Travel guide to Istanbul

If you want a pleasant trip, you should avoid going to Istanbul during the summer, as the city becomes unbearably hot - together with the noise and chaos of a metropolis, it isn't a great place to be with 42 degrees centigrade. Istanbul is a great place to be in the spring and fall, though, where the climate is moderate.

Eyewitness Travel Guides Istanbul

There's an international art festival in Istanbul from the end of June to the middle of July, and after this there's a folklore and music festival. In the middle or end of September there's the annual Water Melon Festival as well. Furthermore, you can experience lots of theatre, folklore and music throughout the year.

It's easy to find overnight accommodation in Istanbul, as the city has everything from five-star hotels, to the most simple and cheap ones. You can also find camping sites outside of the city, but the facilities are rather poor. Also look for pensions and private lodging, as this is cheap and most often quite good. Book your hotel in Istanbul here

It is very easy to get a taxi in Istanbul. They're cheap, but don't always obey the traffic regulations, or drive with a taxi metre.

Istanbul also has trams covering the city centre, and there are lots of buses. You should also try a dolmus, which is a collective taxi, driving on certain routes.

Note that Istanbul is situated in an earthquake zone, and there have been a few quakes near the city during the past few years, so it isn't always safe to visit Istanbul. Be careful in the traffic.