Istanbul 4-day Itinerary
Turkey
Where to go and what to see in Istanbul to get the most from your trip – a 4-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Bucket list experience:
Credit Shutterstock.com/Belikova Oksana
It’s the oldest shopping mall in the world, and possibly the biggest, with 5,000 shops to browse through. Glittering like Aladdin’s cave, Istanbul’s Covered Market or Grand Bazaar consists of 66 streets covered with stone vaulting and enclosed by a wall.
All of Turkey’s treasures are on display, but it’s an everyday market too, selling everything from diamonds to dishcloths; during peak times there are as many as half a million people inside its walls. Maybe not the best place for bargains, but an unparalleled treat for the senses, and an essential part of the Istanbul experience.
Haggling is expected, and as a general rule you should pay no more than a third of the original asking price. Be prepared to walk away – vendors will likely chase after you and accept your price. Occasionally the stallholders will pretend to get angry, either at you or their ‘inexperienced’ apprentice, to increase the price. It’s an old trick, so just smile and walk away.
After you’ve visited, the adjacent Sahaflar Carsisi book market is a wonderfully picturesque bibliophile’s enclave, crammed with dozens of second-hand book stalls for browsing and an eclectic café for leafing through your purchases.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Turkey
Where to go and what to see in Istanbul to get the most from your trip – a 4-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
There are 22 entrances to the Bazaar, but the main ones are on Beyazit Square and at the end of Nuruosmaniye Caddesi. If you’re determined to bag yourself a major purchase – like a carpet – visit at least three shops and haggle for the lowest price. Stalls sell a lot of the same goods, so never buy from the first place you see something.
You could easily spend half a day here. It’s completely safe, but beware of pickpockets and keep your belongings close to you.
Give the size, guided tours are a good option here, and especially if you’re time is limited. They’ll have insider knowledge on discovering the Bazaar’s best treasures, bartering for bargains, and the tasty lunch spots.
The Bazaar is open all year round, Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Istanbul
€25 | Rating 4.86 / 5 [23 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Istanbul
€27 | Rating 4.70 / 5 [24 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Istanbul
$34 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [8 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Istanbul
$69 | Rating 4.21 / 5 [14 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]
This stylish, friendly and affordable boutique hotel is in sights-packed Sultanahmet, perfect for first-time visitors.
Official star rating:
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.8 miles]
Close to Istanbul’s top sights, this friendly hotel with a spa and rooftop restaurant is a dream for first-time visitors. And good value too.
Official star rating:
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.9 miles]
Convenient for the major sights and plugged into Turkish culture, this charming, historic hotel is ideal for families and first-timers.
Official star rating:
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.1 miles]
Superbly staffed, relaxing oasis in an unbeatable location – the luxury choice in central Sultanahmet.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Marmara Region, Turkey
Exotic, inexhaustible and dynamic – East meets West head-on in this mesmerising city metropolis, famed for its extraordinarily rich history, superb food and shopping, and mind-blowingly magnificent, over-sized mosques.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]
Istanbul’s second largest market is a sensory wonderland, full to bursting with fragrant spices and sweets.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]
Hypnotic and haunting, the traditional sema ceremony of the whirling dervishes dates back to the 13th century.
Best for ages: 8+ | £10 | 75 minutes
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]
The grandest mosque in Istanbul, built in 1558, this iconic Byzantine beauty defines the Istanbul skyline.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[0.8 miles]
Magical 6th-century underground cistern, once used to supply water to Istanbul’s Ottoman emperors.
Best for ages: 8+ | £3
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.2 miles]
Super authentic spot near the Grand Bazaar where you can smoke nargile (a water pipe or hookah) and drink tea in the courtyard of a mosque from 1709.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]
One of the world’s finest collections of Islamic-influenced glassware, rugs, ceramics, metal work and ethnographic items.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Istanbul , Marmara Region , Turkey[1.1 miles]
Lovely, lively 5th and 6th-century AD mosaics depicting nature, animals and people from the palace of the first Byzantine Emperors.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[2.2 miles]
A modern art museum housing the finest collection of modern and contemporary art in the country. The Modern’s temporary exhibits by Turkish and international artists – often organized in collaboration with MoMA (New York) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris) – are particularly exceptional.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4