I’ve done the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar circuit before, on a stopover. This time it’s the start of a longer Turkey trip and I’m deciding whether to give Istanbul two days or four. If you went back for a second look, what was worth the extra time? Thanks.
Meet in the middle and consider three days.
You don’t need to stay in Istanbul for the full three days in one hit.
How about a day and a half before and after discovering more of Turkey.
It’s not just about ‘doing’ the sightseeing in places like Istanbul; but properly experiencing the place.
Walk around, stop for some street food, cross the Bosphorus by ferry. Maybe just watch the men fishing at sunset.
When are you planning to travel?
A favorite memory was attending the whirling dervishes performance in the evening; any opportunities to see some of the unique cultural aspects is always worth the time!