10 Things to Do in Istanbul in the summer

I suggest you arm yourself with patience if you visit Istanbul between July and August, as there will be hundreds of visitors trying to get into the tourist sites, long queues and temperatures that can exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

Traditional, exotic and with the privilege of boasting a culture and heritage that offers you the best of two continents: Europe and Asia. Read on to find out what you can't miss.

A nearby and fascinating option is to book an excursion to the Princes Islands and their main harbour, Büyükada Island, the largest of the nine islands that make up this archipelago. Here you can spend the day at one of the most popular seaside resorts near Istanbul. In addition to the beaches, you can also go cycling through the forests and places of interest or hike, as there is curiously not a single motorised transport on the island.

Another popular summer destination is the town of Kilyos, located an hour's drive from Istanbul. It is an undeveloped area, where you can be surprised by sand dunes and the vegetation of the Black Sea, another of Turkey's beauties.

It is one of the most beautiful places to spend the day, but it must be said that you will have to pay an entrance fee for almost all of them. The good news is that you have access to sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, lifeguards and, in addition, accommodation, food and drink in its leisure facilities. In the summer it is possible to experience an unforgettable beach party with live music. It's definitely a good place to admire the Sea of Marmara or the Black Sea, get away from the chaos of the city and eat some fresh, seasonal fish.

Booking a Bosphorus cruise and taking a guided tour of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus Strait is a favourite with travellers to Istanbul. It's a chance to get a different perspective of the city, with an experience where you'll get all the attention.

Some of these excursions offer food, drinks and other interesting activities to share with other travellers. An ideal option to take a break from the heat of the day and enjoy a magical tour, with a guide who will give you many details about this place, which is the border that divides the European and Asian part of the city.

During the summer you will find many options for excursions to the Bosphorus Strait from Istanbul. If you want to enjoy the colours of the summer sunset and start the night, treat yourself to some typical Turkish cuisine while you see from the boat, among other places, the walls of Constantinople and the Galata Bridge. The perfect plan to feel welcome in the city, say goodbye to it or spend a romantic evening, in the best style of ancient Constantinople.

Turkish cuisine is world famous, bringing together the best of two worlds: East and West. Places to try, fortunately, are not hard to find. Istanbul is located between two seas: the Marmara and the Black Sea, which is why seafood is the highlight of restaurant menus, especially during the summer.

Booking a gastronomic tour of Istanbul will take you on a journey of flavours, smells and a lot of tradition. Don't miss the opportunity to visit street food stalls and self-service restaurants, with menus offering a variety of dishes and drinks to suit all tastes and at really good prices.

Meyhane, lokantas and traditional restaurants are places where you can try meze and other traditional Turkish foods and savour the fusion of cultures that nicely impact the city's culinary scene. In the bazaars you can enjoy traditional drinks such as tea in all its forms, good Turkish coffee, local fruit juices and spirits such as Raki or lion's milk.

From Istanbul, and during the summer, you can find organised excursions to other wonderful cities in Turkey. My recommendation is to book a trip to Ephesus and Pamukkale, where you can visit one of the wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis.

To cool off from the high temperatures, this excursion can be complemented with a visit to Pamukkale National Park, where you can enjoy a dip in the blue hot springs and walk through the underground city. Remember that Pamukkale has been a World Heritage Site since 1988, so it's well worth including it on your route.

Another option is to book an excursion to Cappadocia, another of Turkey' s natural treasures, which in summer will allow you to enjoy one of the best travel experiences: touring this natural stone beauty in a hot air balloon. Find out all about how to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul and be sure to enjoy it in the summer - you won't regret it!

If it's your first time in Istanbul, a sightseeing bus tour can be a great idea to get a first impression of the city, as you tour Istanbul's key sights in air-conditioned vehicles that will give you a break from the inclement summer weather.

With a price starting from 45 euros, if you book the Istanbul sightseeing bus you can plan a route that suits your needs and time. A perfect plan if you only have a few days to explore the city. They are generally double-decker buses without roofs, so you enjoy 360-degree panoramic views during the tour.

In some cases, the cost includes free entrance to certain attractions with routes that have more than 20 stops close to the best attractions of the city, audio guides in several languages and suitable for children, people with reduced mobility or disabilities. The vehicles are also air-conditioned so it's a great way to take a break from the heat.

Known as dondurmas, these are basically goat's milk-based ice creams in a variety of flavours, served in biscuit cones.

You can find them in the food courts of the big Turkish shops such as the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar, and it's a treat for all ages. The most fun is watching the cunning of the ice-cream makers, who joke and show off their skills in performing games and tricks to attract the attention of customers.

Undoubtedly one of Istanbul's most picturesque neighbourhoods, Eminönü offers a lively and vibrant atmosphere in summer, when nothing stands still. You will find mosques and street markets, as well as the piers from where ferries depart to the Asian part of the city and to the Princes' Islands.

A street atmosphere that in summer is fascinating to feel the spirit of this fishing quarter, which in the times of the Byzantine Empire, belonged to the Italian republics and where Venetians, Pisans, Genoese had the best places next to the Golden Horn.

Alongside the boats you'll find street food stalls where you can try fresh grilled fish sandwiches or have a cold beer while you continue your summer stroll. I recommend walking to Karaköy over the bridge and taking lots of photos. Don't forget to talk to the local fishermen, as they will be the best guides to discover this magical part of the city.

In summer, music takes centre stage in the big cities. Open-air concerts and festivals are a good way to cool down the high temperatures. The Istanbul Jazz Festival has been organised since 1994 in July, offering concerts with international guests and also showcasing Turkey's up-and-coming artists representing this musical genre.

Most of the festival venues are enclosed, air-conditioned venues, so you can enjoy the best of jazz in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. The festival does not allow children under the age of seven to enter some concerts. However, there is a special family day called 'A Childlike Day', which takes place in the gardens of the beautiful Feriye Palace, a complex of buildings located along the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait.

Tickets for the festival's concerts can be purchased online through the festival's official website.

In summer, museums are the perfect way to escape the heat while enjoying a fun and entertaining activity. Here are three recommendations that I think are ideal for having a good time during this summer season.

Museum of Illusion

In the peculiar Museum of Illusion, you can trick your mind into feeling like you're in an upside-down room or travel through a psychedelic-looking tunnel. A recommended place to visit if you are travelling with your family. The venue offers temporary exhibitions, guided group tours and the possibility of holding themed birthday parties.

Useful info:

• Price: Adults pay approximately €11.30 (185 Turkish Liras). Children and teenagers aged 5-18 pay approximately €8.20 (135 Turkish Liras). Children under the age of 4 are free and the museum offers a family ticket for approximately €33 (550 Turkish Liras).
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, and Sunday 11am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-9pm.
• Address: Narmanlı Han, İstiklal Cd. No:180. 34421, Beyoğlu / İstanbul.

Istanbul Industrial Museum

Also known as Rahmi M.Koç Museum. A very educational and interesting option, recommended if you have several days in the city, and you are travelling with your family and children.

Here you will find great human inventions such as ships, aeroplanes, printing presses, trains, cars, submarines and old machinery that are part of a collection carefully collected throughout his life by Rahmi M.Koç, a businessman belonging to an exclusive social circle in Turkey, and where the most striking feature is the excellent state of conservation of the exhibits.

In my opinion, one of the best museums in the world dedicated to the history of transport, industry and telecommunications, which surprises children and adults alike. The museum offers activities such as discovering a real submarine, birthday parties and boat trips on the sea passage.

Useful information:

• Price: general admission is €5.50 (90 Turkish Liras) and students pay €2.45 (40 Turkish Liras).
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
• Address: Rahmi M. Koç Müzesi, Hasköy Cad. No: 5 Hasköy 34445 - İstanbul.

Pera Museum

In this museum you can enjoy art exhibitions and film screenings. I think it's a good summer option, as it's located in the Beyoglu district, where you'll find much of Istanbul's shopping, art and entertainment offerings. The district is in the European part of the city and shares streets with the also active Taksim district.

In the Pera Museum you'll find exhibitions that are always accompanied by audiovisual events. Throughout the year there is a year-round cinema programme that includes independent films and classics.

Useful info:

• Price: €1.50 for adults (25 Turkish Lira). Children under 12, students, teachers and over 60s: approximately €0.60 (10 Turkish Liras).
• Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 12-6pm.
• Address: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul.

As you'll be finding out, Istanbul has a lot to see and do. And what better summer experience than to visit one of the most renowned aquariums in Europe and considered the fifth best in the world?

The Istanbul Aquarium has more than 17 themed rooms on marine flora and fauna from the oceans of different latitudes, as well as a display of different types of species, including colourful fish, rays, turtles, jellyfish and sharks, which complement the experience of walking through this 80-metre space.

The visit also includes other attractions such as themed exhibitions on marine life and interactive activities, which can be a good plan for a hot day and offer a good alternative to the traditional tourist circuits of the city centre.

Useful information:

• Price: approximately €11 (180 Turkish Lira). A valid ticket for the Aquarium and Wax Museum is also available for €16 (270 Turkish Liras).
• Opening hours: daily from 10am to 8pm.
• Address: Kocatepe Mah, Pasha Cad. 5/5, 34045 Bayrampaşa/İstanbul.