We chartered a small boat for ten days along the turquoise coast and planned to spend several days in Istanbul. I’d still love to go, but are any of the big sites open, like Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, etc. My family says it’s wishful thinking, but I figured someone here might know for sure
Posted by
Bend, OR
729 posts
Sounds wonderful but if you live in the US, how are you going to get there?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4573 posts
You want to also ask the Turks on the Istanbul TripAdvisor forum....in my opinion. This is the time to speak to locals. When I ws deciding when to go to Egypt after the Arab Spring, it was there after months of following I could find the window of opportunity when things were quiet and tour were just returning. Within 10 days, I was there. I know the Istanbul Trip
advisor forum has good local feedback.
A lot will happen between June and August and right now it may all be speculation. At least regular check ins there will give you more timely and accurate updates.
Posted by
Oregon
228 posts
From the title, I thought you were going to ask about the heat in August.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7327 posts
What leonard2002 mentions is part of what I’d like to know. There may be a lot of good reasons to visit Turkey during some August, but factoring all reasons, is August an ideal month, under normal circumstances? If someone’s schedule wasn’t restricted to August, what time of year would people suggest, and why?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Regarding August weather in Turkey, the easiest and most reliable facts would probably turn up if you thoroughly google Turkey or Turkey weather websites.
Also, you may get more replies by posting your question on TA.
I've been in Israel in June (somewhat south of Turkey) and it was quite hot.
Posted by
Washington DC
27057 posts
When I'm worried about oppressive heat in summer or chilly weather in fall or spring, I like to look at actual day-by-day weather statistics, not monthly averages. Averages can hide some pretty unpleasant extremes. The website timeanddate.com is a good source of actual,day-by-day, historical statistics. You can usually find ten years' worth of data. I'd look at the last five.
Posted by
Almost Heaven
2942 posts
weatherunderground.com
This will provide more climate data than anyone's remembrances. Nothing but facts and data.
Posted by
USA
183 posts
I suggest postponing your trip. As for the weather, August is quite hot. If you could go any month you choose, I recommend the second half of September into early October. Of March-April.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
63 posts
10 days on a boat in the Mediterranean for swimming and water sports. 4 days in Istanbul is icing on the cake. Hot but not the main event. More concerned about Covid-19 and specific travel this year. Turkish Airlines will switch our tickets to next year at no additional charge even though they have not cancelled the flight—for now. Wondering if anyone has gone or is considering it. Seems not.
Posted by
USA
183 posts
I am a frequent traveler to Turkey, including Istanbul and I have many friends who live there. I postponed my trip. Will go in 2021. Your trip plan does sound amazing! It will be amazing in 2021, when we will hopefully have COVID-19 in the rear view mirror.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
I swam off one of those gullet boats in October near Bodrum, and the water was warm enough even then. I've been to Istanbul and Turkey in June (really hot, too hot), May, and October and prefer the non-summer months in terms of heat.