Istanbul in August 2021 (Top 10 Things to Do & See, Weather, Festivals)

Last Updated on July 24, 2021

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.

City Life & Weather

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)

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 Venues

You can follow the calendar of exhibitions and events of our pick of top Istanbul venues from below.

• Istanbul Museum of Modern Art in Beyoglu (art, exhibition, film)
• Pera Museum in Taksim (art, exhibition, film)
• Sakip Sabanci Museum in Emirgan (art, exhibition, film)
• Salon IKSV in Beyoglu (concert)
• Bomontiada in Sisli (concert, theater)
• Akbank Sanat in Taksim (art, exhibition, film, concert)
• Zorlu PSM in Besiktas (concert, musical)

Istanbul’s August 2020 Top 10 Attractions

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.

We also recommend you check out our Istanbul attractions opening hours & admissions, one day Istanbul itinerary or 3 day Istanbul itinerary to have a better idea before you plan your days in Istanbul.

1. Visit Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern Trio

Hagia Sophia Museum

This place is what every Istanbul itinerary has for sure. If you had just one day in Istanbul the world-famous Hagia Sophia Museum would be the first stop.

Dating back to 325, it 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.

It’s like stepping into the holy world of Christianity and Islam, merged on the shell-like apse and under an impressive dome, in a mysterious and mystical ambiance, and a wide range of architectural and art works coming from thousands of years. Such as the golden Christian mosaics and colorful frescoes from the Byzantine era.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Hagia Sophia Fast Track Entry Ticket with Audio Guide App in 10 Languages plus guidance with certified guide
• Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Historian Guide inc. fast track entry ticket

Wanna learn more about Hagia Sophia?

Topkapi Palace Museum

You’ll admire Topkapi Palace Museum and its famous Harem section and have a detailed look at the rooms, gardens, galleries, collections and the decoration from the past and today.

It is a magnificent oriental palace and one of the world’s greatest architectural works. Once a residence of the Ottoman Sultans, it is also one of world’s richest museums.

It houses the finest samples of seal, book binding, jewelry and box craftsmanship as well as inscriptions, as well as the finest collection of Chinese porcelain in the world.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Topkapi Palace Fast Track Entry Ticket with Audio Guide App in 10 Languages plus guidance with certified guide
• Topkapi Palace & Harem Guided Tour with Historian Guide inc. fast track entry ticket

Wanna learn more about Topkapi Palace?

Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most impressive and mystical buildings in the city.

The two Medusa Heads, which are used as supports under the two columns at the northwest edge of the cistern, take the most interest and attracts the visitors.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Basilica Cistern Fast Track Entry Ticket plus guidance with certified guide

Wanna learn more about Basilica Cistern?

We highly recommend you to visit and see all these three museums at once. It would take about 3 hours total. And you should get Skip-the-line-tickets to save yourself from the long queues.

Combo Tickets: Hagia Sophia + Topkapi Palace + Basilica Cistern

This is a great combo ticket. Our favorite. You can visit the above top 3 most visited sights in Sultanahmet with this combo ticket, with skip the lines access. Great value for money. Book your tickets online in advance as they are selling out quickly.

Buy Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern Combo Ticket

Click the red button to buy Combo online tickets and skip the lines.
Our website visitors will get 5% extra discount.

2. A fun beach day out at

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. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Private Yacht

You can enjoy an exclusive sightseeing experience on the Bosphorus from the private deck of your yacht on a 2 to 3 hours private cruise past some of Istanbul’s most famous sites. 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.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Private Yacht – our favorite, you can join the cruise with max 6 people, a minimum of 2 person is needed for renting the yacht, 2,5 hours cruise, snacks, non alcoholic drinks, fresh fruits
• Best Bosphorus Private Yacht Cruises – a list of all the best ones on Get Your Guide

4. A fantastic 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 the 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. Or you can have a romantic overnight stay in one of the pretty hotels on the island.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Princes’ Islands Ferry Tickets – from Eminonu pier, enjoy a 75 minutes cruise to Princes’ Islands, enjoy island’s attractions, and come back to Eminonu
• A Romantic Overnight at Princes’ Islands – you should take this if you have a long stay in the city

Wanna learn more about Princes’ Islands?

5. Tour city on Double Decker Tourist Bus

The Big Bus Istanbul hop on hop off tour provides service to 19 stops and at least 46 attractions (28 landmarks, 15 attractions and 3 shopping places) on two lines on just one ticket. 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 sightseeing bus runs every 30/60 minutes and lets you see the most popular popular sights along the interesting and different districts and neighborhoods of the city. And what is great that you can all do it in a couple of hours.

Book Your Big Bus City Sightseeing Tour

There are many channels to buy Big Bus ticket online, including their own website. Get Your Guide sells the cheapest ticket on the market. Buying their ticket online will guarantee your seat and be cheaper. Just click the red button above to buy your Big Bus ticket online.

Wanna learn more about Big Bus Istanbul City Sightseeing Bus?

6. A fun day out at the Isfanbul Theme Park

Isfanbul (formerly Vialand) 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.

You can enjoy the spectacular and magical world of Isfanbul Theme Park with your family and friends. Have fun on the world’s 4th biggest roller-coaster, as well variety of great rides and thrills. You can also have some leisure time to explore the shopping mall of the park.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Buy Isfanbul Tickets Online via Get Your Guide from Isfanbul official
• Buy Isfanbul Tickets with Shopping Mall Day Tour via Get Your Guide

Wanna learn more about Isfanbul Theme Park?

7. Enjoy Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment

This is one of the most popular night time entertainments in the city. Mostly preferred with the tourists who want to experience a unique attraction specific to Istanbul. Typical dinner cruises start from the Kabatas pier daily at about 20:00 pm and goes for about 3 hours.

While you cruise along Bosphorus and enjoy your meal, you’ll be entertained by traditional belly dancing, oriental show, a henna ceremony, a Romany dance, folk dancing, a live DJ, etc. You’ll be able to see city’s historical sites, including Ottoman palaces, and stunning bridges illuminated by night.

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Oriental Show – our favorite with 3 course dinner, unlimited soft drinks, 6 different shows, Belly dance + 5% extra discount
• Best Bosphorus Dinner Cruises – a list of all the best ones on Get Your Guide

Wanna learn more about Bosphorus Dinner Cruise?

8. Visit Naval Museum & 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 and Aqua Florya Shopping Mall

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. You can also enjoy a great leisure time in the Aqua Florya Mall.

Book Istanbul Aquarium & Aqua Florya Shopping Mall Tour

Wanna learn more about Istanbul Aquarium?

10. Mystical night out with Whirling Dervishes Show

Whirling Dervishes Show is one of the most visited Istanbul attractions 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.

There are two popular venues that you can watch this show. Book your tickets online in advance as they are selling out quickly.

Buy Whirling Dervishes Show Tickets at Hodjapasha Culture Center

Buy Whirling Dervishes Show Tickets at Orient Express Hall

Wanna learn more about Whirling Dervishes Show?