The great monuments of the old town and fish in Kumkapı, the bazaars and the Galata Tower at sunset, then a Bosphorus palace, the Maiden's Tower and an evening in Kadıköy on the Asian side. Topkapı closes on Tuesdays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays and Dolmabahçe on Mondays, so plan the days around them.
3 days, 20 stopsBalanced paceBest Apr to Jun, Sep to OctApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Sultanahmet
The great monuments of the old town, a köfte lunch and the sultans' palace, then fish and meze in Kumkapı.
Check the weekday. Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
1
9:00 AMHagia SophiaVisitors use the upper gallery. Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. It closes to visitors during prayers.About 1 hour 30 min here
Visitor ticket: €[fee]
Walk 5 min across the square
2
10:30 AMBlue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)Shoes off at the door; scarves are lent at the entrance.About 1 hour here
Free to visit
Walk 5 min
3
11:30 AMBasilica CisternCool and dim, a good break from the midday heat.About 1 hour here
Foreign visitor, daytime: ₺1,950 (about $39) · Foreign visitor, night: ₺3,000 (about $60) · Daytime admission is 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Night tickets cover 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
4:30 PMOptionalLittle Hagia SophiaQuieter than its famous namesake; step in to see the domed hall.About 1 hour 45 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 10 min
7
6:30 PMKumkapıFish and meze in the old taverns. Ask the price of the fish by weight before you order.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Get an IstanbulkartOne rechargeable Istanbulkart pays for trams, the metro, buses and public ferries, and several people can share one card.
Dress for the mosquesCover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. Mosques close to visitors during prayers, longest at Friday midday.
Watch for street scamsIgnore a shoe shiner who drops his brush in front of you, and new friends who suggest a drink at a bar they know. Both are well-known scams.
Carry some cashCards work almost everywhere, but street food stalls and small shops often want cash, and restaurant tips are usually left in cash.
Drink bottled waterMost locals drink bottled or filtered water rather than water from the tap.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in Sultanahmet to walk to days 1 and 2, or in Karaköy for evenings out: the tram links the two in minutes.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
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