15 Things to Do in Istanbul in November

Istanbul's days are shorter in November, with sunset around 18:00 and maximum temperatures of 15°C. A chill that can be easily controlled with a good coat and won't stop you from exploring the city, which remains alive and bustling with visitors, even though it's the start of the low season.

With so much to explore in Turkey's capital, any month is an ideal time to visit. In November you'll find plenty of things to do indoors and some great events around this time, so let's get started!

19 May and 10 November are very important dates for Turks, commemorating the life and death of Mustafa Kemal, "Atatürk", the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. On 10 November, the date of his death, various commemorative events are held throughout the country. With a guided walking tour or by booking a tourist bus, you can visit the traditional Taksim Square, where the Monument to the Republic is located, with statues of Atatürk and other historical figures.

You can also visit the Atatürk Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the leader of the war of independence, and see different objects such as medals, paintings and historical documents.

Useful information Atatürk Museum

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00.
• Address: Meşrutiyet, Halaskargazi Cd. No:140, 34363 Şişli/İstanbul.

The Sufi dance, known as Sema, is one of the most famous dances in Turkey and is considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Booking tickets for the Dervish Gyrovaghs show is a good idea to get an in-depth insight into their culture. For one hour, you will enjoy this traditional dance performed by the Dervish Gyrovagi, that is, members of the Mevleví order, the best known of Sufism, who twirl and twirl endlessly.

During the performance you can also enjoy a live Turkish orchestra and 360 video projections that will make you experience the show in a more intense way. The origin of this dance is spiritual, in which the Dervishes perform a mystical ritual during the dance. Undoubtedly a show not to be missed if you want to learn and get to know their culture in depth.

Useful information

• Date: all year round.
• Address: Istanbul
• Tickets: Whirling Dervishes Show here

With the cold weather starting to set in, indoor plans can be a great idea to enjoy the historical and cultural heritage of a city like Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia Museum and Blue Mosque

Among the many tours and excursions available in Istanbul, I recommend you book a guided visit to the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque, two places very close to each other where you can appreciate architecture, art and learn a lot about the tradition and religious history of the city. Undoubtedly two of the monuments of Istanbul that you have to visit during your trip.

Useful Information Hagia Sophia

• Price: free entry
• Opening hours: check prayer times
• Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul

Useful information Blue Mosque:

• Price: free admission
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Address: Sultanahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul

Topkapi Palace

Visiting the Topkapi Palace and the Harem is a unique travel experience. These two places probably have more magical stories than most museums in the world put together. Ambitious sultans and courtiers, beautiful concubines and more inhabited this place between the 15th and 19th centuries, during the time of the Ottoman Empire. And if you book a guided tour of the Topkapo Palace, you will end up immersed in a tour full of magic.

• Price: Palace + Harem + Hagia Irene for approximately €17.50 (285 Turkish Lira), Palace + Hagia Irene for approximately €12.30 (200 Turkish Lira). Free admission for children under 6 years old.
• Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Address: Cankurtaran Mh., 34122 Fatih / Istanbul.

Cistern Basilica

Popularly known as the Yerebatan Palace, the Cistern Basilica is located a short distance from the Topkapi Palace and is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul.

This 336-column, nine-metre high water reservoir is an architectural masterpiece, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565. I recommend you arrive early and be prepared to queue, as it tends to be one of the busiest sites at any time of the year. To save queuing it might be a good idea to book a guided tour of the Cistern Basilica and, of course, learn all about its history.

• Price: approximately €1.80 (30 Turkish Lira)
• Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 19:00 hours
• Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul

I recommend exploring the best Turkish baths in Istanbul. In November the cold weather begins and this experience can be ideal to raise the temperature and at the same time discover a millenary tradition.

Its name in Arabic is Hammam, which means "that expels heat". These enclosures are the Ottoman version of the Roman baths. By booking a Turkish bath experience, you'll have space to relax body and mind, and they are also a social and cultural meeting place in the city. With options starting at around €25, you can find package tours to visit one of them.

Useful info

• Price: packages start from around €25 (400 Turkish Lira)
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Address: Kuloglu Mh., Turnacibasi Cd. No:48 Aga Hamami, 34433 , Taksim / İstanbul

Although the temperatures are beginning to drop, the weather in Istanbul during November invites you to take a stroll, and there is nothing better than touring one of Istanbul's best neighbourhoods. Balat is full of colour and is nowadays integrated with the ancient Greek quarter of Fener.

Walk along its narrow, steep streets, while taking pictures with the beautiful old colourful houses in the background. You may also see many stray kittens resting in the windows and on the pavements. The Plantio mansions of Kiremit Sokak are a favourite for the obligatory photo op. They are located in the Greek part of the neighbourhood between Kiremit and Usturumca streets.

November marks the beginning of the low season in Istanbul, so you'll be able to take a leisurely tour of some of the places that tend to get busy at other times of the year. These are two of the most emblematic places in Istanbul and of great tourist interest. In this month, in addition, each of its commercial stalls starts offering sales that you won't want to miss in carpets, lamps, handicrafts and much more.

In the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul you will find an enclosed space full of colour and in the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, you will find a whole food paradise. It's highly recommended to book a guided tour of Istanbul so you can get to know them, and in addition to seasonal shopping, you can learn about their history with the help of an expert local guide.

It's no secret that when the cold weather arrives, our appetites are whetted. I recommend you to take a food tour in Istanbul and enjoy the culinary tradition of this city. Starting at €50, you can find guided tours that take you through street food stalls and bazaars.

Don't miss Kadikoy Market, where you can chat with fishermen and eat a tasty grilled fresh fish sandwich, while your guide shares historical details about this colourful and bustling area of the city.

I recommend booking an excursion to the city of Pamukkale (which also includes the city of Ephesus) and discover a real jewel of nature. They call it the Cotton Castle and you'll find natural pools of thermal waters. A relaxing and magical place that welcomes you in November, before the colder months when it receives more tourists.

The Roman city of Hierapolis was built on this site around 2,000 years ago, taking advantage of its underground waters. Swimming in the terraced pools is allowed in waters of around 35°C. I advise you to wait until sunset to enjoy the unforgettable sunset here.

November sees some of the world's biggest marathons, such as the New York Marathon and the Barcelona Marathon. The Istanbul Intercontinental Marathon is the only one in the world that takes place between two continents and is one of the elite races in world athletics. The marathon is 42 kilometres long and you can also register for a 15-kilometre section only; the cost is €60.

The marathon, which takes place on the second Sunday in November, starts in the Asian part of the city near the First Bosphorus Bridge and passes some of the city's iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia before finishing at the Inönü Stadium in the European part of Istanbul. The marathon crosses three bridges, including one over the Bosphorus and two over the Golden Horn.

Useful information about the marathon

• Date: First Sunday in November
• Tickets and schedule: Marathons of the World

Autumn in Istanbul invites us to enjoy leisure and cultural activities. November is the perfect month to explore the city's museums and galleries, attend an exhibition and learn more about the contemporary art on offer in the city. Here are three recommendations:

SALT Galata

This art space is located in an old building and houses a gallery, a cosy café and a library. SALTA Galata is considered the best contemporary art institution in Istanbul, which also has another branch in the city of Ankara.

Useful information:

• Price: free admission
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00.
• Address: Bankalar caddesi̇ 11, Karaköy 34421 Istanbul

Sakıp Sabancı Museum

This museum is housed in a 1925 mansion and features temporary and permanent exhibitions of modern art as well as Islamic sculptures. The house was built on the shores of the Bosphorus by Italian architect Edoardo De Nari in the Yali style, which means wooden house by the sea.

So as well as being able to enjoy an art exhibition, you will be able to see up close a style of architecture that is considered to be one of the most exclusive in the city, as yali style houses are the trademark of the Bosphorus and one of the most expensive accommodations in all of Istanbul.

Useful info:

• Price: approximately €4.60 (75 Turkish Liras)
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Address: Sakıp Sabancı Caddesi No:42 Emirgan 34467 İstanbul

Sadberk Hanim Museum

I recommend a visit to this European-style mansion which houses an extensive private collection of antique objects from the Ottoman era. This is the first private museum in Turkey, displaying the private collection of Sadberk Koc, the wife of the famous Turkish businessman Vehbi Koc.

This house museum displays exhibits with more than twenty thousand pieces of Turkish and Islamic works, as well as archaeological relics from different periods.

Useful info:

• Price: approximately 1 Euro (15 Turkish Liras).
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Address: Büyükdere, Piyasa Cd. No: 25 D:29, 34453 Sarıyer/İstanbul