Istanbul holidays Self catering holidays in Istanbul
Istanbul is like no other city in the world with the famous Bosphorus Strait running through the centre separating Europe from Asia and connecting the Mediterrean with the Black sea.
Being the largest city in Turkey, with 18 million people, there is a plethora of things to see and do for all ages from fabulous beaches and waterparks to the palaces and museums. Most must-see historic sights are within the Sultanahmet district and includes the Topkapı Palace and Aya Sofya (Byzantine Church of the Holy Wisdom).
For shopping, there are the famous spice markets and The Grand Bazzar plus the pulsating Beyoğlu district where the night life is very lively with street music, bustling cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants - for seafood lovers, head to the districts of Beylerbeyi and Anadolu Kavağı.
The old quarter is not to be missed either, with its narrow cobbled streets, old wooden houses and skyline peppered with domes and minarets.
| Top City Attractions |
|---|
| Topkapi Palace |
| Hagia Sophia |
| Ethnographic Museum |
| Tour the Bosphorus by boat |
| Explore The Grand Bazaar (Kapaliçarşi) |
| Spice Bazaar (Misir Çarşisi) |
| Basilica Cistern |
| Aya Sofya |
| Blue Mosque with its 6 minarets |
| View Istanbul from the top of the 67m Galata Tower |
| Explore the Beyoğlu shopping & restaurant district |
Istanbul beaches
The city is surrounded by beaches with over 20 being within a short drive from the centre.There are many glorious beaches close to Istanbul which tend to get packed at the weekends if the weather is good.
One of the best ones is True Blue where you can see the islands and the sailing boats from Kalamış Marina. It has the best beach club in Istanbul plus there is a swimming pool, restaurant and bar with live entertainment.
Other popular beaches around Instanbul include...
- Dalia beach
- BURC beach on the Black Sea
- Princes' Islands
- Golden beach
- Şile & Ağva on the Black Sea
Best time to visit
Istanbul is a year round destination although late Spring and early Autumn are the best times to visit when there is plenty of warmth in the sunshine and you can wine and dine outside. The hot summer months can be sultry and one of the reasons why the locals retreat to rural areas and Aegean beach resorts. Between mid December and mid March, it can get cold enough to snow and fog often rolls in from the Black Sea.
| Top 1 Day Excursions |
|---|
| Visit the ancient city of Troy |
| Gallipoli peninsula tour |
| Explore castles and caves of the Cappadocia region |
| Ephesus ancient city & Artemis Temple |
| Pamukkale's calcified cliffs & Hellenistic Spa Town |
| Explore Priene, Miletos and the Apollo Temple |
Our view on holidays in Istanbul
No trip to Turkey is complete without visiting its capital. A wonderful city to explore on foot, taking in the sights and discovering the history, beauty and culture of this ancient city where East meets West. After a few days, you will soon feel that a short city break in Istanbul is not long enough!
