August is still the hottest month in Istanbul after July, and with an average temperature of 28°C and precipitation 40 mm. August can be hot and muggy, though it is the best time for spending your days in the beaches and outdoors. The extra humidity can make the temperature seem even hotter. You can enjoy very sunny and clear days. is also time for outdoor concerts, parades, and variety of music concerts and festivals. The city is crowded and busy with the tourists and with the locals in all around. We recommend you to bring summer clothing, shorts, dresses, t-shirts, beachwear, sandals for hot days and nights. The days are started to get little shorter but still very long, the sun set around 20:00.
(Average Max Temp.: 28°C – Average Max Temp.: 20°C)
Istanbul 5 Days Weather Forecast
Public holidays, Festivals & Events
- Sacrifice Feast’s Eve (Religious Holiday – half day – 10 August 2019)
- Sacrifice Feast (Religious Holiday – goes for 4 days – 11-14 August 2019)
- Victory Day (National Holiday – 30 August 2019)
- Istanbul Cocktail Festival (gastronomy & music, 31 August 2019, istanbulcocktailfestival.com, Tickets)
Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul in August 2019
Things to do in Istanbul are endless and it is not possible to mention all the best attractions in Istanbul. We just put together below the most fascinating ones that best suit for August.
1. Visit Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace Museum
Dating back to 325, Hagia Sophia is a former church and mosque and declared as one of the world’s greatest architectural works and accepted as the 8th wonder of the world. Hagia Sophia is also one of the most visited landmarks and museums in Istanbul and in the world.
Book Skip-the-line Hagia Sophia via Get Your Guide Book Hagia Sophia Skip-the-line Tickets via Viator
Topkapi Palace Museum is one of world’s richest museums, is a magnificent oriental palace and one of the world’s greatest architectural works. It was the residence of the Ottoman sultans as well as the administrative and educational center of the Empire. It houses the finest samples of seal, book binding, jewelry and box craftsmanship as well as inscriptions.
Book Skip-the-line Topkapi Palace via Get Your Guide Book Topkapi Palace Skip-the-line Tickets via Viator
We highly recommend you to visit and see both museums at once. It would take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. And you should get Skip-the-line-tickets to save yourself from long queues.
2. A fun beach day out at Istanbul’s beautiful beaches
During the hot summer days, you can enjoy and lounge in the sun, swim in the sea and sip cocktails, and after dark, you can enjoy the beach clubbing atmosphere at the beach clubs and beach bars on the popular Istanbul beaches. Continue reading…
3. Take a Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxurious Yacht
You can enjoy an exclusive sightseeing experience on the Bosphorus from the private deck of your yacht on a 2-hour private cruise past some of Istanbul’s most famous sites, such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, and Rumeli Fortress. You’ll admire the beautiful scenery with 360 degree views from the spacious upper fly-bridge, or enjoy relaxing in comfort on the sun deck or in the comfortable outdoor and indoor lounges. During the cruise, you’ll just sit back and unwind as you enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or enjoy sipping an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage or cocktail. A comfortable option than the Bosphorus day cruises, especially during hot these summer days. Don’t be afraid with the pricing that there are yachts for every budget.
Take Bosphorus Yacht Cruise via Get Your Guide Book & Enjoy Bosphorus on Yacht via Viator
4. A great day out at the Princes’ Islands
Once was the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes, and with its stunning pinewood scenery, the Princes’ Islands are one of the best preserved natural areas and sights in Istanbul. It is one of the best attractions and weekend breaks in Istanbul both for locals and tourists. You can take a 1 hour cruise to Buyukada (the biggest of the six islands), have a great day out by full tour of the island on the horse-drawn carriage, rest in a cafe by the sea, a lunch at a local fish restaurant. Continue reading…
Book Princes’ Islands Day Tour by Get Your Guide Book Princes’ Islands Tour via Viator
5. Explore the city on the Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
BigBus Istanbul tour is a cheap way to discover and explore the popular zones of Istanbul which you just couldn’t walk to and see in one day. It drives through the popular sights along the interesting and different districts and neighborhoods of Istanbul and offers informative pre-recorded commentary that is available in 8 languages. The open topped double decker tourist bus really looks cool. Continue reading…
Take Big Bus Istanbul via Get Your Guide Book Big Bus Istanbul via Viator
6. A fun day out at the Isfanbul Theme Park
Isfanbul (formerly Vialand), located at the Eyup district along the Golden Horn, is one of the best theme parks in Istanbul, as well as in Europe and offers great attractions for both kids and adults. What makes Isfanbul amazing is that it is not only a theme and amusement park, but also a huge complex that combines theme park, shopping, entertainment and exhibition centers in one place. Continue reading…
Book Skip-the-line Isfanbul via Get Your Guide Book Isfanbul Admission Ticket & Transfer via Viator
7. Enjoy a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment
Enjoying the Bosphorus during the hot summer time, while having your dinner with entertainment on boat, is a fantastic way to to spend your nights in Istanbul. It is also a more cooler option to enjoy Bosphorus on the hot summer days. During the cruise, you you enjoy your meal and be entertained by a traditional belly dancing, Sema ceremony, Romany dance, folk dancing, live DJs and shows.
Take Bosphorus Dinner Cruise via Get Your Guide Book Bosphorus Dinner Cruises via Viator
8. Visit Naval Museum & enjoy the seaside outdoor cafes in Besiktas
Naval Museum is a fantastic museum located in Besiktas and houses a collection of more than 20,000 pieces related with the Turkish Maritime history. The ornamented Ottoman Sultans’ boats take the most interest. The museum is on the route of Big Bus Istanbul. After visiting the museum, you may spend a great day out in Besiktas, stoll around and rest at the various outdoor cafes by the Bosphorus.
9. Visit Istanbul Aquarium
Istanbul Aquarium, located in Florya district of Bakirkoy, is one of the best theme parks in Istanbul. With its 6,000 square meters area, a special-themed and 1,2 km long travel route originating in the Black Sea towards the Pacific, the fish species, rain-forest, a gift shop with an area of 470 square meters, 1 restaurant having the Panama Canal view on one side and the sea view on the other, it is also one of the best aquariums and theme parks in Europe. Continue reading…
Book Istanbul Aquarium Tour via Get Your Guide Istanbul Aquarium Admission Ticket via Viator
10. Mystical night out at the Whirling Dervishes Show
Whirling Dervishes Show or Ceremony (“Sema” in Turkish) is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul with the tourists. It is because that this ceremony is a very unusual event for the tourists and when they hear about it, majority of them try to catch this one hour show and witness the miracle of the whirling dervishes. The best performances take place at the Hodjapasha Culture Center in Sirkeci, Eminonu. Note that as this show is very popular among the majority of the tourists, you should buy your tickets at least 2 or 3 days before the show. Continue reading…
Book Whirling Dervishes via Get Your Guide Book Whirling Dervishes Ceremony via Viator
Tours & Excursions
You may explore Istanbul via daily tours made by the local travel agents with professional guides. It is a very good option if you don’t want to go through the hassle of making all the arrangements including the tickets, waiting at the long queues and 2-ways transportation by your own. And we recommend the two world brands GetYourGuide or Viator, with insurance and easy cancellation process.
Istanbul’s Tourist Discount Passes & Cards
There are three types of Istanbul passes & cards that you may buy and have access to variety of Istanbul attractions including museums with fixed price and save a lot. We recommend those cards for the travelers that has a stay in Istanbul at least from 3 to 7 days. The most practical and cheapest way to explore Istanbul’s sights.
Istanbul Tourist Pass
Rather than paying for each item individually, this digital Istanbul Tourist Pass allows you to choose from 30+ Istanbul attractions so you can pack as much into your stay as possible for a single set price. It is the most popular and recommended discount tourist pass in Istanbul that you will get valuable discounts of up to 70%. You’ll also get 3-days of unlimited mobile internet access with your pass along with WhatsApp traveler support, and one way airport transfer. Highly recommended for travelers that will stay more than 3 days in Istanbul.
Istanbul Welcome Card
This is a travel discount card that offers combo attractions for less for individual, family or group during their Istanbul visit. And you will get valuable discounts of up to 50%. There are four types of Istanbul Welcome Card (Classic, Premium and Deluxe), and all are valid for 7 days. You’ll also get unlimited mobile internet access plus free public transportation rides.
- Istanbul Welcome Card by Get Your Guide from € 50
- Istanbul Welcome Card Classic by Viator from € 25
- Istanbul Welcome Card Premium by Viator from € 50
- Istanbul Welcome Card Deluxe by Viator from € 75
