With three days based in Nişantaşı (Nisantasi), spend day one in the neighbourhood and on the Bosphorus, day two in the old city, 30 to 45 minutes away by metro, and day three on one of several trips, such as the Asian side, the Princes’ Islands or a long Bosphorus cruise. With one day, follow day one; with two, add the old city.
This plan assumes you are staying in or near Nişantaşı and want a mix of the neighbourhood itself and Istanbul’s big sights. With one day, follow day one; with two, add the old city; with three, pick one of the options for day three. Swap the days around to suit the weather and opening hours.
Day 1: Nişantaşı and the Bosphorus
- Morning: start with a long Turkish breakfast; our food guide explains what to order. Then look into Teşvikiye Mosque and stroll along Abdi İpekçi and Teşvikiye streets while the shops are quiet. See shopping in Nişantaşı.
- Afternoon: walk down through Maçka Democracy Park and ride the short cable car across it, or visit the Military Museum in Harbiye. Then continue downhill past Akaretler to Dolmabahçe Palace and the Beşiktaş waterfront.
- Evening: see the Bosphorus at sunset, either on a sightseeing cruise or on the public ferry from Beşiktaş to Kadıköy or Üsküdar and back. Take a taxi up the hill for a late dinner in Nişantaşı, and book ahead on Fridays and Saturdays.
Day 1: from Teşvikiye down to the Bosphorus
- Places to see
- Metro, ferry, cable car
- Walking route
Walk: Teşvikiye to Beşiktaş, about 1.7 km and 25 minutes downhill
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Teşvikiye Mosque
The neighbourhood’s 19th-century mosque, open to visitors outside prayer times.
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Abdi İpekçi Street
Istanbul’s luxury row, with the flagship stores of the big fashion houses.
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Maçka Democracy Park
A long green valley for morning runs, picnics and the walk down to the Bosphorus.
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Maçka cable car
A few minutes over the treetops to Taşkışla in Harbiye. Pay with your Istanbulkart.
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Military Museum
Ottoman arms, armour and ceremonial tents; the Mehter band plays on some afternoons.
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Akaretler
A terrace of restored 19th-century row houses with shops and restaurants.
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Dolmabahçe Palace
The 19th-century Ottoman palace on the water. Closed one day a week.
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Beşiktaş ferry pier
Public ferries to Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian side; cruises leave nearby.
Map data © OpenStreetMap
Day 2: The old city
- Morning: take the M2 metro straight to Vezneciler. Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, with its views over the Golden Horn, then lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays).
- Midday: walk downhill along Divanyolu to Sultanahmet. Choose between Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, or give the afternoon to Topkapı Palace, which can easily fill half a day on its own.
- Evening: take the T1 tram across the Galata Bridge to Karaköy, walk up through the lanes of Galata for dinner, and catch the M2 back to Osmanbey from Şişhane.
Our guide to getting to the old city has the routes step by step, and tips on prayer times and queues. A licensed guide saves time and makes the history come alive.
Day 3: Choose one
- The Asian side: a ferry to Kadıköy for its food market, then a walk to the Moda seafront for sunset.
- Bosphorus villages: Ortaköy, Arnavutköy and Bebek along the European shore, ending at the Rumeli Hisarı fortress.
- The Princes’ Islands: a full day out on car-free islands, with pine woods and wooden mansions. Start early.
- A shopping day: Nişantaşı’s side streets in the morning, then one of the big malls on the M2 line in the afternoon.
Details, ferry tips and timings are in our day trips guide.
If it rains
Istanbul has plenty to do indoors. Swap in Topkapı Palace’s treasury and pavilions, the Basilica Cistern, the Military Museum or Dolmabahçe Palace, and take a long lunch. City’s Nişantaşı and the malls on the M2 line are good for an afternoon, and the concert halls in Harbiye are good for the evening.
Tips for planning
- Get an Istanbulkart on day one and use it for the metro, trams, ferries and the cable car. See our practical tips.
- Many museums close one day a week, and the Grand Bazaar closes on Sundays. Check opening days before you fix your plan.
- Mosques close to visitors during prayers, for longer at midday on Fridays.
- Nişantaşı and the old city are both hilly. Comfortable shoes matter more than you think.
- Arriving late on your first evening? Book your airport transfer in advance so day one starts rested.
Frequently asked questions
Are three days enough for Istanbul?
Three days is enough for the highlights: the old city, the Bosphorus and a feel for everyday neighbourhoods like Nişantaşı and Kadıköy. With five days or more, you can slow down and add the islands or a second day in the old city.
Does this plan work with children?
Yes, with fewer sights per day. Children usually love the ferries, the cable car over Maçka Park, the Basilica Cistern and the costumed band at the Military Museum. Taxis save little legs on the hills.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
Dinner at popular restaurants on weekends, a sightseeing cruise at sunset in summer, and guided tours in high season. Public ferries and the metro need no booking.