It’s no wonder that autumn in Istanbul is equally beautiful and activity-packed. On one hand, you have what is arguably the most beautiful city in the world, dressed in its autumn attire. On the other hand, you have a dynamic metropolis, freshly returned from its summer vacation, awakening to the possibilities of a busy year ahead. Locals are replacing the tourist crowds; children are going back to school and adults are heading back to work. This is also a golden opportunity to see anything and everything there is to see. Apart from rush hour during the mornings and evenings, weekdays are great for getting around and enjoying the still pleasant weather; physical and cultural activities are abundant and the parks and hills are filled with the colors of autumn. Here are a few tips that may help you enjoy autumn in Istanbul, even more. 

Run, run, run

How would you like to run across the Bosphorus Bridge from one continent to another? Although at first you may not associate running with a vacation in Istanbul, the international and local running events during autumn may change your mind. The annual Vodafone Istanbul Marathon is a cross continental run, organized every year in November. There are several options appealing to international competitors but The 8K FunRun is free of charge, open to all and possibly one of the best ways to experience Istanbul. Leading up to the event, there are also other great running events in October and November that combine a healthy activity with superb sightseeing. Liferun takes you on a refreshing run at the beautiful Belgrade Forest. Color Sky 5K Run takes place at the Olympic Stadium and every kilometer competitors are “bombed” with colorful paint. New Balance Büyükada Run takes place on the largest of the Princes’ Islands while NikeRun starts from Karaköy. In their totality, all of these running events are guaranteed to provide a unique Istanbul experience that will make you feel like a local and may even provide extra incentive to consider investing in Istanbul.

Arts and Culture

October and November are also peak months for various arts and culture activities in Istanbul. Filmekimi (Filmoctober) is an independent film festival that showcases the year’s most anticipated independent films from around the world. The State Opera and Ballet also opens in curtains during autumn with many great performances. The Süreyya Opera Hall is a beautiful building established in 1927, restored in 2007 and a fine example of Art Deco architecture. It is located in Kadıköy, the scene of a major urban transformation project that is opening new possibilities for apartments for sale in Istanbul. Then, there is also Akbank Jazz Festival for jazzlovers. Bringing many eclectic musicians from around the world, the festival starts towards the end of October. The festival in 2015 was spread across four venues like Akbank Art Center, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Zorlu Performance Arts Center and Babylon Bomonti, the latter two also being located in popular zones for real estate investment in Istanbul.

Nature and the City 

As much as the entire city is adorned in beautiful autumnal colors, we especially recommend visiting the Atatürk Arboretum in Bahçeköy. It is a giant botanical garden with over 2000 species of trees and plants, where all the colors of autumn are on display. It is located between Sarıyer and Kilyos and a trip to the arboretum will also give you a good idea about the prospects of properties for sale in Istanbul, as this is a newly developing area. Other nature escapes in the city include its many parks such as Emirgan Park, Yıldız Park, and Gülhane Park. Polonezköy on the Asian side is also a must-visit natural wonder also known as Adampol. It is a small village within the boundaries of the Beykoz distric, founded in 1842 by Polish settlers. If you cannot make it to any of these, then simply head over to the Galata Bridge, because autumn is peak fishing season. Here, you will see dozens of amateur fishermen casting their lines with the hopes of catching some of Istanbul’s famous fish. Or alternatively, just head over to the fish market in Karaköy or any Bosphorus-side fish restaurant to taste some of the most delicious fish you have ever tasted.