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Discover IstanbulLike a Local
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Istanbul this summer

Things to Do in Istanbul in Summer

Published Updated

Long evenings on the water, late-night street food and sunsets that run past nine.

Give your summer day a focus: time by the water, a food stop or an evening out. You can combine a Bosphorus outing with a neighbourhood visit, or choose one area and leave room to explore at your own pace.

Start with our Bosphorus cruise comparison, then browse the Istanbul food guides for something to eat along the way. The cards below connect these ideas to practical guides.

Start with
Just landed→ Airport to cityTonight→ Meyhane nightOn the water→ Bosphorus cruisesShop like a local→ MahmutpaşaFirst time→ Travel guide
Maiden’s Tower beside the Bosphorus at sunset Bosphorus sunset cruise: best times & routes →Red simit cart filled with sesame bread rings on an Istanbul street Street food: what locals order →Grilled fish, meze plates and rakı set on a restaurant table Meyhane: how locals do rakı night →

Popular this summer

Maiden’s Tower beside the Bosphorus at sunsetBosphorusBosphorus sunset cruise: best times & routesA dinner cruise boat lit up at night on the BosphorusDinner & showBosphorus dinner cruise: shows & pricesGrilled fish, meze plates and rakı set on a restaurant tableNightlifeMeyhane: how locals do rakı nightDinner table set for a small group on a private yacht at duskPrivatePrivate dinner cruise on your own yacht

Choose where to start

Every card leads to a live guide
Travel guide

Just landed? Start here.

/travel-guide/ →
Travellers with luggage inside Istanbul Airport terminal1 · ArriveIstanbul Airport to the cityAn airport bus in Istanbul1 · ArriveSabiha Gökçen to the cityIstanbulkart held beside a public transport card reader2 · Get aroundIstanbulkart: buy & top upAn M2 metro train at a platform with Yenikapi on its destination display2 · Get aroundMetro: maps & routes
Like a Local

Eat and shop like an Istanbulite

Guides built with confectioners, fishmongers and meyhane regulars.
Rolled Turkish delight with nuts and dried fruitLokumWhere locals buy Turkish delightBaklava and assorted pastries displayed in metal traysBaklavaWhere locals actually buy itRed simit cart filled with sesame bread rings on an Istanbul streetSokakStreet food, stall by stallGrilled fish, meze plates and rakı set on a restaurant tableMeyhaneHow locals do rakı night

A day in Istanbul, hour by hour

  1. Dawn First ferry with an Istanbulkart
  2. Morning Mahmutpaşa before the heat
  3. Afternoon Lokum and tea in the shade
  4. Sunset Sunset cruise to the Maiden’s Tower
  5. Night Midye after midnight

When to come

/best-time-to-visit/ →
Ahmet H. Yildirim passenger ferry on the Bosphorus with Galata Tower behind itTravel guide · FerriesIstanbul ferry guide: routes & timetablesRed nostalgic tram and simit cart on İstiklal Avenue during snowfall at nightSeasonal guide · Dec – FebIstanbul in winter: what to do, eat & wear
Sunset over the Bosphorus from a boat
Bosphorus & Boats Warm nights on deck: sunset, dinner and private yacht cruises.Compare here, book with Istanbul On Boat. Istanbul On Boat is our sister brand. Bookings are made on Istanbul On Boat.
Compare every cruise →Istanbul On Boat ↗

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