WEATHER, WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO IN JUNE IN ISTANBUL?

Is the June weather pleasant for exploring Istanbul? What to do in Istanbul in June?

In June, the weather in Istanbul is generally warm without being excessive, ideal for discovering the city and enjoying its many cultural activities. The air is warm enough to enjoy long days without the summer heatwave, making exploring the city’s countless historical and cultural treasures particularly enjoyable. Whether strolling along the Bosphorus or exploring the colorful bazaars, Istanbul in June offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

It’s the perfect time to explore the historic districts on foot, take a boat trip, visit the Prince Islands, eat by the Bosphorus or even relax in the city’s many parks and gardens.

Here is the list of things to do in Istanbul in June to immerse yourself in the city’s enriching cultural exhibits, which offer a fascinating mix of art, history and modern technology

Weather

In June, Istanbul generally enjoys pleasant weather, with average temperatures ranging between 20°C and 30°C. Days are mostly sunny, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities, but remember to protect yourself from the sun during the hottest hours.

Whether for a stroll along the Bosphorus or an exploration of the colorful bazaars, Istanbul offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in June, conducive to discovering its countless historical and cultural treasures.

News

Bayram: June 5–9

Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha) is one of the most important religious holidays in Turkey. It commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. During this time, Turkish families gather to pray, share festive meals, and give to the less fortunate. In 2025, Bayram will be observed from Thursday, June 5 to Monday, June 9, with a noticeable impact on the city’s rhythm.

City Atmosphere

During the holiday, Istanbul transforms. Many locals leave the city to visit family or travel around the country, making the city quieter than usual—especially in residential and business districts.

Tourist sites remain open, but some institutions (government offices, banks, and local shops) may be closed partially or fully during the first two days (June 5–6). The Grand Bazaar is closed on the first days of Bayram. However, large shopping malls, museums, restaurants, and tourist attractions generally remain open.

Religious Celebrations

Istanbul’s mosques, including the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Eyüp Sultan Mosque, welcome many worshippers for special morning prayers on the first day. If you want to witness this moment of devotion, plan to arrive early and avoid the surrounding areas during prayer times.

Transport and Services

Public transportation in Istanbul (metro, tram, ferries, municipal buses) is free during Bayram, making it easy to get around the city. However, expect busier areas in popular tourist zones like the Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus shores, and the Princes’ Islands.

Practical Tips
• Make reservations in advance (restaurants, guided tours, museums), as some venues may adjust their schedules.
• Cafés and restaurants in tourist areas generally stay open, but you may find fewer options in more local neighborhoods.

53rd Istanbul Music Festival – June 11–26

Under the theme “Beyond Borders”, the festival invites audiences to celebrate shared cultural heritage through concerts featuring traditional instruments and music from Turkey, Greece, Iran, and Azerbaijan, along with innovative performances that blend Baroque, Romantic, Classical, and Contemporary music with breakdance, hip-hop, painting, and theater.

More than 45 renowned artists and ensembles will participate in 25 concerts across Istanbul’s iconic venues. Highlights include: NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Camerata Salzburg, Geneva Camerata, Borusan Istanbul, Philharmonic Orchestra, Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, Plovdiv State Opera Choir, Slovak Philharmonic Choir.

Notable soloists include: Hélène Grimaud, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Rafał Blechacz, Gautier Capuçon, and Alexandre Kantorow. Three world premieres of works commissioned by the festival will be performed.

Awards: Honorary Award: Prof. Mesut İktu (opera singer and educator). Lifetime Achievement Award: Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, known for his spiritually resonant musical language.

Greek Orthodox Church of Ayias Paraskevi

Located in Büyükdere on Istanbul’s European shore along the Bosphorus, the church was rebuilt around 1831. Although the architect remains unknown, an inscription above the narthex door notes it was constructed under Metropolitan Gregorios of Terkos.

The church lies within a spacious courtyard and is entered from the southeast gate. To the southwest are a few funerary steles.

Paraskevi is a widely venerated saint in Istanbul. She lived during the Roman Empire around 130 AD and worked to spread Christianity. Under the rule of Emperor Antoninus, she was tortured, thrown into a vat of boiling oil (from which she emerged miraculously unharmed), and eventually executed. In Christian tradition, churches dedicated to Saint Paraskevi are believed to be beneficial for eye ailments.

Music – concerts & festivals

Concerts

June 2 – Guns N’ Roses at Tüpraş Stadium
Legendary American rock band performs classics like Sweet Child O’ Mine and November Rain.

June 6 – Duman, iconic Turkish rock band at Küçükçiftlik Park

June 7 – Mahmut Orhan, master of electro-oriental and deep house music at Life Park

June 13 – Hey Douglas, funk/Anatolian rock at Blind

June 14 – Camerata Salzburg & Hélène Grimaud – A Brahms Evening at AKM
Performing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 and Serenade No. 1 with a refined, conductor-less interpretation.

June 14 – Can Bonomo, Eurovision representative, at IF Performance Hall

June 17 – Duo Salque Peirani – Classical/jazz/world music fusion at Palais de France

June 21 – Hande Yener, Turkish pop icon at Jolly Joker Vadistanbul

June 24 – Ibrahim Maalouf & Hiba Tawaji at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater

Festivals 

June 28–29 – Gezgin Salon Festival at Parkorman
Featuring: Air, French79, Heil Frances, King Hannah

June 22 – Pozitif Vibrations Festival at Parkorman
Featuring: Foster the People, Biig Piig, English Teacher

Shows

June 2 & 3 – Russian Hamlet by Boris Eifman at AKM
A ballet inspired by Tsar Paul I’s tragic fate, set to music by Beethoven and Mahler.

June 27 & 28 – Anadolu Ateşi Dance School at AKM
Originally launched as Sultans of the Dance in 1999 by Mustafa Erdoğan, this show blends Anatolian rhythms with modern choreography in a visually stunning performance based on Turkish folkloric dance.

Exhibitions

All of June – Istanbul Modern – Chiharu Shiota: “Between the Worlds”
Celebrating 100 years of Turkish-Japanese diplomacy, this immersive installation uses red thread and suitcases to evoke the themes of migration, identity, and memory, symbolizing life’s interconnectedness.

All of June – Arter Museum – Koray Ariş: “The Skin We Live In”
This retrospective gathers 300 sculptures, objects, and studio artifacts exploring themes such as skin, form, movement, and resonance over six decades of artistic evolution.

Each of these exhibitions offers a unique and profound experience that reflects the cultural richness and artistic diversity of Istanbul. In June, the city comes alive not only with music and festivals, but also with exhibitions that engage, question and celebrate art in all its forms