Istanbul in August 2025 – is it worth going? Weather and reviews, air and water temperature, how to dress and is it possible to swim, prices in hotels and excursions. What to see in Istanbul during August, where to go and what to do, says Eurotraveler.
In July and in August, Istanbul is far from the most popular tourist destination. And this is explainable – who, tell me, will come to mind walking through the streets and inspecting the sights when the heat reaches its peak? And everyone who can only think about one thing – how would they move closer to the warm sea?
If not on the Turkish Rivier: in Kemer and Antalya, Belek and Side, where in the summer, however, it is quite difficult, sophisticated and stuffy, then at least in well -ventilated and therefore much more pleasant vigor with Marmaris?
This is on the one hand – the one that is in sight and is striking to any thinking person. On the other hand, a small number of tourists wandering everywhere and the outflow of their own urban population for sea resorts make the last month of summer in Istanbul very interesting time.
First of all, from the point of view of walks, excursions and other tourism activities. Which at another time, the same May or June, will require much more time to stand in lines. And strength!
For example, to overcome human waves, rolling on Sultananmet Square and an old city that overwhelm the boats going to the Princesses of the islands and even ferries connecting Europe and Asia.
In general, if you think carefully, and draw up an action plan, a trip to Istanbul in August can give a very curious experience. At first glance, a little extreme, but at the same time promising. Especially if you get fantasies and money to combine it with the subsequent visit to the seaside.
Weather in Istanbul in August
It is distinguished by a clear, almost never clouded clouds and therefore with a sultry character. The air temperature draws an almost straight line at levels +28-33 ° C-in the daytime. And atmosphere at night is not inclined to cool excessively-a maximum of +22-25 degrees Celsius.
Rains are rare, that is, they are actually perceived almost as good. The winds from the Bosphorus, fortunately, are not so lazy, and sometimes hot heads cool very vigorously.
Tearing their hats and caps from them, and simultaneously sending all kinds of shawls with scarves, prudently covering the bare areas of the skin.
Water excursions in hot August time expected to go with a bang. Even in daytime, but more often in blessed – evening – time.
In the labyrinths of the streets of the old city, you will not have a particular chance to feel pleasant bars of Breez. And therefore there is only one salvation – in deep and preferably conditioned, shadows. It is no longer so important: restaurant, hotels or museum (here – what traditional dishes to try in Turkey).
The guides in the voice advise especially attentive to planning hiking in Istanbul in August. And for a reason – a chance to get a sunny or thermal blow in the square near the Sultanhamet mosque or even on a bench in Gulkhan Park is not so small. Even if there is a white panama on your head, and a sufficient supply of water in the backpack.
Therefore – walk around the city until 11 a.m. – this is often mentioned in reviews. Or at least in the evenings, after 18-19 hours. When the sun lying over the roofs gives hope for a quick occurrence of coolness.
By the way, it dawn in Istanbul in the last month of summer wounded: from half the hundred to six in the morning. And he goes to rest the luminary closer to nine in the evening.
So the days, therefore, will be long. Which allows you to slow down and walk around the city without too much in a hurry.
Water temperature
If you need this for something, we inform you-at the outcome of the summer, the water in the Bosphorus warms up to +23-24, rarely-+25 degrees Celsius. It seems to be not bad, but the heads of swimmers in the water do not flash.
Perhaps because getting in the strait under a boat or even a dried cargo is not so difficult. But most likely, the matter is not the best ecology of the Bosphorus – too much is swimming in it. Yes, the same ferrys scurrying back and forth obviously do not clean the water.
Therefore, the inhabitants of the metropolis are going to swim on the Princess Islands – there is where to soak on the beach. Well, or on the Black Sea coast – in the summer, the nearest resort in Kumka (Kilos) becomes an extremely busy place – where you can go to the sea from Istanbul.
Prices 2025
Thank you – from last year at least have not grown! Therefore, it will turn out to rent a room for two in (really) a good hotel if you are ready to part with about 80-100 € per day for two.
From the last one you like, can recommend Costera Hotel in Fatikha. Located not “around the corner” from the Blue Mosque, but at a distance of distance from the old center quite acceptable for the hiking. And there is also a cool view from the restaurant on the top floor (breakfasts are included), a comfortable bed and a very pleasant staff!
In recent years, the excursions have risen in price in Turkey. So even ordinary overview walks in the center with a guide (however, “long-playing”-5 hours with a tail) will cost 35-40 €.
For about the same amount, but per day, you can rent a car in Istanbul. With which it is easy to get to many attractions nearby and go, for example, to the Aegean coast of Turkey or to Antalya, get to Cappadocia …
The flights to Istanbul from Moscow and back 400-450 € will be pulled back from the Pocket. But flying to visit London will cost half as much: at 220-230 € per 1 person.
What to do
It seems that you imagine what exactly you need to look in Istanbul if you are going to it in August. That is, definitely in the most typical time for an excursion tourist!
St. Sophia and the Palace and Gardens of Topkapi, the Sultanhamet mosque and water cruises at the Bosphorus are expected to be present at the top of any list of “mandatory” attractions.
Active person will bring there tender Suleymania, the creation of the Great Sinan. And just a knowledgeable – and the monastery of the choir with his amazingly colorful Byzantine frescoes.
In the “advanced” list there will be a spectacular ne carpilled mosque of ryntates. After all, it is located at the very water, on the shore of the Bosphorus. That is, in a place that is especially pleasant to visit in the August heat.
Not everyone will like it, but the duty obliges to rise to the Galata Tower – the study of recent reviews convinces that you will not have to stand in a long line in August. But something like a portion of ice cream is a descent of basilica tanks into the catacombs.
He will noticeably cool and only a sea walk on the adalahra – Princess Islands. A very green and fragrant place: as you probably know, cars over the archipelago are banned.
A few hours spent on one of the beaches there will leave good impressions. For yes – to swim in Istanbul in August is not only possible, but also necessary!
In the summer, Istanbuls themselves love to ride thermal baths at the Yalov mountain resort. You can carry out a similar maneuver and you! Moreover, without any preparations and calculations, along with an organized tour.
By the way, there are decent beaches in Yalov: both public and private. Another famous (but too crowded) seaside town in the neighborhood is Armoutla.
Where else to go
As for more serious distances, it all depends on preferences. Family people may well be limited to the marble sea: to the resorts of Erdk or in the mudan. Until now, the majority of the Sharke resort in the tract in the European part of Turkey is still unknown. Where the beaches are long and do not yet know what it is – a mass influx of vacationers.
It does not look like science fiction and auto traffic for other Turkish resorts-the distance from Istanbul to Antalya involves a maximum of 8-10 hours on the way. Again, if many go to Turkey on a car from Russia, then why don’t you travel a little by renting a vehicle already on the spot? For – by the way – very little money (from 20 euros per day).
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© EUROTRAVELER
