Load an Istanbulkart at airport kiosks; one card can be tapped for multiple travelers by passing it back quickly. Ferry rides, trams, metros, and funiculars all accept it with discounted transfers within two hours.
Day 1: Sultanahmet
Start at Hagia Sophia (now free again but with separate entrance for worshippers). Dress modestly, remove shoes, and carry a plastic bag for footwear. Continue to the Blue Mosque (currently undergoing phased renovations) and Basilica Cistern—tickets for the cistern are purchased on-site; arrive when doors open to avoid lines.
Walk uphill to Topkapı Palace; reserve at least three hours. Harem entry is a separate ticket but worth it for the tile work. Break for lunch at Gülhane Park kiosks or nearby lokantas serving stews from hot trays.
Grand Bazaar Tactics
- Know your budget before browsing; cash gets better deals though many stalls brandish card readers.
- Never accept tea unless you're genuinely interested—it's polite but part of the sales dance.
- Exit through the Sandal Bedesteni for quieter antique shops and textile cooperatives.
Day 2: Galata + Karaköy
Cross the Galata Bridge at sunrise to watch fishermen. Take the Tünel funicular uphill, then climb Galata Tower (book tickets online). Independent coffee shops such as Coffee Sapiens and Noir Pit provide respites, while Neolokal and Karaköy Lokantası offer modern Turkish dining—reserve dinners days ahead.
Spend evenings tasting meze at meyhanes along Nevizade Street. Raki is traditionally mixed with water; pace yourself and order plenty of small plates (atom meze, grilled octopus, seasonal salads).
Day 3: Asian Side + Princes' Islands
Ride the Marmaray or ferry to Kadıköy for breakfast at Çiya Sofrası and Moda's seaside promenade. Later, board a ferry to Büyükada in the Princes' Islands; bicycles and electric carts are the main transport (motor vehicles are restricted). Pack snacks and respect no-photo signs at historic monasteries.
Practical
- Tap water is chlorinated but most locals drink bottled; consider refill stations at upscale cafes.
- Mosques lend scarves and skirts but bringing your own speeds up entry.
- Traffic is intense—factor in 1.5x the Google Maps estimate if crossing bridges by taxi.