9 Reasons to Explore Summer in the City with Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

Istanbul is the city for entertainment, joy, and exploration all year long. Yet, summer still has its glory among other seasons in Istanbul. Beautiful Istanbul continues to fascinate visitors and locals alike with its vibrancy and great variety. May it be in history, culture, eating or drinking there is always something new in Istanbul for everyone and every taste.  Here, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus recommends the best of summer in the city.

Scenic Walk by the Bosphorus

It is the most Istanbulite-friendly walking trail in the city with a Bosphorus view that guests can enjoy during their excursions. The nearest neighbourhood right outside the Hotel’s doorstep is Ortaköy, where guests can find the iconic Ortaköy Mosque with its stone rubbings and Western-style dome standing right on the shores.

An alternative route would be the Naval Museum in Beşiktaş district where guests can discover a one-of-a-kind collection of military artifacts pertaining to the Ottoman Navy. After paying a visit to the Naval Museum, Dolmabahçe Palace can be the next destination to discover. With its breathtakingly beautiful gardens, Dolmabahçe Palace has been a home for six Ottoman Sultans and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey.

At the end of the day, those who wish to enjoy a cocktail at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus can cross it off their summer bucket list.

Visiting the Old City

A fusion of age-old glories and a cool, contemporary 21st-century culture, Istanbul is the last stop in Europe and the first stop in Asia. With its sister property in Sultanahmet, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus provides guests the incredible duo experience in the multi-layered city of Istanbul. The Hotel’s experienced Concierge team unlocks the hidden secrets of the Old City with their local knowledge and deep personal connections.

Guests can plan a day in the Old City, visiting the Haghia Sophia Grand Mosque that was built in 537, with the Blue Mosque well known for its blue ceramic tiles. Istanbul Archaeology Museums are also a must visit while in the Sultanahmet area. Istanbul Archaeological Museum, the first museum in Turkey, has a million artifacts from a variety of cultures.

From the Grand Bazaar to the spice market and neighbourhoods full of intriguing boutiques, Istanbul has much to offer for shopping lovers. While the Grand Bazaar may be the largest and most famous of Istanbul's covered bazaars, the Spice Market is another popular stop for traditional shopping, being the most colourful and fragrant. Visitors will see a great variety of Turkish handicrafts, handmade oriental carpets, jewellery and many souvenirs within the Grand Bazaar. With a variety of fragrant spices, different kinds of Turkish delights, dried herbs, honey, nuts, dried fruits, and even caviar, the Spice Market is a must-visit when in Istanbul. Being a part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Turkish coffee is a significant part of local culture. While visiting Eminönü, coffee shopping from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi turns this excursion into a special ceremony.

Cruise on the Bosphorus

A cruise is the best way to discover the sights along Istanbul’s shores. Guests can start their boat tour from the Hotel’s private dock, following the sunset across the Bosphorus Strait, where Asia and Europe meet. A special dinner on the private boat organised by Four Seasons Outside Catering Service would be the ideal way to dine in two continents on the same day.

Turkish Hammam Experience

The SPA at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus welcomes guests to experience a warm steam bath, full body scrub, an exquisite foam massage. The Turkish hammam at the Hotel is a perfect spot in which guests can enjoy the tailor-made treatment journey. This uniquely local experience awaits to create a feeling of relaxation, well-being and total indulgence.

A Dive into a Pool with a View

For those looking for a memorable pool experience accompanied by one-of-a-kind view, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus is a perfect address with its scenic outdoor pool. Guests will capture the moment floating through to Bosphorus blue while they enjoy a state of poolside bliss.

Delicious Turkish Food

Turkish culinary culture is renowned as one of the world's best with its rich ingredients and diversity. Fresh, local and seasonal products are at the heart of Turkish cooking culture.

For those looking for leisurely dining experiences, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus offers a perfect setting for all seasons with its diversified food offerings and numerous outlets. From authentic recipes to the best seafood dishes in town, the Hotel’s culinary experts offer Turkey on a plate.

Turkish Breakfast

The traditional Turkish breakfast is one of the best ways to start the day. What makes a typical Turkish breakfast on the scenic terrace  at  Four Seasons so special is not only the variety of food but also must-try local tastes.

Indulge in World of Shopping

No visit to Istanbul is complete without discovering the shopping in the city. It is a solely different experience to visit a historical or street bazaar from going to a shopping mall in Istanbul.

Istanbul has been a favourite shopping ground for the haut monde ever since the Byzantine era. Nowadays, the city that embraces two continents is still attractive for one-of-a-kind finds, from intricate flat-woven kilims to colourful hanging lanterns, fragrant spices, precious metal baubles, cutting-edge fashions, modern ceramics and chic leather goods.

Guests can explore the warren of spice stalls and silver shops in the Grand Bazaar; with more than 4,000 shops, it’s one of the largest and oldest markets in the world. Shopping lovers can cross to Karaköy, 6 minutes by tram, to wander the neighbourhood, where the beautifully restored, neoclassical French Passage arcade is a great place to discover more contemporary boutiques.

The legendary city of Istanbul is a shopping paradise that combines the malls in shopping districts with traditional markets in atmospheric settings. Guests can enjoy their dream shopping experience in a world of luxury at shopping malls. Here, the Concierge teams at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus recommend some of their favourite shopping centres and malls in Istanbul:

• Istinye Park, Katar Cad. , No: 73 Sarıyer
• Kanyon, Büyükdere Cad. No:185, Levent
• Akmerkez, Nispetiye Cad. 34337, Etiler
• Zorlu Center, Levazım Mahallesi, Koru Sokak No: 2, Beşiktaş

For more shopping recommendations, click here.

Raise a Glass: Istanbul’s Nightlife

With its dynamism, diversity, the never-sleeping city of Istanbul is loaded with bars, clubs and restaurants for memorable nights in the city. There are few things more dazzling than a starlit night sky discovered by the Bosphorus.

Guests can welcome a blissful Bosphorus night in the Hotel, enjoying enhanced restaurant and bar offerings along with live entertainment evoking the dynamism of Istanbul. AQUA, YALI Terrace, Ocakbaşı and Anason 34, the popular meeting points at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, have attractive programs for those looking for moments of pleasure in an elegant setting.

Chic nightclubs near the Hotel are perfect spots for dance lovers over the Bosphorus.