10 Things to Do in Istanbul in February

No matter when you go, Istanbul's attractions will completely captivate you. Its innumerable mosques, its museums, the life that bustles in its streets and its bazaars are enough guarantee that your stay will be unforgettable.

The month of February, although the weather is not the best, has some advantages over the high season. Among them, there are fewer tourists, which will allow you to visit everything you are interested in in a more relaxed way. What's more, this month offers some events that you're sure to enjoy.

In February, the night comes much earlier and, with it, the temperatures drop. That's why it's best to look for activities that take place indoors to make you as comfortable as possible. Among all the things to do at night in Istanbul, there is something very special: going to a dervish show.

Dervishes are a branch of the Sufists of Islam. Originating in Persia, this spiritual current is characterised by its indifference to material goods and its great tolerance. Among all the brotherhoods into which this current is divided, the mevlevis, also known as whirling dervishes, stand out. They seek to reach an almost hypnotic state through their whirling dances in order to reach religious ecstasy.

My suggestion is that you go to see this dance at Hodjapasha Dance Theater. There, in addition to watching the whirling dervishes spin to the rhythm of traditional Persian music, you can enjoy a drink and some Turkish delicacies.

It's true that in recent years you'll see more and more fixed prices in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, but many of its 3,600 shops still retain the old custom of haggling when selling. In summer, with the hustle and bustle of tourists, it's difficult to master the art of haggling, as the place can become overwhelming. In February, on the other hand, it is possible to take the time to haggle.

The first thing to do when haggling is to be very clear about the value of the Turkish lira. Some customers use the tactic of asking the price of several items before the one they are really interested in and pretending that they think it is too expensive and leave the shop. At that point, the seller usually presents the first discount. It all depends on your own skill, but bear in mind that there will come a time when the price will not go down any further. If you really want to buy it, don't try to force the situation too much.

A tour of the Grand Bazaar is the most convenient option

If you are the type of person who gets overwhelmed when a shop assistant approaches you in the shop to ask if he or she can help you, visiting the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul on your own can be a bit nerve-wracking. In such cases, you can always take one of the guided tours of Istanbul.

With the cooler temperatures outside in February, it is more than ever the time to enjoy a good Turkish bath. Istanbul's hamams are located in impressive historic buildings.

For centuries, the hamam or Turkish bath has been an institution in the city. They were not only used to pamper the body and mind, but also as a meeting place or even to do business. When you hire a Turkish bath you will pass through the following rooms:

• Relaxation room, with a temperature of around 20 degrees and designed for your body to acclimatise on entering and leaving.
• Temperate room: it is at a temperature of 30 degrees.
• Warm room: with a temperature of 50 degrees, you can't stay in it for more than 20 minutes. It is here that the pores open and the muscles relax before receiving the massage.

Any hamam that receives foreigners in the city includes the massage service in its offer, as well as an exfoliation. Note that both treatments are far from gentle, but the result is truly extraordinary.

Although Istanbul's classical music season runs for several months, it is in the cold winter months that the opportunity to attend concerts indoors and out of the cold is most welcome. If you are a classical music fan, you should make the most of the opportunities to see some of the world's best performers. If you are a fan of this type of music, you should take advantage of the opportunities to see some of the world's best performers.

There are several theatres where you can go to enjoy the concerts. Among them is the Zorlu PSM, which also hosts performances of other musical genres.

Another essential place to enjoy a great concert is the Aynalı Geçit Auditorium, where the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra usually plays. Finally, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum also has an auditorium where interesting musical performances are often scheduled.

Practical Information

• Zorlu PSM: located in the Besiktas district, at Koru Sokaği, 2. Metro line 2 stops nearby at Levent.
• Aynalı Geçit Auditorium: is on one of the streets adjacent to Istiklal Caddesi, so you can't miss it.
• Sakıp Sabancı Museum: you're quite likely to have seen its beautiful headquarters if you've been on a Bosphorus cruise, as it's located on one of the banks of the Bosphorus. It's not easy to get there, but you can take metro line 2 to İtü-Ayazağa İstasyonu and then bus 29S to Tokmak Burnu.

Normally, when we talk about shopping in Istanbul, we only mean shopping in the historic bazaars or in the tourist shops in the city centre. However, the Turkish city has some great shopping malls that also offer special sales during the winter. In February, in particular, it is even possible to talk about a second sale.

My recommendation for taking advantage of the lower prices is to visit the largest shopping centre in Europe: Cevahir Mall. This huge complex is located in Silsi, which is easily accessible by metro line 2. The mall is made up of 6 floors crowned by a beautiful clock on its glass roof. Inside you will find more than 300 shops of national and international brands.

An ideal plan if you go with children

I know you're going to say that the little ones get bored with shopping, but I assure you that if you travel with children to Istanbul in the cold month of February and you take them to this complex, you'll have a hard time taking them out again. In addition to the shops, it has facilities designed for children to have a great time. For starters, it has a cinema with screenings just for the little ones. Inside you will also find a small amusement park and different types of events and games.

Istanbul' s street food is an undeniable part of its charm. If you want to get to know it in depth, there is nothing better than taking a gastronomic tour of Istanbul with a guide who will explain all the different varieties, but you can also simply stroll through the streets and try whatever catches your eye. In winter, you should definitely order a cartridge of roasted chestnuts.

This type of street food is quite common in many parts of the world, but eating them on a bench in Sultanahmet, with a view of Hagia Sophia, or in Eminonu, with the Galata Tower and the Golden Horn in front of you, is priceless. Just smelling the aroma as you stroll around will improve your mood, not to mention the pleasant sensation of your hands getting warmer as you pick up the cartridge.

And after this little snack, I recommend you take a gastronomic tour of Istanbul to try all the delights.

Although in recent years other neighbourhoods have become increasingly popular with Istanbul's locals for chilly evenings spent indoors in cafés and bars, Beyoglu still retains a special atmosphere. This area, located between the Galata Bridge and Taksim, including Istiklal Caddesi, is perfect if you want to relax while discovering the pleasures of a good Turkish coffee.

The best thing to do is to wander around the streets around the Galata Tower or the streets leading off Istiklal. In many of them you will find small cafés with a very intimate atmosphere despite the crowds in the area. And if you prefer a more lively type of entertainment, in the Tünel area (at the end of the pedestrianised Istiklal axis) there are numerous places where you can try raki, albeit in moderation. Musicians often play here to liven up the evening.

Don't be impressed by their content and go for a coffee or tea in a cemetery

Beyoglu's liveliness may not be your cup of tea or coffee. Whether it does or not, one experience you can't miss on your trip to Istanbul in February is to pop into one of the coffee shops located inside the old cemeteries. Although it may seem inappropriate, quite a few of these old cemeteries in the Turkish city are home to very appetising cafés. Among them all, I recommend: Türk Ocagi, located at Divan Yolu, 74.

In addition to Istanbul' s fantastic mosques and the countless monuments that can be seen in Istanbul, the city has several museums that are well worth a visit. The best time to visit is definitely in winter. Whether you have travelled to the Turkish capital in January or February, you will be able to enter without waiting in line and enjoy all the history on display in its collections.

It is difficult to choose which museums to visit and, moreover, everyone's taste is different. Here is a short list, just three or four, of the most interesting museums that are some of Istanbul's greatest attractions:

• Archaeological Museum and Museum of Oriental Antiquities: both museums are practically next to each other, inside the Gulhane Park. They are, without a doubt, two fundamental collections for understanding the history of the entire region.
• Carpet Museum: no one who has been to Istanbul can doubt the importance of carpets in the culture of the country. Stepping on the carpets in any mosque with bare feet is a real treat for the senses. In this museum you can see an interesting collection of carpets that were once in various mosques.
• Mosaic Museum: a little gem hidden in the centre of Sultanahmet, next to the Blue Mosque. In a small space you can see the remains of the mosaics of the Great Palace of Byzantium, built in the 4th century.
• Calligraphy Museum: the calligraphy of ancient Ottoman books was considered a true art form. In the Beyazit Mosque you can see some wonderful examples.

Although it's a bit far from the historic centre, if you're in Istanbul in February I recommend you head to the Ataşehir neighbourhood (in the Asian part of the city) to enjoy the festival that takes place over three days in the middle of the month.

This street festival focuses on two of Turkey's passions: music and food. During the days it takes place you can listen to concerts in various parts of the neighbourhood, as well as enjoy some of the best dishes you'll find in Istanbul, both traditional and creative cuisine.

In addition, you'll also find pubs where they prepare special cocktails for this event and, if you're interested, you can take part in some of the workshops that are held in the area. Bear in mind that as it is not held in a tourist area, this will also be a great opportunity to get to know the locals' way of having fun.

How to get to Ataşehir

As mentioned above, the neighbourhood is a bit of a distance from the centre, although it's not too difficult to get to. The best option is to take a ferry from Karaköy (across the Galata Bridge) to Kadiköy (don't miss the wonderful sight of the Haydarpaşa train station when you arrive). Just off the Karaköy pier, take bus 19 to the Ataşehir Lyceum stop.

It's not the cheapest restaurant in Istanbul (although it's not the most expensive either), but its appeal is worth spending a little extra on dinner. This restaurant is located on the terrace of a tall building next to the Egyptian Bazaar and the views are truly breathtaking. To keep you warm, the Hamdi 's terrace is covered with transparent panels.

In February you'll be able to find a seat more easily. Although I recommend that you book a little in advance (and make sure you want a table in the viewing areas rather than in the centre of the room), the smaller crowds of tourists mean that you shouldn't have any problems.

The restaurant serves traditional Turkish food, with various soups, kebab, fish and delicious sweets for dessert.

Temperatures in Istanbul in February are the lowest of the year along with January. Highs average just 9°C on average, while lows average just 3°C. Wind and humidity mean that the weather in Istanbul is cold. Wind and humidity make the wind chill lower.

Although you should always check the weather forecast before travelling, in these temperatures I recommend that you take warm clothes, especially for the evenings. A hat, gloves and scarf can be useful if you are cold.