Istanbul is an enjoyable destination all throughout the year but when the weather cools and you can spend more and more time outside, it is always useful to know what type of activities you can do and what attractions you can see in the city because no matter how much you explore, there is always something new to do, see or eat in a megacity such as Istanbul which is also the only city in the world to be split between 2 continents!
Things to do and admire
Parks are a great way to spend time with friends, family or by yourself without spending anything! Istanbul has an abundance of natural beauty and parks constitute a major part of that beauty. The Gülhane Park is one of Istanbul's most well-known parks. Both locals and visitors enjoy this park, which is currently home to two more museums in addition to Topkapi Palace and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. If you haven't already seen any of these additional sites, you should definitely include them in your itinerary for the day when you visit Gülhane Park! Additionally, if you’re visiting the park during the season of Spring then you’ll be in for a treat as the tulip displays that this park is renowned for will also be in full bloom!
The Galata Tower dominates the Istanbul skyline at 67 meters (219 ft) high and provides stunning views of the old city and its surrounds. When it was constructed in Istanbul in 1348, the medieval stone tower known as the Tower of Christ was the city's tallest structure. Even now, it overlooks Istanbul. Over the years, the tower has undergone modifications; at one point, it served as an observation tower for spotting fires. The best views of Istanbul are from the top and you can also see the entire Bosphorus strait and the beautiful Galata Bridge.
The Dolmabahce Palace, which has been compared to the Palace of Versailles, has been described as luxurious, plush, and magnificent, to name just a few characteristics. Turkey's most opulent palace, constructed in the 19th century using 14 tons of gold leaf, combines traditional Ottoman design with Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo European architectural styles. Six Ottoman sultans lived there from 1856 to 1924, and Queen Victoria gave it the largest Bohemian crystal chandelier in the world as a gift. The Dolmabahce Palace was constructed along the Bosphorus seashore, which makes for a spectacular site.
Shopping destinations and more!
Bağdat Street is the ideal destination if your plan for a certain day out on the town involves shopping! This is the street to visit if you want to see all the well-known brands and retailers conveniently located in one location. It is 15 kilometres long and runs from one area of Istanbul's Asian side to another! This idea can be extended into a full-day excursion that involves taking a stroll with friends or family! This area has a tonne of fantastic restaurants and well-known cafes that serve better coffee and tasty snacks than the majority of large coffee companies in the city. This is a place where you can easily spend 6–8 hours walking past stylish restaurants, bookstores, clinics, international stores, and more if you choose to visit during mild weather. Additionally, there are a few parks where you may take a break and relax before moving on!
Take a stroll down Istiklal Street to begin your quest for the most popular things to do in Istanbul! One of the busiest and most vibrant streets in the city is where you can go to art galleries, shop, have a cup of coffee, or have some lahmacun. The Golden Horn is an attraction that ought to be on your list in addition to the many others that have previously been highlighted. The Golden Horn, a freshwater estuary, separates the city's historic and modern areas. Once a major commerce harbour, the largest natural harbour in the world, which splits the European shore in two, was transformed into a major urban waterway. Istanbul's Asian side has a lovely neighbourhood called Moda. Here, the distinction between the modern and the ancient is quite evident.
The ornate Süleymaniye Mosque's interior is among the best displays of Ottoman art in Turkey. Established in 1550, it was the largest mosque in Istanbul for over four centuries. The interior of one large space is decorated with simple flower tiles in blue and turquoise. The buttresses have been ingeniously integrated into the interior of the structure. Perched prominently on Istanbul's Third Hill, the Süleymaniye Mosque offers some of the best views over the city.
Whatever you decide to do in this pleasant weather and the chillier weather that is going to follow, you’ll definitely have a blast while doing so!
