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Istanbul, Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye

3 days in Istanbul

Where Europe meets Asia, bazaars, mosques and the Bosphorus. Here's how to spend 3 days in Istanbul: a realistic day-by-day plan you can copy and tweak. The best time for this 3 days Istanbul trip is June, July and August. Budget roughly $130/person/day before flights.

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Length
3 days
Best time
June, July, August
~Cost/day
$130
Currency
USD
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Your 3 days Istanbul itinerary, day by day

1

Day 1

09:00
İskenderpaşa~$5
İskenderpaşa is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Fatih, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its population is 12,024 (2022). It is in the European part of Istanbul. It is
12:30
Column of Marcian~$5
The Column of Marcian is a Roman honorific column erected in Constantinople by the praefectus urbi Tatianus and dedicated to the Emperor Marcian (450–57). It is located in the pres
16:00
Church of St. Polyeuctus
The Church of St. Polyeuctus was an ancient Byzantine church in Constantinople built by the noblewoman Anicia Juliana and dedicated to Saint Polyeuctus. Intended as an assertion of
2

Day 2

09:00
Central market & street-food lunch~$12
Grab lunch where locals do.
12:30
Aksaray station~$5
Aksaray is a rapid transit station on the M1 line of the Istanbul Metro. It is located in central Fatih under Adnan Menderes Boulevard near Aksaray square. Aksaray was opened on 3
16:00
Murat Pasha Mosque, Aksaray
The Murat Pasha Mosque is a 15th century Ottoman mosque squeezed in between two busy roads linking Aksaray and Yusufpaşa in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey.
3

Day 3

09:00
İskender Pasha Mosque, Fatih
İskender Pasha Mosque, a.k.a. Terkim Masjid is a historic mosque located in Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkey.
12:30
Aviation Martyrs' Monument~$5
The Aviation Martyrs' Monument, located in Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, is a memorial dedicated to the first soldiers of the Ottoman Airforce to be killed in flight accident
16:00
Istanbul~$5
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, a megacity, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of

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What 3 days in Istanbul costs

What this trip costs

$871
Flights$45052%
Stay$11713%
Activities$708%
Food$11713%
Local transport$475%
Shopping$314%
Buffer$394%
$290/day

Estimates for planning, so check live prices before you book.

Have more or less time in Istanbul?

2 days in Istanbul 4 days in Istanbul 5 days in Istanbul 1 week in Istanbul Full Istanbul guide

3 days in Istanbul: FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Istanbul?+

3 days is enough to cover the main highlights of Istanbul without rushing the essentials. The plan above balances the must-sees with time to wander.

What should I do on day 1 in Istanbul?+

Start with İskenderpaşa, Column of Marcian and Church of St. Polyeuctus. The full first day is mapped out above.

How much does 3 days in Istanbul cost?+

Budget around $130 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and activities), before flights, so roughly $390 per person for 3 days. The cost breakdown above splits it by category.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?+

The best months to visit Istanbul are June, July, August and September, when the weather suits sightseeing best.

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