Isabel Redeker
City of Constantinople, marked by vibrant colors, exotic smells and cultural contrasts. It is a place that is both historic and modern, vibrates day and night, brings together people from all over the world and is divided into two continents, Europe and Asia.
3 days tour in Istanbul
For those who are thinking about getting to know Istanbul, we propose a 3-day itinerary so you don’t miss the most symbolic places in the city.
With hundreds of streets and alleys, nooks and crannies, Istanbul is a city for all tastes.
It captures the attention of those looking for a new gastronomic experience, as well as those looking for a cultural and historical journey. Istanbul is truly a World-City!
1st day
Bosphorus Boat Tour — Spice Bazaar — Karaköy and Galata Tower Districts
Kabatas District – Dolmabahçe Palace
Bosphorus Boat Tour
The Bosphorus is a strait located in the heart of Istanbul, unique in the world, as in addition to connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, it also connects Europe to Asia. A boat tour on the Bosphorus is a unique and unmissable experience, which allows you to see the decorated shores of castles, palaces, mosques and other historic buildings, which makes this tour a must-see for anyone visiting Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar
A true icon of Istanbul and one of the oldest markets in the city is the Spice Bazaar, a place where exotic smells and vibrant colors give way to an authentic experience of typical local flavors. It is one of the largest regional markets, with multiple entrances and dozens of rooms and shops that sell mainly spices, sweets, nuts and oils.
Karaköy and Galata Tower Districts
Istanbul, in addition to being historical and cultural, is a very lively city, and one of the liveliest neighborhoods is Karaköy. This neighborhood, also known as Bairro da Galata, is adjacent to the Bosphorus, in the European part of the city, and is characterized by being cosmopolitan, due to the existence of several religious and educational sites. Galata Tower is one of the most famous attractions in Istanbul, and with good reason.
This monument, which dates back to the year 526, is a true masterpiece, which despite being built in medieval times, also played an important role during the conquest of Constantinople. Climbing all the steps and reaching the top floor, you can certainly enjoy the best 360º views of the city, as well as the museum inside that tells the entire history of the tower.
Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş, like Karaköy, is on the Bosphorus, and here are several places to visit. Among them are the Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge and the Stadium of the Beşiktaş football club.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Another must-see is the Dolmabahçe Palace, also located in Beşiktaş. Once the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, the Palace is a symbol of luxury at the time, having been the first in Istanbul to be built in a European-like style.
2nd day
Hippodrome — Blue Mosque — Santa Sofia — Topkapi Palace — Grand Bazaar
Hippodrome
Located in Sultanahmet Square, one of the most emblematic squares in the city, the Hippodrome, former capital of the Byzantine Empire, is a symbolic place of Turkish history. Built in the 3rd century, this place was once a sports stadium, a social meeting point at the time to watch horse and chariot races. Currently it is possible to identify several structures of the old stadium, such as the obelisks, the serpentine column and the German fountain.
Blue Mosque
Also situated on Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque is truly amazing. Built at the behest of Sultan Ahmed I, the combination of Ottoman architecture, blue tiles and sumptuous proportions make this the most exuberant Mosque in Istanbul.
Santa Sofia
Just a few gardens away from the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, or Hagya Sophia, is one of Istanbul’s best-known mosques, and considered by many to be the ‘epitome of Byzantine architecture’. Built in 537, the Hagia Sophia is truly a stunning masterpiece, both on the outside and on the inside.
Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace or Cannon Gate, built half a millennium ago, is a symbol of the Ottoman and Byzantine passage through Istanbul. The former residence of the sultans is a complex of 700 thousand m2, which currently has several exhibition halls, a weapons room, a royal stable, a harem, an archaeological museum, among other buildings.
Among the various collections on display, gold items (crockery, thrones, cradles and jewellery), silver items, everyday clothes of the time, including armor covered with precious stones, and also sacred relics such as beard hairs and the mark of the Prophet Muhammad’s foot.
Grand Bazar
The Grand Bazaar, in addition to being one of the oldest markets in the world, is also one of the largest. It is an icon of Istanbul, which makes it a mandatory stop on our itinerary. This one has more than 60 covered streets and thousands of shops, sometimes looking like a real labyrinth. Here, you can buy everything, from jewellery, tapestry, sweets, spices, among many other things.
3rd day
Taskim Square — Ískital Avenue — São Salvador de Chora’s Church
Taskim Square
Located in the heart of European Istanbul, Taskim Square works as an important shopping area, generating an influx of people, who visit it day and night for its restaurants, bars and luxury hotels. In addition to the commercial part, it is possible to appreciate the architecture of the surrounding buildings, as well as visit the Taskim Mosque and the Republic Monument, a symbol of Istanbul’s progression, created by Pietro Canonica.
Avenida Ístiklal Avenue
Across Taskim Square is İstiklal Avenue, frequented by thousands of tourists and locals, it is also a very active shopping area. In the 3km along the avenue, you can visit cafes, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, chocolatiers and pastry shops, as well as art galleries, traditional clothing stores, bookstores, theaters and even Churches and Synagogues. And if you prefer, you can choose to cross the entire avenue by tram.
Salvador em Chora’s Church
The next stop is the Igreja de São Salvador in Chora. Initially built as a Byzantine Church, in the 16th century it was converted into a Mosque and is currently a Museum. The building has some of the best-preserved Byzantine mosaics in the world and is a must-visit for those who appreciate art.
FIKA Recomendations
Where to stay?
Istanbul has a wide range of accommodation, from the cheapest to the most luxurious, and there are so many options that we have listed our hotel recommendations below, already booked by our team.
€€€ – 10 Karakoy Istanbul
What to eat?
Istanbul is a city of vivid smells and strong flavors, a true gastronomic capital! Therefore, if you intend to visit this city, you cannot return without tasting some of the delicacies iconic locations.
Baklavas
Dürüm
Turkish Delight
Simit
Lokma
More atractions in Istanbul
If you want to stay a few more days in Istanbul, we leave you our recommendation of additional places to visit. This is the beauty of Istanbul, it always surprises you with new adventures and new experiences.
Yerebatan Saray
Palácio de Çırağan
Corno de Ouro
Torre de Leandro
Museu de Arte Moderna de Istambul
Rumelihisarı
Museum of Great Palace Mosaics
Sent Antuan Kilisesi
Estádio Beşiktaş
You weren’t expecting this!
You weren’t expecting this! It was on my first night in Istanbul, around 6:00 am, when I woke up with a start! During the first few minutes, I didn’t understand very well what was going on, or what I was hearing… Until there was light! It’s the Calling.
The Call is part of the Muslim prayer ritual, it takes place 5 times a day and around the movement of the sun. The Call echoes through the Mosques and aims to alert and call people to prayer.
Inspired? Leave us your opinion!
