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PLAN MY JOURNEYIstanbul
Istanbul’s amazing cultural heritage is in part due to its location straddling the Bosphorus Stra i t. At a crucial confluence where Europe meets Asia Minor, the city can legitimately claim to be the point at which east meets west.
First Byzantium, then the Byzantine’s capital of Constantinople, this much fought-over city fell to the Ottomans in the 15th century, after which it morphed into Istanbul. Although Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey now (Ankara is), this bustling, modern and creatively-driven metropolis – one of the biggest cities in the world with around 15 million people – pulsates with energy.
Through most of its 2,500-year-long history, Istanbul was a cultural melting pot. Today, the city is largely Turkish, but feels extremely cosmopolitan – perhaps due to the reach of the Ottoman Empire, which at its height stretched from the Balkans to Egypt.
UNESCO has declared much of the old city area as UNESCO World Heritage sites and the mind-boggling myriad of monuments here are well worthy of the title. The Aya Sofya (also known as Hagia Sofia) is the greatest of all Byzantine churches, while mammoth Ottoman mosques and palaces, and remains of Byzantine walls and cistern s all stand testament to Istanbul’s past role as the crown jewel of empire-builders.
For most visitors, Istanbul is all about Sultanahmet and the old city’s liberal swag of museums and monuments are definitely the highlight attractions. But juxtaposed with the visible glory of its history is Istanbul’s frantic pace of 21st-century life; with busy traffic-choked streets, classy shopping hubs and countless cafes. The city boasts flourishing art and music scene too with the hippest bars, clubs, art galleries and designer fashion outlets found facing off to Sultanahmet on the opposite (northern) shore of the Golden Horn in Beyoglu.
Cross the Bosphorus Strait to Istanbul l’s eastern shoreline, and you’ve crossed from Europe to Asia with no passport involved. Here, the district of Kadikoy is where to come for a slice of local life, with a bustling street market scene, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife and dining culture that is beginning to give Beyoglu a run for its money.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
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January, February, and March are fairly cold months in Turkey, although temperatures do warm up by March. Snow is not uncommon in January and even February, especially in the interior around Cappadocia. Because of the low temperatures, this is a quiet time to visit Turkey, so you are likely to have the sites more or less to yourself.
January, February, and March are fairly cold months in Turkey, although temperatures do warm up by March. Snow is not uncommon in January and even February, especially in the interior around Cappadocia. Because of the low temperatures, this is a quiet time to visit Turkey, so you are likely to have the sites more or less to yourself.
January, February, and March are fairly cold months in Turkey, although temperatures do warm up by March. Snow is not uncommon in January and even February, especially in the interior around Cappadocia. Because of the low temperatures, this is a quiet time to visit Turkey, so you are likely to have the sites more or less to yourself.
The temperatures in these spring months are moderate, making this an ideal time to visit the many ancient ruined sites dotted around the country. April is also peak tulip season, and the parks and gardens of Istanbul are bursting with color; although it can be rainy during April too. As this is such an ideal time to visit Turkey it is also the most expensive for hotels in places such as Istanbul and Cappadocia. However, many of the hotels along the Turquoise Coast are still closed.
The temperatures in these spring months are moderate, making this an ideal time to visit the many ancient ruined sites dotted around the country. The parks and gardens of Istanbul are bursting with color; although it can be rainy during April too. As this is such an ideal time to visit Turkey it is also the most expensive for hotels in places such as Istanbul and Cappadocia.
The summer months, from mid-June through to mid-September are very hot, perfect for relaxing on the beautiful Turquoise Coast and swimming in the Mediterranean. However, these high temperatures make exploring Turkey's ancient heritage quite uncomfortable, as there tends to be little or no shade at the plethora of ancient sites. This is also peak season for cruise ships, making coastal resorts and the more popular ancient sites such as Ephesus very busy. Cappadocia, by contrast, tends to be quieter over the summer months, and beautifully carpeted with wildflowers throughout, making this a great time for hiking.
The summer months, from mid-June through to mid-September are very hot, perfect for relaxing on the beautiful Turquoise Coast and swimming in the Mediterranean. However, these high temperatures make exploring Turkey's ancient heritage quite uncomfortable, as there tends to be little or no shade at the plethora of ancient sites. This is also peak season for cruise ships, making coastal resorts and the more popular ancient sites such as Ephesus very busy. Cappadocia, by contrast, tends to be quieter over the summer months, and beautifully carpeted with wildflowers throughout, making this a great time for hiking.
The summer months, from mid-June through to mid-September are very hot, perfect for relaxing on the beautiful Turquoise Coast and swimming in the Mediterranean. However, these high temperatures make exploring Turkey's ancient heritage quite uncomfortable, as there tends to be little or no shade at the plethora of ancient sites. This is also peak season for cruise ships, making coastal resorts and the more popular ancient sites such as Ephesus very busy. Cappadocia, by contrast, tends to be quieter over the summer months, and beautifully carpeted with wildflowers throughout, making this a great time for hiking.
Early September is still hot, but from the middle of the month, onward temperatures begin to cool, although sea and land temperatures are still warm, creating similar conditions to the spring months but with shorter days. Again, this is an excellent time to explore the cities and ancient sites, as well as to visit the Turquoise Coast as prices are lower and crowds are fewer. Prices tend to be high for the boutique hotels in Istanbul and Cappadocia, although hotels along the Mediterranean typically close by mid-October.
Temperatures begin to cool, although sea and land temperatures are still warm, creating similar conditions to the spring months but with shorter days. Again, this is an excellent time to explore the cities and ancient sites, as well as to visit the Turquoise Coast as prices are lower and crowds are fewer. Prices tend to be high for the boutique hotels in Istanbul and Cappadocia, although hotels along the Mediterranean typically close by mid-October.
In November, it's quite chilly throughout most of the country, with the exception of the southeast (around Antalya) which remains fairly warm. Temperatures in Konya and Cappadocia can be quite cold and snow is not uncommon, creating fantastic panoramas. Istanbul is much quieter than at other times of the year, making this a great time to visit if you don't mind the cooler temperatures and occasional rain or snow.
In December, it's quite chilly throughout most of the country, with the exception of the southeast (around Antalya) which remains fairly warm. Temperatures in Konya and Cappadocia can be quite cold and snow is not uncommon, creating fantastic panoramas. Istanbul is much quieter than at other times of the year, making this a great time to visit if you don't mind the cooler temperatures and occasional rain or snow.
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