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Istanbul is one of the most visited cities in Europe (and Asia since it lies on two continents) and is known for its incredible beauty, its amazing food, and very hospitable people. In addition, you can meet other cool travelers too especially when you stay in a hostel which there are plentiful hostels in Istanbul. I managed to spend 3 days last year in September in the incredible city of Istanbul, Türkiye, and here is how you can make the most of your trip there.
Day 1 – Main Sights
I spent my first day in Istanbul exploring the major sites around the city especially the Sultanahmet area. Some of the major attractions include the Hagia Sophia mosque, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern. Hagia Sophia is one of the most incredible mosques in the world which originally started out as a church before becoming a mosque. In the 20th Century, Hagia Sophia became a museum before returning to be a mosque in 2020. Inside the mosque you will see all kinds of beautiful designs and decorations which are completely stunning to see. I was fortunate enough last year to be able to explore inside on the main floor, but starting in 2024, only certain areas inside the mosque are open to non-Muslims.
In addition, I also got to explore the Blue Mosque across the way which was really neat to see. The mosque has a total of 6 minarets, and it was also incredible to see. Nearby both mosques is the Basilica Cistern which was built back during the days of the Byzantine Empire which once stored over 75 million liters of water. The cistern is very dark inside, but dim lights allow you to navigate inside, and the lights change colors every few minutes. After exploring the cistern, I then went over to the Grand Bazaar which has so many different vendors trying to sell you everything from carpets to other goods. Navigating the bazaar can be rather challenging and maze-like, but it is very intriguing and makes you excited to see something new at every corner.
After visiting the bazaar I went across the Galata Bridge to get the best views of the city from the top of Galata Tower. Despite standing in a long queue to go up, the incredible views from the top were totally worth it. While in the area, I also got to walk down İstiklal Street with all of its many restaurants, cafes, shops, and art galleries before ending my walk at Taksim Square.
Day 2 – Visiting Asian Istanbul
The nation of Turkey lies on both Europe and Asia, and Istanbul is right in the middle of the two continents as the city is divided up by the Bosphorus Strait. I took the ferry across to the Asian side of Istanbul to visit two areas of Istanbul: Üsküdar and Kadıköy. Üsküdar is more traditional, and it was the area during the days of the Ottoman Empire when pilgrims would depart for the Hajj in Mecca. It was neat getting to explore a part of Istanbul which did not seem as busy and had plenty of local markets to explore including a fish market.
I then took a dolmuş which is a small yellow taxi-like van that takes only cash over to Kadıköy. Kadıköy is more secular and contemporary than Üsküdar. The area had all kinds of shops and restaurants to see as well as a large, bronze statue of a bull. I then took a ferry back across the Bosphorus to Europe. Istanbul is one of those very few places which you can say that you went to a new continent and back in one day!
Day 3 – Topkapı Palace
I had to leave for the airport later that day as I was getting ready to fly from Istanbul to Tbilisi, Georgia, but I had some more time to spare. Back in the Sultanahmet area I went to visit Topkapı Palace which was the main residence for the sultans during the Ottoman Empire. Before modern day Türkiye was founded by the first Turkish president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Istanbul (previously Constantinople) was the heart of the Ottoman Empire which stretched from the Middle East to southeast Europe and northern Africa.
Topkapı Palace has everything from gorgeous courtyards and pavilions to palace rooms and hammams. The palace also contains around 10,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain, traditional weapons, ceremonial thrones, and even sacred Islamic objects including objects directly used by Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam.
Although I could only spend 3 days in Istanbul, it was incredibly beautiful. I would love to return someday to explore more of it.
Food
One of my favorite parts about Istanbul is all of the amazing food you can eat. I ate at a couple of restaurants where I got to enjoy some kebab. One of my favorite places to eat was at Şeyhmuz Kebap Salonu which is located several minutes away from the Grand Bazaar. It is a local spot where you can get some of the best kebab in all of Istanbul. Make sure to get the Şeyhmuz Kebap which is a mix of lamb and veal with pistachio. The meat was tender, juicy, and delicious!
Istanbul is also very budget friendly too when it comes to great eats. There are many spots around town where you can enjoy döner kebab which is a great takeaway meal. Throughout the city you will see many vendors selling some of the sweetest corn on the cob you can eat (and that’s coming from a guy whom loves the corn grown in Michigan) as well as börek and fish sandwiches served from a boat. For dessert, the ice cream is top notch too. The vendors selling the ice cream will try to trick you by doing all kinds of funny tricks to make you not get the ice cream. After a while, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious delicacy. Everything was quite affordable overall when it comes to the price.
Lodging in Istanbul
Istanbul is a very large city, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding a place to stay especially for 3 nights. You will find all kinds of great hotels and hostels in which you can stay including some only a 10-15 minute walk from Hagia Sophia. Istanbul is home to many great hostels which you can stay in. I was able to stay in a hostel with a private room during my stay. I wanted to still have a private room like a hotel, but I wanted to meet other travelers too and socialize. At the hostel I was able to chat with other travelers about where their journeys were taking them as well as to play different community games like beer pong and UNO.
How to Find the Right Hostel For You
It can be challenging sometimes to find a hostel to stay in which is right for you. There is a new hostel booking platform called Hostel Hop which gives you an easier way to find the perfect hostel to stay in during your next adventure including to Istanbul. What is great is that Hostel Hop was built by backpackers who have stayed in many hostels over the years and are now helping other travelers find the best hostels to stay in. One of the coolest things about Hostel Hop is that it allows personable maps to be shared across social media to share some of the best hostels to stay in. With this, you can also earn cash by recommending hostels to other travelers.
How to Find Hostel Hop
Hostel Hop is available in both the App Store (for iPhone) and the Google Play Store (for Android), and you can create a FREE account to start finding the perfect hostel today especially in Istanbul. To find a hostel in Istanbul to stay in, you may go here to find the perfect hostel:
https://links.hostelhop.io/96phXdJMXIb
You may find more information on Hostel Hop at the main website at https://hostelhop.io/. You may also download the app on your iPhone at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hostel-hop/id6473739477 (for Android users, you may find it in the Google Play Store).
Final Thoughts
Istanbul is truly a wonder of its own, and it is one of those cities which has to be visited at least once. With many connections to cities around the world (there is even nonstop flight service between Detroit and Istanbul now via Turkish Airlines), Istanbul is a fabulous city to visit especially if you only have 3 days to visit like I did.
Scottman895 Travel 