I was so curious about Istanbul. The history, the architecture, the food, everything. So, I’m not completely sure what I was thinking booking just 2 days in Istanbul! But there I was in the middle of this grand city trying to see as much as possible.
In such a short amount of time, I was hooked. Istanbul was a bustling city with a really exciting energy and each neighbourhood had its own unique charm.
Is 2 days in Istanbul enough?
I won’t lie, 2 days is just not enough. Istanbul surprised me with its size and I know I need to go back one day to see more. I managed to squeeze in a lot in my time here (averaging 20,000 steps each day!) but I’d say a minimum of 3 days is probably a more comfortable amount of time here.
Istanbul is such a cool city, and each of its neighbourhoods are so unique, that it really should be experienced at a slower pace. My biggest issue was that I didn’t get to try all of the food I had on my list! That being said, if you’re really strapped for time, you can do it and get a good feel of the city.
2 Days in Istanbul – Things to Do
Day One
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Arasta Bazaar
- Lunch at Şehzade Cağ Kebap
- Explore Balat
- Dinner
Hagia Sophia
Start early with a tour of Hagia Sophia. The crowds can become progressively substantial as the day goes on, so it’s best to start your day here. I recommend booking a guided tour, as you get to skip the line.
Hagia Sophia may be one of the most spectacular religious sites that I’ve visited. The crossover between the original Orthodox Christian architecture blended in with Islamic design is fascinating, amidst stunning golden mosaics and marble interiors. The celestial face of Seraphim within the dome overlooking the names of the seven prophets of Allah was really something to marvel at. The site has undergone some serious changes since its inception. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, was originally built in the 6th Century as a Christian church but when the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque.
In 1931, the Turkish government converted the site into a museum, opening it to the public but in 2020, it was once again transformed and the main floor serves as a mosque whilst the rest of the building is open as a museum.
It was one of my highlights of my 2 days in Istanbul. The history and architecture here is incredibly fascinating.
Blue Mosque
Our next stop is just across the square. The Blue Mosque. I recharged with a Turkish tea between my tours and be warned, the queue can take nearly an hour! I had booked a guide for the Blue Mosque as well and the timings worked out perfectly. The Hagia Sophia tour started at 9:00 AM finishing at around 10:30 AM and my Blue Mosque tour started at 10:45 AM.
To find out more about these tours and to book book them, click the links below:
I booked a tour because I really wanted to find out about the history and I’m glad I did because the tour guide kept us well informed during our time queuing up for the security check. We were able to ask him questions and really deep dive into the history before we even entered the mosque. It was raining that day and my guide kindly shared his umbrella with me too!
The Blue Mosque was encapsulating. The stained glass windows and intricate tiling in here had me mesmerised.
If you decide not to do any of the tours, note that both Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are closed during prayer times (check hours before you visit) and the Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays.
What to wear to Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque
For women: a headscarf is necessary, as well as long skirts or bottoms that cover your knees. Shoulders also need to be covered.
For men: long sleeved tops and bottoms are required and vests/shorts are not allowed.
Arasta Bazaar
As I was walking around the Sultanhamet area, I noticed that there was a small shopping street called Arasta Bazaar, right next to the Blue Mosque. I walked through it and found a cute street filled with trinkets, ceramics, rugs, jewellery and Turkish delight. It’s small but it’s worth a walk through.
I also highly recommend stopping at Ahsen Mizan (Shop 159) for Turkish Delight. This was not the ‘typical’ Turkish Delight that I knew of but instead a sweet sheet of nougat wrapped around a bed of nut-based cream and covered in crunchy nuts. It was incredible! I tried hazelnut and pistachio and I was obsessed.
Lunch at Şehzade Cağ Kebap
There are plenty of places to find kebabs in Istanbul but close to Sultanahmet, the prices were around £18! This was actually more expensive than London and I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I recommend travelling over to Galata or Balat for cheaper meals but I was super hungry and wanted to try the famous Şehzade Cağ Kebap.
Similar to a doner kebab, it’s made from lamb and after it’s grilled on the spit, the skewers of meat are then grilled in the charcoal fire for a crispier (yet still juicy) texture. Served with thin, lavash bread and I ordered a chilli sauce on the side, this was delicious and cost me a tenner.
Nearby, visit Hafiz Mustafa 1864 for one of the most famous baklava in Istanbul. Either take some home or stop and enjoy a sweet treat with a Turkish tea after lunch.
Explore Balat
Hopefully you’re feeling re-fuelled after lunch, as we’re going to travel to Balat. I was staying in Sultanahmet, so I took the tram line T1 to Eminönü and caught the local bus to the stop Fener. From here, walk Vodina Caddesi (Vodina Street). There are so many cafes and restaurants down this road, you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice on where to stop for a snack or dinner later. I saw quite a few restaurants with manti on the menu – a meat dumpling smothered in yoghurt and chilli and people making fresh gozleme – a turkish flatbread stuffed with spinach and cheese.
I loved this area of Istanbul. I loved the artsy feeling scene here and the cute shops that lined the streets and if I had stayed longer in Istanbul, I would have probably loved to stay in this area. Yıldırım Street, just parallel to Vodina Street, also offers more cafes and restaurants. I sat at Cafe Naftalin K for a while just enjoying the baklava, tea and people watching.
Balat is famously known for their colourful houses. You can actually just pop ‘Coloured Houses of Balat’ into Google Maps and it will take you to the famous photo-snapping spot.
Day Two
- Breakfast at Queb
- Grand Bazaar
- Galata Tower
- Galata Bridge & Eminönü Fish Market
- Bosphorus Cruise
Rooftop breakfast
Enjoy a much more relaxed pace today with a rooftop breakfast. I went to Queb Rooftop where I sat and devoured a bowl of menemen – a popular traditional Turkish dish made of tomatoes, green peppers and spices with silken scrambled eggs running through it. Served with heaps of fresh bread and Turkish tea, this was a perfect start to the day. It had a fantastic view of the Bosphorus River on one side and the grand Hagia Sophia on the other. The service was lovely, the menemen was delicious and it kept me full for hours!
There are a few rooftop restaurants to choose from – just keep your eyes peeled from the ground floor for signs that direct you up. It really is a highlight if you’ve just got a short 2 days in Istanbul.
Grand Bazaar
I then made my way to the famous Grand Bazaar. I was told not to shop here as the Asian side of Istanbul is much cheaper but I just didn’t have the time. Plus, the Grand Bazaar is a spectacle in itself. The alleyways filled with boutiques and shops are a real labyrinth of treasures. People weren’t exaggerating when they say this place is a maze – I thought I’d memorised the entrance that I came from but nope. Not a clue.
If you’ve only got 2 days in Istanbul, make sure to visit the Grand Bazaar, and wander through the passages filled with shops touting a range of things from ornamental lamps, beautiful rugs, delicate ceramics, unique jewellery and way more. I didn’t find the pricing terrible here – I bought a medium sized lamp for around £25 and when I checked a store in Galata, a similar lamp was around £30.
Galata Tower
Take the T1 tram to Karaköy and begin walking to Galata Tower. Standing at 220 feet tall, the grand structure can be seen from many points in Istanbul. It originally served as a watchtower during the rule of the Byzantine Empire, when Istanbul was called Constantinople. During the Ottoman rule, it then served as a fire watchtower and then a prison. Over the years, it’s suffered a lot of damage caused by earthquakes and fires but has been restored into what we see today.
Now, the Galata Tower is a popular tourist attraction, featuring an observation deck with panoramic views of Istanbul and features a small museum. It’s considered one of the most iconic landmarks of Istanbul.
The Galata Tower has an entry fee of €30 and you can purchase them in advance from the official website here. You can opt to climb the 146 steps, otherwise the lift will take you up to the 7th floor, and you can walk the short way up to the observation deck. Expect queues for the lift, especially at peak times. You can also buy a skip-the-line ticket.
Afterwards, explore the charming neighbourhood of Galata. It felt quite trendy here with cute vintage shops and plenty of cafes around every corner. Stroll down Istiklal Street, which is known as London’s Oxford Street of Istanbul, and see the iconic red tram. If you’re an art-lover, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art is in Galata too.
Galata Bridge & Eminönü Fish Market
Instead of catching the tram back, soak in your surroundings with a light stroll across the Galata Bridge. Cross over the Bosphorus River and marvel at a beautiful vantage point of Istanbul’s skyline from the bridge. As you walk across, you’ll see plenty of fishermen striving for their catch of the day. It’s fascinating to watch and see what they pull up from their fishing rods.
Speaking of fresh fish, once you cross the bridge, you’re going to be in fresh fish heaven. The area of Eminönü is a fishermen’s market and therefore known for its fresh fish and vibrant atmosphere. This is a perfect spot to enjoy traditional fish sandwiches – try mackerel wraps from vendors on the street or try one of the many fish restaurants located directly underneath Galata Bridge. There are plenty to choose from with good reviews! They should also recommend what’s in season so you can have the most succulent and fresh fish.
Bosphorus Cruise
You’ve probably racked up a few thousand steps by now, so take it easy and hop on board a Bosphorus river cruise. What a way to end your 2 days in Istanbul! It feels cathartic watching the sun set over this vibrant and exciting city, peacefully ebbing with the flow of the river.
Either book directly with vendors at Eminönü or book below on GetYourGuide. Just make a note of your meeting point as they can vary. The third one on the list below departs from Eminönü but there are plenty of options to choose from, with some including dinner and a show.
So that’s it! You’ve successfully managed to conquer an incredible (yet probably exhausting) 2 days in Istanbul. I loved my time in this city and can’t wait to come back for longer one day! Let me know if you visit Istanbul and what you think!
