Istanbul is a thrilling multicultural city that sits at the confluence of Europe and Asia, making it a truly unique place to visit. As the former seat of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has one of the most incredible histories of cities around the world. And where there’s history, there are breathtaking landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Aside from its two impressive mosques, Istanbul is also famed for having the oldest and largest covered market in the world. In fact, there’s nothing better to do in this city then take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the market stalls selling everything from traditional Turkish antiques to Turkish delicacies.
Fly into Ataturk International Airport (IST) which provides direct flights to and from most major cities around the world. The airport is located 42km northwest of central Istanbul which can be reached in around 1 hour by taking the ArdaTur train from the airport to Istanbul Bus Station followed by the M1B Kirazli train from Otogar İstasyonu to Ulubatli.
Istanbul is usually cool in February, with highs of 9°C and an average temperature of 6°C. The climate tends to be wet, with an average 62% chance of rain each day.