Although summer may be peak tourism season for Istanbul, where temperatures hit above 30 degrees, there is no need to be put off by the crowds and the humid heat. This is after all a city that loses none of its charm 365 days of the year. That being said, once you know a few tips and tricks about making the most out of Istanbul’s summer days, you will fall in love with it even more. To that end, we have compiled a few pointers on avoiding the tourist traps, escaping the crowds, finding a cool, refreshing spot and discovering the city’s best kept secrets. With these in your arsenal, we hope that you will keep coming back and maybe even start looking for apartments or flats for sale in Istanbul and end up living the dream throughout the four seasons.

Escape the heat, refresh and cool down

Although Istanbul is a city surrounded by water, thanks to the Bosphorus strait connecting the Marmara and Black Sea, the city center lacks the turquoise shores of the Aegean or the Mediterranean. Luckily, the city has plenty to offer in terms of taking a swim or cooling down. From large swimming pools to the Black Sea shores and the Prince Islands, one can easily find ways to escape the city’s heat. Although Büyükada is the most famous and biggest of the Prince Islands, we recommend checking out Burgazada as well, which is the second island en route to Büyükada. Its compact size and sandy beaches offer a breath of fresh air and an easy way to cool down. Kilyos, on the Black Sea shore, is also another conveniently located area with long, sandy beaches and plenty of great beach clubs. On the way to Kilyos, you can drive past Sarıyer, Bahçeköy and Zekeriyaköy, all of which can help you escape the heat and tourist crowds at the city center. These areas are also worth checking out if you are thinking about buying real estate to invest in Istanbul. As for pools, one can take a pick from any of the five-star hotels or Suada, a man-made island right in the middle of the Bosphorus, boasting a superb swimming pool, restaurants and cafes.

Parks and Recreational Areas

Gülhane Park in Sultanahmet or Gezi Park in Taksim may offer some shade and relaxation during a busy day of shopping and sightseeing, but if you really want to spend a few hours cooling down and escaping the busy city center, there are better alternatives. Emirgan Park, on the way to Sarıyer, or the Caddebostan Shore on the Asian side offer larger green spaces to relax, have a picnic or simply enjoy the cool sea breeze. 

The Far End of the Bosphorus 

Sure, everyone loves admiring the beauty of the Bosphorus from Ortaköy or the Maiden’s Tower. But the Bosphorus offers so much more and to really soak in the cool Bosphorus air and admire the magical union of blue and green, head over to Anadolu Kavağı or Rumeli Feneri (Lighthouse), both located close to the Black Sea, at the far end of the strait on the Asian and European sides, respectively. And suddenly, you won’t feel like you are in one of the largest cities in the world, but rather a quiet fishermen’s village. Nowadays, with the construction of the 3rd Bosphorus Bridge, this far end of the Bosphorus is about to change dramatically. Many early investors are already in line for what is being considered as one of the hottest opportunities for property investment in Istanbul.  

Arts, Culture and Shopping

Another source of refreshment during summer in Istanbul may come in an unexpected way; through the various arts, cultural and shopping activities in the city. The summer’s usual highlights are Istanbul Jazz Festival, Harbiye Amphitheater Open-Air Concerts featuring famous local and foreign artists, Istanbul Shopping Fest, the Souq Market over the weekends in Karaköy are just a few options that add magic to Istanbul summers. Also, the Basilica Cistern in the Historical Peninsula is probably one of the coolest places to escape the heat above.