Planning a Holiday in Istanbul

Istanbul is amazing. This is one of the most impressive cities we have been to. With stunning architecture, delicious food and some of the most welcoming, truly hospitable people we've encountered on our travels, this is a city we might want to revisit time and time again.

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul for the first time, hopefully this comprehensive travel guide will help you plan your trip. It tells you everything you need to know, where to stay, where to exercise and what to eat.

We love Istanbul so much that we can seriously imagine living there. Spend a day in this charming city and I wouldn't be surprised if you feel the same way.

How to Apply for a Turkish E-visa

Applying for an e-Visa for Turkey is easy. Everything is done online and you will get your visa in minutes. Check out my post to apply for a Turkey e-Visa for a step-by-step process. You can also apply for a Turkish e-Visa through iVisa.com.

Istanbul at a Glance

Istanbul is the economic, financial and cultural center of Turkey. It is also the largest city in the country, with a population of just over 15 million, making it one of the most important cities in Europe and the world. For these reasons, it is natural to think that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, but this is not the case. The award goes to Ankara.

Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, Istanbul is geographically interesting as it is one of the few cities that straddles two continents. The western half of the city is in Europe, while the eastern half is in Asia.

The Asian side is basically residential, so you can find most of the city's main attractions in the two areas on the EU side - Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu. Visitors to the city for the first time will spend most of their time in these two areas.

Istanbul can be a city full of history and culture, so there is a lot to train and do there. From Byzantine churches adorned with mosaics and frescoes to magnificent mosques adorned with soaring minarets, Istanbul may be a city that will captivate you at every turn.

Best Time to go to Istanbul

Spring (March-May) is the best time to visit Istanbul, followed by autumn (September-November). There are fewer crowds, so the weather is mild in both seasons, although there is more rainfall in the fall than in the spring.

We were there in early November and the weather was almost perfect. I used to wear a light jacket with just a T-shirt inside and walk around comfortably. It was cloudy these two days, but it never rained.

Tulip lovers from Turkey, not the Netherlands, will be pleased to know that the International Tulip Festival takes place in April, with tulips in full bloom across the city.

March to May: This is usually the easiest time to travel to Istanbul. The weather is relatively mild and dry, and the city is bathed in color. Next time we visit Istanbul, we will definitely be attending the Tulip Festival in April.

June-August: Except that June-August is the busiest time of year, it can get very hot and muggy - up to 28°C/82°F. This is when the lines are the longest and cost the most.

September to November: Like spring, autumn is a great time to travel to Istanbul. The weather is similar, although as mentioned earlier, it will rain in the fall. While there is a Tulip Festival in the spring, there are also festivals in the fall, such as the Akbank Festival and the Istanbul Theatre Festival, both of which take place in November.

December-February: December-February is the low season in Istanbul. This is the wettest and coldest time of year, so be sure to decorate properly. It can rain and snow and the temperature will drop to 3°C/37°F freezing.