What to do in Istanbul in 3 hours

4 self-guided 3-hour routes through Istanbul — every stop timed, mapped and in the order that works on the ground.

The Greek Patriarchate, an iron church shipped down the Danube, the red castle of a school, the painted houses of Balat and the Byzantine mosaics of Chora.

Ecumenical Patriarchate · Bulgarian St Stephen Church · Phanar Greek Orthodox College · Balat · Chora

1.5 km on foot 5 stops 2h 20m total

3h Budget

Galata and Beyoğlu in three hours

Over the bridge from the old city, up to the tower, then the length of İstiklal to Taksim.

Galata Bridge · Karaköy · Galata Tower · Çiçek Pasajı · Taksim Square

2.4 km on foot 5 stops 2h 51m total

3h Budget

Kadıköy and Moda in three hours

The ferry across to Asia, Kadıköy's market streets, its art deco opera house and the seafront of Moda at sunset.

Ferry from Eminönü · Kadıköy Market · Bahariye Caddesi · Moda

1.3 km on foot 4 stops 2h 27m total

3h Budget

Üsküdar in three hours

Two mosques by Sinan, a third on the water's edge, the Maiden's Tower on its rock and tea on the shore as the sun goes down behind the old city.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque · Yeni Valide Mosque · Şemsi Paşa Mosque · Maiden's Tower · Salacak

0.6 km on foot 5 stops 2h 18m total

Planning the rest of the trip

These routes cover the walking. The Istanbul guide has where to stay, what a day costs at each tier, and what to book before you go.