Istanbul is a magical blend of East and West that straddles the continents of Europe and Asia. This European gem overflows with rich history that spans a range of cultures and civilizations. Much like Athens and Rome, Istanbul is a hub for ancient history, museums, sights, and modern culture. For some, Istanbul is a layover spot due to their high-traffic airport, but for many, Istanbul is a bucket list travel destination. No matter how you find yourself in this one-of-a-kind city, this is your ultimate guide to 48 hours in Istanbul.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul has three major airports – IST, SAW, and ISL. The main airport is the IST airport which is located in the European side of the city. Most international flights arrive at the IST airport, including other flights from the EU. I highly recommend setting up a ride from the Istanbul airport rather than relying on Uber or Taxi since the drive is about an hour into the city. It is fairly easy to arrange a ride from the airport into the city through a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. As with most places, you will likely pay a much higher rate if you try to find a driver at the airport.
Where To Stay
Travelers visiting Istanbul can either stay on the Europe side or the Asia side of the city. Most the sights you’re doing to want to see, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Taksim Square, Galata Tower, the bazaars and Topkapi Palace are on the Europe side. There is a lot of traffic in Istanbul and it takes longer than expected to get from place to place. If you’re hoping to see the main sights, stay on the Europe side of the city.
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Ecole St. Perre Hotel
Day 1 – Museums & Historical Sights
After arriving at your hotel, start your trip by visiting the historical sights and museums. This is my philosophy whenever I travel! See the sights and museums first to learn about the history and significance of your new location. Then you can spend the rest of your time exploring with a more educated eye.
Hagia Sophia
The history of the Hagia Sophia spans over 1,500 years and represents a blend of Byzantine and and Ottoman culture. Once a church, then a museum, and now a mosque, the Hagia Sophia has seen the rise and fall of some of the most famous civilizations in history. The construction of this now mosque began in 532 AD, and you can definitely tell how old this building is when you’re there.
When walking through the mosque, you will see lots of Islamic and Christian elements due to it’s different times as a Christian church and a mosque. There are some original Christian mosaic in this mosque that are incredible to see in person.
Visitors have to purchase an entry ticket outside of the mosque for 25 Euros and this price only allows entry to part of the mosque. If you’d like to book a guided tour, try this one. This tour covers both the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque!
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque sits across the main square from the Hagia Sophia. You should plan to visit both mosques back to back.
The Blue Mosque
Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this mosque was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I of the Ottoman Empire.
There are over 20,000 hand painted tiles that make up the stunning interior of this mosque. I have never seen anything like it! Like many mosques, you will need to remove your shoes upon entering, so I’d recommend wearing shoes with socks.
Topkapi Palace Museums
The Topkapi Palace served as the primary residence for the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years, beginning in the late 1400s. Construction began in 1460 and houses some of the most sacred and infamous Islamic relics. In 1985, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss this iconic and very popular spot in Istanbul.
If you’re only in Istanbul for a few days, I’d say that the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace Museums are the top three sights to see.
Day 2 – Explore the City of Istanbul
Things To See
Taksim Square
Grand Bazaar
Spice Market
Galata Tower
Cruise the Bosporus
Istanbul is a vibrant, big, and busy city. I was a little bit caught off guard by how intense the traffic was. It reminded me of Mexico City a little bit. As you navigate around the city, allow for plenty of extra time since you will likely be sitting in some traffic! Either start south (Grand Bazaar) and go north (Taksim Square), or vice versa. Plan your day in a linear fashion in order to maximize your time and to avoid too much back and forth.
Day Bag – Important!
It’s extremely important to have a small and secure bag as you explore this chaotic city. I loved having my small shoulder bag (in the photo above) since it kept all of my belongings secure and was an acceptable size in all of the security checkpoints that we passed through. I wore my Black Chain Bag in Istanbul.
The Chain collection
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Chain Shoulder Bag – Espresso$295.00 -
Chain Shoulder Bag – Green$295.00 -
Chain Shoulder Bag – Black$295.00 -
Chain Shoulder Bag – White$295.00
Grand Bazaar & The Spice Market
We spent the first half of our day exploring these two markets. The markets are huge and it’s very easy to get lost. I always find it so fascinating to explore local shops like this to see the unique items that are traditional to certain cities.
Bring Cash!
Almost all of these vendors want are cash only. There are ATMs in the markets, but the conversion ratios are higher inside than they are in other locations. Try to get some cash out near your hotel before you get too close to the markets.
Galata Tower
Galata Tower
One of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks! This will be a quick stop on your city tour unless you want to go up to the top which offers stunning 360 views of Istanbul.
Originally constructed in the 1300s by the Genoese as the “Tower of Christ”, it later served as a watch tower for the Ottomans and then a fire lookout tower. Don’t miss this tower when you visit Istanbul.
Taksim Square
Continue north from Galata Tower and you’ll run right into Taksim Square. This is the main center of modern Istanbul. Some of the hotels that I recommended above are located in Taksim Square. You will find many mainstream shops and restaurants in this area. Also located in Taksim Square is the infamous red cable car. As you walk the streets you’re sure to see the red cable car transporting people around this area of town.
If you’re hungry, grab lunch or dinner at 360 Istanbul. It’s a nicer restaurant with unbelievable views and the food was great!
Night Cruise
One of the best nights of my life was on a boat party in Istanbul! Obviously, there are many different types of boat cruises. You can book a relaxing sunset cruise or more of a party cruise. We booked our party cruise through Cheers Hostel and partied the night away with ~200 people from all over the world. There’s nothing quite like being on a boat in with Europe on one side and Asia on the other. No matter what type of cruise you’re looking for, this is a must-do when visiting Istanbul!
Enjoy Istanbul!
If Istanbul is on your list, or you’re looking to get inspired by a new destination, I hope this guide was helpful. Istanbul is like no other place I’ve experienced so far and I can’t wait to go back. History buffs and culture lovers, this one’s for you.
