3 Days in Istanbul: An Ideal Itinerary with Local Expert Help

If you’re visiting Istanbul, but only have a few days to spend, don’t worry that you can enjoy your stay in Istanbul to the fullest with our three-day itinerary, places to visit in Istanbul in 3 days, taking in the most important sights and top attractions of the city. So that you’ll be able to make the most of your stay. And if you need extra insider advice, please leave us a comment at the bottom of the page so that we can get back to you.

Table of Contents

While you read on this page, you’ll see our picks of the best and great value for money discount cards, attraction tours and tickets.


You can be sure that we only suggest the proven and top rated ones with travelers’ comments. With our links, you”ll make sure you get the best prices and skip the lines.

If you think you’ll feel tired of reading this long page with our detailed explanations, and trust our guidance, than please just print out the “Typical Itinerary Schedules” with time tables under each day, also scroll down the bottom of the page and read the “Summary of All” section.

Before You Arrive in Istanbul

We recommend you to have some essential information first, when spending 3 days in Istanbul. Make sure you read our pages below.

General Map of Top Sights

Below you can see the top attractions and sights of the city from an aerial view, with top neighborhoods. You can have a general idea of how to get around.


click to enlarge the image

3 Days in Istanbul: Day 1

Typical Itinerary: Exploring the Old City

  • 09:00-10:00 > Tour of Hagia Sophia (must-see)
  • 10:30-12:00 > Tour of Topkapi Palace (must-see)
  • 12:30-13:30 > Lunch
  • 13:30-14:00 > Tour of Basilica Cistern (must-see)
  • 14:00-15:30 > Tour of Sultanahmet Square & Blue Mosque (must-see)
  • 15:30-16:00 > Tour of Grand Palace Mosaics Museum (optional)
  • 16:00-17:00 > Tour of Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts (optional)
  • 17:00-18:00 > Tour of Istanbul Archaeology Museums (optional)
  • 18:00-18:45 > Rest in a cafe
  • 18:45-19:30 > Head out to Kabatas
  • 20:00-23:30 > “Bosphorus Dinner Cruise” or “A Night in Taksim”

On your first Istanbul day, we recommend you to discover the old city. Dating back to 685 B.C., and was the capital for many civilizations such as the Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire for ages, the Sultanahmet neighborhood, is where all tourists head for most.

With all the sightseeing heavyweights packed together with must-see mosques, museums, palaces, Sultanahmet is a natural magnet to millions of tourists in Istanbul. The relatively traffic free region makes it easy to explore around on foot and by tram.

If you stay in Taksim hotels, you can take funicular from Taksim Square and reach Kabatas tram station in 5 minutes. And than take the tram to Sultanahmet (20 minutes).

You are in Sultanahmet now and as you are energetic and before get tired, we recommend you to visit the two must-see sights here first, the Hagia Sophia Museum and Topkapi Palace Museum.

Tour of Hagia Sophia

09:00 – 10:00

Location: Sultanahmet
Time to Spend:
1 hour

This place is what every Istanbul itinerary has for sure. If you had just one day in Istanbul the world-famous Hagia Sophia would be the first stop. Dating back to 325, it is a former church, museum and now mosque and declared as one of the world’s greatest architectural works and accepted as the 8th wonder of the world.


It’s like stepping into the holy world of Christianity and Islam, merged on the shell-like apse and under an impressive dome, in a mysterious and mystical ambiance, and a wide range of architectural and art works coming from thousands of years.

Such as the golden Christian mosaics and colorful frescoes from the Byzantine era. Hagia Sophia’s mosaics depict the Christian scenes.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

Wanna learn more about Hagia Sophia?

After your Hagia Sophia visit, head out to Topkapi Palace on foot (5 minutes) and get to the Imperial Gate of the palace.


Tour of Topkapi Palace

10:30 – 12:00

Location: Sultanahmet
Time to Spend:
1,5 hours

You’ll admire Topkapi Palace Museum and its famous Harem section and have a detailed look at the rooms, gardens, galleries, collections and the decoration from the past and today.

It is a magnificent oriental palace and one of the world’s greatest architectural works. Once a residence of the Ottoman Sultans, it is also one of world’s richest museums.

It houses the finest samples of seal, book binding, jewelry and box craftsmanship as well as inscriptions, as well as the finest collection of Chinese porcelain in the world.

Topkapi Palace is a giant complex and you’ll need about at least 1,5 to 2 hours to have a complete tour.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

Wanna learn more about Topkapi Palace?


Lunch

12:30 – 13:30

Location: Sultanahmet
Time to Spend:
1 hour

You should be hungry now, don’t you? You can find loads of tourist cafes and restaurants along the Sultanahmet Square and along the tram road.

We recommend Historical 1920 Sultanahmet Koftecisi (Divan Yolu Str., No: 12) to taste the delicious grills meat balls and the sweet Semolinacake. Expect to spend about €8,00 a person for this menu.

As you just finished touring Topkapi Palace, you can also have lunch in one of the quality restaurants overlooking the Marmara Sea, inside the Topkapi Palace.

After lunch, head out to Basilica Cistern on foot, situated about 150 meters from Hagia Sophia.


Tour of Basilica Cistern

13:30 – 14:00

Location: Sultanahmet
Time to Spend:
30 minutes

Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most impressive and mystical buildings in the city.

The two Medusa Heads, which are used as supports under the two columns at the northwest edge of the cistern, take the most interest and attracts the visitors.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

Wanna learn more about Basilica Cistern?

After your Basilica Cistern tour, head out to Sultanahmet Square on foot (5 minutes) and get to the Imperial Gate of the palace.


Sultanahmet Square & Blue Mosque

14:00 – 15:30

Location: Sultanahmet
Time to Spend:
1 hour

You can continue your afternoon by exploring the Sultanahmet Square on foot. Once being a Byzantium hippodrome from the 4th century, the square itself hosts the famous historic places and sights that include; the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, the Colossus or the Column of Costantine Porphyrgenitus and the German Fountain.

After the square visit, you can head out to the Blue Mosque, located across the Sultanahmet Square. The Blue Mosque is a great sample of the Turkish and Islamic architecture, and can also be considered as a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance.

Optional Sights & Attractions

15:30 – 18:45

Location: Sultanahmet
Time to Spend:
3 hours 15 minutes

After the Sultanahmet Square & Blue Mosque visit, you can continue exploring the Sultanahmet neighborhood and the old city.

We think that now you can be kinda tired of exploring the old city with all these tours of the museums since early morning, and would want to stop entering the rest of the sights.

You just would want to have a long rest in one of the pretty cafes or restaurants in the area, have a snack or drink with Turkish bagel, tea or Turkish coffee, and when you feel recharged, you can continue exploring the area on foot without any museum visits.

If you think you are strong enough to explore about all the remaining sights in Sultanahmet until dinner time, than we can recommend the below museums. They are all within walking distance from the Sultanahmet Square.

Night-time Activities

After your Sultanahmet day out, now you can plan your dinner and night-time activities.

We recommend you to reward yourself with a Bosphorus dinner cruise with entertainment.

Or have a lively night out at the city’s popular Taksim or Galata neighborhoods. You can check best rooftop bars &restaurants, bars, Irish pubs, night clubs of Istanbul.

You can access these attractions by tram from Sultanahmet.


Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment

20:00 – 23:00

Location: Kabatas Pier
Time to Spend:
3 hours

This is one of the best Bosphorus night cruises with dinner and entertainment. Take in sights of the Bosphorus on board a mega yacht. Enjoy the city view with a 3-course meal while you listen to live music and watch stage performances at private tables. You can easily see that this Mega Lufer Yacht sells the most and has over 10,000 five star reviews.

Hotel pickup and drop-off is from Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Sütlüce, Kağıthane, Kabataş, Eminönü, Şişli, Aksaray, Karaköy, Levent and Beyoğlu areas. Please wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

Book Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

Wanna learn more about Bosphorus Dinner Cruise?


3 Days in Istanbul: Day 2

Typical Itinerary: Exploring the Modern City

  • 09:00-10:30 > Tour of Dolmabahce Palace (must-visit)
  • 10:30-11:00 > Head out to Taksim
  • 10:45-11:00 > Stroll around Taksim Square
  • 11:00-15:00 > Explore Istiklal Street (must-see) inc. Lunch
  • 15:00-18:30 > Galata Tower (must-see), explore Galata & Karakoy (must-see) inc. Dinner
  • 18:30-19:00 > Head out to Sirkeci
  • 19:00-20:30 > Whirling Dervishes Show in Sirkeci (optional) or “A Night in Galata/Karakoy”
  • 21:00-01:00 > Pub Crawl in Taksim (optional)

On your second Istanbul day, we recommend you to discover the modern part of the city, the Beyoglu district.

With its traces of the European architecture of 100 years, Beyoglu and its lively neighborhoods are a must visit. Taksim, Karakoy, Galata & Tophane are the most popular tourist zones in the region.

If you stay in Sultanahmet hotels, you can take tram to Karakoy (20 minutes) or Kabatas (30 minutes) to access the region.

Dolmabahce Palace Museum

09:00 – 10:30

Location: Kabatas/Besiktas
Time to Spend:
1,5 hours

Dolmabahce Palace Museum is a glorious palace from the Ottoman era. Situated on the banks of Bosphorus between Kabatas and Besiktas, it was the residence of the last six Ottoman Sultans, and Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

The palace houses more than 50,000 objects along its hundreds of rooms. The interior of the palace reflects the grandeur of the epoch, and designed like the luxurious European palaces.

The giant crystal stairs and chandeliers, large oil paintings and armchairs are very attractive. The precious watches of the palace will take your interest.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

Skip-the-line Tickets

  1. Dolmabahce Palace Tickets with Fast Track Entry & Audio Guide
  2. Dolmabahce Palace Fast-Track Entry w/ Audio Guide
  3. Dolmabahce Palace Entry Tickets
  4. Dolmabahce Palace & Harem Skip-the-Line Entry

Guided tours with Fast Track Tickets

  1. Dolmabahçe Palace Entry Ticket with Guided Tour
  2. Dolmabahce Palace Guided Tour
  3. Dolmabahce Palace Entry with Guided Tour Skip The Ticket Line

Combo Tours & Tickets

  1. Dolmabahce Palace Skip the Ticket Line & Bosphorus Cruise
  2. Dolmabahce Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Tickets
  3. Basilica Cistern & Dolmabahce Palace Combo Tour

Wanna learn more about Dolmabahce Palace Museum?

After Dolmabahce Palace tour, head out to Taksim. From Dolmabahce Palace, walk 150 meters to Kabatas and take funicular (5 minutes) or public bus (15 minutes).


Taksim Square + Istiklal Street

10:45 – 15:00

Location: Taksim
Time to Spend:
4 hours 15 minutes

Taksim is a cosmopolitan region, communications hub and an important commercial, entertainment & shopping area for the tourists for having a nice Istanbul city walking tour.

Taksim

You can stroll around the Taksim Square, watch the crowd, take photos and than pass through the famous Istiklal Street.

Istiklal Street is probably the most famous street and entertainment area of the city. It is a long colorful pedestrian street full of all kind of shops, restaurants, cafes and street shows.

You can visit the fantastic Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the amazing St. Anthony of Padua Church and Pera Museum there.

In between strolling the Istiklal Street and enjoying the lively atmosphere, you should have a lunch in one of the pretty restaurants along the way.

When you come to the end of the Istiklal Street, there it comes the pretty Tunel Square leading to the famous Galata Tower, by a 10 minutes downhill walk from the Galip Dede ramp.

You’ll also find lovely music stores, art galleries and souvenir shops when you walk down from the Galip Dede ramp. The Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum is also situated at the beginning of this ramp. You can visit the museum if you think you’ll have enough time.


Galata Tower + Galata & Karakoy

15:00 – 18:30

Location: Galata
Time to Spend:
3 hours 30 minutes

Heading downwards from the Galip Dede ramp, you are now in the Galata neighborhood, famous for its narrow streets housing variety of lovely cafes, restaurants, and of course the very famous Galata Tower, topped with a distinctive witch’s-hat roof, and one of the most impressive and popular landmarks of the city.

You can enjoy the city’s panoramic views, take great photos on top at its observatory deck with 360 degrees view of Istanbul. There are two elevators in the entrance that takes you to the top.

After you spend about 30 minutes on top of the Galata Tower, you can continue exploring the surroundings, lively streets with great outdoor cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops of Galata and nearby Karakoy neighborhood by the sea shore.

  1. Galata Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket & Audio Guide (superb, cheapest price on net)

Wanna learn more about Galata Tower?

Make sure you have a dinner in one of the restaurants, cafes or rooftop restaurants with Bosphorus views in the region.


After Dinner Activities

For night-time activities, we recommend you to see the Whirling Dervishes Show which is a unique to Istanbul and popular tourist attraction, and than continue the night at the city’s popular Taksim or Galata neighborhoods. You can check best rooftop bars &restaurants, bars, Irish pubs, night clubs of Istanbul.

If you are in the city on Friday or Saturday night, than we also recommend you to take a Pub Crawl along the lively bars of Taksim with a local guide.


Whirling Dervishes Show

19:00 – 20:30

Location: Sirkeci
Time to Spend:
1-1,5 hours

Whirling Dervishes Show is one of the most visited Istanbul attractions with the tourists. It is because that this ceremony is a very unusual event for the tourists and when they hear about it, majority of them try to catch this one hour show and witness the miracle of the whirling dervishes.

There are two popular venues that you can watch this show. Book your tickets online in advance as they are selling out quickly.

Buy Whirling Dervishes Show Tickets at Hodjapasha Culture Center

Buy Whirling Dervishes Show Tickets at Orient Express Hall

Wanna learn more about Whirling Dervishes Show?


Pub Crawl

21:00 – 01:00

Location: Taksim
Time to Spend:
4 hours

Pub Crawl in Istanbul can be a perfect night out for you to avoid tourist traps, visit the best pubs, bars and clubs in the city, and enjoy lots of freebies like free beer & shots, and free entry to best party spots to experience a proper nightlife in the city like a local and have an intense night-time activity.

You’ll meet other clubbers who are up for an intense night out in Istanbul, and with guides who know the city’s best spots. You won’t regret it, believe us.

Head out to Taksim and meet your English speaking guide in front of the Bunk Hostel, Papa Roncalli street No:34, Sisli (1 km. walking distance from Taksim square) (see on Google maps)

Wanna learn more about Istanbul Pub Crawl?


3 Days in Istanbul: Day 3

Typical Itinerary: Bosphorus, Shopping & Relaxing Day Out

  • 09:00-10:30 > Bosphorus Cruise (must-take)
  • 10:45-11:45 > Spice Bazaar (must-visit)
  • 12:00-13:15 > Lunch
  • 13:15-13:45 > Head out to Beyazit
  • 14:00-17:00 > Grand Bazaar (must-visit)
  • 17:00-17:15 > Head out to Cemberlitas
  • 17:30-19:00 > Turkish Bath (Hammam) + Massage Theraphy (optional)
  • 19:30-20:30 > Dinner
  • Get back to your hotel and prepare for your departure

So this is your third and last day in Istanbul, and we recommend you to have a relaxing day out and enjoy the tourist shopping scene of the city, plus Bosphorus.

Yes, you should visit the two tourist centers for shopping in Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market, and finally experience a very relaxing and unique Turkish Bath and massage therapy.

Here your final day in Istanbul begins.

Bosphorus Cruise

09:00 – 10:30

Location: Eminonu Pier
Time to Spend:
1,5 hours

This is a popular, unique and fantastic forms of entertainment and sightseeing during your Istanbul stay. It is also one of the best ways to discover and enjoy the most beautiful sights and sounds of the city over the sea. Typical boat tours start from the Eminonu pier in every hour.

You’ll be able to explore the city at your own pace on board of the boat, and enjoy all the famous landmarks on the Boshphorus such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden’s Tower and the Bosphorus Bridge.

If you are looking for a great Bosphorus day or night out, don’t wanna read the whole page, trust our recommendations, save time and money, than you can feel free to check out the below good value for money Bosphorus cruises from the trusted providers with very good traveler ratings.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

  1. Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table (the best dinner cruise, over 12.000 reviews, check them and enjoy)
  2. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht 1 (the best sunset, on yacht, don't miss)
  3. Bosphorus on Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side (great with stopover at Kanlica, we highly recommend)
  4. Sunset or Daytime Yacht Tour w/AudioGuide & Snacks (superb yacht cruise)
  5. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht 2 (another great sunset, on yacht, don't miss)
  6. Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show (superb dinner cruise on a catamaran, don't miss!)
  7. All Inclusive Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Private Table (great dinner cruise, check it out)
  8. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht 3 (superb sunset, on yacht, don't miss)
  9. Maiden's Tower Ticket w/ Transfer & Audio Guide (cheapest price, the only Maiden's Tower fast track entry online ticket)

Wanna learn more about Bosphorus Cruise?


Egyptian Spice Bazaar

10:45 – 11:15

Location: Eminonu
Time to Spend:
30 minutes

The historical Egyptian Spice Bazaar is a colorful and mystical covered spice market lined with spice stalls in Eminonu coast, near the Yeni Mosque. You are able to find about every kind of herbs and spices at the market, and as well as ingredients for cooking, Turkish delight and Turkish coffee.

It is a perfect place with the tourists to end their Istanbul visit by shopping for some souvenirs for their beloved ones before leaving Istanbul.

You can have your lunch in one of the good restaurant in Eminonu.

After lunch, take tram to Beyazit and head out to Grand Bazaar.


Grand Bazaar

14:00 – 17:00

Location: Beyazit
Time to Spend:
3 hours

Covering an area of 47,000 m2, the Grand Bazaar is a plus 550 years old covered market, also one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

You are able to find about anything here in Grand Bazaar from the finest silky shawls and scarves in traditional patterns to traditional items, from antiques, leather goods, ceramics to the famous carpets, from spices, beautiful handicrafts to gold and jewelry.

Downwards from Beyazit, you’ll come up to the Laleli neighborhood that is home to numerous touristic stores, markets, designer shops selling textile goods especially to the Russian and old Eastern Block countries, as well as many cafes, restaurants, hotels and pensions along the back streets.

The famous Koska Helvacisi is situated in the main road of Laleli. You should visit here and buy Turkish delight.

After the Grand Bazaar and around shopping tour, you can now plan your time before dinner.

We highly recommend you to take a Turkish Bath experience for an amazing relaxation. If You have so much shopping items with you, than you can go to your hotel, leave your belongings, and than go out for Turkish bath.


Turkish Bath

17:30 – 19:00

Location: Cemberlitas
Time to Spend:
1 hour

This will is one of the one time experiences on your Istanbul visit. With a Turkish bath, also called Hammam, you can enjoy an authentic experience, relax your muscles, rest in a steam bath, refresh your body.

It will a be unique experience, as well as you will be freshened up.

We recommend you to visit the historical Cemberlitas Hamam, situated in the Cemberlitas neighborhood, close to the Grand Bazaar. You can walk or take tram to get there.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

  1. Turkish Bath at Cemberlitas Hamam by Getyourguide
  2. Famous Hurrem Sultan Hamam Experience (on the Sultanahmet Square, on the site of the ancient public baths from 100-200 AD)
  3. Turkish Bath & Spa at Catma Mescit Hamam (great experience at historical hamam close to Galata Tower)
  4. Grand Hotel de Pera Turkish Bath (very good one along Istiklal Street)
  5. Doubletree by Hilton Sirkeci Hotel Turkish Bath (another very good one along Sirkeci)
  6. Turkish Bath Package at Beyoglu Aga Hamami (very good one too)

Wanna learn more about Turksh Bath & Hammams in Istanbul?


After your Turkish bath experience, you can have your dinner in one of the good restaurants near your hotel.

And after dinner, you can rest in one of the cafes or pubs around and plan your departure to do list.

So, that’s 3 perfect days in Istanbul, hope you like it!

Insider Tips: Transport + Tickets + Skip the Lines

* You can explore the majority of the sights and sounds of the city on foot. You will mostly need to take a tram as for transportation in between old and modern city.

* So get an IstanbulKart as you can have access all the public transportation network of Istanbul.

* Our 3-Days Istanbul itinerary include: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Blue Mosque (free of charge), Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Great Palace Mosaics Museum, Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts, Bosphorus Cruise, Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, Pub Crawl, Spice Bazaar (free of charge), Grand Bazaar (free of charge) and Turkish Bath.

* You have limited time and you should buy fast track entry tickets to avoid the long queues and get skip the lines access on several top sights such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, etc.

* There are also guided tours with professional local guides that you can save yourself from the beggars, and people coming beside and ask for helping with guidance around or for money.

* And with a guide you will learn each detail and story, and have a detailed look at the architecture, mosaics, construction, galleries of the sights coming from the thousands of years.

* You can general admission tickets at ticket windows on location but it will cost you about at least 1 to 2 hours waiting in the line. And this will effect your future sightseeing calendar.

* We recommend you buy your tickets online. This is by far the easiest and great value for money.

* Below, you’ll find our pick of the best and great value for money discount cards, and attraction tickets. You can be sure that we only suggest the proven and top rated ones with travelers’ comments.

* Our website visitors will also get extra 5% discount in some of the tours and tickets.

Discount Cards and Combo Tickets Advice

Online City Pass – Istanbul Tourist Pass

Istanbul Tourist Pass is a digital travel discount card that provides entrance and transportation tickets to many of Istanbul’s top tourist attractions along with several guided museum tours with skip-the-line access in a simple, useful, convenient and fun way.

Rather than paying for each item individually, the pass allows you to choose from 75+ things to do in Istanbul so you can pack as much into your stay as possible for a single set price. You’ll get valuable discounts of up to 75%.

After you purchase the pass, it will be delivered to mobile phone and will be ready to use at upon arrival. There are four types of Istanbul Tourist Pass (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10-Day).

Buy Your Istanbul Tourist Pass Online Now

Wanna learn more about Istanbul Tourist Pass?

Istanbul E-Pass

This is a digital travel discount pass that is delivered to your phone upon your purchase online, and will be ready to use at your arrival. It includes 30+ attractions and services including skip the line access and guided museum tours, dinner cruise, hop-on & hop-off Bus, airport transfer, etc.

Buy Your Istanbul E-Pass

Combo: Hagia Sophia + Topkapi Palace + Basilica Cistern

This is a great combo ticket. Our favorite. You can visit these top 3 most visited sights in Sultanahmet with this combo ticket, with skip the lines access. Great value for money. Book your tickets online in advance as they are selling out quickly.

Buy Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern Combo Ticket

Click the red button to buy Combo online tickets and skip the lines.
Our website visitors will get 5% extra discount.


Guided Istanbul Highlights Tours Advice

We recommend this kind of tours, especially for first time visitors. You are able to make the most of the city’s sights and sounds with a private guide and save yourself from the hassle of making an ideal one day to 3 days plan. All will be made by professionals and you’ll get skip the lines tickets, as well as pick-up and drop-off hotel transfer.

Highlights of Istanbul: 1 or 2-Day Private Guided Tour

This is Get Your Guide’s top selling and certified tour, which means it has gained one of the best traveler experiences.

You’ll discover the magic of Istanbul on a private 1 or 2-day walking tour with skip the line tickets. Enjoy a river cruise and guided tour of the city highlights, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, and Istiklal Street.

Duration: 7 hours – 2 days
Live tour guide: English, Spanish, German, Japanese
Pick-up from the front desk of your hotel in Istanbul

Book Highlights of Istanbul Guided Tour

Just click the red button above to buy your 1 or 2 Day Private Guided Tour of Istanbul online. We recommend you book in advance to guarantee your place.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts


Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Tour

This is also Get Your Guide’s top selling tour. Has great traveler ratings and comments.

You’ll see the sights of Istanbul that most interest you on a customized tour with private guide. Marvel at some of the city’s most significant sights including Topkapi Palace, Chora Church, Basilica Cistern, Fener-Balat neighboorhood, and many more.

Duration: 7 hours – 3 days
Live tour guide: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian
Pickup is available from centrally-located hotels in Istanbul, by your guide on foot.

Book Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Guided Tour

Just click the red button above to buy your 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Tour of Istanbul online. We recommend you book in advance to guarantee your place.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts


Summary of All

* An ideal city itinerary should cover the top sights and attractions plus shopping.

* We designed out Istanbul 3-Days Itinerary as exploring the Old City on the 1st day, Modern City on the 2nd day, and Bosphorus + Shopping day out on the last day.

* Day-1 includes: Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Great Palace Mosaics Museum, Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts, Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment

* Day-2 includes: Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Galata Tower, Galata & Karakoy neighborhoods, Whirling Dervishes Show in Hodjapasha Culture Center or Orient Express Hall, Pub Crawl.

* Day-3 includes: Bosphorus Cruise, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Turkish Bath.

* We recommend you buy fast track entry tickets/guided tours/discount cards to avoid the long queues, and get great value for money service.

* Istanbul E-Pass or Istanbul Tourist Pass with +35-70 attractions and services, is also a good choice for the ones who are energetic and can explore about all the Istanbul attractions.

* If you want to buy attractions tickets separately, than we recommend the Combo Tickets for Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern, digital tickets with no regrets.

* You can see the great value for money separate tickets for other attractions, under each attraction explanation.


No Regrets Booking Advice




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