10 Things to Do in Istanbul in February

No matter when you go, Istanbul's attractions will completely captivate you. Its countless mosques, its museums, the life that bustles in its streets and its bazaars are enough guarantee that your stay will be unforgettable.

The month of February, although the weather is not the best possible, has some advantages over the high season. Among them, the lesser influx of tourists stands out, something that will allow you to visit everything that interests you in a calmer way. In addition, this month offers some events that will surely please you.

In February, the night arrives much earlier and, with it, the temperatures drop. For this reason, it is best to look for activities that take place indoors to be as comfortable as possible. Among all the things to do at night in Istanbul, there is something very special: attending a dervish show.

Dervishes are a branch of the Sufists of Islam. Emerging in Persia, this spiritual current is characterized by its indifference to material goods and its great tolerance. Among all the brotherhoods into which this current is divided, that of the Mevlevis, also known as whirling dervishes, stands out. These seek to reach an almost hypnotic state through their whirling dances in order to reach religious ecstasy.

My proposal is that you go to see this dance in Hodjapasha Dance Theater. There, in addition to watching the dervishes whirling to the rhythm of traditional Persian music, you will taste a drink and some Turkish delicacies.

It's true that in recent years you see more and more fixed prices in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, but many of its 3,600 stores still retain the old custom of haggling when it comes to selling. In summer, with the hustle and bustle of tourists, it is difficult to master this authentic art, as the place can become overwhelming. In February, on the other hand, it is possible to dedicate the necessary time to haggle.

To haggle, the first thing to do is to be very clear about the value of the Turkish lira. Some customers use the tactic of asking the price of several items before the one they are really interested in and pretend that they find it too expensive and leave the store. At that point, the seller usually presents the first discount. It all depends on the skill of each one, but keep in mind that there will come a time when the price will not go down any further. If you really want to buy it, don't try to force the situation too much.

A tour of the Grand Bazaar, the most convenient option

If you are one of those who get overwhelmed when a sales clerk approaches you in the store to ask if he can help you, visiting the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul on your own can make you despair. In such cases, you can always take one of the guided tours of Istanbul.

With the low temperatures outside in February, it is more appealing than ever to enjoy a good Turkish bath. The hamams of Istanbul, moreover, are located in really impressive historical buildings.

The hamam or Turkish bath has been for centuries a real institution in the city. They not only took care of the body and mind, but also served as a meeting point or even to do business. When hiring a Turkish bath you will pass through the following rooms:

• Relaxation room, with a temperature of about 20 degrees and intended for your body to acclimatize when entering and leaving.
• Temperate room: it is at about 30 degrees.
• Hot room: with a temperature of 50 degrees, you cannot stay in it for more than 20 minutes. It is here that the pores open and the muscles relax before receiving the massage.

Any hamam that receives foreigners in the city includes the massage service in its offer, in addition to an exfoliation. Note that both treatments are not gentle at all, but the result is really extraordinary.

Although Istanbul's classical music season runs for several months, it is in the cold winter months that you will be most grateful to have the opportunity to attend concerts indoors and without being cold at all. If you are a fan of this type of music you should take advantage of the opportunities to witness some of the world's best performers.

There are several theaters where you can go to enjoy the concerts. Among them is the Zorlu PSM, which also hosts performances of other musical genres.

Another essential place to enjoy a great concert is the Aynalı Geçit Auditorium, where the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra usually plays. Finally, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum also has an auditorium where interesting musical performances are often scheduled.

Practical information

• Zorlu PSM: located in the Besiktas neighborhood, specifically at Koru Sokaği, 2. Metro line 2 has a stop nearby, at Levent.
• Aynalı Geçit Auditorium: it is on one of the streets adjacent to Istiklal Caddesi, so you can't miss it.
• Sakıp Sabancı Museum: it's quite possible that you've seen its pretty headquarters if you've done any Bosphorus cruises, as it's located on one of its banks. Getting there is not easy, but you can get there by metro line 2 to İtü-Ayazağa İstasyonu and then bus 29S to Tokmak Burnu.

Normally, when we talk about shopping in Istanbul we only refer to what you can do in the historical bazaars or in the tourist stores in the center. However, the Turkish city has some great shopping m alls that also offer special sales during the winter. In February, in particular, you can even talk about a second sale.

My recommendation to take advantage of the lower prices is to go to the largest shopping center in Europe: the Cevahir Mall. This huge complex is located in Silsi, where you can reach very easily with the metro line 2. The mall is composed of 6 floors crowned by a beautiful clock on its glass roof. Inside you will find more than 300 stores of national and international brands.

An ideal plan if you go with children

I know you are going to say that the little ones get bored with shopping, but I assure you that if you travel with children to Istanbul in the cold month of February and you take them to this complex you will find it hard to take them back to the street. In addition to the stores, it has facilities designed for children to have a great time. For starters, it has a movie theater with projections dedicated solely to the little ones. Also, inside you will find a small amusement park and events and games of different types.

Istanbul' s street food is an undeniable part of its charm. If you want to know it in depth, there is nothing better than taking a gastronomic tour of Istanbul with a guide who will explain all the existing varieties, but you can also simply stroll through the streets and try what catches your attention. In winter, you should definitely ask for a cartridge of roasted chestnuts.

This type of street food is quite common in many places in the world, but eating them on a bench in Sultanahmet, overlooking Hagia Sophia, or in Eminonu, with the Galata Tower and the Golden Horn in front of you, is priceless. Just smelling its aroma while you walk your mood will improve, not to mention the pleasant feeling of noticing how your hands are warming up when you pick up the cartridge.

And after this little appetizer, I recommend you to take a gastronomic tour of Istanbul to taste all the delights.

Although in recent years other neighborhoods have gained in popularity among Istanbul's locals to spend chilly evenings inside their cafes and bars, Beyoglu still maintains a special atmosphere. This area, located between the Galata Bridge and Taksim, including Istiklal Caddesi, is perfect if you want to relax while discovering the pleasures of drinking a good Turkish coffee.

The best thing to do is to wander around the streets around the Galata Tower or the streets leading from Istiklal. In many of them you will find small cafes with a very intimate atmosphere despite the amount of people in the area. And if you prefer another type of more lively entertainment, in the Tünel area ( at the end of the pedestrian axis of Istiklal) there are numerous places where you can try raki, but in moderation. In these places often perform musicians who enliven the evening.

Do not be impressed by its contents and go for a coffee or tea in a cemetery

It is possible that the animation of Beyoglu does not go with you. Whether it does or not, one experience you can't miss on your trip to Istanbul in February is to step into one of the coffee shops located inside the old cemeteries. Although it may seem inappropriate, quite a few of these old cemeteries in the Turkish city house very appetizing cafes. Among all the ones you are going to find I recommend: Türk Ocagi, located at Divan Yolu, 74.

In addition to the fantastic mosques of Istanbul and the countless monuments that can be seen in Istanbul, the city has several museums that are worth visiting. The best time for this is undoubtedly winter. Whether you have traveled in January to the capital of Turkey as if you have done in February you will be able to enter without waiting in line and enjoy all the history that show their collections.

It is difficult to choose which museums to visit and, moreover, the taste of each person is different. Here is a short list, just three or four, of the most interesting museums that are some of the great attractions of Istanbul:

• Archaeological Museum and Museum of Oriental Antiquities: both museums are practically next to each other, inside the Gulhane Park. They are, without a doubt, two fundamental collections for understanding the history of the entire region.
• Carpet Museum: no one who has been to Istanbul can doubt the importance of carpets in the culture of the country. Stepping on them with bare feet in any mosque is a real treat for the senses. In this museum you can see an interesting collection of carpets that were once in various mosques.
• Mosaic Museum: a small hidden gem in the center of Sultanahmet, next to the Blue Mosque. In a not too large space you can see the remains of the mosaics of the Great Palace of Byzantium, built in the fourth century.
• Calligraphy Museum: the calligraphy of the ancient Ottoman books was considered a real art. In the Beyazit Mosque you can see some wonderful examples.

Although it's a bit far from the historic center, if you're in Istanbul in February I recommend you head to the Ataşehir neighborhood (in the Asian part of the city) to enjoy the festival that takes place for three days in the middle of the month.

This street festival is focused on two of the passions of the Turks: music and food. During the days it takes place you can listen to concerts in various parts of the neighborhood, as well as enjoy some of the best dishes you will find in Istanbul, both traditional and creative cuisine.

In addition, you will also find pubs where they prepare special cocktails for this event and, if you are interested, participate in some of the workshops that take place in the area. Keep in mind that since it is not held in a tourist area, this will also be a great opportunity to get to know the locals' way of having fun.

How to get to Ataşehir

As I mentioned, the neighborhood is a bit far from the center, although getting there is not too difficult. The best option is to take a ferry from Karaköy (across the Galata Bridge) to Kadiköy (don't miss, when you are arriving, the wonderful view of the Haydarpaşa train station). Right next to the Karaköy pier you will have to take bus 19 to the Ataşehir Lyceum stop.

It's not the cheapest restaurant in Istanbul (though not the most expensive either), but its appeal is worth spending a little extra on a dinner. This restaurant is located on the terrace of a tall building next to the Egyptian Bazaar and its views are truly breathtaking. To keep you warm, the Hamdi 's terrace is covered with transparent panels.

In February you will be able to find a place more easily. Although I recommend that you book a little in advance (and make sure you want a table in the viewing areas and not in the center of the room), the smaller number of tourists means that you should have no problem.

The restaurant serves traditional Turkish food, with various types of soups, kebab, fish and delicious sweets for dessert.

Temperatures in Istanbul in February are the lowest of the year along with January. Thus, highs average only 9°C on average, while lows average only 3°C. The wind and humidity make the wind chill lower.

Although you should always check the weather forecast before traveling, with these temperatures I recommend that you take warm clothes, especially thinking about the nights. Hat, gloves and scarf can be useful if you are cold.