Istanbul, Turkey Hotels and City Guide

Istanbul - Entertainment

When to Visit Istanbul - Arts and Events

Istanbul is a treasure trove of exciting and exotic opportunities for visitors. All year long, you can experience the wonderful Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market, as well as the stores and shops that dot the city. The incredible views and architecture are available for your enjoyment no matter what time of year, so there is always something to marvel at during your travels. To get the very most from your journey, though, you may want to check out some of the interesting events and festivals that take place during the year. Here are some highlights to consider:

The winter months may be cold, but Istanbul will warm your heart with spectacular dance performances and concerts by the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra and IstanbulState Symphony Orchestra. Sports fans will love the soccer (football) games played at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium throughout the January, February, and March.

April brings welcome warm air and a beginning to the tourist season. Visitors can experience the International Istanbul Film Festival. Watch intriguing Turkish movies with English subtitles – a fantastic way to see this culture. You can also get outdoors with the beautiful Tulip Festival or the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day parades. May brings more concerts, soccer games, and Youth and Sports Day, a public holiday commemorating the beginning of the War of Independence. Celebrate Istanbul culture with the International Istanbul Music Festival in June. Listen to world-class classical music, opera, and watch beautiful ballet performances. A treat for any visitor.

Do not miss the International Jazz Festival in July. This festival is followed later in the month by the Folklore and Music Festival, which features incredible folk dance groups, singers, and craftsman. In August, you can participate in Victory Day celebrations, and often, this is when the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, begins.

September brings the International Istanbul Biennial, at which you can see the works of artists from all over the world. The end of Ramadan is also marked with a three day celebration called Seker Bayram. In October and November, there are a host of great events, such as the Istanbul Art and Book Fairs and the Filmekimi Film Festival. The year closes with more wonderful orchestra and dance performances at Istanbul’s premier theaters.

Value for Sight Seeing Money

Istanbul can be very expensive, especially as it experiencing tremendous growth and is receiving millions of visitors each year. It is not impossible to spend in excess of a $1000 a day during your visit. But like any large city, there are ample opportunities for inexpensive entertainment if you know where to look. The first suggestion is to take advantage of the free views and architecture. It costs nothing to walk through neighborhoods, admiring the spectacular buildings and mosques. It is free to walk through the incomparable Grand Bazaar or the many boutique-lined streets. Remember, you are encouraged to haggle, so you can reduce the price of things you do purchase – and have a bit of fun at the same time. Even if you do not buy anything, you are sure to have a fulfilling experience.

Treat yourself to a Turkish bath, or hamam. Gorgeous buildings and interiors will allow you to steam away your cares and refresh your mind and body. If you choose the self-service option, this is an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon while seeing some of Turkey’s famed architecture from the inside. Try the Cagaloglu Hamami, named one of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die. You can also see many of the area’s houses of worship. Admissions into mosques (don’t go during worship services) and museums are generally very inexpensive, and this is an ideal way to learn about the culture and spend an afternoon. The buildings are amazing and worth the price of admission in themselves, not to mention the treasures inside. Do not miss the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, or Dolmache Palace. Another treat not to be missed is a ferry ride. For very little money, you can ride down the Bosphorus Strait and see all the incredible sights on its shores.

You can easily entertain yourself in Turkey on a small budget, though dining and accommodations may put a bigger dent in your wallet. There are many international hotel chains in the city, with rooms for several hundred dollars a night. There are others, like Best Western, that are considerably cheaper. You may also stay at hostels. You can also mitigate the cost of food by eating at one of the many delicious kebab stands or going to an authentic Turkish restaurant rather than the more expensive (and generic) hotel restaurants. Another way to save money is to book a discount travel package from a travel agent.

Istanbul is a city of immense riches, but you don’t have to be exceedingly rich yourself to take advantage of the distinct flavor and feel of this remarkable city.

Events

Galatasaray SK Soccer Games
Throughout the winter months
Ali Sami Yen Stadium
+90.216.1500 or +90.251.5705

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet
February through May
Ataturk Kultur Merkezi, Taksim
+90.212.251.1023

Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra
February through May
Ataturk Kultur Merkezi, Taksim
+90.212.495.8200

Istanbul International Film Festival
April
Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts
+90.212.334.0700

Youth and Sports Day
May 9
Locations throughout Istanbul

International Istanbul Music Festival
June to July
Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts
+90.212.293.3133

International Jazz Festival
July
Various locations throughout the city
+90.212.293.3133

Victory Day
August 30
Throughout Istanbul

International Istanbul Biennial
September
Various sites throughout Istanbul
+90.212.334.0700, ext. 763 and 764

Filmekimi Film Festival
October
Beyoglu Emek Movie Theatre
+90.212.334.0723

International Istanbul Leather Fashion Fair
November
Tuyap Fair, Convention and Congress Center, Gazeteciler Mah. Saglam Fikir Sok 19
+90.212.886.6843

Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra
December through late April
Lutfi Kirdar Concert Hall, Borusan Center for Culture and Arts, Istiklal Caddesi Number 421
+90.212.556.9800

Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey