Best time to visit
33 things to do in Istanbul
Victory Day or Zafer Bayramı
To celebrate the end of the War of Independence, the Turks hold extravagent parades across the city streets
Istanbul Marathon
The world's only marathon that begins in Asia and ends in Europe offers a unique experience for adventurous runners
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth & Sports Day
The holiday celebrates the beginning of the Turkish Republic and its future, embodied by the country's lively energetic youth
Green Almonds
Spring delicacies of Istanbul prove that the human body can get used to anything—food adventurers will rejoice here.
Sunset Bosphorus Cruise
This strategic waterway divides the continents and links the seas
Tulips
Millions of flowers in Istanbul's valleys are proof that Turkey is the real world capital of tulips
Warm up in Traditional Hamam
Want to feel like Sultan Süleyman or his beloved Hürrem? Centuries-old hamams and professional masseurs and masseuses do miracles
Fish Sandwich (Balık-ekmek)
Mouth-watering fish sandwiches are traditionally made of mackerel, grilled, and served right on the boat
Whirling Dervish Sema Ceremony
Spinning prayers pave their way to the divine and pass on newly established spiritual treasures to spectators
Grape Season and Turkish Wine Tasting
Istanbul offers all the pearls of the Turkish millennial wine industry, including world-known sorts and local exclusives.
Princes’ Islands
Riding in a horse-drawn carriage among 19th-century mansions encased with splendid greenery makes for a peaceful weekend
Football: Süper Lig
It is not a good idea to cheer 'away' teams playing in Istanbul,—Turkish Süper Lig is both exciting and safe to watch
Boza
Don't get scared if you hear a street vendor crying out "Booozaaa!"—this tradition, as well as the recipe, has survived since the Ottoman Empire!
Sugar Feast (Ramazan Bayramı)
The abundance of Turkish sweets, illuminated mosques, and traditional puppet plays highlight the end of Ramadan
Sailing
Sailing in the Bosphorus means comfortable yachts, scenic minarets towering afar, and the pleasant company of gulls and dolphins
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
For one day a year, kids are allowed to sit in parliament and rule the Turkish Republic
Cumhuriyet Bayramı or Republic Day
The community rejoices, celebrating the birthday of their country through parades and torchlight processions.
Barbunya (Red Mullet)
The attractive, reddish, crispy skin of fried Barbunya covers this incredibly palatable and delicate meat
Bicycle Tours
Biking routes in Istanbul vary from peaceful rides along the seashore to extreme mud-biking in the Belgrade forest
Iftar
Sucuk, pastirma, börek, kuzu tandır, hünkar beğendi, mantı, güllaç, şerbet, ayran—the list of Ramadan dishes goes on and on
İstanbul Film Festival
It began in 1982 as a Film Week, the following year it grew wider to Istanbul Filmdays, and 1989 brought it world-wide recognition and its modern title
Aşure or Noah’s Pudding
On the tenth day of Muharram, every Turkish household is preoccupied with cooking Aşure,—imitating the dish the very Noah once cooked in his ark at the Mount of Ararat
Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim
Swimming from one continent to another—sounds challenging but it's totally a real accomplishment
Salep Drink
A hot drink made from milk and wild orchids' roots powder is hard to find outside of Turkey
Judas Tree in Bloom
Glorified throughout history, the shy but graceful Judas trees adorn the city of Istanbul
Call to Prayer between Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia
Ezan, or call to prayer, takes on great dimensions when the chants of the Blue Mosque alternate with those of the Hagia Sophia
Traditional Turkish Puppet Shadow Theater: Karagöz & Hacivat
The fights between uneducated yet witty Karagoz and literate Hacivat used to make even the very Sultan laugh
Green Plums or Erik
Small, tart "erik" is a real passion of Istanbulites, who eat them raw and add them to soups, stews, sauces, and salads
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
This gem of Byzantine architecture was once a Christian basilica, later an imperial mosque, and today is the most outstanding museum in Istanbul and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Istanbul Coffee Festival
Join over 30,000 people at one of the world's biggest coffee festivals
New Year's Eve
If you think there's nothing to do in Istanbul on New Year's Eve, let us prove you wrong!
Akbank Caz Festivali
For over two weeks in fall, Turkish and international jazz will ring throughout Istanbul