11 Things to Do in Istanbul in August

The history of ancient Constantinople is evident in the many attractions that Istanbul has to offer. You can spend weeks touring its mosques, palaces, squares, museums and streets without ever getting to know the city completely, as each of its neighbourhoods hides new and interesting corners.

Although the month of August has several disadvantages, mainly the heat and the large number of tourists, the visit is still highly recommended. In addition to its most important monuments, you can enjoy other places and activities that will leave an indelible mark on you.

The August heat can make walking through the streets of Istanbul to get to the sights uncomfortable. A good way to avoid the fatigue caused by these temperatures is to book one of the tourist buses offered in the Turkish capital.

Thanks to its free stops, where you can get on and off as many times as you want, you will be able to reach the main attractions of the city, from the Topkapi Palace to Taksim Square, without forgetting all those located around the Golden Horn or even the Bosphorus Bridge.

The tourist bus tickets have different validity depending on which one you prefer. You can buy them for 1, 2 or 3 days, depending on the length of your stay in the city and your plans.

If you're feeling a little tired from the eternal hustle and bustle of Istanbul's streets and the high temperatures have worn you down, just book an excursion to the Princes' Islands for a cooler, more relaxing day out. For starters, you won't hear any traffic noise at all on the islands, as cars are strictly forbidden. Only bicycles or horse-drawn carriages can be used to get around, a way to avoid polluting the natural areas.

The name encompasses a total of 9 islands located in the Sea of Marmara. According to legend, several princesses were exiled to them for behaviour deemed inappropriate by the Byzantine emperors. Today only 4 of the 9 islands can be visited: Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada, and the largest, Buyukada. It is the latter that usually attracts the most visitors, as its Victorian houses are complemented by fantastic vegetation, beaches and the wonderful church of Hagios Giorgio.

The most convenient way to spend a day is to book an organised excursion to Buyukada, although you can also take a ferry from the Kabatas jetty.

One of the great things to do in **Istanbul'**s historic centre, perfect to escape the heat of the city for a while, is to book a guided tour of the Basilica Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century as part of the water supply system for the palace of the Byzantine monarchs.

At the time, this cistern was part of a basilica, which has now completely disappeared. From the surface, no one can imagine what this underground space conceals, and all visitors are surprised when, on descending the stairs, they find a large room with the capacity to store 10,000 cubic metres of water.

This veritable oasis of freshness in the middle of the city houses 336 columns 9 metres high. Curiously, there is no stylistic uniformity among them, since before being brought to the city they were part of other structures or monuments. The most famous columns are undoubtedly those whose base depicts a Medusa's head. Their greenish colour and dim lighting create a truly magical atmosphere.

Other nearby cisterns

Although the Yerebatan is undoubtedly the most famous and spectacular, you can also visit other ancient water tanks in the Sultanahmet area. Among them is the Binbirdirek Cistern, located between the Hippodrome and the Forum.

Another option is to enter the so-called Cistern of Theodosius, which was connected to the Aqueduct of Valens. I recommend you check its website, as classical music concerts and other activities are sometimes held here.

Another ideal plan for August is to book a cruise on the Bosphorus. From the sea you will be able to contemplate the beauty and diversity of Istanbul in a totally different and unique way.

What's more, thanks to the audio guide and the map provided, you'll be able to easily locate all the points of interest and you won't miss any detail of the city's history, as well as its most emblematic sites such as the Dolmabahçe Palace or the Ortaköy Mosque. And, of course, you will have the opportunity to take spectacular photographs of the bridges that connect Asia and Europe.

The 90-minute cruise will allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the Bosphorus Strait, as well as admire Istanbul in a very special way. Best of all, especially if your stay in Istanbul is short, you'll be able to get in quickly and without queues.

Although the city of Istanbul has no beach within its city limits, if you want to take advantage of your trip to spend a few hours lying on the sand and taking a dip, you'll find some very interesting options in the surrounding area. It's also something you'll appreciate if you want to cool off a bit before returning to visit the most important monuments. You can also book a yacht trip in Istanbul and enjoy the whole experience.

• Florya Günes: This is the closest beach to Istanbul, although possibly the lowest quality. Being so close to the city it tends to be very crowded during August and you will find it difficult to find a spot on the sand. The best way to get there is on the Marmaray underground train line from Sirkeci to Florya Train Station.
• Solar Beach Therapy in Kilyos (Black Sea): In the town of Kilyos you will find several interesting beaches. The Solar Beach stretches for 1 kilometre and is very well equipped with a terrace, restaurant and bar. There are also several festivals held here during August. Please note that there is a fee. You can get there by bus 151 (from Haci Osman metro stop) or by a special shuttle from the Besiktas pier.
• Agva Kilimli Dark (Black Sea): This beach stands out for being located in a truly paradisiacal natural environment. This has made it a popular destination for hikers. The easiest way to get here is to go to Üsküdar and take the 139 A bus.
• Burc:::: beach is managed by the Bosphorus University Graduates Association. With really fine sand, the place is equipped with a large terrace, bar and café, as well as several restaurants. On weekend evenings there are parties and concerts. Bus 151, which you can catch from Haci Osman metro stop, will drop you off in the area without any problems.

In recent years, the Kadiköy neighbourhood has become one of the liveliest in Istanbul. If you're in the city in August, I recommend you spend an evening strolling through its streets and getting to know its wide range of cafés, bars and pubs.

Although you can get there in other ways, in my opinion there's no better way than taking a ferry from Karakoy and getting off at the fabulous train station on the Asian side of Istanbul: Haydarpasa. Just to see this building, a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II to the sultans at the beginning of the 20th century, is worth the trip. In fact, I recommend that you sit on the terrace practically on the water and have a cup of tea while you enjoy the view.

Afterwards, just wander around the streets of the neighbourhood, browse the shops in the area and pop into a restaurant or pub to discover the great atmosphere.

While Sultanahmet, İstiklal Caddesi and the Galata Tower area tend to be packed with tourists in August, I stanbul has other interesting neighbourhoods where you won't find such crowds. Üsküdar, in the Asian part of the city, is one of the most recommended. If you arrive by ferry from Eminonu (although you can also opt for the underwater train Marmaray), the most interesting itinerary starts along the coast until you reach the so-called "soap opera quarter", Kuzguncuk.

This area, full of colourful houses and small gardens, has become famous for having been used as the setting for several Turkish soap operas. The neighbourhood also has an interesting mix of modern, youthful and traditional places. After a stroll, you should head down the street towards the beautiful Atik Valide Mosque, while keeping an eye out for all the attractions along the way.

The next point of interest is the Karacaahmet Cemetery, located in a beautiful park in the middle of the neighbourhood. Heading down towards the sea, you can't miss the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, (one of the best mosques in Istanbul in my opinion) as well as a stroll around the fish market, including restaurants, located nearby.

Although these tours can be done all year round, summer is perhaps the best time to do them, especially if you want to enjoy the wonderful views from the open-air terrace of the Pierre Loti cafe. My advice is to spend part of the afternoon wandering around the neighbourhood before taking the funicular up to the café.

The Eyüp neighbourhood is also an ideal place to escape the tourist crowds. The atmosphere is almost entirely local. Considered to be one of the most conservative in the city, the Eyüp mosque is the main point of interest. From a religious point of view, it is the third most important place of pilgrimage for Muslims all over the world, and inside it is the tomb of Abbu Ayyub al-Ansari, Muhammad's assistant.

When you leave the mosque I recommend you take a stroll around the adjacent square. Both there and in the nearby streets you will be able to see another Istanbul, with hardly any tourists and shops for locals. It really is a lively and worthwhile walk. Finally, you will have to take the cable car that takes you to the top of a small hill. The hill is actually a cemetery worth visiting, but it is better to take the cable car up and walk down.

Practical information

• Guided tour: there are some guided tours along the Golden Horn that allow you to visit the Eyüp Mosque.
• How to get to Eyüp: the best way is by bus from Eminonu station (there are many lines making the journey), although you can also walk a long way from Fener.
• Cable car: it runs between 8:00 and 23:00 and can be paid for with the city transport card, just like the bus.

If you like rock, you're in luck, as Istanbul hosts one of the biggest rock festivals in the world for three days in August. Sponsored by the Coca-Cola brand, Rock 'n Coke brings together some of the best bands from around the world every year.

The stages of this macro-festival are located in the open air and it is possible to spend the night in the camping area set up for the festival. The concert venue is located at Hezarfen Airfield, 50 kilometres from the city.

There is also a small amusement park and a shopping area. Although it is mainly for rock, you will also find performances of other musical styles.

If you're in Istanbul at the end of August, on the 30th to be precise, you'll see the city's Victory Day parades.

On this date, the country celebrates its victory in the war against the Greek army in 1922, a conflict that made Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of modern Turkey, the country's leader.

Military parades and other celebrations are held throughout the country, including in Istanbul. In addition, several of Turkey's most symbolic buildings are lit up with the country's flag. However, bear in mind that it is a public holiday, so some shops may be closed.

If you miss more greenery in Istanbul, especially in the August sunshine, my advice is to take a day trip to the nearby Belgrade Forest. As many locals do during their holidays or weekends, you can relax and walk along marked trails in the midst of stunning greenery.

In total, this forest covers about 5,000 hectares of land and is located just an hour from the city centre. In addition to a bit of hiking, you can go boating in the forest or have a leisurely picnic in the designated picnic areas.

Getting to this area is not too complicated. The most practical way is to take the metro in the direction of Haci Osman and then take the 42 HM bus to Bahçeköy. Alternatively, some small travel agencies in central Istanbul offer day trips to the area.

The city of Istanbul offers plenty of things to do and things to see no matter what time of year you go. As for the weather in August, it's pretty much the same as if you were in Istanbul in July: hot and humid. Although it's always good to check the forecast before you travel, highs are likely to be in the high 30s and lows won't drop below 20°C.

The best thing about August is that rain is rare, although don't be surprised if a summer thunderstorm breaks out.