Europe’s largest city makes for an adventurous and unique city escape during the winter months. Take advantage of mild weather and affordable prices to tour the Turkish crossroads of the world on a long weekend getaway or part of a larger trip.

Wandering into the Grand Bazaar is akin to entering a portal to the distant past. The smell is what hits you first: an aromatic mix of incense, jasmine perfumes, grilled meats, brewing coffee and things too indescribable to put to paper. Then it is the noise: playing children, barking dogs, squawking birds, and ten thousand people of every age shouting, laughing, and haggling for the best prices. Once your vision adjusts to the dim lighting a bustling scene appears before your eyes.

For a thousand years, vendors have sold enticing goods of every kind here: delicate glass lamps, spices from far-off lands, fine silks and textiles, ornate handwoven carpets (of the non-magical variety), jewel-encrusted swords, and more. In more recent times, those have been joined by every manner of counterfeit luxury handbag and watch known to man. The bazaar is Istanbul in miniature: a chaotic and lively fusion of old and new, east and west, Asian and European. This city has attracted travelers for centuries and there is no better time to visit than right now.

Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium, Nova Roma. While the names have changed over the years, the city straddling the European and Asian continents has always been a draw for visitors.

With almost twenty million residents in 2023, the largest city in Turkey (officially spelled Türkiye since 2022) has enough to keep anyone entertained for a few weeks. However, many of Istanbul’s highlights can be viewed over a four-day weekend. Winter is the perfect time for this since sweltering summer temperatures (and tourist crowds) have disappeared. Here is your guide to the perfect getaway in Istanbul that travelers of every taste will appreciate.

Day 1

Begin your trip on a Friday, arrive in the afternoon, and head for the Eski şehir (Old City). Friday is the official day of rest here as with most Islamic countries, but most shops and restaurants remain open regardless of tradition. Istanbul has a reputation as perhaps the most secular city in the Muslim world. Aside from the five calls-to-prayer heard from loudspeakers on minarets (towers) and occasional mosque closures, little affects the bustle of this city.

Take some time to soak in the atmosphere of the historic city with a pay-what-you-want walking tour before checking into your lodging. In the evening, gain a better appreciation for the size and beauty of Istanbul by sailing on one of the dozen Bosporus River Cruises departing from the city center. The Bosporus (or Bosphorus) separates the European and Asian continents. These combination sightseeing tours and dinner shows feature traditional musicians and dancers performing against the backdrop of the city skyline lit up at night.

Day 2

Spend your Saturday touring the most important historic and cultural sights in Istanbul from ancient times to the modern day. Start in the Sultanahmet district, the oldest part of Istanbul. It’s home to the dazzling Blue Mosque, Ottoman Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia. The latter is particularly representative of the ever-changing nature of this city, serving as a church, mosque, and museum at different points in history.

Once you’ve had your fill of history for the day, take care of your stomach by walking to the nearby Grand Bazaar or Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar. These are two of the largest traditional markets in the world and offer something for even the pickiest palates or souvenir hunters. Afterward, cross the bay of the Golden Horn that separates the old city from the new city to experience Istanbul’s shopping and nightlife heart around Kabataş and Taksim Square.

Day 3

Venture out of Istanbul’s urban sprawl with a day trip to the Princes’ Islands, an easy 30-minute ferry ride from the city. These car-free islands have always been a popular weekend escape for locals and generally are overlooked by tourists. The Sea of Mamara’s beaches are the primary summer attraction here. Even in winter, there is hiking, biking, and horse-drawn carriage rides to keep visitors busy.

Büyükada is the largest of the islands and offers the most to do. When you are back on the mainland, take the opportunity to finish your last night by seeing one of the traditional shows Istanbul is known for such as the whirling dervishes, a form of Sufi mediation combining religious worship and dancing.

Day 4

After three busy days, finish off your time in Istanbul with a leisurely morning in the old city center. The underground Roman-era Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are both ideal for cold or rainy days. No more interest in museums or historic attractions? Enjoy a game of café backgammon while sipping Turkish coffee, soak in the fusion of cultures that is Istanbul one last time and then, head for the airport.

Plan on spending more than five days in Istanbul? Looking for more things to know before you go? Click here to read “Things to know before going to Istanbul.”

Gary Brown