Question 1

When to Go to İstanbul?

Accepted Answer

As far as weather conditions are concerned, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit Istanbul given that the city is mostly under the influence of a transitional Mediterranean climate, meaning that the weather is mostly moderate. In general, summers are warm to hot while winters can get a bit cold. Yet, weather conditions are never too harsh to visit. The best time to visit Istanbul, on the other hand, is either springtime or fall time. Summer is the peak season for the city’s tourism and given that the city is already very much populated (over 15 million), getting around during this time tends to be a bit challenging. If you don’t want to wait on long queries under the heat of the sun, you should definitely consider a different period to visit the city. Winter might be a good option as well, however, you can’t enjoy The Princes’ Islands during this time since the islands are vulnerable to the wind coming from the sea and hence tend to be colder than usual. Given that, an island tour is included in our must-see list, winter is not ideal either. Spring and fall, on the other hand, are perfect times for a quality holiday. The weather cooperates, the streets are yet to be crowded, and it is easy to move around. What else can one want?

Question 2

What to Eat in İstanbul?

Accepted Answer

As much as it is a visual feast, Istanbul doesn’t disappoint when it comes to gastronomy either. Here you can have a taste of some of the finest examples of Turkish and Ottoman cuisine alongside international cuisine. Some of our recommendations include:

Kumpir: A very common street food especially popular in Ortaköy district, kumpir is basically a baked potato filled with various ingredients of your choice including Russian salad, corn, olive, and different local appetizers.
Döner: A type of sandwich, döner is a pita filled with either chicken or veal meat accompanied by ingredients such as tomato, greenery, onion, and pickle.
Steamed burger: A very cheap and delicious local fast food option, steamed burgers (also named wet burger) are largely consumed in the city as they are quite filling.
Simit-Turkish bagel: Everyone’s favorite breakfast food, Turkish bagels covered with sesame is not only very tasty but also very cost-efficient. You can buy plain bagels or bagels filled with cheese or chocolate according to your preferences.
Turkish coffee: It is a must that you try Turkish coffee, and you might as well get a fortune reading to spice up your holiday experience if you are interested.

Question 3

What to Do in İstanbul?

Accepted Answer

Go on a boat tour to immerse yourself in the beauty of Bosporus. One of the best things to do in Istanbul is surely to wander it on the sea.
Walk along the coastline. Istanbul has many exquisite neighborhoods alongside the Bosporus where you can have a quality promenade before a breathtaking view.
Visit museums and art galleries. There are a myriad of museums, art galleries, and historic sites in Istanbul which are must-see as many of them are known worldwide.
Have a picnic at the park. Istanbul hosts a few botanical gardens and national parks where you can connect with nature and have a break from the buzzing urban life. Emirgan Park, for example, is especially delightful during the Istanbul Tulip Festival in April.
Take the nostalgic train on İstiklal Street. İstiklal Street is one of the most renowned symbols of the city however it is almost always packed with people which makes it a bit unpleasant to walk until the very end of the street. Luckily, the tram passing from the middle of the street promises an exceptional experience.
Have a cup of coffee at Pierre Loti Hill which has a magnificent city over the Golden Horn. Here you can also get on a cable car to see the city on air.

Question 4

When to Go to İstanbul?

Accepted Answer

As far as weather conditions are concerned, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit Istanbul given that the city is mostly under the influence of a transitional Mediterranean climate, meaning that the weather is mostly moderate. In general, summers are warm to hot while winters can get a bit cold. Yet, weather conditions are never too harsh to visit. The best time to visit Istanbul, on the other hand, is either springtime or fall time. Summer is the peak season for the city’s tourism and given that the city is already very much populated (over 15 million), getting around during this time tends to be a bit challenging. If you don’t want to wait on long queries under the heat of the sun, you should definitely consider a different period to visit the city. Winter might be a good option as well, however, you can’t enjoy The Princes’ Islands during this time since the islands are vulnerable to the wind coming from the sea and hence tend to be colder than usual. Given that, an island tour is included in our must-see list, winter is not ideal either. Spring and fall, on the other hand, are perfect times for a quality holiday. The weather cooperates, the streets are yet to be crowded, and it is easy to move around. What else can one want?

Question 5

What to Eat in İstanbul?

Accepted Answer

As much as it is a visual feast, Istanbul doesn’t disappoint when it comes to gastronomy either. Here you can have a taste of some of the finest examples of Turkish and Ottoman cuisine alongside international cuisine. Some of our recommendations include:

Kumpir: A very common street food especially popular in Ortaköy district, kumpir is basically a baked potato filled with various ingredients of your choice including Russian salad, corn, olive, and different local appetizers.
Döner: A type of sandwich, döner is a pita filled with either chicken or veal meat accompanied by ingredients such as tomato, greenery, onion, and pickle.
Steamed burger: A very cheap and delicious local fast food option, steamed burgers (also named wet burger) are largely consumed in the city as they are quite filling.
Simit-Turkish bagel: Everyone’s favorite breakfast food, Turkish bagels covered with sesame is not only very tasty but also very cost-efficient. You can buy plain bagels or bagels filled with cheese or chocolate according to your preferences.
Turkish coffee: It is a must that you try Turkish coffee, and you might as well get a fortune reading to spice up your holiday experience if you are interested.

Question 6

What to Do in İstanbul?

Accepted Answer

Go on a boat tour to immerse yourself in the beauty of Bosporus. One of the best things to do in Istanbul is surely to wander it on the sea.
Walk along the coastline. Istanbul has many exquisite neighborhoods alongside the Bosporus where you can have a quality promenade before a breathtaking view.
Visit museums and art galleries. There are a myriad of museums, art galleries, and historic sites in Istanbul which are must-see as many of them are known worldwide.
Have a picnic at the park. Istanbul hosts a few botanical gardens and national parks where you can connect with nature and have a break from the buzzing urban life. Emirgan Park, for example, is especially delightful during the Istanbul Tulip Festival in April.
Take the nostalgic train on İstiklal Street. İstiklal Street is one of the most renowned symbols of the city however it is almost always packed with people which makes it a bit unpleasant to walk until the very end of the street. Luckily, the tram passing from the middle of the street promises an exceptional experience.
Have a cup of coffee at Pierre Loti Hill which has a magnificent city over the Golden Horn. Here you can also get on a cable car to see the city on air.

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