At a Glance
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When to Visit:
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<p>The best times of year to visit Istanbul are from April to June and September to October, roughly the months of spring and autumn respectively. During these months, temperatures are in the consistently mild range of 16-25°C (61-77°F) and the humidity is not too bad, plus the crowds aren't as big a nuisance as in the summer months. The wintery months from November to February have the highest rainfall (80-100mm/30-40in per month), and it's when spirits are most likely to be dampened.</p>
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Orientation |
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<p>The Bosphorus, the strait flowing between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, creates a natural north-south divide in İstanbul - European İstanbul comprises the bulk of the city to the west, while Asian İstanbul is to the east. European İstanbul is itself divided by the Golden Horn (Haliç) into the old city to the south, and Beyoğlu and other modern districts to the north.</p>
<p>The Old City is where you'll find all the main sights, such as Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), Aya Sofya (Sancta Sophia), the Atmeydanı (Hippodrome) and the old city walls. The 21st-century version of İstanbul is a short walk north across the Galata Bridge, and is exemplified by bustling Taksim Square, the eye of the city's commercial storm. The Asian part of the city has less of the sights tourists come to see.</p>
<p>There are clusters of budget places in the Sultanahmet district of the old city; Akbıyık Caddesi in Cankurtaran is the backpacker hub, other streets nearby are more low key. The heart of modern Istanbul, Taksim Square and Beyoğlu are also good places to stay, with lots of restaurants, theatres and shops nearby. If you want to spend a bit more, head for the luxury hotels of Harbiye and along the Bosphorus. Most cafes are clustered in Beyoğlu, but many are dotted in the suburbs on both sides of the Bosphorus and in other well-heeled suburbs. Kumkapı and Çiçek Pasajı, and Nevizade Sokak in Beyoğlu are home to clusters of <i>meyhanes</i> (taverns).</p> |
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Getting Around: |
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<p>İstanbul has a decent public transport network, which you'll appreciate once you get the hang of pre-buying tickets (try an Akbil pass instead, if you're in town for a few weeks), jumping on half-moving vehicles and avoiding armpits in tram jams. And if it all gets too much, a mad taxi driver is always ready to race you to your destination - and you won't pay too much for the thrill, either. But all public transport slows to a crawl around peak hours; this is the time to take to your feet. Walking is the best way to see İstanbul - though the ferries rate a close second.</p>
<p>The main bus station, the International İstanbul Bus Station, or more simply, the <i>otogar</i>, is 10km (6mi) west of Sultanahmet at Esenler. Both city and private buses run services in İstanbul. The suburban trains are a bit decrepit but reliable and inexpensive, running from Sirkeci station. İstanbul's metro is under construction, though some lines are already in service; it's inexpensive, with frequent services. There are several tramlines to choose from if you want a ride with a view. Istanbul has a large fleet of yellow taxis. It's an easy matter to rent a car; it's navigating the thing through the insane traffic that might prove to be difficult. Save it for leaving town. Ferries and catamarans can take you along the Golden Horn or up the Bosphorus - an hour-long ferry ride is cheap and fun.</p> |
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Weather:
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<p>Turkey has seven climatic regions. İstanbul is situated in the Marmara region, which includes eastern Thrace and Edirne. It's a countryside of rolling steppeland and low hills with an average yearly rainfall of 668mm (26.3in). Rainfall is highest (between 80mm/3.1in and 100mm/3.9in per month) from November to February; July and August have the least rainfall. Humidity follows the same pattern, with the lowest humidity (under 30%) in July, August and September, and the highest (over 60%) - a bone-chilling damp - in December and January.</p>
<p>Temperatures in July and August peak at around 30°C (86°F), with lows around 20°C (68°F). In December and January, temperatures fall as low as 2°C (36°F) and even below: bring a carrot for Frosty. Daily highs reach about 9°C (48°F). April, May, September and October are the best times to visit, with daytime highs usually around 16°C to 25°C (61°F to 77°F), and lows from around 9°C to 18°C (48°F to 64°F).</p>
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Ethnic Groups:
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<p>Turks (85%), Kurds (12%), 3% other Islamic peoples, Christians</p>
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Content Source:
Lonely Planet
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