How to Spend 3 Days in ISTANBUL Turkey | The Perfect Travel Itinerary

29 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:24

   Sultanahmet

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Fatih · brief mention

   Recommended as an immersive area to stay in.

2. 2:06

   Hagia Sophia

   ⛩️ Temple · Sultanahmet

   Best early, before the crowds, when morning sunlight filters through the ancient windows.

3. 2:44

   Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi

   🍴 Restaurant · Sultanahmet

   Try the menemen; a hearty Turkish breakfast costs about 5–10 USD.

4. 3:06

   Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

   ⛩️ Temple · Sultanahmet

   The prayer hall offers a tranquility that is hard to find in the busy streets outside.

5. 3:42

   Bosphorus Cruise

   🚡 Activity · Eminönü

   Costs about 15–20 USD.

6. 4:15

   Hamdi Restaurant

   🍴 Restaurant · Eminönü

   Try the lamb kebab and baklava; meals run 20–30 USD. Ask for a window table.

7. 4:42

   Grand Bazaar

   🛒 Market · Fatih

   Haggling is expected; start at half the asking price.

8. 5:10

   Galata Tower

   🏛️ Historic site · Beyoğlu

   Entry is around 6 USD; go at dusk to watch the city lights come on.

9. 5:40

   Meze by Lemon Tree

   🍴 Restaurant · Beyoğlu

   The meze platter is good for sharing and the grilled octopus stands out; dinner costs 25–35 USD.

10. 6:03

    İstiklal Avenue

    🛍️ Shopping · Beyoğlu

    Look out for the nostalgic tram running down the street, a great photo opportunity.

11. 6:33

    Istanbul Modern

    🏛️ Museum · Beyoğlu

    Admission is approximately 8 USD.

12. 6:57

    Karabatak

    ☕ Cafe · Karaköy

    Breakfast of cheeses, olives, bread and Turkish coffee costs around 10 USD.

13. 7:17

    Dolmabahçe Palace

    🏰 Palace · Beşiktaş

    Entry is around 15 USD.

14. 7:42

    Ortaköy

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Beşiktaş

    Try the famous kumpir (stuffed baked potato) for about 5 USD.

15. 7:59

    House Cafe Ortaköy

    🍴 Restaurant · Ortaköy · brief mention

    A meal with a view costs around 20 USD.

16. 8:11

    Topkapı Palace

    🏰 Palace · Sultanahmet

    Admission about 12 USD; don't miss the Imperial Treasury's jewels.

17. 8:42

    Kadıköy

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Kadıköy

    Reach it by ferry in the evening for a different vibe from the European side.

18. 9:01

    Çiya Sofrası

    🍴 Restaurant · Kadıköy

    Try the meze and kebabs; dinner costs around 15 USD.

19. 9:16

    Moda

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Kadıköy

    Grab a dessert at a local patisserie (about 5 USD) and watch the skyline across the water.

20. 9:39

    Eminönü Square

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Eminönü · brief mention

21. 9:39

    Spice Bazaar

    🛒 Market · Eminönü

    Free to wander; small bags of spices or Turkish delight cost 2–5 USD. Saffron makes a good souvenir.

22. 10:18

    Pandeli

    🍴 Restaurant · Eminönü

    Traditional breakfast costs about 15 USD; try the menemen and sucuk.

23. 10:40

    Süleymaniye Mosque

    ⛩️ Temple · Fatih

    Free to enter and a short walk from the Spice Bazaar.

24. 11:05

    Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)

    ⛩️ Temple · Fatih

    Entry about 10 USD.

25. 11:27

    Asitane

    🍴 Restaurant · Edirnekapı

    The lamb stew with apricots is a must-try; meals cost around 25 USD.

26. 11:51

    Miniatürk

    🌳 Park · Beyoğlu

    Entry costs about 5 USD.

27. 12:10

    Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

    🚡 Activity · Bosphorus

    About 50 USD, with live music and traditional dance performances.

28. 12:33

    Beyoğlu

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Beyoğlu

    Rooftop bar cocktails cost around 10–15 USD.

29. 12:50

    Çiçek Pasajı

    🏛️ Historic site · Beyoğlu · brief mention

    A good place to try rakı, Turkey's anise-flavored spirit.