WEATHER, WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO IN FEBRUARY 2026 IN ISTANBUL?

In February, Istanbul feels the full grip of winter, with cool temperatures and persistent humidity. Days often alternate between light rain and occasional clear skies, sometimes accompanied by morning mists that cloak the Bosphorus in a mystical veil.

This is an ideal time to immerse yourself in local culture by visiting museums and galleries, which often feature temporary exhibitions during this season. Indoor cultural spaces, including monuments and numerous cafés, are less crowded than during the peak tourist season, offering a cozy refuge from the cold while allowing for an exploration of the city’s artistic and historical treasures.

In February, Istanbul unveils a quieter, more introspective side, perfect for those seeking to experience the city away from the usual tourist bustle. Here’s what you can discover and do in Istanbul in the heart of winter:

WEATHER

In February, Istanbul’s winter climate persists, with temperatures typically ranging between 4°C and 9°C. The days remain short and chilly, often accentuated by brisk winds from the Bosphorus. To enjoy outdoor strolls comfortably, it’s advisable to bundle up with a warm coat, scarf, and umbrella, as rain showers are still common and may occasionally turn into light snowfall.

Sunny days, though rare, bathe the city in a soft winter light, perfect for visiting iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque or strolling along the Bosphorus. With a bit of luck, a light layer of snow may blanket the rooftops, adding a unique winter charm to the city.

CURRENT EVENT

Ramadan in istanbul (February 18 – march 19, 2026): a city that never stops, just transforms

February 18, 2026 marks the beginning of Ramadan in Istanbul — a special period shaped by fasting, spirituality, and long-standing traditions. Until March 19, 2026, the city follows a slightly different rhythm: quieter during the day, more animated in the evening, without ever coming to a halt.

Daytime in Istanbul feels calmer and more reflective, creating ideal conditions for walking, sightseeing, and cultural exploration. Restaurants, cafés, and major tourist attractions remain open, especially in central districts. As sunset approaches, the city gradually comes back to life.

In the evenings, Istanbul becomes lively and luminous. Public squares fill up, tables are shared, streets grow animated, and a warm, convivial atmosphere settles in. Iftar often marks the beginning of moments of togetherness and celebration, enjoyed equally by locals and visitors.

For travelers, daily routines remain largely unchanged. Shops, restaurants, and museums generally operate as usual. Experiencing Istanbul during Ramadan simply offers a different perspective on the city, without significantly altering the overall travel experience.

Valentine’s day in istanbul: a well-established tradition

On February 14, Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated in Istanbul and holds a genuine place in the city’s social life. Restaurants and hotels mark the occasion with special menus and carefully curated romantic settings. Many fine-dining establishments embrace the spirit of the day with themed dinners and exclusive couple-focused experiences.

Istanbul is particularly well suited to romantic moments, whether it is a candlelit dinner overlooking the Bosphorus, a relaxing experience for two in a traditional hammam, or a quiet walk through historic neighborhoods. February’s lower tourist numbers make areas such as Sultanahmet, Galata, and the waterfront especially pleasant for couples.

Valentine’s Day blends naturally into Istanbul’s daily rhythm, offering yet another way to enjoy the city’s atmosphere, gastronomy, and scenic beauty in a setting that feels both vibrant and intimate.

Valentine’s Day is well celebrated in Turkey, where love is honored with many couple-friendly activities. Many gourmet restaurants in the city offer special menus for the occasion (see our article: the best gourmet restaurants in Istanbul).

In Istanbul, you can also enjoy a romantic dinner cruise on the Bosphorus. We can organize an unforgettable getaway for you with an aperitif or dinner on board (see: Bosphorus cruise).

For a relaxing experience, why not treat yourselves to a hammam treatment for two at one of the city’s many traditional baths? (see our article on the most beautiful hammams in Istanbul).

Finally, a simple stroll through historic districts like Sultanahmet or Galata can be a beautiful way to share a special moment. In this season, most tourist sites are quieter, offering a peaceful and intimate atmosphere for those wishing to celebrate the occasion with a loved one.

CONCERTS

February 6 – Fahir atakoğlu feat. volkan öktem, alp ersönmez & seçil akmirza · paribu art
Internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Fahir Atakoğlu presents an intimate and refined jazz repertoire at Paribu Art. Accompanied by leading figures of the Turkish jazz scene — Volkan Öktem on drums, Alp Ersönmez on bass, and Seçil Akmirza on vocals — the evening promises elegance, subtlety, and contemporary improvisation.

February 6 – rut-a · a tribute to radiohead · blind
A powerful tribute to Radiohead at Blind Istanbul. Deep soundscapes, raw emotion, and alternative rock energy come together in an immersive performance that freely revisits the universe of the iconic band.

February 6 – bob marley earth day with bosphoroots & ayenay · babylon
To celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday, Bosphoroots returns to the legendary Babylon stage for a “One Love” night. Roots reggae and modern dub meet the hybrid, genre-blending energy of Ayenay, combining reggae, dub, hip-hop, and electronic sounds.

February 7 – ozbi · if beşiktaş
Rapper and lyricist Ozbi performs at IF Beşiktaş with sharp, introspective lyrics and a sensitive take on contemporary society. An intense live performance blending urban poetry and emotional depth.

February 8 – raúl olivar – mares y lunas · naval museum
For the first time in Turkey, Spanish flamenco guitar virtuoso Raúl Olivar presents Mares y Lunas at the Naval Museum. His compositions blend flamenco tradition with a personal musical language, offering a Mediterranean journey filled with emotion and Andalusian light.

February 8 – yedinci ev · dorock xl
Yedinci Ev takes the Dorock XL stage with an introspective alternative sound. Indie rock and emotional storytelling merge into an immersive and atmospheric live experience.

February 8 – elif çağlar & deniz taşar · radyo modart concert series · paribu art
As part of the Radyo Modart concert series, two major voices of contemporary Turkish jazz — Elif Çağlar and Deniz Taşar — meet on the Paribu Art stage for an elegant evening dedicated to modern jazz and creative expression.

February 11 – büşra kayıkçı · paribu art
Composer and multidisciplinary pianist Büşra Kayıkçı presents Duvarların Ötesi / Istanbul, a performance where music, architecture, and urban memory intersect. The piano becomes a sensory space, inviting the audience into an intimate dialogue between modernity and cultural heritage.

February 13 – paredes experience · naval museum (world tour)
Marking the centenary of Portuguese music icon Carlos Paredes, Paredes Experience is presented at the Istanbul Naval Museum. Featuring Bruno Costa, Nuno Botelho, and André Varandas, the concert honors Paredes’ legacy through a deeply emotional and virtuosic musical dialogue.

February 13 – murat uncuoğlu b2b alican · blind
At Blind Istanbul, Murat Uncuoğlu and Alican come together for a powerful back-to-back DJ set. Hypnotic electronic grooves and nocturnal energy define a night dedicated to the dance floor.

February 13 – hey! douglas (big band live) · blind
Hey! Douglas brings its Big Band Live project to Blind Istanbul. Inspired by Turkish psychedelic rock and pop of the 1960s and 70s, the project blends Anatolian melodies with breakbeat, disco, and funk.

February 13 – bulutsuzluk özlemi · kadıköy sahne
A pioneer of Turkish alternative rock, Bulutsuzluk Özlemi performs at Kadıköy Sahne as part of its 40th anniversary. A night shaped by memory, collective history, and enduring musical energy.

February 18 – the away days · babylon
Istanbul-based band The Away Days performs at Babylon with its signature blend of indie rock, shoegaze, and dream pop. Known for sold-out international shows, the trio delivers an elegant and immersive live set.

February 21 – blonde redhead · volkswagen arena
New York trio Blonde Redhead takes the Volkswagen Arena stage. With over three decades of career, the band continues to explore indie rock and art pop, presenting material from their latest album Sit Down for Dinner.

February 25 – mary jane · blind
Mary Jane performs at Blind Istanbul with an intimate set blending alternative and psychedelic sounds, floating atmospheres, and organic live energy.

February 28 – islandman · babylon
Islandman brings its Neo-Turkish Psychedelia sound to Babylon, reinterpreting Anatolian musical traditions through contemporary electronic textures and immersive rhythms.

February 28 – bedük · silk orient · paribu art
Paribu Art hosts Silk Orient, one of the most ambitious projects of Bedük’s career. Accompanied by a 35-piece big band conducted by Neyzen Özsarı, the performance offers a cinematic journey between East and West, tradition and futurism.

EXHIBITIONS

until march 1, 2026 – 90’lardan beri halı’dayız · salt beyoğlu

Presented at SALT Beyoğlu, 90’lardan Beri Halı’dayız explores the cultural, social, and aesthetic transformations of Turkey since the 1990s through the motif of the carpet. By bringing together art, design, and collective memory, the exhibition examines everyday life, identity, and contemporary narratives through a critical yet sensitive lens.

until february 22, 2026 – santosha · çiğdem aky · dirimart pera

Dirimart Pera presents Santosha, the second solo exhibition of Çiğdem Aky at the gallery. Marking a decisive shift in her pictorial practice, the artist moves away from the formal structures that previously defined her work, embracing a more intuitive, quiet, and liberated approach.

Inspired by the Sanskrit concept of santosha – inner contentment and acceptance of what is — the exhibition reflects a search for serenity, balance, and presence. Color becomes an autonomous element, evolving freely within soft and sensitive abstract compositions guided by intuition rather than form.

The works reveal an inner process in which silence, release, and movement take precedence over structure and narration. Santosha invites visitors into a contemplative experience, opening a space of clarity, simplicity, and pure presence, at the intersection of contemporary painting and Eastern philosophies.

until march 6, 2026 – the grace of unknowing · özge topçu · artsümer

.artSümer presents the first solo exhibition of Özge Topçu. Through the series Re-deciphered Scripts and Celestial Stalagmites, the artist explores cultural origin narratives as fragile constructions shaped by memory, forgetting, and invisible circulations between the Eastern Mediterranean and the West.

The exhibition invites viewers to inhabit uncertainty and to perceive cultural heritage not as fixed truths, but as lingering resonances within the shadowed zones of history.

until february 21, 2026 – melike abasıyanık · kayada büyüdüm ben

Presented by Galeri Nev in collaboration with Galerist and supported by the Kale Design and Art Center (KTSM), the exhibition focuses on the artistic practice of Melike Abasıyanık Kurtiç. Following Bir Denizkestanesinin Anıları, it explores the formal and conceptual echoes of her work through pieces bringing together different artists.

The practices on view create a non-hierarchical meeting space, where repetition, transformation, and material become tools for reflection and dialogue.

semiha berksoy: the aria of all colors · istanbul modern

The exhibition Semiha Berksoy: The Aria of All Colors brings together the multifaceted body of work of Semiha Berksoy (1910–2004), a pioneering figure who left a lasting mark on opera, theater, visual arts, cinema, and literature in Turkey and Europe.

Featuring more than 200 works, the exhibition reveals the artist’s personal and mythological universe, highlighting the unique connections she forged between stage performance and visual expression. From early drawings to opera-inspired paintings, self-portraits, and textile works, the exhibition emphasizes the central role of performance and voice in her artistic practice.

Initially presented at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, the exhibition is reimagined at Istanbul Modern with an expanded scale and a renewed curatorial framework.

THEATER & SHOWS

february 12, 14 & 19 – the nutcracker · akm

Written in 1816 by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King draws inspiration from popular tales across various European cultures. In 1844, Alexandre Dumas (père) adapted the story into a lighter, more fairy-tale-like version.

In conclusion, February in Istanbul carries a mysterious winter ambiance. Cultural activities, artistic exhibitions, and sporting events keep the city alive, offering visitors and residents a wide variety of experiences to explore.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!