If you really want to visit Istanbul, but are not sure whether it is worth doing in February, then we sincerely recommend that you put aside all doubts and go to this amazing city.
Most tourists prefer to wait until spring to enjoy not only the culture and atmosphere of the city, but also the beautiful weather. However, there are many interesting and exciting things in Istanbul, regardless of the time of year, and the huge advantage of a trip in February is the absence of crowds of numerous tourists. In addition, you can find great deals on hotels and flights, since February is traditionally considered a low tourist season for Istanbul.
Of course, you should not pack a swimsuit and beach towels in a suitcase, it’s better to tune in to an amazing journey into the history and culture of Istanbul, which is not inferior to Rome and Paris in its tourist importance.
Weather in Istanbul in February
The air temperature in Istanbul in February ranges from 3 to 10°C. Long-term observations indicate that in February it snows in Istanbul for about 4-5 days, and the urban landscapes are covered with thick fog. In addition, it rains in Istanbul for about 10 days. However, the closer to the end of the month, the more sunny days and the average air temperature.
When you think about what clothes to take with you, forget about shorts and T-shirts. Instead, bring a warm autumn jacket, jeans, waterproof shoes, a raincoat and several sweaters. But be prepared to throw off your warm clothes if you want to walk through the numerous shopping malls, visit local markets and traditional shops.
So, let’s take a look at the interesting places and attractions that are worth visiting while in Istanbul in February.
Sultanahmet District
Sultanahmet is a tourist center not only of Istanbul, but also of the whole of Turkey. Therefore, most tourists come to Istanbul to visit this place. It is from here that the Byzantine and The Ottoman Empire ruled its vast lands. The architectural ensemble of Sultanahmet district includes iconic buildings that recall the former glory of Istanbul. The most famous sights include the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern.
Famous Turkish baths
In traditional Turkish baths, you can not only relax and enjoy the bath procedures, but also get an idea of the ancient culture and traditions of the inhabitants of Turkey that have survived to the present day.
Istanbul has some of the oldest and most famous Turkish baths, so be sure to take the time to visit them. Famous baths include Chamberlitash, Hagia Sophia Hurrem Sultan, Jagaloglu and Suleymaniye Hammam.
Grand Bazaar
Go shopping at the Grand Bazaar, which is an extensive network of shopping malls and shops under one roof. But do not think that everything here comes down to spending money, because the bazaar is a complex of historical buildings, the first of which were built immediately after the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans. It was an important point on the old Silk Road, and merchants from all over the world flocked here to sell and buy a variety of goods.
Traditionally, according to Ottoman rules, all merchants are grouped according to what they sell, and this practice persists to this day. Buy souvenirs here, but don’t forget to practice your Turkish haggling skills to get the best price. Take a look at the so—called “khans” – peculiar courtyards, often with small workshops, to see how artisans hone their skills.
Getting to know the new Istanbul
If Sultanahmet is the old Istanbul, then the new Istanbul covers the Taksim and Beyoglu districts. These areas are considered such because of the many shops and nightlife. They include Istiklal, the busiest and longest shopping street in Istanbul and Turkey. You might think that everything here is only new and modern, because everywhere there are shops of world-famous and fashionable Turkish brands. But if you look closely, you can find some amazing historical sights that deserve attention — for example, the Flower Passage and the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. We also recommend visiting the Pen Museum, where the most famous painting in Turkey “The Turtle Trainer” is kept, and the Museum of Innocence, opened in 2012 by the most famous modern writer in Turkey, Orhan Pamuk, and related in meaning to the novel of the same name.
The Whirling Dervish Show
At the end of Istiklal Street is the Galata Mevlevikhanesi Monastery, which now houses the dervish Museum. The dervishes, as itinerant Muslim monks, occupied a prominent place in Istanbul’s life before the new Turkish government banned their practice in 1925. Currently, this ban has already been lifted, and the dervishes have once again become part of Istanbul’s historical past. We recommend visiting this museum on Sunday to not only learn about the life and beliefs of the dervishes, but also to get to the evening performance (held on Sundays, tickets should be booked in advance), where the dervishes perform the dance “sema” — an ancient ritual that allows them to achieve unity with God.
Galata Tower Observation Deck
Further down the street, towards the Galata Bridge, is the Galata district, where the famous Galata Tower of the same name is located. Although this building has a rich centuries-old past, guests still come here for the sake of the observation deck. In good weather, when there is no fog, come here at sunset to admire the wonderful views of the urban landscapes of Istanbul, a city that was built on seven hills in an effort to match the glory of Rome. After dark, the observation deck closes, but night views of Istanbul can be admired from the restaurant located on one of the upper floors of the Galata Tower, almost under the observation deck.
Istanbul Shopping Malls
Modern Istanbul is a city of large shopping malls, where you can no longer bargain and join the ancient culture, traditions and history. Instead, here, under one roof, you can make profitable purchases, have a snack and have fun. And large shopping malls are a great place for the whole family to visit, as they provide entertainment for children. The top five shopping malls include Mall of Istanbul, Istinye Park, Zorlu Center, Cevahir Mall and Forum Istanbul. If you decide to visit the shopping center in the Istanbul Sapphire skyscraper, be sure to go up to the observation deck on the 55th floor, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Suleymaniye and Fatih Mosques
Mosques are more than just places of worship. Foreign tourists can get acquainted with the peculiarities of Islam and the religious beliefs of its followers. Architectural monuments demonstrate the skill and dedication of their creators. The old mosques of Istanbul date back to the Ottoman Empire, some of them were imperial and were used by the Ottoman sultans, which gives them great historical value. Some of them contain the tombs of the sultans. We recommend that you definitely visit two mosques — Sulaimaniyah and Fatih.
Famous Ottoman Palaces
One of the best things to do in Istanbul in February is to explore the ancient Ottoman palaces. Many people have heard about Topkapi Palace, but there are many more palaces in Istanbul. Dolmabahce Palace, the last palace from which the Ottoman emperors ruled, demonstrates wealth, although at the time of its construction the Ottoman Empire had a reputation for poverty in Europe. Notable residents of Istanbul also built summer palaces on the shores of the Bosphorus, in which they spent the summer or used for diplomatic receptions. For example, the Beylerbeyi Palace hosted the famous Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Istanbul Oceanarium Sea Life Aquarium
In conclusion, we recommend visiting the Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium, especially if you are in Istanbul with children. It is located on the ground floor of the Forum Istanbul shopping center. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world with a glass underwater tunnel 83 meters long. Sharks, rays, octopuses and rare species of sea turtles swim right over the heads of visitors. There are dozens of aquariums and themed areas in the aquarium, such as: shallow water, tropical reef, jellyfish aquarium, turtle world, clown fish alley, Florida seabed, etc. There are restaurants and play areas. Visiting the aquarium is a great opportunity to spend the day with the whole family.
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