Three days in Istanbul
An absolute must-visit! Perfect 3-day itinerary staying right by Taksim Square.
The 3 day trip to istanbul was a total whirlwind of history, amazing views, and vibrant culture. If you are planning a trip, we highly recommend basing yourself right near Taksim Square, as we stayed just a 2-minute walk away. Being that close to the main hub made navigating the city and catching public transit incredibly easy after long days of walking, giving us the perfect spot to crash each night.
We spent our first day diving straight into the historic heart of the old city in Sultanahmet. Standing beneath the massive ancient dome of the Hagia Sophia was absolutely surreal, and the intricate tilework inside the Blue Mosque right across the courtyard was stunning. To escape the afternoon heat, we descended into the cool, atmospheric depths of the Basilica Cistern, which felt like stepping into another world entirely. We wrapped up the day getting happily lost in the colorful, chaotic maze of the Grand Bazaar, surrounded by lanterns and spices.
Our second day was all about royal grandeur and the waterways that define the city. We spent the morning exploring the sprawling courtyards of Topkapi Palace, which offers some of the best cliffside views of the water. In the afternoon, we hopped on a Bosphorus cruise, and sailing directly between Europe and Asia with the sea breeze in our faces was a major highlight of our entire trip. To top it all off, we climbed the medieval Galata Tower just in time to catch an unforgettable sunset over the skyline we had just sailed past.
Because our hotel was right next to İstiklal Street, we kept things close to home on our final day to soak in the local neighborhood energy. We spent the morning strolling down the bustling pedestrian avenue, watching the iconic historic red tram rumble by, and ducking into side-street cafes for rich Turkish coffee and fresh baklava. Before heading to the airport, we made a quick stop at the aromatic Spice Bazaar to stock up on teas and authentic Turkish delight. Istanbul completely blew us away, and three days was the perfect amount of time to hit the main spots and fall in love with the city
