Top tourist attractions in Istanbul 

10 PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL

Planning a trip to Istanbul? This ultimate city guide covers the best places to visit, from iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar to authentic hammam experiences. Discover top food spots to try kebabs, baklava, and street food, plus budget-friendly and luxury accommodations. Whether you're exploring historic sites or enjoying a Turkish bath, this guide has everything you need for an unforgettable trip.

İstanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul City Guide

Discover Istanbul with this meticulously curated 3-day itinerary.

While 3 days may seem short for such a vibrant city, fear not, crafted with care and local expertise, this guide is designed to ensure you make the most of your time in Istanbul without missing any of its iconic sights or hidden treasures. 

Whether you're a history buff, a food enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler, this itinerary promises something for everyone. 

This itinerary includes:
📍 20 activities
🥙 31 places to eat and drink (multiple options based on preferences and budget)
✍️ Information, local insights and descriptions as needed (if needed)

Additionally you can find the following included in all my itineraries:
⏰ Address + opening hours
🎟️ Ticket prices 
🚙 How to get there
🔓 Access to all future updates

PS:  This guide is packed with plenty of suggestions and options to explore during your three-day adventure in Istanbul. However, it's also flexible enough to extend into a 4-day trip. So, whether you're looking for a fast-paced 3-day tour or a more relaxed 4-day stay, this is the perfect guide.

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Feel free to message me on instagram @withlovefromemi or email me at withlovefromemii@gmail.com anytime if you have any additional questions.

Istanbul, Turkey: 3-day itinerary

Turkiye is a diverse and culturally rich country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Known for its unique blend of historical treasures, stunning landscapes, and vibrant traditions, it offers a captivating travel experience. From the bustling markets of Istanbul and the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkiye boasts a wide range of attractions. The country's cuisine is renowned, with delicious dishes such as kebabs, mezes, and baklava. Additionally, Turkiye is often considered an affordable destination, making it appealing to a variety of travellers. 

İzmir, Türkiye

Acarlar, Ephesus Ancient City, Efes Harabeleri, Selçuk/İzmir, Türkiye

Pamukkale, Denizli, Türkiye

Bursa, Türkiye

Ankara, Türkiye

Cappadocia, Türkiye

Türkiye

Çanakkale, Çanakkale Merkez/Çanakkale, Türkiye

11 Days In Turkiye 

Everything you need to know about booking your own trip to turkey with cost saving hacks

Know about the Visa - 

If you have a UK/ US or Schengen visa, then you can get a e visa in less than 3 mins and the cost is approx 35-40$. But in case u don't have, the documentation is elaborate and it costs about 17k. I would suggest you apply for a UK or Schengen visa and then apply for Turkey visa, so u get 2 country visa for cost of 1 and you travel to Turkey and UK or any other Schengen country.

Flights 🛫 from India

The most economical flight option would be Air Arabia, followed closely by Indigo with direct flights from Delhi or Mumbai but considering the potential delays , I would avoid this. Etihad or Emirates would be the next best offering reliable alternatives. IST airport in Istanbul has plenty of flights and would be the optimal choice to land in Istanbul.

Where to Stay ? 
We debated a lot, whether to stay in the old city or the Bosphorous side but eventually ended up at the old city side and regretted our decision. I would recommend to stay around the Galata tower as the surroundings are fantastic offering a blend of the typical modern city vibes with charming European aesthetics. With quaint cafes, English pubs with live music to small boutiques for shopping, the area excludes a vibe that we thoroughly enjoyed. In Cappadocia, i would recommend staying in Gerome as you would get close up views of the balloons, restaurants and nightlife. This is great for visitors without a car as everything would be at a walkable distance. Must visit around this vicinity is the Umbrella street and rainbow street.

How to commute in Turkey ?
We organized our airport transfers through this website. It was the most economical option, given our big group size of 8 with 2 big suitcases each. It costed about 35 euros/40$ for one way transfers(for 4 people) . Despite our flight getting delayed for over 3 hours, the transport service folks were still waiting for us. You can also use Uber app or Taksi app for local taxis. But please be mindful that you need to pay through the local currency (Turkish Lira) for this option.

We were fortunate enough to find a remarkable cab driver there by name Engin (+90 5315661672)during our time in Istanbul. He went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible in Istanbul. He even arranged taxis for us in Cappadocia and helped us with all our transfers. We highly recommend his services to anyone visiting Istanbul.



Göreme, Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Türkiye

Sultan Ahmet, Hagia Sophia, Ayasofya Meydanı, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Beyazıt, Grand Bazaar, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Turkey

Binbirdirek, Blue Mosque, At Meydanı Cd, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Self Guided tour to Turkey 

Bosphorus Cruise Tours Istanbul

Bosphorus River Cruise is a must-do in Istanbul, providing stunning views of the city’s skyline, historic landmarks, and palaces as the boat sails along the Bosphorus Strait, the natural divide between Europe and Asia.

Bosphorus Cruise Tours Istanbul

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