Istanbul — a chaotic mix of cultures, cuisines and history. It’s so packed with history that I actually avoided visiting for the longest time. It just seemed too hectic, and honestly, inflation was a big turn-off.

I recently visited Istanbul for the first time in fall, and I was blown away by its architecture and rich history — yet equally overwhelmed by the sheer chaos of it.

The city's origins date back to the 7th century BCE when Greek settlers from Megara established a colony here, naming it Byzantium.

How was I able to soak in such a big city with limited time? On my list was visiting the Hagia Sophia mosque, the Blue mosque and exploring the neighbourhoods on the Asian and European side.

All these places are major tourist attractions and while they’re important to visit, I’ll implore you to see a different side of Istanbul that may not be on your list.

But first let’s tackle the more important thing: Asian side or European side - where should you stay?

Asian vs European side: Where should you start?

asian side or european side of istanbul? Here’s how to decide on your 3 to 5 days istanbul itinerary

I was confused at the beginning on where to stay because coming from the airport with your luggage and crossing from one side to the other can be time-consuming.

If I were you, I would choose to stay in the European side. Start with Sultanahamet — where most of the mosques and sights are and move towards Beyoğlu and Istiklal Street for architecture, cafes and bars during the remaining part of your stay.

The Bosphorus separates the European part of the city from Asian and it is easy to take a tram or ferry (as long as it is not during peak evening hours because it’s so crowded!)

Here’s a breakdown of the neighbourhoods you should visit so it’s easy to keep track.

European Side:

Sultanahmet: Everything historic is here from Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque to Topkapi Palace. p/s: this was the heart of Byzantine and Ottoman rule.
Fatih: Fairly conservative but also the place with the Grand Bazaar, old city walls, and old mosques. Feel like an old imperial capital!
Beyoğlu & Istiklal Street: All things modern and European-style architecture, cafés, and bars. The best thing is that the tram runs through this area.
Balat: If you love exploring history and culture in one place, don’t get fooled by its Insta-worthy colours. There’s old synagogues and it was once home to Istanbul’s Jewish and Greek communities.

Asian Side:

Kadıköy: For shopping and seafood, Kadikoy is on everyone’s list. There’s tea houses, strong arts scene and the perfect place to grab some Turkish souvenirs.
Üsküdar: I absolutely loved Uskudar — there’s a gorgeous spot near the waterfront to watch the sunset. It is also a good spot to get a fish wrap which was my go-to dinner!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. I only provide unbiased and completely honest recommendations. Read more about the site’s privacy policy.

Where To Stay?

some of the cute vintage shops in beyoglu, istanbul

It is much more budget-friendly to stay in the European side like Sultanhamet or Istikal. Here are my recommended stays:

In Sultanhamet

In Beyoglu/Istikal

Know Before You Go:

📶 SIM Card: I would highly recommend getting an eSim by Airalo. Turkey’s inflation is nuts and it is too expensive to get a simcard in Istanbul itself.
🚖 Pick-up: If you have luggage, it is so much better to pre-book your transfer here. If you’re travelling solo, you can also take the Havaist shuttle.
💳 Money & Payments: I’ll highly recommend carrying some Turkish Lira and using the rest through your Wise card just because of how crazy the prices keep fluctuating.
🚋 Getting Around: Just get the Istanbulkart for metro, trams, buses, and ferries. For taxis, use BiTaksi or Uber.
🕌 Dress Code for Mosques: If visiting mosques like the Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque, women should dress modestly so bring scarves and cover your knees.
🛡️ Travel Insurance: Highly recommend you get a cost-effective travel insurance something like SafetyWing.

Unique experiences worth doing in Istanbul:

Eurasia Bike & Boat Half-Day Tour: This is an awesome tour to ride through some of the most scenic parts of Istanbul!
Turkish Coffee Making and Fortune Telling Workshop: Pretty cool tour where you learn about the history of Turkish coffee as well as the social norms + a bit of fortune telling!
Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience: If you want to eat your way through Istanbul and meet cool people, this is a good option worth exploring!

3-5 Days Istanbul Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring all of Sultanahmet

The most impressive mosque in Istanbul — Hagia Sophia is a must-see on your itinerary. It was a church, a museum and now a mosque and stepping to see some historical Byzantine era artwork alongside Islamic calligraphy is worth the visit.

The costs on the other end is quite steep like 47 euros! Non-muslims are only allowed in upper area, where you can see most of everything.

Just across from the street is the Blue Mosque and it looks particularly iconic when you see it during sunset.

The history and the craftsmanship that went in to building is fascinating. Entry is free, but it's closed to non-worshippers during prayer times.

If you want to see an ancient water reservoir that’s 1500 years old, the Basilica cistern is one of the coolest place to visit.

You’ll also see Medusa heads tucked away in a corner. But the price is definitely outrageous, like 48 euros. You can skip the line and pay a cheaper price if you purchase it here.

If you want a cheaper version that’s half the price, you could consider Cistern of Theodosius in the same area.

One of the best things to do in Istanbul is go for a dinner cruise on a mega yacht and enjoy a 3 course dinner while seeing the sights of the Bosphorous sea.

It is one of the best ways to make memories and start your Istanbul trip on a high note. You can book it here — it is also shockingly cheap and worth the price!

Day 2: Grand Bazaar, Spice bazaar and Istikal Street & Galata Tower

the iconic grand bazaar of istanbul: chaotic but a nice mix of nuts, herbs and spices

You can totally do Grand bazaar on the same day but I feel it would be much better to do your shopping the next day. The Grand bazaar is definitely an experience on its own.

There’s teas, spices, dry fruits and trinkets — everything you need but with a bargain.

You can also grab something sweet and delicious, along with Turkish tea and coffee which most shop owners offer so you can take your time to buy what you need.

If you want something less overwhelming and compact with lesser people, head to the Egyptian bazaar (aka spice bazaar).

It also feels less aggressive with their selling which may be something worth exploring instead of people everywhere.

While you’re in the area don’t forget to try their delicious kebab shops with Ayran at Şehzade Cağ Kebap. You must try the lamb kebabs and Ezme, a classic tomato-based spiced Turkish sauce.

at the galata bridge: fisherman spotted from afar

In the evening, head over to the Galata bridge which serves as a connector to the other side towards Istikal street and Galata tower. It’s a lot of walking but it is nice to spot the local fisherman and also make your way to the Galata Tower.

At 63 meters tall, it is impossible to miss it. One of the best things to do is to try a San Sebastian cheesecake and have it Sirin Firin bakery.

There are so many cafes offering it that it is probably a nice way to people watch and eat your cake.

After this you can walk around Istikal street and towards Taksim square — there are so many bars, restaurants, cafes and shops to get stuff!

Day 3: Balat & Pierre Lotti

I almost skipped Balat because of how instagrammable it’ll be but I am so glad I went. This area is absolutely gorgeous — you’ll see colourful buildings, stairs, coffee shops, restaurants.

The best thing to do is just wander through these alleys and admire the neighbourhood.

I would also recommend taking a walking tour so you have a thorough history of these places. It adds depth and stories to these buildings which you won’t really understand without a local.

Not to far from here, you can catch the bus to see another side of Istanbul where people rarely go called Pierre Lotti. It is also a nice spot to see the views of Istanbul and see a quieter neighbourhood.

It is story of a naval officer called Pierre Loti who came to Turkey for the first time in 1876 and stayed one year. He discovered the historical coffeehouse that year.

There’s also an interesting graveyard here to walk and see the views called Eyüp Sultan Cemetery.

It hosts various tombs of numerous Islamic scholars and venerable individuals who dedicated their lives to imparting the teachings of Islam.

Day 4: Parks, Palaces & The Asian Side + Hammam Spa

To visit gorgeous trees and experience a park away from the busyness of Istanbul, Gulhane park offers that respite.

The tall trees, wooden benches and greenery felt calm and serene. You’ll also spot various attractions like the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam, located in one of the park's old buildings.

This is a spot worth exploring before heading into Topkapi palace. You’ll need atleast 3 hours to understand the full history of the Ottoman empire.

The palace has four large courtyards and each building or room has a number of things to view. It helps give you a clearer understanding of the life under the sultans’ rule and the Ottoman Empire.

In the evening, take the ferry to the Asian side like Kadıköy, walk around the local markets, grab a coffee, and enjoy the less touristy vibe. The ferry ride costs about 30 TL each way.

On your way grab a fish kebab from Sokak lezzeti Yıldırım Usta FİSH WRAP Karaköy and enjoy this mackerel kebab with a delicious coriander sauce and pomegranates. Take it to the İBB Karaköy Sahil Parkı to enjoy the sundown views!

You’ve to end the day with a spa at the Hammam. The Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam is a fantastic traditional Turkish Hamam experience right in the heart of Karakoy.

You'll lay down on a massive hot marble and then you're massaged and bathed by your masseuse.

Day 5: Çamlıca Tower & Camlica mosque (Uskudar)

the camlica mosque — the largest mosque in istanbul

If you have an extra day, I suggest stop everything you’re reading about Istanbul and head towards Camlica mosque.

This is the largest mosque in Istanbul and the one that’s absolutely worth visiting. It was newly opened in 2019 and the best part is that it is on Camlica hill so you get a 360 view of the Asian and European side.

I am surprised not many people visit this mosque as it is free and the interior is absolutely gorgeous with its traditional Turco-Islamic architecture.

What’s interesting is that the mosque was built by two female architects — I was told this is a rare thing in Turkey.

After visiting the Camlica mosque, head towards the Camlica tower. The entrance is about €25 per person but worth it as it is probably the best vantage point to view the whole of Istanbul.

It’s around 300 metres high but it’s built on top of a hill which has breathtaking views.

Like this story? PIN IT!