Istanbul In Summer: Expert Tips to Make the Most of the Season

If you’re visiting Istanbul in summertime, this guide is for you! I’ll share expert tips on what to pack, where to eat, and how to stay cool while making the most of your trip.

Summertime in Istanbul is a unique experience! After spending nearly 20 summers here, I’ve learned how to embrace the season’s charm—and beat the heat.

I still remember my first summer in Türkiye when my husband and I discovered Cappy’s peach nectar. The cold, refreshing taste became our go-to remedy for warm evenings—we could easily drink a liter at a time!

Now, one of my favorite things about summer in Istanbul is watching tourists marvel at the Bosphorus and the city’s 1,500-year-old landmarks. The lighter traffic is another perk, as many locals head to beach resorts or their hometowns during school holidays.

Whether it’s your first or tenth visit, these insider tips will help you stay comfortable and enjoy Istanbul to the fullest.

So, grab your (imaginary) liter of Cappy peach juice and keep reading for my best summer travel tips!

Explore Istanbul in June

June is a great month to take in the sights and sounds of Istanbul. Schools close around the middle of June, and the city slowly empties out.

The weather starts to feel like summer, with beautiful comfortably warm days and slightly cooler nights.

Keep your Cool in June

If you are a first-time visitor to the Queen of Cities, check out my three-day itinerary for the must-see spots in Istanbul.

Among these attractions, here are two that are essential to visit in the summer months.

Galata Tower

“Just step out of the tower for a second and we can take a picture, and you can see the beautiful view!”

In the picture above you can see that my friend was still a bit nervous, but really loved taking in the view from the top of the tower.

In the summer, the views from the top of the Galata Tower are especially spectacular, and the weather is significantly cooler when you’re high up. It’s worth waiting in the entry lines.

Basilica Cistern

When summer heat hits, go up or go down.

I love walking down the steps into the Basilica Cistern and feeling the instant cool of that underground space.

The modern art and mysterious lighting add to the ambiance and make you feel a world away from the crowds up above.

Don’t miss it!

Weather in Istanbul June

Temperatures:	Average high of 79°F (26°C), low of 66°F (19°C)
Temperature of the Ocean:	66°F (19°C)
Average # of rainy days:	6

What to pack in June

You can read more about how you should dress when visiting Turkey generally speaking in this post.

June has very pleasant days, but toward the end of the month, things can get pretty hot. The average summer humidity is about 70% so things can feel sticky and sweaty.

My daughter says her eyelashes don’t curl well in Istanbul because of the year-round humidity.

Bring lightweight, quick drying clothes for sightseeing. A sprinkling of baby powder can help keep your clothes fresh between wearings. Hotels can provide laundry service but laundromats are not easy to find.

There’s a lot of walking in this city so bring along comfortable walking shoes, and a pair of sandals if you’ll be going to a beach in the Prince’s Islands or up on the Black Sea coast.

For June, a light sweater can be nice in the evenings or if you enter a space with air conditioning. However, they don’t pump the A/C here like they do in the US, so you won’t be freezing when you’re indoors.

Bring along a nicer outfit if you’re planning to have a fancy dinner out in a rooftop restaurant or a place with a Bosphorus view.

Standard summer items like a hat and sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle are strongly recommended.

Finally, if you plan to enter a mosque, bring along a scarf to cover your head (for women), and clothes that cover your knees and shoulders.

Istanbul in July

July is the peak tourist season in Istanbul. The days are long and hot, and there’s so much to see and do!

Beat the Heat in July

Mid-summer is a great time to take in a concert in an outdoor amphitheater or explore ancient civilizations in an air-conditioned museum.

Istanbul Jazz Festival

Each summer, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) puts on an incredible jazz festival.

In 2025, you’ll be able to catch a concert or a talk at venues around the city from July 1-18. This year Chucho Valdez, the Cuban seven-time Grammy winner, will open the festival.

A few years back, I went to one of the concerts at the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall near Taksim with my daughter. It was hard not to get out of my seat and start dancing!

Archeology Museum

Unless you’re passionate about history, you might not think to prioritize a visit to the Istanbul Archeological Museum.

But especially in the summer, it’s a great place to spend a few hours in a cool, dim space and learn about the many civilizations that have called the land of Turkey home.

I especially love the Troy exhibit, which has a cool digital graphic that shows what the city would have looked like over many centuries.

Weather in Istanbul July

Temperatures:	Average high of 88°F (31°C), low of 71°F (22°C)
Temperature of the Ocean:	75°F (24°C)
Average # of rainy days:	4

What to pack in July

July tends to have hotter days and be a bit more humid than June.

Bring along everything on the June packing list, and consider bringing a hand-held fan, a parasol/umbrella for portable shade, and a cooling towel along as well.

Navigating Istanbul in August

We’ve had a lot of guests come to visit the city in August. It’s a perfect time to explore a new culture with kids who are on school break.

Istanbul is not as hot as the coastal resorts like Antalya or the inland areas like Urfa or Diyarbakir. But the heat and humidity can still be intense, and making sure your hotel is equipped with air conditioning is a good idea!

August Must-Do Activities

Alongside the “must-do” Istanbul attractions, you’ll want to stay as close to water as you can in August.

Bosphorus Cruise

Imagine feeling hot and stuffy on the pier, and then stepping onto a boat and enjoying the sea breezes. Refreshing!

Here are three ways to enjoy the Bosphorus.

First, there is a city-run ferry called Sehir Hatlari that runs a Bosphorus cruise from Eminonu all the way up to the point where the Bosphorus Strait meets the Black Sea.

We went on this trip with friends who were on their babymoon when my daughter was about 3 years old. We really enjoyed pausing at Anadolu Kavagi, the last stop up by the Bosphorus, to hike up to the castle and take in the views.

Your second option is to take a dinner cruise, either from Karakoy Pier or Kabatas Pier.

These are fun experiences that include a big Turkish spread and folk dancing performances. These days I’m taking a local folk dance class and I love the 9/8 and 10/8 rhythms of Turkish music. You can’t stay in your seat!

Finally, the classiest way to enjoy the Bosphorus is on a private yacht cruise. We rented one of these for a goodbye party for dear friends, and had an unforgettable experience dancing and snacking on a gorgeous summer day.

Explore Istanbul Aquarium

My friend Dan goes on amazing fishing trips all over the world. He has two giant fish tanks in his house with beautiful tropical fish.

So of course when he came to visit us in Istanbul, we had to go to the Istanbul Aquarium!

On a hot day, it was really fun to walk in the cool aquarium and marvel at each species. My favorite part of the aquarium was the tunnel where you could feel like you were in the water with the sharks.

Weather in Istanbul August

Temperatures:	Average high of 88°F (31°C), low of 72°F (22°C)
Temperature of the Ocean:	77°F (25°C)
Average # of rainy days:	5

What to pack in August

August can be hot!

Bring everything on the June and July lists, and if you can fit some ice cubes in your check-in bag, by all means, do that too. 🙂

If you’ll be traveling to coastal resorts after a few days in the big city, paradoxically, you might want to bring along some longer sleeved things.

Our family finds that after a dip in the sea or the pool, we get quite chilly! A hoodie or some loose pants that you don’t mind getting salty is a good idea to have on hand.

Check out my list of travel essentials for women.

Swimming Holes

If you’d like to relax near some water and a hot Turkish bath doesn’t sound refreshing, check out some cooler alternatives.

Hotel Pools

Most hotels with a pool have a day rate that includes access to their wet facilities. Our family has had some wonderful relaxing days at hotel pools.

Often hotels have both indoor and outdoor pool facilities, with sauna, changing rooms, and a co-ed Turkish bath (where people keep their bathing suits on).

Some good options to explore are the Marmara Taksim Hotel and the Holiday Inn Topkapi.

Water Parks

If water slides are more your style, there are some fun options around the city. You’ll want the day to be as hot as possible so your teeth don’t chatter as you walk from slide to slide.

Water parks are far from the center of the city. Marina Aquapark Tuzla is over on the Asian Side toward the Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

Aqua Club Dolphin Esenyurt is on the European Side, about an hour’s taxi ride from Taksim.

These parks are not as well kept as water parks in North America or Europe, but they are still lots of fun. Our family loves water slides and even I will go on the intermediately-scary ones (with a lot of screaming).

As with many things in Turkiye, if you set your expectations properly you’ll have a great time.

Beaches

Istanbul is surrounded by coastline! You have the Marmara Sea on the south, the Black Sea on the north, and the Bosphorus Strait that connects them.

The water right around the center of town can be less than clean, so you have to travel about an hour before finding a nice beach.

You can check this website and map for current information on the cleanliness of the beaches at any given time.

Princes’ Islands

The Princes’ Islands is a small archipelago right off the southern coast of Istanbul. You can get there via ferry links from Kabatas, Kadikoy, and Bostanci (among other ports).

Each island has its own charm and has at least a few beach areas for lounging and swimming. It’s a great day trip from Istanbul that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle.

Black Sea Beaches

About an hour north of the city, the small seaside towns of Riva and Şile (pronounced “Shi-lay”) are lovely places for a beach day. Each neighborhood has small restaurants and shops to explore.

This part of town is famous for a fabric called Şile bezi (Sile fabric). It’s a light, soft cotton muslin that keeps you cool. You can find lovely summer dresses and baby blankets made from this material in boutiques around town.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

I love summer food! Ice cream, summer fruit, and light vegetarian dishes top my list for the hottest time of the year.

the Bounties of Summer

My pazar (weekly fruit and vegetable market) explodes with the sights and smells of summer produce. I love the fresh herbs and lettuces, and the gorgeous cherries, loquats, apricots, and peaches that come out in the summer.

You have not eaten a peach until you’ve had a perfectly ripe Turkish peach.

In America, fruit tends to be picked before it’s fully ripe so it can survive the packing and transport process. But in Turkey, the distance between producers and sellers is much shorter.

Even at small neighborhood corner shops, we can often find peaches in July and August that give slightly to the touch and smell heavenly. We are always careful to have a few napkins nearby to catch the juices that run down our chin and arms!

Dining Recommendations

Turkish food is glorious! In the summer, I especially love “zeytinyagli” (cooked in olive oil) dishes, which are usually vegetable-based appetizers that are served cold.

One of my favorites is “şakşuka” (pronounced shak-shu-ka), which in other parts of the world is an egg-y dish in a tomato-based sauce. Here, it’s an egg-free dish with eggplant, pepper, and tomato.

My husband especially loves “deniz börülcesi,” which doesn’t show up on North American menus. It’s a long thin succulent that’s cooked in a delicious garlic sauce.

Here are some places where you can try these delights.

Ala Kadikoy Mehyanesi

The best place to get these cold appetizers is a fish restaurant. Ala Kadikoy Meyhanesi on the Asian side is one of our favorites here at The Art of Living in Turkey!

You can get amazing deniz borulcesi or saksuka, alongside some hot appetizers like melt-in-your-mouth fried calamari (served with a yogurt sauce in Turkey) and grilled seabream. Plus if you’re staying at a place on the European side, you get to travel to your meal via a lovely ferry ride.

There are also many wonderful fish restaurants in Cicek Pasaji, a covered arcade that’s just off Istiklal Caddesi, the famous walking street on the European side of the city. These can be a bit pricey, but the experience and food are unforgettable.

Kanaat

One summer when my family returned to Istanbul after a trip abroad, we went straight to Kanaat in Uskudar to get a light veggie-based meal.

We chose about 6 half-portions of cold appetizers and devoured them with some fresh bread. It was so refreshing after many hours with only airplane food for sustenance.

Kanaat also has wonderful hot dishes (you can take a look at the offerings on the left side of the restaurant) or you can order from the grill.

Rooftops

Many restaurants in Turkiye will opt for natural ventilation over expensive air conditioning, so going up to a rooftop restaurant gives you the best chance of catching a breeze.

When you’re done with your meal, find one of the ubiquitous Turkish ice cream stands and enjoy a sweet treat!

FAQs on Summer in Istanbul

Final Thoughts on Istanbul Summers

Summer months can be hot, but with the right preparation and expectations, it’s a wonderful season to explore Istanbul.

With comfortable clothes, walking shoes, and a handheld fan, you’ll be on your way to make the most of your visit. From ancient underground water cisterns to rooftop restaurants, the city is your oyster.

I can’t wait for you to enjoy the beauty of this amazing city! What are you looking forward to the most?