A perfect weekend in Istanbul

It’s not uncommon for Turkey to be a favorite destination for the summer but keep in mind that it can get considerably hot and humid - temperatures can go as high as 35 degrees - but hey if you’re traveling in from Europe maybe the sun is just what you need. Still, it’s usually recommended to go either in September or October when the weather is “pleasantly warm”. The largest city, Istanbul, is a popular place to visit especially for the grand array of ancient sites you can explore here. But also because the city is torn between two major continents - Asia and Europe - and shares traces of both in the style of the buildings, cooking, traditions, culture, mannerisms etc. Visitors of this Turkish paradise are in for loads of rich history and culture surrounding Istanbul’s past dynasties and empires over 2500 years old. The city’s location straddling the Bosphorus straits makes it a buzzing seaport and the coming and going of beautiful people and ambitious cruise liners is something you don’t want to miss as you travel the world do you? The cool mix of Europe and Asian vibes gives the Turkish delicacies, ornate Ottoman architecture and noisy street bazaars you’ll see here that extra oomph for a weekend trip you won’t easily forget. If you like glittering spacious rooftops and observation towers overlooking the Bosphorus, visits to the apothecary, shopping for handspun tunics and dipping your toes into every type of nightclub and music scene, Istanbul will have to be your next weekend trip, hands down.

Here’s a guide to the best hotels, best restaurants and bars, shopping and vibrant nightlife in Istanbul. All of the venues in this blog post can be found in our complete Istanbul city guide. If you like what you see here, download the app for more suggestions like this.

Best hotels to stay at in Istanbul

The Istanbul hotel scene is glamorous to say the least. Almost all of their most luxurious stays offer elegant rooftop or balcony suite views of the port or Bosphorus straits and it is especially gorgeous at night when the lights from cruise ships touch the waters. Çırağan Palace Kempinski is just as stately as its name suggests and visitors from out of town will come to stay over the weekend for its cool resort feel in the city. It’s literally a converted palace. The opulence that comes with booking a room or suite in the ambience of a 16th century Ottoman Palace is unmatched. Take in the stunning waterfront view from your spacious room decorated in imperial elements - it puts everything into the perspective of the ancient city of Istanbul. A dip in the infinity pool before sunrise is in order and Turkish history-inspired menu at Turga will also set the mood for a very special dinner. If your tastes sway to the modern side then Raffles Istanbul is the hip and stylish accommodation set in the neighborhood of Istanbul’s best connections. Everything about it screams virtuoso from the food to the architectural design and of course the top-notch butler service that is somewhat legend. The hotel’s location in a mixed use development is perfect for those of us who love exploring but worry about getting back home for a quick shower before lunch or dinner or to collapse into your massive featherbed. If you prefer an elevator ride to your favorite high street shopping boutiques and a short walk to Taksim Square and Dolmabahçe Palace in the middle of the day then Raffles is the ideal stay.

Best restaurants and bars to dine in Istanbul

Wolfgang Puck is a celebrated name in fine dining circles and Istanbul has brought a cool Californian touch to the Harbiye neighborhood dining scene in Şişli with Spago. This is a special eatery and will be just the perfect place for relaxed and scenic date or maybe even a really casual lunch meeting on your business trip. It’s got that unmistakable L.A. vibe with its gorgeous railings and rooftop promenade packing some of the most romantic views of Maçka Park and the Bosphorus. But let’s get to the food side of things because Istanbul pleasantly surprises with impressive fusion cuisine and explode-in-the-mouth intercontinental flavors for when you’re super hungry or are just a self-professed unashamed foodie. The mouthwatering cuisine here is inspired by American, Asian and Italian style of cooking. If you make it here, order the smoked salmon and pizza - their most famous dishes. Moving from modern cuisine with a Turkish touch to full-on Turkish traditional cuisine, Lebi-i-Derya is where the flavors of Istanbul come alive. You will love this elegant and stylish restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus and Maiden’s Tower as well as the Istanbul peninsula. How do you know when the restaurant you booked is a good one? The locals love it and come here all the time. The servers and staff are polite and prompt and there’s that sense of genuine Turk hospitality that really comes through. The food is ambitious and everything is delicious - four courses paired with an extensive wine list and possibly some of the best Chardonnay you will have it seems. Pro tip: Book a table by the water so you don’t miss the stunning views especially at dinner.

Best things to do in Istanbul

The city of Istanbul is honestly a superb place for sightseeing, especially for historical monuments (and there are many) and the century old legacies left behind of a bygone era where emperors ruled and built fortresses and towers and temples and castles. One place you cannot miss is Topkapi Palace museum. The museum is of the main residences and headquarters for the sultans of the Ottoman Empire and it’s just as suspected , if the outside doesn’t shock you then the inside most definitely will. You’ll be walking through the palace’s enormous hallways and rooms showing ancient exhibits from imperial collections including books, manuscripts, artworks, ceramics and porcelains, imperial weapons and other fascinating collections from the Ottoman dynasty. While the city is a world of emperors and sultans from the 1400s and architectural wonders like Museum of Innocence and places of worship such as Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul is also popular for the luxurious concept of hammams. A hammam is a special Turkish bath - a type of steam bath or bathing site for the public in the Islamic culture and traditions. The bath is usually made of marble and is a completely different experience from the usual spa treatments. At Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam, a 16 century Turkish bath and one of the best hammams in the city, guests will be pampered exceptionally in sultan-style baths massages. Some of the packages include traditional body scrubbing, bubble massage was rituals on warm marble stone and aromatherapy using special tree oils.

Clubs and nightlife in Istanbul

There’s no doubt about the fact that the party scene here is of the levels you might not experience anywhere else in the world. While there may not be as many discos, nightclubs and concerts in Istanbul there are definitely a couple of resident party stops that are the best of the best for drinks, dancing, live music and electronica - those blurry nights getting wasted with your buddies. Babylon is a must for loud nights of pulsating music and endless clubbing but the crowd’s also not too rowdy so don’t worry about getting into a compromising situation here. We love that there’s so many types of music they play - Turkish, jazz, funk, psychedelic revival are just a couple of the genres you’ll be treated to here. The Şişli neighborhood is totally chic with that downtown feel so you’ll most probably be coming here again some nights. Don’t forget to book early on the weekends otherwise it can be a problem getting inside. One more suggestion (since we can’t help ourselves) - is the Markus Tavern. Not a nightclub-y spot but there’s a DJ and music and hey if the beat makes you move then go for it - nobody minds and the vibe here is totally laid back and chill. This loud cocktail bar is where all the cool cats in Istanbul hang out after dark and more often than not, the crowds are usually spilling out on to the streets. Definitely a bubbling spot not to miss.

Hope you love the venues we’ve recommended! When in Istanbul, a good way to escape the summer heat is to head directly for the coast or the islands but visiting the heart of the city is the best way to make the most of your Turkish weekend trip. Plan a solid weekend using the WKNDTRP app. Scroll through hundreds of venues in Stay, Eat, Drink, Shop and Do tabs for ideas on how to spend each day in the city.