ISTANBUL IN 4 SEASONS
The City That Lives 24/7 for 4 Seasons
Istanbul has always managed to be among the prominent cities of the world with its history made up of various civilizations of the past, its culture, natural beauties, and unique structures. Having traces of many different cultures in itself, the ancient city of Istanbul attracts the attention of domestic and foreign tourists with museums, palaces, mosques, touristic places, bazaars and modern architectural buildings.
Because of its geographical location, Istanbul always takes on a different kind of beauty throughout all seasons while giving the joy of these seasons to those living in the city. Living all four seasons to their fullest extent, Istanbul offers many options for its visitors in terms of things to do in different seasons.
We have listed the things to do, places to go, and the places that are most beautiful throughout different seasons of the year in Istanbul.
SPRING IN ISTANBUL
When Istanbul and the spring come together, it is no doubt that various beauties are visualized in everyone’s mind. Judas trees, tulips, hyacinth flowers come to some people’s mind while picnics, breakfasts and short walks come to the mind of others. In this season that brings different emotions for everyone, Istanbul welcomes everyone with a special kind of beauty. For this reason, we have made a list of 5 places that we think as the best places to experience the spring in Istanbul.
- Prince Islands: Prince Islands come to mind first when it comes to Istanbul and the spring. Especially those who want to get away from the crowdedness of the city can enjoy the spring with the fragrance of flowers covering the island after a nice ferry trip.
- Gulhane Park: Gulhane Park offers its guests an amazing feast of Judas trees during the spring. Gulhane Park is one of the best places for people who want to enjoy the spring among flowers, birds and trees.
- Beykoz Grove: Beykoz Grove makes you feel the coming of spring in your bones with its wonderful Bosporus view, bird chirps and tulip smell. You can take a short break at the municipality’s social facilities while enjoying these beauties during your walks inside the grove, and then continue your trip after feeling rested.
- Camlica Hill: Watching the view brought by the spring from Buyuk Camlica hill, the highest point in Istanbul, gives a completely different feeling of peace. This place, which turns into a literal mimosa heaven during the spring, comes first on the list of places to visit in the spring.
- Belgrad Forest: Belgrad Forest, known as the oxygen store of Istanbul, is also one of the places where the spring can be best experienced in. The fresh air, jogging and walking courses, bicycle paths and natural beauties make Belgrad Forest an ideal place for people that want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
SUMMER IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul takes on a different meaning of beautiful in the summer, perhaps because of its location. As the Sun stays up more frequently, the movement in the city starts to increase. We have searched for 5 activities you can do in the summer to enjoy the season in Istanbul.
- Bosporus Tour: Bosporus tours come first among the activities that can be done in Istanbul during the summer. If you would like to witness the magnificent view of Istanbul and enjoy the sun, you can get this unique experience by joining the Bosporus tours.
- Sile: With its beaches and unmatched nature, Sile has managed to be one of the most popular areas of Istanbul during the summer. If you would like to cool off and enjoy the beach during the summer months in Istanbul, Sile would be a perfect choice for you.
- Concerts and Festivals: In a city full of activities such as Istanbul, the number of activities and events increase even more in the summer. You can go to the concerts, festivals and many other events that are held outdoors throughout the summer and have fun.
- Kilyos: Kilyos is also one of the most preferred touristic places of Istanbul in the summer. With its clean beaches and sea, the place is swarmed by people living in Istanbul especially in the summer. It is possible to experience the affordable tastes while enjoying the sand and the ocean at Kilyos.
- Ataturk Arboretum: If you wish to get away from the crowd and heat of Istanbul even for a little bit, Ataturk Arboretum is going to be the best choice for you. In this arboretum that is among the places that are most visited by domestic and foreign tourists; you can have some good time and observe more than 1500 plant species.
FALL IN ISTANBUL
It is possible to say that the beauty of Istanbul doubles when the city’s unique elegance and the gloom and romanticism of fall comes together. In fact, this meeting has also been the subject of songs over the time. It is no doubt that the beauties that arise from this meeting are some of the things that must be experienced by every visitor. For these reasons, we have compiled a list of 5 wonderful places that can be visited in Istanbul during the fall.
- Yildiz Park: One of the first places that come to mind when it comes to places that can be visited in Istanbul during the fall. Inside this park, one of the most peaceful and calm places of Istanbul, the gardens, trees and lakes offer the entire magnificence of fall to the visitors.
- Polonezkoy: Another place to visit in Istanbul during fall is Polonezkoy. You can spend some good time with your family with a picnic besides taking a walk in this place that makes people experience fall to its fullest with its fresh air and forest.
- Fenerbahce Park:Fenerbahce Park, one of the rare places of Istanbul where you can find the blue ocean and the green land together despite being located at the center of the city, is a place that you can have a fun time. You can have a picnic in the park, or drink a cup of tea by the view at the cafés found within.
- Khedive’s Palace: The historical trees and roses with tulips that are planted during fall season in Khedive’s Palace located in Beykoz, Istanbul, offer a visual feast for its visitors. You can take a walk in the grove, or you can enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee at the cafés found there.
- Anadolu Kavagi:Having one of the best views of Istanbul, Anadolu Kavagi offers a completely different and amazing visual feast for its visitors when the fall season arrives. You can enjoy the city view by getting on the Yoros Castle located in the area while having a nice meal at the restaurants offering a large menu of delicacies.
WINTER IN ISTANBUL
The snowy and rainy days of winter in Istanbul do not prevent anyone from visiting and seeing the city. Enjoying the winter and discovering the various places of Istanbul instead of staying inside will give a different kind of happiness. For this reason, we have listed 5 activities, including indoor and outdoor places that can be done in Istanbul during the winter.
- The Grand Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar, world’s oldest covered market, is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul especially during winter because of its authentic spirit. In the bazaar, there are over four thousand shops and stores that offer you a distinct shopping experience.
- Galata Tower: Galata Tower, one of the iconic places of Istanbul, continues to be flooded with visitors during winter months. You can drink a warm cup of tea or coffee while enjoying the view at this place that offers an amazing visual show during winter.
- Istanbul Aquarium: Istanbul Aquarium, one of the best aquariums across the world, is among the most visited places of the city, particularly in winter. This aquarium, where 15 thousand marine creatures are found, offers the opportunity to have a wonderful day for its visitors.
- Topkapi Palace: One of the most popular museums that are frequented by tourists in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace can also be visited with pleasure during winter months. Topkapi Palace, one of the largest palace museums of the world with its rich collection, stands out among the interesting places found in the city.
- Basilica Cistern: Basilica Cistern, one of the most historically significant and magnificent structures of Istanbul, is a place that is frequented by tourists by hosting many events besides serving as a museum. The most interesting parts of the cistern are the two Medusa Heads, which are some of the rarest artifacts of Roman Period’s art of sculpture.