exploring a palace, we stopped at the modern art museum. The building looks larger than it is. It should just take 1.5 hours max to explore the museum. The rooftop is great for pictures too.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
You can also skip the museum if it isn’t your vibe. However, it’s worth it to walk around the art museum to the Galata Port Istanbul.
The Museum of Innocence is a literal museum that accompanies Nobel Prize for Literature winner Orhan Pamuk book of the same name. Pamuk is the author of one of my favorite books, A Strangeness in My Mind. When we were planning our unique Istanbul itinerary, my friend, who is also an Orhan Pamuk fan, told me about his book The Museum of Innocence.
The book is a love story gone wrong taking place against the backdrop of a changing Istanbul. The book is written as if you are in the museum, and the narrator often describes what you will see on the shelves. The Museum of Innocence is such a unique concept for a museum. It hosts several relics of typical life from a bygone era of Istanbul.
Pamuk’s first drafts are also shown on the top floor. He still writes everything by hand!
Option 2: Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern
Wake up early and beat the crowds! Make your way back to the Sultanahmet area after breakfast to visit the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.
Turkish Coffee
Stop for a traditional Turkish coffee. It turned out to be easier said than done. Though everyone sells Turkish coffee, if you want the full sand experience, then you’re going to pay a premium. A regular coffee is about 35 lira and we paid 80 for our cup on a trendy street. We stopped at Osmanlizadeler as we did option 1 and went to the art museum.
Fish sandwich, part 1
For lunch, we stopped for fish sandwiches as we walked between the Modern Art Museum and Balat, our next destination. Fish sandwiches are a staple of modern Turkish street food. And they are delicious. The most popular fish sandwich in Istanbul is called balık ekmek. It is made with a grilled fish filet (typically mackerel, sardines, or hamsi) sandwiched in a split bun and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a squeeze of lemon.
Several restaurants along the Bosporus, especially in Karaköy, sell fish sandwiches on the go. We stopped at Balıkçı Kemal because I liked the balcony view. It has a little bit of that made-for-Instagram vibe, but we had a good sandwich for 70 lira, which was the typical price.
Fish sandwiches come in two options, a wrap or a thick, white bread. Balik only offered the white bread option.
Afternoon
Balat Neighborhood Exploration
Balat is an incredible neighborhood with cafes and shops. It’s got a quirky vibe to it with charming narrow cobblestone streets and vibrant houses.
Although there are bound to be tourists on the main street, what makes this part of the unique Istanbul itinerary is that it still feels totally off-the-beaten-track; especially if you walk here and stumble upon all the sites.
You can walk or bus to the Balat area. You can also take a boat there to the Fener station.
To explore Balat, walk between the Cafe Naftalin K area to here. Go up and down the different streets and explore.
Be sure to stop and take pictures of the colorful houses here.
Walk toward the Private Fener Greek High School, which literally looks exactly what Hogwarts in Istanbul should be. The school is walled off so you’ll just get a glimpse of the top of the buildings. However, if you take the boat to/from Fener station, you’ll get a view.
Fish sandwich, part 2
I suggest you leave Balat around 4:40 to give yourself an hour to reach the meeting point for your next activity for the day: a sunset boat tour. We had the best fish sandwich of our lives while getting to the Kabataş ferry.
First, you’ll transfer from Ferner to Karaköy and then walk or take the tram to Kabataş.
Between the ferry station and the tram line is an incredible, fish wrap seller. He’s so legit that he even has a Google Maps location and 4.9 stars!
We walked by the stall because we weren’t hungry but it looked so good that we literally turned around and got a fish wrap to share. The spices, the fish, the lemon, the wrap… WOW. If you don’t get a chance to have this fish wrap today, I suggest you go out of your way to get a sandwich here at some point.
Bosphorus Cruise
Be sure you leave your earlier explorations with enough time to go on a boat cruise in Istanbul! Sunset tours start around 6pm in the summer. However, you should arrive 20 minutes earlier at the location point. I loved this tour. Read my full review for all the deets on pricing, timing, and what’s included.
The tour will drop you back off at 8:30pm.
Instead of doing a sunset cruise, you could also go on a dinner and dance experience on the Bosphorus.
Dinner
I really enjoyed our traditional Turkish dinner at Mahkeme Lokantası. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are lovely. It has a classic sort of Istanbul vibe that I’ve only read about in books, especially with the post-dinner cologne on each table. Really! This tradition dates back to the Ottoman Empire when it was believed that cologne helped to freshen the breath and body after a heavy meal.
You can get raki here and, if you’re really brave, turnip juice. I promise it’s NOTHING what you think it’ll be… Unless of course, you’re thinking of pickle juice with earthly beat undertones… then you’re spot on. I recommend you try a small bottle for the culture.
The evolution of Wilhelm and our friends having turnip juice, haha
However, as I mentioned before, there are endless options for dining in Turkey. I wouldn’t stress about finding the “best” or most perfect spot because there are so, so many options.
Day 4: Asian Side of Istanbul
One of the highlights of our unique Istanbul itinerary was going to the Asian side of the city. A fun fact worth noting that you may not have thought of, the sun sets ONTO the European side of the city. Therefore, the best views of Istanbul at sunset are either from the water on the boat cruise or from Üsküdar.
Morning
We had the best burek ever at Cihangir Tarihi Simit Fırını for breakfast.
If you’re staying at an Airbnb and not a hotel, you may need to go to a luggage storage spot before you start off on your day as we did. We went to Bounce around Taxim as there is also a bus around there that heads to the airport.
Dolmabahçe Palace
First, start your day with some history on the European side before you ferry over. Dolmabahçe Palace is a neoclassical masterpiece that testifies to the grandeur of the 19th-century Ottomans, who looked to Europe for inspiration. It served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922.
We spent two hours inside. The ticket price includes an audio guide, which is a must-have! The guide is excellent and is automated throughout the palace. Be sure to bring some form of ID with you so that the staff can use it as collateral for the audio guides. I didn’t bring ID, so Wilhelm had to use two of his for me, haha.
No photos are allowed inside the palace, but the exterior is still gorgeous. I enjoyed seeing the grandeur of the palace.
You’ll have to wear shoe covers inside the palace.
Afternoon: Asian Side Explorations in Üsküdar
Take a ferry from wherever you are to Üsküdar.
Üsküdar is home to many important historical sites, including the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, the Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Valide Sultan Mosque. You can choose to explore these sites, or if you want more of a local experience, visit the trendy part of town as we did.
Eat Manti
The ferry port is a huge hustle and bustle! After you arrive, get lunch at Üsküdar’s Manti House. Manti is a kind of dumpling that is filled with a spiced meat mixture, usually lamb or ground beef, wrapped in a thin dough sheet which is then boiled or steamed. We got the fried mince manti and it was incredible! This is a must-eat during your unique Istanbul itinerary. If food is a priority for you on this trip, I suggest you go on an Istanbul food tour to keep your stomach happy.
Üsküdar Waterfront Promenade
At any time during your trip, take a stroll along the waterfront promenade, which offers stunning views of the Bosphorus and the European side of Istanbul. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic walk or to simply enjoy the serene atmosphere.
Visit the Beylerbeyi Palace
We only visited the Beylerbeyi Palace at 5pm at the end of our day. Although the inside of the palace is closed to visitors at that time, you can still enter for sunset for just 30 lira per person! What a steal. The views are amazing. Visit this first if you want to explore the inside, otherwise you won’t have time until the evening after you explore Kuzguncuk.
The Beylerbeyi Palace was built in the 1860s by Sultan Abdülaziz as a summer residence and a place to entertain visiting heads of state.
If you have the patience, you can get some great pictures at the doorway.
Picturesque Kuzguncuk
Kuzguncuk is a picturesque neighborhood known for its historic and charming atmosphere, with its streets lined with antique Ottoman wooden houses. The name Kuzguncuk means “little raven” or “barred window of a prison door” in Turkish. It is said to have come from a holy person named Kuzgun Baba, who lived in the area during the time of Sultan Mehmet II.
Kuzguncuk is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The area is bustling with people. You can walk from the ferry terminal in Üsküdar or take a bus here and start to walk up the main street.
I loved walking up and down the streets, peaking into shops.
Stop by the little Kuzguncuk Bostanı park. Here you’ll get a great view of the wooden houses that are located right behind the park.
We stopped for coffee at GULE KAFE. I loved the Turkish coffee mostly because there was the cheekiest little cat who kept trying to get a sip.
Dinner
Take a walk around the area.
Then, have dinner at one of the restaurants around. You can at around or, if you went to the palace just for sunset as we did, then you can head to Villa Bosphorus if you want direct sunset views. The restaurant has a high-end vibe and serves traditional small plates but mostly focuses on their seafood. If you want a spot by the Bosphorus, then call ahead to make a booking. We experienced a windy evening! We got a couple of small tapas and a fish grill platter to share. My favorite dish was the stuffed zucchini flowers.
That’s it for the unique Istanbul itinerary, peeps! After dinner, we picked up our stuff from our luggage storage spot and then took a bus to the airport.
Day trips from Istanbul
If you’re done exploring on this unique Istanbul itinerary and still have time in the city, there are a lot of accessible day trips.
Cappadocia
If you’re feeling adventurous, then check out this day trip to Cappadocia (flights included) trip. This is the magical city of hot air balloons that I’m sure you’ve seen on Instagram. If you get the chance to go on the hot air balloon there, do it.
Princes Island
Go on this full-day tour with lunch to the Princes Islands. Some of the islands are car-free! The islands were once used as a place of exile for Byzantine princes and aristocrats. In the Ottoman period, they became a popular summer resort for the wealthy. Today, they are a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world.
You can also take the ferry by yourself from Kabataş station.
Ephesus
Ephesus was a city in Ancient Greece and contains well-preserved ruins. It was also the location of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can visit on a day trip via plane with this company.