10 Things to Do in Istanbul in the summer

I suggest you arm yourself with patience if you visit Istanbul between July and August, as there will be hundreds of visitors trying to enter the tourist sites, long lines and temperatures that can exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

Traditional, exotic and with the privilege of boasting a culture and heritage that offer you the best of two continents: Europe and Asia. Read on and find out what you can't miss.

A nearby and fascinating option is to book an excursion to the Princes Islands and its main port, Büyükada Island, the largest of the nine that make up this archipelago. Here you can spend the day at one of the most popular seaside resorts near Istanbul. In addition to the beaches, you can take a bike ride through its forests and places of interest or walk, because curiously on the island there is not a single motor transport.

Another of the most sought after places during the summer is the town of Kilyos, located an hour's drive from Istanbul. It is a little urbanized area, where you can be surprised with sand dunes and the vegetation of the Black Sea, another of the beauties of Turkey.

It is one of the most beautiful places to spend the day, but it is necessary to say that in almost all of them you will have to pay the entrance fee. The good thing is the access to sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, surveillance and, in addition, services of lodging, food and drink in its leisure places. In the summer it is possible to experience an unforgettable beach party with live music. It is definitely a good option to admire the Sea of Marmara or the Black Sea, get away from the chaos of the city and eat a good fresh seasonal fish.

Booking a Bosphorus cruise and taking a guided tour of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait is one of the favorite plans for travelers to Istanbul. An opportunity to get another perspective of the city, with an experience where you will get all the attention.

Some of these excursions offer food, drinks and other interesting activities to share with other travelers. An ideal option to take a break from the heat of the day and enjoy a magical tour, with a guide who will give you many details about this place, which is the border that divides the European and Asian part of the city.

During the summer you will find many options for excursions to the Bosphorus Strait from Istanbul. If you want to enjoy the colors of the summer sunset and start the night, treat yourself to a taste of typical Turkish cuisine while watching from the boat, among other places, the walls of Constantinople and the Galata Bridge. A perfect plan to feel welcome to the city, say goodbye to it or spend a romantic evening, in the best style of ancient Constantinople.

Turkish cuisine is world famous, as it brings together the best of two worlds: East and West. Places to try, fortunately, are not hard to find. Istanbul is located between two seas: the Marmara and the Black Sea, so fish and seafood highlight the menus of restaurants, especially during the summer.

Booking a gastronomic tour of Istanbul will take you on a journey of flavors, smells and lots of tradition. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the street food stalls and self-service restaurants, with menus that offer a variety of dishes and drinks suitable for all tastes and with really good prices.

The "meyhane, lokantas" and traditional restaurants are places where you can try "meze" and other traditional Turkish foods and taste the fusion of cultures that nicely impact the culinary scene of the city. In the bazaars you can enjoy traditional drinks such as tea in all its forms, good Turkish coffee, local fruit juices and spirits such as Raki or lion's milk.

From Istanbul, and during the summer, you can find organized excursions to other wonderful cities in Turkey. My recommendation is to book an excursion to Ephesus and Pamukkale, where you can visit one of the wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis.

To cool off from the high temperatures, this excursion can be complemented with a visit to Pamukkale National Park, where you can enjoy a swim in the blue hot springs and walk through the subway city. Remember that Pamukkale has been declared a World Heritage Site since 1988, so it is well worth including it in your route.

Another option is to book an excursion to Cappadocia, another of Turkey' s natural treasures that in the summer will allow you to make one of the best travel experiences: touring this natural beauty of stone aboard a hot air balloon. Check all about how to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul and don't miss it in summer, you won't regret it!

If it's your first time in Istanbul, a sightseeing bus tour can be a great idea to get a first impression of the city, while touring the key points of Istanbul in air-conditioned vehicles that will give you a break from the inclement summer weather.

With a price starting from 45 euros, if you book the Istanbul tourist bus you can plan a route that suits your needs and time. A perfect plan if you have a few days to tour the city. They are usually double-decker buses without roof, so you enjoy 360 degree panoramic views during the tour.

In some cases, the cost includes free tickets to certain attractions with routes that have more than 20 stops near the best attractions of the city, audio guides in several languages and suitable for children, people with reduced mobility or disability. In addition, the vehicles are air-conditioned so it will be a good plan to rest from the heat.

Known as dondurmas, they are basically goat's milk-based ice creams with various flavors, served in cookie cones.

You can find them in the eating places of the big Turkish stores like the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar, and it is a plan for all ages. The most fun is to see the cunning of the ice cream makers, who joke and show their skills to perform games and tricks to attract the attention of customers.

Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque neighborhoods of Istanbul, which in summer offers you an active and vibrant atmosphere, because here nothing stands still. You will find mosques and street markets, as well as the piers from where ferries depart to the Asian part of the city and the Princes' islands.

A street atmosphere that in summer is fascinating to feel the spirit of this fishing district, which in the times of the Byzantine Empire, was of the Italian republics and where Venetians, Pisans, Genoese had the best places along the Golden Horn.

Next to the boats you will find street food stalls where you can try fresh grilled fish sandwiches or have a cold beer while you continue your summer stroll. I recommend you to walk to Karaköy over the bridge and take lots of pictures. Don't forget to talk to the local fishermen, as they will be the best guides to discover this magical spot of the city.

In summer, music takes center stage in the big cities. Open-air concerts and festivals are a good plan to soothe the high temperatures. The Istanbul Jazz Festival has been organized since 1994 in July, offering concerts with international guests and also showcasing Turkey's new artists, representatives of this musical genre.

Most of the festival venues are closed venues with air conditioning, so you can enjoy the best of jazz in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. The festival does not allow children under the age of seven to enter some concerts. However, a special family day called "A Childlike Day" is organized and held in the gardens of the beautiful Feriye Palace, a complex of buildings located along the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait.

Tickets for the festival's concerts can be purchased online through the event's official website.

In summer the plan of museums is perfect to take shelter from the heat, while enjoying a fun and playful activity. I leave you three recommendations that I consider ideal to have a good time during this summer season.

Museum of Illusion

In the peculiar Museum of Illusion, you can trick your mind to feel like you are in an upside-down room or travel through a psychedelic-looking tunnel. A recommended place if you are traveling with your family. The place offers temporary exhibits, guided group tours and the possibility of holding themed birthday parties.

Useful information:

• Price: adults pay 11.30 € approximately (185 Turkish lira). Children and teenagers from 5 to 18 years old pay approximately €8.20 (135 Turkish Liras). Children under 4 years are free and the museum offers a family ticket for a cost of approximately 33 € (550 Turkish Liras).
• Hours: Monday to Thursday, and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
• Address: Narmanlı Han, İstiklal Cd. No:180. 34421, Beyoğlu / İstanbul.

Istanbul Industrial Museum

Also known as Rahmi M.Koç Museum. A very educational and interesting option, recommended if you have several days in the city, and you travel with family and children.

Here you will find great inventions of the human being such as ships, airplanes, printing presses, trains, cars, submarines and old machinery that are part of a collection carefully collected throughout his life by Rahmi M.Koç, a businessman belonging to an exclusive social circle in Turkey and where what is most striking is the excellent state of preservation of the exhibits.

In my opinion, one of the best museums in the world dedicated to the history of transport, industry and telecommunications, which surprises children and adults alike. The museum offers activities such as discovering a real submarine, birthday parties and boat rides on the sea passage.

Useful information:

• Price: general admission is priced at €5.50 (90 Turkish Liras) and students pay €2.45 (40 Turkish Liras).
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Address: Rahmi M. Koç Müzesi, Hasköy Cad. No: 5 Hasköy 34445 - İstanbul.

Pera Museum

In this museum you can enjoy art exhibitions and film screenings. I find it a good summer option, as it is located in the Beyoglu district, where you will find much of Istanbul's commercial, artistic and entertainment offerings. The district is in the European part of the city and shares streets with the also active Taksim district.

In the Pera Museum you will find exhibitions that are always accompanied by audiovisual events. Throughout the year you will find a cinema program that includes independent films and classics.

Useful information:

• Price: €1.50 adults (25 Turkish lira). Children under 12 years, students, teachers and seniors over 60 years 0.60 € approximately (10 Turkish Liras).
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Address: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul.

As you'll be finding out, Istanbul has a lot to see and do. And what better summer experience than visiting one of the most renowned aquariums in Europe and considered the fifth best in the world?

The Istanbul Aquarium has more than 17 thematic rooms on marine flora and fauna from the oceans of different latitudes, in addition to having a sample of different types of species, including colorful fish, rays, turtles, jellyfish and sharks, which complement the experience of walking through this space of 80 meters.

The visit also includes other attractions such as thematic exhibitions on marine life and interactive activities, which can be a good plan for a hot day and offer a good alternative to the traditional tourist circuits of the city center.

Useful information:

• Price: approximately €11 (180 Turkish lira). A valid ticket for the aquarium and wax museum is also available at a cost of 16 € (270 Turkish Liras).
• Hours: daily from 10 am to 8 pm.
• Address: Kocatepe Mah, Pasha Cad. 5/5, 34045 Bayrampaşa/İstanbul.