3 Days in Istanbul: Notes from My Journey

Written by: Elena Martin – Spain
Date: September 15, 2025

Hello, my name is Elena. Traveling is my passion, and this time my journey took me to Istanbul. For three days, I explored its history, felt the breeze of the Bosphorus, and wandered through its modern streets. What you will read here is based entirely on my own impressions and experiences.

Istanbul… A city that seems to hold a thousand different worlds within itself. Every time I come here, I discover a new face. This time, I only had three days. “Can you really experience Istanbul in just three days?” Of course not. But every moment I lived here left such strong impressions that even after leaving, I carried its colors, scents, and sounds within me.

Day 1 – In the Heart of History: From Sultanahmet to Galata

Morning: The Silence of Hagia Sophia

Early in the morning, I arrived at Sultanahmet Square. The place was still quiet, only a few tourists and a couple taking photos. I stood in front of Hagia Sophia and stared for a long time. The domes, the heavy doors, the stones—they carried centuries of grandeur and weariness. Inside, the dim light, the mosaics, and the scent of history hit me all at once. I closed my eyes for a few minutes and felt time stop.

Just across the square, the Blue Mosque welcomed me. I slipped off my shoes and stepped inside. A deep peace surrounded me. The way the sunlight danced on the blue tiles reminded me of the magical palaces I had read about in childhood stories.

Noon: Lost in the Grand Bazaar

From there, I wandered into the Grand Bazaar. The smell of spices, the shimmer of gold, the endless voices—walking in felt like stepping into a labyrinth of colors and sounds.

At one shop I touched silk shawls, in another I admired copper coffee pots. I struck up a short conversation with a shopkeeper. He told me the shop had belonged to his father, that he had grown up in these narrow corridors. I bought a small coffee cup, not because I needed it, but because I wanted to remember that moment.

In a tucked-away café inside the bazaar, I sat down for Turkish coffee. Next to me, an old man puffed on a nargile while children chased each other in the background. For a while, I felt like I had slipped into another century.

Afternoon: Walking Toward Galata

I left the bazaar and began walking toward Galata. The cobblestone streets were lined with small cafés where people sipped tea while musicians played. As I reached the Galata Tower, the sun was beginning to set. I didn’t climb up; just sitting nearby, watching the sky turn golden and red, was enough. Seagulls circled above, and the wind carried the smell of the sea.

Evening: Dinner in Karaköy

By nightfall I was in Karaköy. I chose a small restaurant serving fresh fish. At the next table, two students were talking excitedly about their first trip to Istanbul. I ordered fish, salad, and a cold beer. Looking out the window, I could see the busy streets outside. Istanbul never seems to sleep.

When I finally returned to my hotel, I was exhausted—but as I closed my eyes, the dim light of Hagia Sophia, the smells of the bazaar, and the colors of the Galata sunset were still vivid in my mind.

Day 2 – The Breeze of the Bosphorus and the Colors of the City

Morning: Ferry to Üsküdar

The second day began with my favorite Istanbul ritual: a ferry ride. At Eminönü, I bought a warm simit and a steaming cup of tea before boarding. As the ferry moved across the Bosphorus, seagulls followed us, catching the pieces of bread I tossed into the air. The salty sea air, the sound of the horn, the steam of tea—it was a perfect Istanbul morning.

Arriving in Üsküdar, I sat by the water with the Maiden’s Tower in view. The city was waking up: fishermen with their rods, joggers passing by, children laughing. Across the water, the European side looked like a painting. I felt as though I was drifting between two worlds.

Noon: The Warm Streets of Kuzguncuk

From Üsküdar I walked to Kuzguncuk, and instantly felt like I had entered another town entirely. Wooden houses painted in bright colors, vines climbing over walls, small cafés tucked into corners. An old woman smiled at me and said, “Son, this place has changed a lot, but it’s still peaceful.”

I had lunch in a cozy garden shaded by fig trees. Homemade olive oil dishes, warm bread, and fresh lemonade filled the table. Around me, children’s laughter mixed with neighbors chatting across the tables. It was the warm, intimate side of Istanbul that tourists rarely see.

Afternoon: The Splendor of Dolmabahçe

From Kuzguncuk I crossed back to Beşiktaş and visited Dolmabahçe Palace. Inside, massive crystal chandeliers and gilded ceilings spoke of Ottoman grandeur. Walking through its endless halls, I could almost hear the echoes of history. From the palace windows, the Bosphorus stretched out, timeless and glittering in the sun.

Evening: Street Food in Ortaköy

By the evening I was in Ortaköy. The square was buzzing with people—tourists taking pictures, vendors selling colorful trinkets. The Ortaköy Mosque stood gracefully by the water, glowing in the fading light.

I bought a famous “kumpir,” a baked potato stuffed with all kinds of toppings, and sat by the Bosphorus Bridge to eat it. Nearby, a group of young people were playing guitar and singing. The sound of their voices mixed with the waves hitting the shore.

Night: The Endless Energy of Taksim

I ended the night in Taksim. The moment I stepped onto Istiklal Street, the crowd’s energy washed over me. Street musicians played, people clapped and sang along. I ducked into a small meyhane (tavern). Wooden tables covered in meze plates, the soft sound of old Turkish songs, strangers raising glasses together—it was pure Istanbul spirit.

By the time I left, it was past midnight. Yet the city was still alive: simit sellers on the corners, flower vendors calling out to passersby. I walked back to my hotel tired, but with a smile that wouldn’t leave my face.

Day 3 – Modern Faces and Colorful Streets

Morning: A Stylish Start in Nişantaşı

On my last day, I wanted to see Istanbul’s modern side. I started in Nişantaşı, where the streets were lined with trees and boutique cafés. I chose a small place playing soft jazz, ordered fresh orange juice and a warm croissant. At the next table, a young couple worked on their laptops, laughing with the waiter. It felt like a slice of cosmopolitan life, away from the chaos.

Watching the stylish crowd rushing by outside, I realized how many different lives Istanbul carries within itself.

Noon: Art at Istanbul Modern

Next, I headed to Istanbul Modern. Wandering between the bright white walls, surrounded by contemporary art, I felt the pulse of the city’s creativity. Massive canvases, digital installations, photography exhibitions—every piece was bold, modern, alive.

From the museum’s windows, the Bosphorus gleamed. Art inside, sea outside. It was a moment of calm, of breathing in the city without the noise.

Afternoon: The Stories of Balat

In the afternoon, I went to Balat. The narrow streets, colorful houses, children playing on the steps, laundry hanging from balconies—it was raw, authentic Istanbul.

I stopped at a small coffee shop. The owner served my Turkish coffee with a piece of lokum and said, “You can’t capture Balat in photos. You have to sit and listen.” He was right. The voices, the colors, the spirit of the neighborhood were beyond any photograph.

Evening: Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar

Later I made my way to Eminönü. The bridge was crowded with fishermen, vendors shouted as they sold roasted chestnuts and corn. In the Spice Bazaar, the air was thick with cinnamon, saffron, and cloves. I bought some spices and Turkish delight to take with me. Holding that little bag of saffron, I knew it would forever remind me of Istanbul.

Night: Farewell on Galata Bridge

As the sun set, I walked across the Galata Bridge one last time. The sky was painted orange and purple, the silhouettes of the mosques rising against it. Fishermen still stood with their lines in the water.

I stopped in the middle of the bridge, took a deep breath, and let the sound of the city wash over me—seagulls, the murmur of people, the rhythm of the waves. A breeze touched my face. It felt like the city was whispering, “Come back again.”

Closing

Three days… Such a short time for such a vast city, yet more than enough to leave deep marks on my heart. On the first day, I got lost in history. On the second, I found myself in the breeze of the Bosphorus. On the third, I met the city’s modern face and colorful neighborhoods.

Istanbul reveals a different side each time: sometimes mystical, sometimes vibrant, sometimes peaceful. But always alive, always unforgettable. These three days showed me once again that visiting once is never enough—you have to return, again and again, to truly live Istanbul.