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How many days in Istanbul do you need?

3-5 days lets you cover the basics of Istanbul. See how many days in Istanbul is enough for your style of travel with our three quickfire itineraries.

Published: June 5, 2025

Istanbul, a city where East meets West. As the most popular city in Turkey to visit, it offers an unforgettable experience for travelers. From inspiring historical sites to bustling bazaars, the endless landmarks can leave you wondering how many days in Istanbul is enough.

We address this question, and give you short, mid-term, and slow travel Istanbul itineraries. This way, you can explore the city in the way you want. We also show you how to stay connected with unlimited internet for the duration of your trip using a Holafly travel eSIM.

Aerial view of Istanbul, Holafly logo on the top left corner, and an aeroplane illustration on the bottom right corner.

I’m a communications professional with over 17 years of experience in the social justice sector. Eight years ago, I started working as a freelance content writer and strategist. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a mix of social enterprises, NGOs, government agencies, and corporate clients. I have lived and worked in Australia, Austria, Mexico, and Indonesia. I love crafting content that resonates across cultures and tells a meaningful story.

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