Istanbul: what to see/do in 3 days
Istanbul is a unique city. The only metropolis in the world belonging to two continents, cradle of Byzantine civilization, capital of the Ottoman Empire and crossroads of peoples and cultures, old Constantinople is a megalopolis that attracts millions of tourists every year. The most important cultural, economic and financial center of Turkey, Istanbul offers an immense artistic and cultural heritage, difficult to fully enjoy in a few days of vacation. If, however, you feel like savoring the unique charm of this city in a weekend, here are the things to see and do in 3 days in Istanbul.
The beginning of our visit to Istanbul starts in the monumental Sultanahmet Square. This place housed the ancient Roman circus, called the Hippodrome of Byzantium, wanted by Septimius Severus in the 1st century AD. The square hosts some of the most emblematic attractions of the city in its vicinity. In fact, we find the most important monument of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia on one side and the so-called Blue Mosque on the opposite side. The Hagia Sophia, the second oldest religious building in the city after the Basilica of Santa Irene, is currently a mosque after having been a Christian basilica first and a museum later (until 2019). This jewel of Byzantine art attracts thousands of visitors every year and the lines can be very long (among other things, access to visitors is interrupted during the 5 daily prayers of the Muslim faithful) but the beauty of the mosaics and its grandeur is worth the ‘wait! Another symbol of Istanbul is the Blue Mosque. A few steps from the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque with its 6 minarets and its mosaics of over 21,000 tiles give the monumental dome a splendid blue color that makes it unique.
Within walking distance of these attractions we find the Topkapi Palace. Built on top of one of the 7 hills of the city of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace is a vast complex of buildings that was the seat of the Sultan and his court for around 400 years. Within this large complex we find the ancient imperial mint, the treasury, the kitchens, the stables, the audience chambers, the library and above all the spectacular Harem which with its magnificent decorations and 400 rooms will fascinate the visitor in a place impressive and full of history.
Another unique place in the city is the Basilica Cistern. The largest of the many cisterns in the city, born as a cistern to contain the water supplied by the Valente aqueduct, it is today a suggestive place where concerts and other events take place and obviously one of the attractions most besieged by tourists. The lighting, reflections and plays of light on the water create a unique atmosphere.
Among the things to do in Istanbul, strolling through its bazaars is definitely one of the things not to be missed. The two main bazaars are the Egyptian Bazaar (also known as the Spice Bazaar) and the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the city and one of the largest in the world with over 61 streets and 400 shops. A few steps from the Egyptian Bazaar, a visit to the New Mosque is also inevitable. Majestic and spectacular near the Galata bridge, the New Mosque was built around 1600 at the behest of Sultan Murad III and offers mosaics with blue hues as beautiful as those of the Blue Mosque. To enjoy excellent fish cuisine, a stop on the Galata Bridge in one of the restaurants in the commercial part of the bridge is a must.
One of the activities to do in Istanbul to get an idea of the vastness of the city and the unique place where it stands between Europe and Asia, is a cruise on the Bosphorus. Passing by the Golden Horn and then going along the European and then Asian coast of the city, a boat tour will allow you to enjoy a unique view of the city’s skyline, especially at sunset, and see the main attractions from a unique perspective.
Istanbul also offers a lively nightlife, typical and starred restaurants of international prestige. A few days of vacation in the Turkish megalopolis will certainly not be enough to better appreciate this city of a thousand faces, perfumes and cultures, but it will certainly make you want to reschedule a visit as soon as possible!
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