What to see in Istanbul in 3 days
The precious gift of ubiquity, the ability to be everywhere at the same time, is one of the defining characteristics of the modern Turkish city of Istanbul. Our history books tell us that in ancient times, this was the city of two great civilisations, the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Our geography books tell us that this was a frontier (or rather, a natural bridge) between two continents, Europe and Asia, the point at which two seas meet: the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. With all these ingredients having been brought to the table, it becomes easy to guess the defining characteristic of Istanbul: its genuine character.
Seventy-two hours is enough time for you to see for yourself how far this Turkish metropolis matches the description above. With this guide, we invite you to tour Istanbul, the city where everything begins and everything ends.
Itinerary day 1
10.00 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Topkapi Palace
Immediately after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottoman sultans ordered this opulent and decadent palace to be built as their usual residence. Five hundred years later, 4 courtyards and 17 exhibition rooms are open to the public here. The Imperial Treasure House and the Room of the Relics of the Prophet attract the most visitors.
12.00 noon-1.00 p.m
Istanbul Cistern
Also known in Arabic as the “submerged palace”, this underground water reservoir is the largest of the 60 which the Byzantine Empire began to build before its defeats at the hands of the Ottoman Turks in the mid-15th century.
1.00 p.m.-2.30 p.m.
A stroll followed by lunch at the Istanbul Grand Bazaar
To work up an appetite for lunch, we could head for Istanbul's Grand Bazaar which, with its 22 doors, 60 streets, and 4,000 shops, is considered to be one of the largest in the world. Here, countless restaurants compete for space, and we can recharge our batteries before resuming our sightseeing.
3.00 p.m.-4.00 p.m.
Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge, the most famous of all the bridges that cross the stretch of sea known as the Golden Horn, enables us to cross from the old European area of Istanbul — Eminönü — to the new area — Karaköy. In addition, its privileged location rewards us with impressive views of the Bosphorus Strait.
4.30 p.m.-6.00 p.m.
Taksim Square
Tucked away in a business and leisure enclave, this square, packed with bars, restaurants, and hotels, has evolved to become the true heart of modern Istanbul. For this reason, it is frequently the scene of public events and all kinds of celebrations.
6.30 p.m.-8.00 p.m.
Wellness Centre
The five-star Barceló Istanbul hotel, located close to Taksim Square, has a 1,200 m² Wellness Centre on its flat rooftop, which is open to guests and outside visitors. Its two saunas, steam bath, two Turkish hammams, a Roman bath, and four massage rooms afford us the opportunity to relax both body and mind ready for the next day of our visit.
8.30 p.m.-10.00 p.m.
Dinner at the B-Heaven Restaurant
To make the most of our stay at the Barceló Istanbul hotel, we can have dinner at this lovely restaurant with its own terrace. While watching the sunset, we can enjoy a fusion cuisine featuring Turkish specialities with an international twist.
Itinerary day 2
10.00 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Istanbul Archaeology Museum
Located in the Palace of Topkapi’s outdoor gardens, the 20 rooms of this 19th-century museum house important collections of classic archaeology as well as of Eastern art. The museum’s outstanding exhibit is the Alexander Sarcophagus, decorated with bas-relief scenes of the famous Macedonian conqueror.
12.00 noon-2.00 p.m.
St. Sophia’s Basilicia, or Hagia Sophia
For almost a thousand years, this magnificent work of Byzantine architecture could claim the title of the cathedral with the largest area in the world. Following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the cathedral was converted into a mosque, and then in the 20th century it became a museum. However, if you do want to visit it we recommend you make an early start.
2.30 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Lunch at the Panoramic Restaurant
Just a stone's throw from the Hagia Sophia, this restaurant specialises in traditional Turkish cuisine. Its seventh floor location affords its customers extraordinary views of Istanbul and all its monuments.
4.00 p.m.-5.30 p.m.
Fener-Balat neighbourhoods
Dotted with colourful houses, synagogues and Orthodox churches, and with an air somewhere between decadence and splendour, Fener and Balat, two of Istanbul's most fascinating neighbourhoods, await us. Although they are located a little way out from the centre, they are well worth a visit.
6.00 p.m.-7.00 p.m.
Church of the Holy Saviour of Cora (or Chora)
Built in the early 14th century, this church of Byzantine origin has since 1948 housed the Kariye Müzesi, an art museum displaying beautiful mosaics and frescoes on biblical subjects.
7.30 p.m.-9.00 p.m.
Miniaturk
If we have time, we could always visit this intriguing garden containing a series of miniature models of Istanbul's most famous monuments. A splendid option if travelling with children.
9.30 pm.-11.00 pm
Dinner at the Hamdi Restaurant
Very close to the Spice Bazaar we can find the Hamdi Restaurant, an establishment specialising in traditional Turkish cuisine. From its terrace, we can admire remarkable, sweeping panoramas of the Golden Horn and of the point where it merges with the Bosphorus Strait.
Itinerary day 3
10.00 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Blue Mosque
Built between 1609 and 1617 on the site of the long disappeared Great Palace of Constantinople, the interior of this mosque, now considered a building for all, irrespective of religion, is the work of great beauty, with its over 20,000 blue tiles from Nicaea, magnificently illuminated by almost 200 stained glass windows in a spectrum of colours.
12.00 noon-1.30 p.m.
Spice Bazaar
Although much smaller than its big sister, the Grand Bazaar, this market near the Galata Bridge has, since the mid-17th century, been selling a huge selection of spices, confectionery, nuts and dried fruits, teas and soaps.
2.00 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Lunch at Champs Sports Bar
It’s time to take a break and recharge our batteries. To this end, we suggest a visit to Champs Sports Bar, a gastropub located in the city centre in Taksim Square. Here, we can try some typical Turkish dishes and enjoy a wide selection of drinks and cocktails, including traditional raki.
4.00 p.m.-5.30 p.m.
Dervish in the Galata Mevlevi Museum
In Istanbul's New City, and specifically in the Mevlevi Museum, we can attend the celebration of the Semâ ritual, a mystical Sufi dance which originated in Turkey during the Middle Ages. It is said that the dancers, known as the “whirling dervishes”, achieve a state of spiritual ecstasy by means of an endless spinning movement.
6.00 p.m.- 8.00 p.m.
Dolmabahçe Palace
On the European bank of the Bosphorus Strait stands this colossal 19th-century palace. It owes its less markedly Eastern style to the Sultans' desire to impress European monarchs.
8.30 p.m.-10.00 p.m.
Istiklal Avenue
Considered the main commercial artery of modern Istanbul, this pedestrianised Avenue connects the medieval Genoese Citadel with Taksim Square. Along its three-kilometre stretch, we can find various fashion boutiques, music- and bookshops, cinemas and theatres, cafés and cake shops, and even pubs.
10.30 p.m.-12.00 midnight
A night-time cruise on the Bosphorus
To end the day on a high note, how about joining a night-time cruise on the Bosphorus Strait? These types of excursions, which normally depart from the Kabatas quay, allow us to view important historic edifices such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden’s Tower, from a different perspective.