Istanbul has long been known as the undisputed capital of Turkey. It is within this astounding city that you’ll find a collection of museums, monuments, mosques, and cultural attractions that will keep you enthralled for days, if not weeks.

Teetering on the edges of Europe and Asia, Istanbul was once referred to as Constantinople and has since grown. Anyone interested in archeology, art, fine cuisine, or simply shopping will find something to do within this incredible city.

When to Visit Istanbul

Because of its positioning amongst so many different sea coasts, the country of Turkey tends to have strange weather patterns. For example, those near the Mediterranean and Aegean costs tend to have milder winter months but very hot summer months. Those on the Black Sea coast have a very wet year and can get up to 90 inches of rain!

Istanbul is, in short, very hot in the summer months and incredibly cold during the winter. It’s best to visit Istanbul between April and October, but we recommend avoiding travel during July and August, especially if you dislike crowds and extreme temperatures.

Is it Safe to Visit Istanbul?

We’ve all heard horror stories about travel to big cities, especially those in foreign countries. The truth of the matter is that crime and violence in Istanbul are no more common than crime and violence in any other major city, especially those with millions of tourists each year.

There are over 14 million people living in the city and most of them are very friendly. For the most part, the citizens of Istanbul are more than willing to help strangers, but most won’t do so unless they’re asked. Use common sense when touring the city and be wary of anyone who approaches you first. Not everyone has the best of intentions.

Istanbul’s Incredible Mosques

One of the highlights of your trip to Istanbul will be the trips you make to various mosques. There are too many for you to visit them all, but there are a few that should top your itinerary.

The Blue Mosque is adorned with over 20,000 Iznik tiles (blue-green, of course) and over 260 magnificient stained glass windows. The beautiful flowing images portrayed within this mosque sharply contrast the serious and stuffy images left behind by the Byzantine. The mosque is full of light and is a sight you won’t want to miss. It’s open to the public daily but is closed during prayer time.

Rustem Pasa Cami was build in the mid-1500’s and looks rather ordinary from the outside. Once you step inside, however, you’ll be stunned by the incredibly colorful mosaics. The artwork alone makes a visit to this mosque a necessity.

Suleymaniye Cami is considered to be the largest mosque in Istanbul. It’s located near Istanbul University and houses a number of tombs, including those of Sinan and Suleyman the Magnificent. The architecture used to create this building is incredible, often leaving visitors wondering whether the roof is being held up by the arches or by magic alone.

Make sure you are following the proper protocol when you enter a mosque. In many Muslim holy places it is appropriate to leave your shoes at the entrance. You must also be sure you are dressed modestly, but in many major mosques an attendant will lend you a robe if he feels you are in violation of the dress code. Women should always wear head covers when entering a mosque and you should never take photographs of people at worship.

Istanbul’s Turkish Baths (Hamams)

Hamams, or Turkish Baths, were once a significant part of Ottoman culture. The baths were, of course, necessary for cleanliness before homes had internal plumbing. A visit to a hamam was more than an opportunity to bathe, however; in many cases it was a social event.

Historically, Istanbul’s men would gather in coffee houses while the women would converge in the hamam. While the advent of modern plumbing advanced society, it led to the steady decline of the hamam. There are a few hamams scattered through Instanbul, but most are visited by curious tourists more than locals.

A trip through the baths is a treat. You’ll start in a room called the camekan, where you’ll be able to undress and put on a pesternal (thin robe) which will be provided. You’ll then begin a journey through a series of rooms, each warmer than the next.

The room after the camekan is the sogukluk, where you’ll stop on your way back to shower, toilet, and cool off. Following the sogukluk is the hararet where you can either wash up in a copper basin or lie down on the gobektasi for a Turkish massage.

The massage involves being rubbed down with a loofa, being washed with soap, and then being rinsed. Beware – Turkish masseurs are very vigorous and you shouldn’t be afraid to tell them when it’s time to tone the pressure down a bit. After your bath and massage you’ll go back to the sogukluk where you can relax with a cup of tea, enjoy a gentler massage, or simply lie down for a few minutes.

The best Turkish baths in Istanbul are Cagaloglu Hamami and Cembrelitas Hamam, both of which welcome tourists. Anyone looking to experience a more authentic bath should visit Gedikpasa Hamam – it’s an incredible place and has been open since 1457!

The mosques and Turkish baths are only a sampling of the incredible experiences Istanbul has to offer. Be prepared for an experience you’ll never forget, no matter how long you’re able to stay in town!

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