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Istanbul - 4 days or 6 days.

I am debating if I should spend 4 days or 6 day in Istanbul (5 days is not an option as the flights I need aren't daily). The first day I will be tired from the long flight and I arrive early in the morning, so I really don't know how much I'll get done on day 1. I have been to Istanbul briefly on a cruise stop and had hired a private guide since my visit was so short. I don't really know logistics of how easy/difficult it is to get around and my visit will include a weekend, so some sights will be closed on Sunday. I am particularily interested in these sights:- Tokapi Palace, Chora Church, Taksim Sq, Galata and a Bosphours Cruise. I don't remember the Blue Mosque too well and would like to revisit. Any advice if these sights can easily be seen in 4 days or if I really do need 6 days to visit the sights. Also, want to add I have been to my local bookstore and have ordered Rick Steve's Istanbul guide, I am sorry if the questions I ask can easily be answered by reading the guide. Obviously, I haven't had a chance to read the guidebook yet. I do need to commit to my flights by Tuesday which is why I need to know exactly how many days I should spend in Turkey. Thanks.

Posted by
3247 posts

You could easily see the main sites that you mentioned in 4 days. I'd plan one day for the Bosporus Cruise, another for Taksim Square and Galata Bridge (might be good for your first day), combine Topkapi Palace with the Blue Mosque, and see Chora Church on another. Public transportation is excellent for the places you want to visit. Rick Steves' Istanbul guide is a great resource for planning your time. We spent 7 days in Istanbul and found plenty to do!

Posted by
3696 posts

I just spent 5 days there and would have been exhausted to do it all in 4. I need time to hang out and just watch Turkish life go by. I like to revisit a few places and find my favorite coffee shop and restaurant. We did a day cruise and also saw all the things you listed and went back to the Grand Bazaar twice. We stayed central and walked everywhere. Also enjoyed the Spice Bazaar. So, if I were leaving to go on to another exciting location you could do it in 4, but if you are just going home I would stay 6. We also went to the Cistern and Haiga Sofia (which you do not mention) There is a lovely park that we went to a couple of times. I love Istanbul, and I think it is now my favorite large city.

Posted by
15 posts

I would recommend spending 6 days if you can and take a day trip to Ephesus, where you can visit the ruins. It's a very short flight from Istanbul (fly to Izmir and take a short train to the town of Selcuk). It's an amazing place and worth the minor effort to get there.

Posted by
110 posts

Thanks for the replies. I agree Ephesus is worth a visit, I had been there last time when I was in Turkey. As for Istanbul, I would lilke to visit sights that I haven't been to already, which is why I didn't list all the usual tourist sights. I was able to rebook my airline ticket, so now I have a few more days to debate how long to spend in Istanbul. I am thinking of staying for 4 days as the weather won't be the best in late October/early November.

Posted by
2 posts

I'm in Istanbul right now and I'd say you'll be fine in 4 days. Also nothing will be closed over the weekend -- it's Monday/Tuesday you have to worry about (though not all sites you want to see are closed on the same day). I easily did Chora Church, Hagla Sophia, and Blue Mosque today, and I'd say you wouldn't have any probem doing those things even if you count a full day for the cruise (which is completely amazing). I would recommend you give yourself a "wiggle" day on either end and then do this in three days: First Day: Chora Church, Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque (maybe do Tokapi Palace if you start at 9AM and are incredibly diciplined, but this is unlikely) Second Day: Bosphorous Cruise (and go to the bridge for sunset) Third Day: Tokapi Palace (if not already done) then head over to Taksim and cruise around the New District. Nicole

Posted by
8 posts

In Istanbul now and would like a rec on which cruise to take or would u take the ferry?