10 Things to Do in Istanbul in the summer
10 Things to Do in Istanbul in the summer
Istanbul in summer is a version of paradise. Beaches, food that unites the best of East and West, sunset cruises on the Bosphorus and visits to the best terraces and viewpoints in the city. Here are my recommendations of what not to miss.
View from Istanbul’s Galata Tower | ©Dennis Sylvester Hurd
I suggest you be patient if you visit Istanbul between July and August, as there will be hundreds of visitors trying to get into the sights, long queues and temperatures that can exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
Istanbul, known in ancient times as Byzantium or Constantinople, is today one of the most populous cities in the world with nearly 15 million inhabitants. Traditional, exotic and with the privilege of boasting a culture and heritage that offers you the best of two continents: Europe and Asia.
Book your tickets in advance for the places you want to visit and get ready because there is so much to see and do in Istanbul.
1. Enjoy a day at the beach
A nearby and fascinating option, accessible by ferry from the city, is a tour of the Princes Islands and their main port, Büyükada Island, the largest of the 9 islands that make up the archipelago. Here you can spend the day at one of the most popular seaside resorts near Istanbul.
In addition to the beaches, you can cycle around the forests and sights or walk, as there is curiously not a single motorised transport on the island.
Another popular summer destination is the town of Kilyos, located about an hour’s drive from Istanbul. It is an undeveloped area where you can be surprised by sand dunes and the vegetation of the Black Sea, another of Turkey’s beauties.
It is one of the most beautiful places for a day trip, but it must be said that you will have to pay an entrance fee for almost all of them. The good news is that you have access to sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, lifeguards and, in addition, accommodation, food and drink in its leisure facilities. In the summer it is possible to experience an unforgettable beach party with live music or DJ sessions, which attract many young people.
It’s definitely a good choice for admiring the Sea of Marmara or the Black Sea, getting away from the chaos of the city and eating good fresh seasonal fish.
2. Take a night cruise on the Bosphorus
Embarking on a guided tour of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait is one of the most popular plans for travellers to Istanbul. It’s a chance to get a different perspective of the city, with an experience where you’ll get all the attention. Some of these excursions offer food, drinks and other interesting activities to share with other travellers. An ideal option to take a break from the heat of the day and enjoy a magical tour, with a guide who will give you many details about this place, which is the border that divides the European and Asian part of the city.
During the summer you will find many options for excursions to the Bosphorus Strait from Istanbul. If you want to enjoy the colours of the summer sunset and start the night, treat yourself to some typical Turkish cuisine while you see the walls of Constantinople and the Galata Bridge from the boat, among other places. The perfect plan to feel welcome in the city, say goodbye to it or spend a romantic evening, in the best style of ancient Constantinople.
3. Enjoy the Turkish cuisine of the season
Turkish cuisine is world famous for bringing together the best of two worlds; East and West. Places to try, fortunately, are not hard to find.
Istanbul is located between two seas: the Marmara and the Black Sea, which is why seafood dominates the restaurant menus, especially during the summer.
Taking one of Istanbul’s gastronomic tours, available in summer, will take you on a journey of tastes, smells and lots of tradition. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the street food stalls and self-service restaurants, with menus offering a variety of dishes and drinks to suit all tastes and at really good prices.
The “meyhane, lokantas” and traditional restaurants are places where you can try “meze” and other traditional Turkish foods and savour the fusion of cultures that nicely impact the city’s culinary scene.
In the bazaars you can enjoy traditional drinks such as tea in all its forms, good Turkish coffee, local fruit juices and spirits such as Raki or lion’s milk.
4. Try a Turkish ice cream
Known as dondurmas, they are basically goat’s milk-based ice creams with various flavours, served in biscuit cones.
You can find them in the food courts of the big Turkish shops such as the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar, and it’s a treat for all ages. The most fun is watching the cunning ice-cream makers, who joke and show off their skills in performing games and tricks to catch the attention of the customers.
5. Tour the Eminönü Quarter
Undoubtedly one of Istanbul’s most picturesque neighbourhoods, which in summer offers a lively and vibrant atmosphere, as nothing stands still here. You’ll find mosques and street markets, as well as the piers from which ferries depart to the Asian part of the city and the Princes’ Islands.
A street atmosphere that in summer is fascinating to feel the spirit of this fishermen’s quarter, which in the times of the Byzantine Empire, belonged to the Italian republics and where Venetians, Pisans, Genoese had the best places next to the Golden Horn.
Alongside the boats you will find street food stalls where you can try fresh grilled fish sandwiches or have a cold beer while you continue your summer stroll, walk to Karaköy along the bridge and take lots of pictures. Don’t forget to talk to the local fishermen as they will be the best guides to discover this magical part of the city.
6. Enjoy the Istanbul Jazz Festival
In summer, music takes centre stage in the big cities. Open-air concerts and festivals are a good way to cool down the high temperatures. The Istanbul Jazz Festival has been organised since 1994 in July, offering concerts with international guests and also showcasing Turkey’s up-and-coming artists, representatives of this musical genre.
Most of the festival venues are enclosed, air-conditionedvenues, so you can enjoy the best of jazz in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. The festival does not allow children under the age of 7 to attend some concerts. However, there is a special family day called ‘A Childlike Day’, which takes place in the gardens of the beautiful Feriye Palace, a complex of buildings located along the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait.
Tickets for the festival’s concerts can be purchased online through the event’s official website.
7. Escape the heat with a visit to a city museum
In summer, museums are the perfect place to take shelter from the heat, while enjoying a fun and entertaining activity. Here are three recommendations that I consider ideal for having a good time during this summer season.
Museum of Illusion
In the peculiar Museum of Illusion, you can trick your mind into feeling like you’re in an upside-down room or travel through a psychedelic-looking tunnel. A recommended place if you are travelling with your family. The place offers temporary exhibitions, guided tours for groups and the possibility of holding themed birthday parties.
Useful information:
- Price: adults pay approximately €11.30 (185 Turkish lira). Children and teenagers aged 5-18 pay approximately €8.20 (135 Turkish Liras). Children under the age of 4 are free and the museum offers a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) for approximately €33 (550 Turkish Liras).
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
- Address: Narmanlı Han, İstiklal Cd. No:180. 34421, Beyoğlu / İstanbul
Istanbul Industrial Museum
Also known as Rahmi M.Koç Museum. A very educational and interesting option, recommended if you have several days in the city, and you are travelling with your family and children.
Here you will find great human inventions such as ships, planes, printing presses, trains, cars, submarines and old machinery that are part of a collection carefully collected throughout his life by Rahmi M.Koç, a businessman belonging to an exclusive social circle in Turkey and where what is most striking is the excellent state of preservation of the items on display.
In my opinion, it is one of the best museums in the world dedicated to the history of transport, industry and telecommunications, which surprises children and adults alike. The museum offers activities such as discovering a real submarine, birthday parties and boat rides on the sea passage.
Useful information:
- Price: a general admission ticket costs approximately €5.50 (90 Turkish Liras). Students pay €2.45 (40 Turkish Liras).
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Address: Rahmi M. Koç Müzesi, Hasköy Cad. No: 5 Hasköy 34445 – İstanbul.
Pera Museum
In this museum you can enjoy art exhibitions and film screenings. I think it’s a good summer option, as it’s located in the Beyoglu district, where you’ll find much of Istanbul’s shopping, art and entertainment. The district is in the European part of the city and shares streets with the bustling Taksim district.
At the Pera Museum you’ll find exhibitions that are always accompanied by audiovisual events. Throughout the year you’ll find a year-round cinema programme that includes independent films and classics.
Useful information:
- Price: Adult admission approx. €1.50 (25 Turkish Lira). Children under 12, students, teachers and seniors over 60 approx. 0.60 € (10 Turkish Liras). Groups of at least 10 people approx. €1.20 (20 Turkish Liras).
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
- Address: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul.
8. Explore the Istanbul Aquarium
What better summer experience than to visit one of the most renowned aquariums in Europe and considered the fifth best in the world?
The Istanbul Aquarium has more than 17 thematic rooms on marine flora and fauna from the oceans of different latitudes, as well as a display of different types of species, including colourful fish, rays, turtles, jellyfish and sharks, which complement the experience of touring this 80-metre space.
The visit also includes other attractions such as thematic exhibitions on marine life and interactive activities, which can be a good plan for a hot day and offer a good alternative to the traditional tourist circuits of the city centre.
Useful information:
- Price: approximately €11 (180 Turkish Lira). This ticket allows you to enter the aquarium and stay as long as you like. The aquarium also offers a valid ticket for the aquarium and the wax museum at a cost of €16 (270 Turkish Liras). Tickets are valid for 90 days after purchase.
- Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- Address: Kocatepe Mah, Pasha Cad. 5/5, 34045 Bayrampaşa/İstanbul.
9. Take a trip to Ephesus, Cappadocia or Pamukkale
From Istanbul, and during the summer, you can find organised excursions to other wonderful cities in Turkey such as Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
My recommendation is not to miss Ephesus, where you can visit one of the wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis. To cool off from the high temperatures, this tour can be complemented with a visit to Pamukkale National Park, where you can enjoy a dip in the blue hot springs and walk through the underground city. Remember that Pamukkale has been a World Heritage Site since 1988, so it’s well worth including it on your route.
Cappadocia is another of Turkey’ s natural treasures, and in the summer you can enjoy one of the best travel experiences: touring this natural beauty of stone aboard a hot air balloon.
Find out all about how toget to Cappadocia from Istanbul and be sure to enjoy it in the summer – you won’t regret it!
10. Take a sightseeing bus tour
If it’s your first time in Istanbul, a sightseeing bus tour can be a great idea to get a first impression of the city, as you tour Istanbul’s key sights in air-conditioned vehicles that will give you a break from the inclement summer weather.
Costing from 45 euros, these guided bus tours allow you to plan a route to suit your needs and time. A perfect plan if you only have a few days to explore the city. They’re usually double-decker buses without roofs, so you enjoy 360-degree panoramic views along the way.
In some cases, the cost includes free admission to certain attractions with routes that have more than 20 stops near the best attractions of the city, audio guides in several languages and suitable for children, people with reduced mobility or disabilities. The vehicles are also air-conditioned, making it a great way to take a break from the heat.