Istanbul’s long history as a trading post and melting pot has made it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. At first glance, the evidence appears in the architecture of Neoclassical mansions, Romanesque apartments, Byzantine churches, and of course its iconic Ottoman mosques.

In the neighborhood of Sultanahmet, 1,000-year-old buildings and underground cisterns are a testament to the city’s enduring legacy. Throughout Istanbul you’ll find tributes to the past and an eye toward the future. Beyoğlu’s tangled alleys smell of fresh-brewed Turkish coffee, and trendy neighborhoods like Nişantaşı and Kadıköy boast a bounty of modern galleries and cafes. Yet in nearly every corner of this sprawling megalopolis, you’ll find hospitality as welcoming as in a small town, and people eager to share their stories over a cup of Turkish tea.

Though Istanbul can be visited year-round thanks to its temperate climate, there are some factors to consider when booking an apartment for rent. Summer is when the city is at its most alive and charismatic, but it’s also when the humidity hits its peak. July and August are the hottest months, making sightseeing most ideal in the mornings and late afternoons. The warm weather also makes for pleasant outdoor evenings. Spring is popular for its more temperate weather. In April, the city’s parks burst to life with colorful tulips, Turkey’s national flower, peaking at the annual Istanbul Tulip Festival. The fall sees a host of art and music events like the Istanbul Jazz Festival and the Istanbul Biennial, which always draw a chic international crowd. Winter brings cold, wet air with lots of rain and occasional snow flurries. However, temperatures rarely drop below freezing.

Hagia Sophia

One of the most enduring symbols of Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia, a massive building that has seen many incarnations. Byzantine Emperor Justinian consecrated it as a church in 537; a thousand years later it was converted into a mosque, then declared a museum by President Atatürk in 1935. In 2020, it was converted back into a mosque. Today it’s free and open to all visitors, and revered for its stunning mosaics.

Basilica Cistern

This underground cistern is almost 1,500 years old and remains Istanbul’s largest Byzantine cistern. The cavernous space harks back to another time and dimension. A wooden platform stretches out over water teeming with carp; walk among its 336 marble columns, which were salvaged from old temples.

Princes Islands

One of Istanbul’s lesser-known features resides on the Sea of Marmara’s horizon, where an archipelago of nine islands makes an ideal day trip from the cacophony of the city. The islands are all car-free and lined with walking trails that wind through pine forests and lead to panoramic vistas and scenic coves.