Discover Istanbul’s 200 best Summer spots for your trip

Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre

★ 4.6 · 15,849 reviews

Catch a live show at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre, Istanbul's well-known open-air concert stage. Settle in under the evening sky for a headline performance with big-screen views and strong sound.

Bosphorus kano - kürek

★ 4.3 · 551 reviews

Paddle out on the Bosphorus with Bosphorus kano - kürek, a water-sports spot open from early morning. Glide across the strait by canoe or kayak, take in the shoreline views, and expect a splash when ferries pass.

Maiden's Tower

★ 4.7 · 28,207 reviews

Cross the Bosphorus by boat to Maiden's Tower, Istanbul's most legend-laden landmark. Climb up through the small museum, read the stories behind its origins, and enjoy views of the city as the light fades.

Suadiye Kürek ve Kano Spor Kulübü

★ 4.6 · 329 reviews

Try rowing at Suadiye Kürek ve Kano Spor Kulübü, a friendly club famed for its coastal skiffs. Learn the basics from patient trainers and spend a couple of hours out on the water.

Monkey Istanbul

★ 3.7 · 1,510 reviews

Discover Monkey Istanbul, a rooftop cocktail bar overlooking the waterway. Time your arrival for sunset, grab a spot at the front, and watch the city light up over a well-made drink.

Sunset or Day Small-Group Yacht Cruise with Snacks

★ 4.9 · 4,294 reviews

Join the Sunset or Day Small-Group Yacht Cruise with Snacks, a two-hour sailing on a 20-metre yacht for up to 16 guests. Glide past palaces and bridges while sipping tea and snacking on mini pizza and fruit.

Feriye Lokantasi

★ 4.4 · 5,184 reviews

Dine by the Bosphorus at a stylish restaurant with an extensive wine list and lovely views. Book a waterfront table and settle in for a long meal.

Büyük Mecidiye Mosque

★ 4.8 · 45,368 reviews

Visit Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, the Ortaköy landmark framed by the Bosphorus Bridge. Step inside for about 20 minutes beneath its light-catching windows, then linger on the quay as the water changes colour at sunset.

The Blue Mosque

★ 4.7 · 122,896 reviews

Enter the Blue Mosque, Istanbul's iconic six-minaret landmark in Sultanahmet. Walk through the vast prayer hall, take in its tile-covered interior and the sweep of domes above.

Tuğra Restaurant

★ 4.5 · 1,024 reviews

Dine at Tuğra Restaurant inside the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, where the Bosphorus sits right outside your table. Work through a degustation of history-inspired dishes in a formal, waterfront setting made for celebrations.

Apartıman Yeniköy

★ 4.4 · 849 reviews

Spend an afternoon at Apartıman Yeniköy, a leafy, botanical-style restaurant on the Bosphorus. Order the prawn toast, fava and slow-cooked lamb, then stay on for cocktails into the evening.

Oligark İstanbul

★ 4.0 · 2,249 reviews

Discover Oligark İstanbul, a restaurant and lounge right on the Bosphorus. Watch the sun set over the water, linger over dinner, and stay on as the evening music picks up.

Bebek

Linger in Bebek, a stylish Bosphorus neighbourhood built around its seaside promenade. Stroll the waterfront, grab coffee or a pastry from a shoreline café, and watch ferries glide along the strait.

Round-Trip Ferry Tickets to the Princes' Islands

★ 4.2 · 965 reviews

Make your own day trip to Büyükada on the Princes' Islands. Take the ferry from Eminönü, wander the historic mansions and climb to a viewpoint.

16 Roof Bar & Restaurant - Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul

★ 4.4 · 1,635 reviews

Discover 16 Roof Bar & Restaurant, the rooftop of the Swissotel The Bosphorus. Order cocktails and dishes like the crispy shrimp while the evening music and service set the mood for a polished night out.

Princes Islands Tour with Hotel Transfer & Lunch

★ 4.5 · 3,549 reviews

Cross the Sea of Marmara by boat to Büyükada and spend the day on the Princes' Islands. Roam its streets, swim in summer and return to Istanbul in the evening.

Topside Bar

★ 4.7 · 78 reviews

Discover Topside Bar, a rooftop hideaway on top of the Peninsula hotel by the port. Sip a cocktail or glass of wine while the Bosphorus, the skyline and the Galata Tower unfold around you.

Full-Day Princes Island Tour with Lunch

★ 4.1 · 1,782 reviews

Escape the city on a full-day boat trip to the Princes' Islands. Sail across the Marmara Sea to Büyükada and a second island, then wander past timber mansions at your own pace.

Sortie

★ 4.0 · 2,831 reviews

Discover Sortie, a stylish waterside venue in Istanbul where dinner flows into the night. Dine on international dishes and local wines, then stay on as the evening heats up.

Ortaköy

Wander Ortaköy, where a baroque mosque meets the Bosphorus right beneath the bridge. Grab a loaded kumpir from a street stall, browse the crafts market, and linger on the waterfront as the light fades.

Sunset Grill & Bar

★ 4.1 · 4,625 reviews

Discover Sunset Grill & Bar, a glamorous hilltop restaurant with sweeping views of the bridge. Order Mediterranean plates or sushi and linger from golden hour into a late-night cocktail.

Sultanahmet Square

★ 4.7 · 36,903 reviews

Stroll Sultanahmet Square, the open heart of Istanbul's old city and former Hippodrome. Walk among its monuments and enjoy the views of the landmarks that frame the space.

Ulus 29

★ 4.2 · 2,207 reviews

Discover Ulus 29, the hilltop restaurant, terrace bar and nightclub that gives Istanbul's evenings a view. Linger over dinner with sweeping city views, then move to the terrace or the dance floor as the night picks up.

The House Cafe

★ 4.0 · 5,923 reviews

Settle in at The House Cafe, where the sea view is as much the point as the menu. Enjoy a generous breakfast or coffee while ships glide past, ideally timed for sunset.

Karaköy Dem Meyhanesi

★ 4.1 · 622 reviews

Head to Karaköy Dem Meyhanesi for a lively stop near the water. Try the fish in lavash, grab a drink, and soak up the evening atmosphere with a sunset view if you reserve in time.

Haliç Su Sporları Merkezi

★ 4.6 · 374 reviews

Pause at Haliç Su Sporları Merkezi, a Golden Horn sports club with a terrace café overlooking the water. Sip a coffee in the open air and watch the inlet while you relax.

Casa Lavanda Boutique Hotel & Restaurant

★ 4.3 · 1,196 reviews

Escape the city for a meal at Casa Lavanda, a boutique hotel of stone houses hidden among woodland. Linger over a well-regarded lunch or dinner in its elegant restaurant, in a setting reviewers compare to Italy.

Arnavutköy

Slow down in Arnavutköy, a Bosphorus fishing village that still keeps its waterside calm. Stroll the seafront promenade, then climb the lanes behind it to admire the painted timber houses and watch ferries cross the strait.

Hamdi Restaurant - Eminönü

★ 3.9 · 8,335 reviews

Take a seat at Hamdi in Eminönü, one of Istanbul's best-known old restaurants. Order the lahmacun and Gavurdağı salad while the view stretches out beside your table.

Suleymaniye Mosque

★ 4.9 · 67,538 reviews

Climb to Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul's great Sinan-built landmark above the Golden Horn. Explore the spacious interior and gardens, then take in the skyline from the terrace.