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Istanbul for 3 Days and 3 Nights

Posted by (Dallas-Fort Worth) on

Good morning/afternoon/evening, friends.

Looking for recommendations for three days and three nights, in Istanbul. We have booked our hotel in the Sultanahmet district and of course, plan on seeing the main sites there. I am anticipating a fair amount of posts shaming us for only booking it for three days and nights, but I would prefer all feedback be geared towards recommendations. With a young child, we don't have the luxury of traveling for more time than that, adults only. : )

This is our first kid free trip, just wife and I, since our son was born 5 years ago - so we only have 3 days/nights in Istanbul and 3 days/nights in Cappadocia. We found round trip direct Business Class tickets from DFW to Istanbul and back, for $1,600 a piece and jumped at the deal!

We are mostly looking for best advise from others on how to best utilize two days. We are confident we can see Hagia Sophia. Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace in one day. We plan on visiting the Grand Bazaar for a bit but not too long since we aren't big shoppers - and possibly Galata Tower. We really want to check out the Asian side of the city and perhaps Çamlıca Mosque. We are both 34 years old and very active travelers and love being on the move.

I really appreciate all of the responsive feedback. Since this is our first kid free trip in so long (last one was Greece in 2017 - yikes) we are beyond excited to have quality time and enjoy as much as we can, for what Turkey has to offer. Thank you - your recommendations will help our trip be even more special!

Posted by
3264 posts

In the Sultanahmet area you might enjoy visiting the underground Cisterna. I’d stop to explore the Spice Market (which I enjoyed more than the Bazaar) and walk to the water’s edge and grab a fish sandwich from the vendors on the waterfront. Then, across the bridge to Karakoy. Take Tünel - the old subway - up to Istiklal Cadessi and stroll up to Taksim Square. You could also visit the Dolmabaçhe Palace or perhaps catch a ferry to take an inexpensive voyage part way up the Bosphorus and see the mosques, palaces and old wood homes that line the way.

In Sultanahmet I really enjoyed having kofte and salad at the 100+ year old Sultanahmet Köftecisi.

Posted by
1900 posts

I did this food tour when I was in Istanbul. It was fantastic, and it will give you a good opportunity to see a little of the Asian side and to eat some great and interesting food.

https://culinarybackstreets.com/tours-food-tours/tours-istanbul/2016/two-markets-two-continents/

That won't get you to the Çamlıca Mosque, but there are so many beautiful mosques closer to your lodging, and you won't have time to see them all. Süleymaniye Mosque and Rüstem Pasha Mosque are real standouts.

Oh, and enjoy Turkish Airlines Business Class. It's awesome. (Flying them next week, Mexico City to Istanbul and then Istanbul to Cape Town.)

Posted by
118 posts

How exciting that you are able to have a child-free vacation!!

I enjoyed the Turkish and Islamic Arts museum very much. It's in Sultanahmet. If you are into museums, definitely check it out. I too liked the spice bazaar more than the Grand bazaar, just wandering around was fun. And I liked the food at Çiya Sofrası in Kadiköy.

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