Istanbul in 4 Days: Adding the Asian Side

Four days are, for me, the more relaxed way to experience Istanbul: you get the first three days in the old town around Sultanahmet, in Galata and Beyoğlu and on the Bosphorus – plus a whole day on the Asian side in Kadıköy.

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Istanbul in 4 days: the first three days compact, plus a whole day with ferry, Kadıköy and Fenerbahçe – a route by paths and neighbourhoods.

This is my 4-day route for Istanbul, planned by neighbourhood: day 1 Sultanahmet, day 2 from the Grand Bazaar to Galata, day 3 from Tünel to Dolmabahçe and day 4 by ferry to Kadıköy. Below you'll find the four days at a glance, then each day in detail.

I don't plan Istanbul by a top-10 list. I plan by paths.

If we start in Sultanahmet in the morning, I don't want to go to Balat at noon, to Kadıköy in the afternoon and back to Sultanahmet in the evening. That's why I built the route so that the places of a day follow each other as naturally as possible: on foot through an area, then downhill or along the water in the next direction. That way you spend less time on unnecessary back and forth and more time in the city.

And on holiday we're not early risers: we usually leave the hotel between 10 and 11 and are out until about 7 or 8 in the evening. After that it's back to the hotel for about an hour, feet up – and later we often go out again, very often to the Galata Tower for a hot chocolate. That's exactly how the route is meant: as orientation, not as a minute-by-minute plan.

Istanbul in 4 Days – at a Glance

• Day 1: Sultanahmet – historic Istanbul
• Day 2: Grand Bazaar → Süleymaniye → Eminönü → Galata
• Day 3: Tünel → İstiklal → Taksim → Kabataş → Dolmabahçe
• Day 4: Eminönü / Sirkeci → ferry → Kadıköy

Each day stays within a connected area – so you don't travel across the city.

Are 4 days in Istanbul enough?

Yes. Four days are very well enough for a first visit to Istanbul if you plan your route by neighbourhood. With four days you see the old town, Galata and İstiklal, Dolmabahçe and a whole day on the Asian side with ferry and Kadıköy.

If you'd like even more calm, Istanbul in 5 Days adds Üsküdar, the Maiden's Tower and Çamlıca. With only three days you'll find the compact introduction in Istanbul in 3 Days.

Further reading: which neighbourhood in Istanbul suits you, eSIM for Istanbul, Istanbulkart and transport, what Istanbul costs and the big Istanbul Travel Guide.

Why the Fourth Day Belongs in Kadıköy

With day 4 you change sides. Kadıköy has a different rhythm from Sultanahmet or İstiklal: less of a sights list, more everyday life, food and street life. That's why it gets a day of its own instead of being squeezed between other items – and the ferry is already part of the experience.

You don't have to rebuild anything for this: days 1 to 3 stay as they are. Here is the short version so that you have the plan at a glance; the detailed version with all the photos and background is in Istanbul in 3 Days.

Days 1 to 3 at a Glance

Day 1: Sultanahmet – Historic Istanbul

Day 1 stays entirely in Sultanahmet; we start between 10 and 11. First the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, then the Sultan Ahmed Tomb right next door. On the square follow the German Fountain and the Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk. Then the Topkapı Palace, a longer break at The Han, a street stall with roasted chestnuts or corn and finally the Basilica Cistern – shortly before it stands the almost overlooked Ayasofya Su Terazisi, a historic water tower.

If you travel more slowly, you don't have to manage Topkapı and the Basilica Cistern on the same day: set priorities. You'll find all the details, photos and tips in the detailed 3-day route.

Day 2: Grand Bazaar → Süleymaniye → Eminönü → Galata

Day 2 goes downhill all day. Start in the Grand Bazaar, then the Süleymaniye Mosque with the tombs of Suleiman and Hürrem. Below the Süleymaniye are cafés and tea houses – we once celebrated New Year's Eve on a rooftop there, with fireworks and ship horns. Then further down to Eminönü: street bazaar and lanes where, in our experience, it is sometimes considerably cheaper than in the Grand Bazaar. Then the Spice Bazaar, the water and the Galata Bridge with the fishermen. On foot or with the Tünel you finally head towards Galata.

More photos, tips and the background: Istanbul in 3 Days.

Day 3: Tünel → İstiklal → Taksim → Kabataş → Dolmabahçe

Day 3 starts at Tünel and Galata and leads along İstiklal Caddesi – on foot or a stretch on the red nostalgic tram (many people often wait there, a bit of positioning is part of it). Take on the historic passages, for example the Çiçek Pasajı, and look in at the Rumeli Han – an underground brick passage was discovered there during restoration work (check beforehand whether it is currently accessible). Continue to Taksim Square with the Republic Monument and the Taksim Mosque, then downhill to Kabataş to the viewpoint on the Bosphorus and finally to the Dolmabahçe Mosque and the Dolmabahçe Palace.

All stops, photos and notes: Istanbul in 3 Days.

Day 4: From Eminönü and Sirkeci by Ferry to Kadıköy

Day 4 begins again in the old town, around Eminönü and Sirkeci – not in Karaköy, which only comes on day 5. Today the character of the trip changes: you travel to the Asian side.

Passages and Shops at Eminönü

First we go into the passages and shops at or beneath the Eminönü stop. There is an incredible number of shops there, and you can sometimes find really good bargains. That is our personal experience, not a price promise.

Sirkeci and the Orient Express Station

Before we go to the harbour, we make a detour to Sirkeci to the historic Orient Express station. There is also a small railway museum there, which we experienced on our visit – precisely because it is small, you can look at a lot in peace. Access and opening times change, and renovation and new use are being discussed for the station; check the current status before your visit.

By Ferry to Kadıköy

Then we go to the harbour and take the ferry to Kadıköy. For me the crossing itself is part of the experience; according to the timetables it takes about 20 minutes (check current times).

Kadıköy: Arriving Slowly

This is where your pace should change. Kadıköy pulses: street musicians, people, restaurants, shops, crowded lanes, local life. You don't have to rush through Kadıköy – walk slowly into the centre and experience the area.

We look at the famous Bull of Kadıköy and then walk through the bazaar, the market and the surrounding lanes – for example through the Tellalzade Sokak with its antique and record shops.

The Little Church: Aya Efimia

In one of the lanes lies the small Greek Orthodox church Aya Efimia – a quiet counterpoint to the bustle outside. Inside you see icons, inscriptions and a coat of arms with the double-headed eagle. Plan a little time if it is open.

Towards Fenerbahçe

From there we walk on towards Fenerbahçe and the Fenerbahçe Stadium. This is where the day can wind down.

How to Plan Four Days

Which accommodation suits this route?

Days 1 to 3 are in Sultanahmet, in the old town and around Galata and Beyoğlu. If you'd like to stay very centrally, Galata is my favourite; if you mainly love historic sights, you can choose Sultanahmet or Fatih. In the neighbourhood comparison with tested hotels you'll find help with the decision.

Weather and tiredness

The same applies for day 4 as everywhere: don't plan every slot. If it rains, the ferry is still lovely, only the walk through Kadıköy is shorter. And with children you simply leave out Fenerbahçe.

With children

A day with ferry and street life often works well with children; more on this in Istanbul with Children.

Do You Have One More Day?

Then continue with Istanbul in 5 Days: Karaköy, Galataport, Üsküdar, the Maiden's Tower and a quiet finish in Çamlıca.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see in Istanbul in 4 days?

In four days you see the old town of Sultanahmet with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque on the first day, the Grand Bazaar, the Süleymaniye Mosque, Eminönü and Galata on the second, İstiklal, Taksim and Dolmabahçe on the third, and on the fourth day Kadıköy by ferry with the bull, the bazaar and the lanes. All four days are listed at a glance above.

My Conclusion

Four days give you the city in two halves: first the old town, Galata and the Bosphorus, then a day on which you simply go along with the people in Kadıköy. For me that is a very rounded trip.

– Amra