FREE Istanbul 3-day Itinerary
FREE Istanbul 3-day Itinerary
Jennifer H.
Available for hire
We did a 12-day trip combining Istanbul and Turkey, so if you are planning to do a combined trip like this, then this 3-day Istanbul itinerary will be perfect for you!
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Where to Stay
The best area for a hotel would be in Sultanahmet since this area has many tourist attractions.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet
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If you are bougie and want a luxury hotel!
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Another good area to stay is in Taksim, which is a good area for nightlife
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Day 1
9 AM - FOOD TOUR
We did a 6-hour food tour, which I highly recommend since Istanbul has a rich food culture and you'll get to try some very unique things! This was the highlight of my trip to Istanbul. Examples of foods we tried include kebabs, mussels, lokma (fried dough balls), lamb intestines, pide (flat bread), chicken breast pudding, and Turkish ice cream Make sure your food tour includes a visit to the Spice Bazaar!
Egyptian Bazaar
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The Egyptian Bazaar/Spice Bazaar is a perfect spot for foodies! Tons of spices and treats! Make sure your food tour includes a stop here!
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Here are some options for a food tour:
Rustem Pasha Mosque
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3:30 PM - Since it's close to the Spice Market, this can be a quick visit! If you go inside, make sure to dress modestly!
Shoulders/knees should be covered for both men and women. Shoes must be taken off. Women must cover their heads (a scarf will do).
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DINNER
Mikla
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8 PM - This is a fine dining restaurant that has been on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list since 2015.
My rating: 3/5 stars. We did the 3 course Prix fixe menu, which came with some small appetizers. It was fun to taste the different dishes, but none of the items rocked my world. For my three-course, I got the duck, braised lamb, and chocolate mousse. The duck wasn't very tender or flavorful. The braised lamb was pretty tender, but didn't have much flavor. The chocolate mousse was very meh.
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Day 2
BREAKFAST
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MORNING ATTRACTIONS
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Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
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11:30 AM - Had some cool pieces of art, but nothing super notable
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LUNCH
Sultanbahti Köftecisi
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1 PM - We didn't get to try this place, but I had it bookmarked since it was recommended/got good reviews
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AFTERNOON ATTRACTIONS
Basilica Cistern
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2:30 PM - You absolutely cannot miss this place! It is touristy, but extremely worth it! It's super cool to see in person
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Hagia Sophia
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4 PM - If you only want to go to 1 mosque, then this is the one you should choose! It is the most famous and absolutely gorgeous inside
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DINNER
Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
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7:30 PM
Highly recommend! 5/5 stars
We ordered the clay pot beef kebab and the Ottoman moussaka. The clay pot is a must-try! It's super cool because they crack open the clay pot in front of you to reveal the delicious food inside. The beef kebab was absolutely heavenly! The moussaka (combination of eggplant and ground beef) was also excellent and mouthwatering. At the end of the meal, they provide a complimentary dessert so make sure to save space in your tummy! The ambiance is very homey, traditional, and friendly, and the prices are very reasonable.
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Day 3
MORNING ATTRACTIONS
Dolmabahçe Palace
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9 AM - Beautiful palace with great views and tons of places to take awesome pics! Make sure to go early to avoid lines
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Fatih Mosque
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11:30 AM - Not the coolest mosque, but if you're not tired of mosques, check it out!
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LUNCH
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Grand Bazaar
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5 PM - One of the world's largest and oldest markets! So much to see! Some of the sellers can be pushy about having you purchase a rug or lamp lol!
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DINNER
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Want the full Istanbul & Greece itinerary? See below!
Thank you for reading! Follow @Jenuine_reviews on Instagram for more food and travel inspirations! Feel free to message me on Instagram or email me at Jenuine_reviews@yahoo.com with any questions, comments, or suggestions!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer H.
Available for hire
Hello! My name is Jennifer! I’m a pharmacist with a passion for traveling and trying new foods! As a busy healthcare professional, vacation time is limited, so I create jam-packed itineraries to make the most of my traveling experiences! I spend hours of research to make organized itineraries to optimize my time to see the most popular attractions in each place and to find the best food to eat! I'd love to share my experiences and tips with you!
If you have any questions, you can contact me via direct message on Instagram (@jenuine_reviews) or send me an email at Jenuine_reviews@yahoo.com!
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