Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul… Whatever name you give it, this ancient city is a rendezvous with History. Straddling two continents, Asia and Europe, it conceals treasures of its own. Immerse yourself in its diverse culture and let yourself be captivated by its splendor through this 4 days in Istanbul itinerary.

Istanbul is a gigantic city, teeming with life with its bazaars, its mosques by the hundreds, its ancient Byzantine churches, and its Byzantine and Ottoman palaces, it offers a striking contrast between past and present. With your senses awakened, set off to discover it and you will see that its hospitality is nothing short of legendary.

Day 1 of 4 Days in Istanbul itinerary

Ortakoy Mosque

We start right on the water, because Istanbul doesn’t do subtle introductions. On the European bank of the Bosphorus, the Ortakoy Mosque sits in the eponymous district, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods—pretty, lived-in, and perfectly placed for that “is this real life?” first look at the strait. “Ortaköy” literally means “middle village,” and the fact that locals still call it that (instead of its official name, Büyük Mecidiye Mosque) says everything: this place is beloved. It’s not just historically important—those immaculate facades make it one of the most photogenic mosques in the city. Catch it at dawn or dusk when the sky is doing its dramatic color-shift thing and the stone seems to borrow the light.

Neo-Baroque and unapologetically elegant, it was commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid and designed by Armenian architect Garabet Balyan with his son, Nikogos Balyan. The exterior’s theatrical flair—two minarets framing the waterfront—was inspired by the Opéra Garnier in Paris, where Nikogos studied. Step inside for the dome (soft pink mosaics, yes please) and let the chandelier light bounce around until you forget what time it is. Istanbul does that to us.

Address: Mecidiye, Mecidiye Köprüsü Sk. No:1 D:1, Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (visitors not allowed on Friday).

Dolmabahçe Palace with its clock tower

If you’re wondering whether Istanbul knows how to be understated, Dolmabahçe answers that question with a polite, sparkling “no.” Dolmabahçe Palace is pure grandeur—often described as the largest palace in Turkey—and it brings the numbers to prove it: built between 1843 and 1856 under Sultan Abdülmecid, it unfurls a 278-meter white-marble façade along the Bosphorus, spans 45,000 m2, and packs in a dizzying count of rooms and salons that make your brain quietly reboot.

But the palace isn’t impressive just because it’s big. The real thrill is the mash-up of styles in its architecture—baroque here, rococo there, neoclassical flourishes everywhere—like the Ottoman court went shopping in Europe and returned with receipts. Inside, you’ll find serious treasures (think Baccarat vases) and a few “wait, what?” objects like the bearskin rug gifted by Tsar Nicholas II. Istanbul loves a plot twist.

Don’t rush off after the palace tour—outside, the Clock Tower is waiting like a perfectly posed extra in a historical drama. Built between 1890 and 1895 in neo-Baroque Ottoman style, its clocks were made by the French watchmaking house Jean-Paul Garnier.

Address: Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 9am to 4pm.

Lunch at Banyan

Now we eat—because you can’t power through palaces on vibes alone. For lunch, we’re taking you to Banyan, a restaurant that basically says: “Sit down, look at the Bosphorus, and stop pretending you’re not impressed.” Open on three sides, it serves panoramic views of the Bosphorus Bridge and the Ortakoy Mosque alongside a menu of modern Asian dishes with a strong fish focus. Sushi, ceviche, and signatures like orange beef with condiments—this is the kind of lunch break that accidentally becomes a highlight. Bonus: cocktails with seasonal fruits, because hydration is important, right?

Address: Muallim Naci Cad. Salhane Sok. No:3, Ortaköy Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: 12:00 – 02:00 daily, 15:00 – 02:00 Tuesday.

Bosphorus Cruise

The Bosphorus isn’t just pretty water—it’s the reason Istanbul became Istanbul. The Bosphorus Strait has shaped the city for millennia, earning it the status of a strategic landmark long before we started calling places “iconic.” It connects the Black Sea to the north and the Sea of Marmara to the south, and that simple geographic fact turned Istanbul into a trade powerhouse across eras.

So yes, we’re getting on a boat. From the water, the city rearranges itself into something cinematic: palaces, mansions, mosques, and waterfront neighborhoods sliding past like a storybook you can’t stop flipping through. With sea spray in the air and the city’s soundtrack—storks overhead, the call to prayer drifting across the strait—you’ll catch Istanbul’s proudest monuments, especially those dramatic palaces that seem designed for a royal entrance. Look left: Europe. Look right: Asia. And then you’ll feel that weird, wonderful sensation of being right at the junction of two continents—close neighbors, totally different personalities, sharing one glittering ribbon of water.

Beylerbeyi Palace

We keep the momentum going on the Asian side of Istanbul, with Beylerbeyi Palace—an Ottoman daydream with a side of fruit trees. Its opulent interiors and those exotic gardens (fountains! kiosks! greenery that feels almost too calm for Istanbul!) make it a pure Ottoman marvel, and a perfect counterpoint to the day’s big-hitter palaces.

Originally built in 1829 under Sultan Mahmud II, it was later ravaged by fire in 1851, then reconstructed under Sultan Abdul Aziz. From 1865, it became the summer residence of various sultans—hence the name: beylerbeyi meaning “Lord of lords.” Dramatic title, even more dramatic setting.

Inside, you’ll spot a remarkable collection—sculptures, carpets from Egypt, crystal chandeliers, oriental porcelain—details that pull you straight into the world of sultans and ceremony. It’s a glimpse of Istanbul’s grandeur across centuries, and yes, it absolutely sticks with you.

Address: Beylerbeyi, Abdullahağa Cd., 34676 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Dinner at Gallada at the Peninsula Istanbul

Inspired by Turkey and Asia, Gallada celebrates the Silk Road with a contemporary, cutting-edge menu—the kind that makes you pause mid-bite because your brain needs to catch up. From its rooftop terrace overlooking the Bosphorus and the gardens of the Peninsula Istanbul, you’ll eat your way through dishes that echo centuries of trade routes, ideas, and flavors moving across continents.

Michelin-starred chef Fatih Tutak channels Turkish roots and deep Asia-wide travel into plates that feel like stories. Creativity is the signature here, and the goal is clear: to whisk you to the far corners of Asia without leaving Istanbul. Consider this your first day’s mic-drop dinner.

Address: Kemankeş Caddesi No:34, Istanbul 34425, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 6pm to 1:30am (2am on weekends).

Day 2 in Istanbul

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is one of Turkey’s most emblematic monuments—the kind of place you’ve seen in photos a hundred times, and still somehow underestimated. This 15th-century Ottoman complex is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sitting in the historic district of Sultanahmet. Once the residence of sultans for nearly 500 years, it later became a museum—and today it’s basically an all-access pass into Ottoman power, aesthetics, and sheer ambition. With its paintings, precious ornaments, and vast courtyards, it feels like a tribute to empire-scale grandeur.

Don’t skip the palace gardens. Between fountains, mosaics, and those Bosphorus views, they’re the perfect “we need five quiet minutes or we’ll combust” pause in a day of big sights.

But if you want the real sparkle, go inside. The treasury is stacked with thrones inlaid with mother-of-pearl, a collection of diamonds, and weapons dressed up in precious stones—including that famous emerald dagger that lives rent-free in many visitors’ minds.

The harem adds its own layer of intrigue: nearly 400 rooms across 15,000 m2, once home to wives, concubines, and the Sultan’s mother. Access was tightly controlled—only the Sultan and inner circle could enter—so the whole space still feels wrapped in a veil of mystery, even when it’s full of tourists whispering “wow.”

Address: Cankurtaran, Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (except Tuesday) – 10am to 4pm.

Lunch at Matbah

Before we dive back into Sultanahmet’s greatest hits, we stop for lunch with a time machine attached. Matbah specializes in Ottoman court-inspired dishes—flavors that lean historical, rich, and a little theatrical (as they should). Choose the open-air summer garden or the winter garden with a front-row view of the Hagia Sophia mosque. You’re eating in one of the world’s most dramatic neighborhoods—Matbah understands the assignment.

Address: Caferiye Sokak No:6/1, Sultanahmet, Fatih/Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 9am to 10:30pm.

Hagia Sophia Mosque

Few places on Earth hold history the way Hagia Sophia does. Basilica, then mosque, then museum, and now mosque again—it has changed roles, but never lost its pull. Built between 532 and 548, its dedication to “Holy Wisdom” isn’t just poetic: this is a monument to the spiritual and historical heritage of the city. And it remains one of the rare religious sites where traces of two faiths coexisted for centuries, layered into stone, mosaics, and memory.

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, Fatih/Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday .

The Basilica Cistern

Next, we go underground—because Istanbul doesn’t just have layers metaphorically. Impressive in scale and atmosphere, the Basilica Cistern is an ancient reservoir that once supplied Constantinople’s water needs back when the city was still wearing its old name. Built in 542 under Emperor Justinian I, it remains one of Istanbul’s most unforgettable historic sites.

Descending into it feels like slipping into a different century. In the cool hush of this vast subterranean space (138 meters long and 65 meters wide), you’ll be captivated by the modern sound-and-light design that reveals the immensity of the place without ruining its mystery. And then—hello, legend—those Medusa heads sit at the base of two pillars, one famously positioned upside down. The story goes it was done so her gaze wouldn’t turn visitors to stone. We’re not testing it. We’re just admiring and moving along like sensible people.

Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, Fatih/Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 9am to 7pm.

Dinner at Alaf

We end Day 2 with a rooftop and a view, because we have standards. With its whitewashed wooden terrace hanging above the Bosphorus, Alaf is one of Istanbul’s most sought-after cocktail bars, and it knows exactly how to flirt with the skyline. While chef Deniz Temel and his team serve bistro cuisine with Anatolian influences, settle in and toast the night—preferably with something bright and herby—while the Bosphorus glows below.

Alaf’s nomadic cuisine is the kind that hooks you quietly. Deniz Temel trained in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens (including Noma in Copenhagen and DOM in São Paulo) before landing in Istanbul and making modern Turkish cuisine his signature. Expect colorful plates with real personality—bold flavors, clean technique, and a vibe that makes “one drink” turn into “should we order another?”

Address: Arnavutköy, Kuruçeşme Caddesi No:19, Beşiktaş/Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 6pm to midnight.

Day 3 in Istanbul

Stroll through the colorful Jewish quarter of Balat

Balat looks like it was designed to steal your heart—and somehow it still flies under the tourist radar. Between the charm of its colorful alleys, its layered history, and those long views over the city, you’d think it would be packed. But nope. Which is exactly why we start Day 3 here: wandering Balat gives you that delicious “we found the real Istanbul” feeling, without the elbowing.

Set on the slopes of the Golden Horn, Balat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the past feels close enough to touch. Lose yourself on purpose in its cobbled streets that climb and dip like a heartbeat. With religious buildings tucked between colorful Ottoman-era houses, laundry fluttering from windows, and kids playing in the open air, Balat has that timeless charm that shows you a completely different face of Istanbul—warmer, quieter, and wonderfully human.

The Spice Bazaar

Next, we head straight into scent overload. With origins dating back to 1663, the Spice Bazaar is one of Istanbul’s oldest markets, also known as the “Egyptian Bazaar”—a nod to the days when Istanbul was the last great stop on the Silk Road and a trade epicenter for Europe beyond Venice. This is where you come for the classics: sweets, spices, nuts… and the inevitable “we’re just looking” lie you tell yourself at the entrance.

Address: Rüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 8am to 7:30pm.

Süleymaniye Mosque

If you’re collecting “most beautiful mosques” like Pokémon cards, Süleymaniye belongs in your top tier. It’s often called one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul, and with good reason: Mimar Sinan designed it with a bold goal—surpass Hagia Sophia. Did he pull it off? Standing there beneath the cascading dome and tall minarets, you’ll at least agree on one thing: it dominates the Golden Horn with majestic ease. Built in 1550, legend says Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had precious stones donated by the Shah of Iran buried at the foot of the mosque as part of the construction. Istanbul does romance, even with architecture.

Address: Süleymaniye, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:1, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 08:30 to 16:45 (Friday at 01:30) .

Lunch at Pandeli

For lunch, we go classic—and we do it with a view over the bazaar chaos. On the first floor of a small building inside the Egyptian Bazaar, Pandeli earns its reputation the honest way: with atmosphere and flavor. The iconic Turkish azure décor feels wonderfully old-school, and the menu serves up the best of traditional Turkish cuisine. Don’t miss the grilled eggplant salad, spicy chicken cooked over a wood fire, and roast lamb—these are the kind of dishes that turn a “quick lunch” into a memory you’ll chase later.

Address: Rüstempaşa Mahallesi, Balık Market Kapısı Sokağı No:1/2, Mısır Çarşısı İçi 1 D:2, Eminönü/Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday – 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The National Painting and Sculpture Museum

Time for an art detour—because Istanbul isn’t only domes and bazaars. With 200 works drawn directly from Dolmabahçe Palace’s collection, this museum (now housed in the Crown Prince’s apartments, the Veliaht Dairesi) is a treat for anyone who likes their city breaks with a side of culture. You’ll see international 19th-century painters alongside Turkish artists like Şeker Ahmed Pasha, Osman Hamdi Bey, Hüseyin Zekai Pasha, and Hodja Ali Rıza. Give it an afternoon and it gives you back a softer, more reflective Istanbul.

Address: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Sarayı, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 9am to 6pm.

Galata Tower

Day or night, Galata Tower is one of those sights that makes us stop mid-step. This architectural gem dominates the city with a quiet confidence, a reminder of Galata’s prosperity in the Byzantine era when the district was a major trade center. And then there’s the mythology—love stories, chivalry tales, and mystical anecdotes passed down through generations—giving the tower a kind of local affection that no amount of renovation can erase. It’s a monument Istanbulites actually care about, not just a postcard prop.

Address: Bereketzade, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 08:30 to 22:00.

Dinner at Neolokal

Tonight we go for a restaurant that’s serious about both flavor and meaning. Neolokal is an atypical, magnetic meeting place for gourmets in the Galata district, where chef Maksut Aşkar and his team rework Turkish culinary heritage with a modern edge. The result is a captivating gastronomic experience that feels rooted, but never stuck in the past.

Another reason we love it: sustainability isn’t an afterthought here. Alongside a vegetarian menu, Neolokal sources carefully selected local produce wherever possible—from vegetables to wines—without sacrificing the “wow” factor.

Subtlety, originality, and passion define this authentic, surprising, and genuinely delicious address. And if you’re still undecided, the terrace views over Istanbul’s rooftops and mosques will probably settle the debate for you.

Address: Arap Camii Mahallesi, Bankalar Caddesi No:11/1, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, 34420, Türkiye

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Day 4 in Istanbul

Istanbul Archaeological Museum

On your final day, we kick off in Eminönü—because if we’re closing out Istanbul, we’re doing it with something epic. The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the most important in the world, founded in 1891 by the painter and archaeologist Osman Hamdi. It’s also Turkey’s first museum, and for anyone who loves antiquities, it’s the kind of place where time disappears in the best way.

It’s organized into three thematic areas, and each one delivers its own set of unique pieces and discoveries.

• The first is the part dedicated to archaeology: you will find recognized objects there including a vast collection of sarcophagi.
• The second area offers a beautiful collection of oriental art, Ottoman tombs, and objects from Egyptian, Sumerian, and Akkadian cultures. Among its most precious antiquities: are the pieces of the Babylonian Ishtar Gate, which alone, with their symbolic patterns and deep blue bricks, are worth a visit to the museum.
• The third and final collection of the museum is located in the Azulejos pavilion and offers a set of ceramics and jewelry.

Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 9am to 7pm.

Gülhane Park

After museum time, we need air—and Gülhane is the perfect reset. These gardens once belonged to Topkapi Palace, reserved for the royal court as a private, leafy exhale away from the city. Today, Gülhane Park is open to everyone, right in the historic center, and it’s where Istanbul’s daily life feels wonderfully ordinary: locals strolling, families lingering, people taking long breaths between errands. It’s also a brilliant spot for a snack-picnic—gözleme (stuffed Turkish flatbread) or a simit (sesame bread ring) shared on a bench while you watch the city pass by.

And the name? Gülhane comes with a sweet story. In spring and summer, up to 80,000 roses bloom in the gardens—hence “house of roses.” Tulips fill the beds in the same season, and in winter, the park swaps to forget-me-nots. Istanbul, casually poetic again.

Address: Cankurtaran, Kennedy Cad., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Lunch at Deraliye

For lunch, we stay in Sultanahmet and go full comfort-food with a view. Deraliye is a traditional spot serving generous plates—goose, lamb, or duck skewers, plus spicy rice cooked in a tandoori oven. The décor leans opulent (red and gold, because why whisper?), but the real star is the roof terrace with a magnificent panorama of Hagia Sophia. Honestly, it’s hard to focus on your plate. Try anyway.

Address: Divanyolu Caddesi, Alemdar Mahallesi, Ticarethane Sokak No:10, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34110, Turkey

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – noon to midnight.

Nuruosmaniye Mosque

Now we go meet a mosque with a name like a mission statement. Calling itself the “Light of Osman,” Nuruosmaniye Mosque was completed in 1756 and holds a special place in Istanbul’s architectural story: it’s the city’s first Ottoman Baroque-style mosque. This is a true bridge between classical Ottoman design and Western Baroque influences, and the contrast is striking if you’ve been soaking up older, more traditional mosques. Architecture enthusiasts: don’t skip it. The prayer hall’s scale alone is enough to make you stop and stare.

Address: Mollafenari, Vezirhan Cd. No:4, 34120 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday .

The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul

And then: the big one. Jewelry, carpets, textiles, mosaics, porcelain, silverware… With nearly 4,000 shops (and roughly 4,000 temptations), the Grand Bazaar is a city inside the city. At its heart sits the Bedesten, a vaulted core where antique lovers and curious wanderers hunt for relics, ornaments, coins, and old weapons. This is a must if you want to feel Istanbul’s energy in your bones.

The scents, colors, and accents from all over the world make it a journey within a journey. Old and modern collide, and fakes compete with real pieces in a creativity contest that can be weirdly entertaining. Bring patience, sharpen your eye, and see if you spot that one irresistible treasure to tuck into your bag as an authentic souvenir of Istanbul. And if you leave empty-handed? The atmosphere and the shopkeepers’ friendly charm are worth the visit all on their own.

Address: Beyazıt, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dinner at Lokanta 1741

For our final dinner, we go somewhere that feels like a secret even when it isn’t. Step into this historic building (once home to the Istanbul Museum of Art and Sculpture) and you’re instantly pulled into the three-hundred-year story of the Cagaloglu Hammam next door. Perched on a rooftop terrace with a romantic atmosphere and refined décor, Lokanta 1741 delivers a truly gastronomic experience: know-how meets creativity, and the plates move you through the best of traditional Turkish cuisine from one region to another. It’s the kind of meal that makes you slow down—because you don’t want the trip (or the dessert) to end.

Address: Alemdar Mahallesi, Profesör Kazım İsmail Gürkan Caddesi No:34, Cağaloğlu Hamamı, Fatih, Istanbul, 34110, Turkey

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday – 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Stay at Peninsula Istanbul

If you want a hotel that makes Istanbul’s waterways feel like they’re part of your room service, this is it. Set on the banks of the Bosphorus, facing the shifting waters of the Golden Horn, the Peninsula Istanbul sits in the historic Karaköy district—a short stroll from Galata Tower and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art—and it feels like an ode to Istanbul’s grandeur and Ottoman-era splendor. The architecture is delightfully eclectic: four buildings blending charm and elegance, with two dating to the early 20th century and another Bauhaus-inspired structure from the 1930s. You can even arrive by sea, because why not lean into the drama?

After check-in (in what used to be the port’s passport office—already a mood), head to your room. The hotel has 177 rooms and suites, and most come with superb Bosphorus views through bay windows, balconies, or private terraces. The palette is soothing—cream and gold tones with lacquered black accents—and the design reinterprets Turkish aesthetics through mother-of-pearl marquetry and kilim-inspired carpets. Furniture is custom-made for the property, and comfort is wired in: every room includes the Peninsula’s e-concierge service, Penchat, so help is always one message away.

The Peninsula Istanbul offers you two gastronomic addresses:

• The Lobby, serving Mediterranean-influenced cuisine in a beautiful art deco space of glassware, ironwork, and gilding. This is also where you’ll find the hotel’s signature afternoon tea—created by pastry chef Malte Rohmann—with a refined mix of Turkish and international pastries.
• The Turkish-Asian restaurant Gallada delivers fusion flavors in a garden setting on the rooftop terrace (and yes, we pointed you there earlier for good reason). Don’t miss the tandoori duck or the tender tuna marinated in soy sauce, yuzu, and ginger, paired with tahini and yogurt cream.

The Peninsula Istanbul spa is a destination in itself. Wrapped in marble, it offers eight treatment rooms, a pearly white hammam, a 25-meter underground pool, and another outdoor pool right along the Bosphorus. Opulent and serene—like Istanbul’s palaces distilled into wellness form—it’s the perfect haven after days of walking, gawking, and “just one more mosque.” The hotel also offers the brand’s holistic program “Life Lived Best,” designed to support physical, mental, and nutritional well-being, so you can leave feeling restored, not merely dazzled.

Address: Kemankeş Caddesi No:34, Istanbul 34425, Türkiye

Transfer: 50 minutes drive from Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, and 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.

Opening period: All year round.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Istanbul

What is the best way to get around Istanbul?

Getting around Istanbul is much easier than this gigantic city might suggest at first glance. It is easy to get around thanks to its public transport network – all you need to do is buy an Istanbulkart pass at the station. This will give you access to its buses, trams, and metro to get from one end of the city to the other while soaking up the local atmosphere. For more comfort, taxis and VTCs are numerous in the city. However, remember to ask for the meter to be activated to avoid any pitfalls or unpleasant surprises on arrival! Finally, the ferry is also an option to go from one bank to the other while enjoying a pleasant panorama of Istanbul.

What day of the week is everything closed in Istanbul?

In Turkey, the official day of rest is Sunday. It is therefore not uncommon to see restaurants and shops closed on this day of the week. The opening hours of shops and services are relatively similar to those in Europe. Finally, it should be noted that most museums in Istanbul are open every day except Monday. Some also opt for a closing time between noon and 1 p.m. for the lunch break.

What is the best month to go to Istanbul?

The recommended time to visit Istanbul is from March to October. Its Mediterranean climate means that its summers are hot and dry, sometimes also windy – which makes them very pleasant. Expect temperatures around 28°C in July. Spring and autumn are also two popular seasons to discover Istanbul: the climate is mild and, despite occasional rain, it is perfect for exploring the city. Winter, on the other hand, is quite cold: ice is frequent and snow is occasional and, although the average temperature in January is 8°C, this period is not the most recommended to capture all the beauty of Istanbul.

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