- Rainiest months
- November to February
- On foot from Nişantaşı
- Military Museum, City’s Nişantaşı, cafés
- Under 30 minutes
- Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul Modern, Pera Museum, the malls
- Getting around
- The metro, rather than taxis
When it rains in Istanbul, stay close to the M2 metro and plan around indoor sights. From Nişantaşı (Nisantasi), the Military Museum in Harbiye is a short walk and the City’s Nişantaşı mall has a cinema. Within 30 minutes are Dolmabahçe Palace, the Istanbul Modern museum at Galataport, the Pera Museum near Şişhane station and the big malls on the M2 line. In the old city, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the covered Grand Bazaar keep you dry. Rain usually comes in spells, especially from November to February, so there are dry hours too.
What can I do near Nişantaşı when it rains?
| Idea | From Nişantaşı | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Military Museum, Harbiye | 10 to 15 minutes on foot | Ottoman armour, tents and the costumed Mehter band on some afternoons |
| City’s Nişantaşı mall | In the neighbourhood | A film, a meal and shopping under one roof |
| A long café afternoon | In the neighbourhood | Coffee, cake and a book. See cafés and breakfast |
| Dolmabahçe Palace | About 10 minutes by taxi | Guided rooms of crystal and gilt, all indoors |
| Pera Museum | M2 to Şişhane, then a short walk | Orientalist paintings, including Osman Hamdi Bey’s Tortoise Trainer, and changing exhibitions |
| Istanbul Modern and Galataport | About 30 minutes by metro, funicular and tram | Turkish modern art, then lunch on the covered waterfront |
| The malls | 1 to 3 M2 stops; Zorlu by taxi | Shopping, food halls, cinemas; concerts at Zorlu PSM. See malls nearby |
| A Turkish bath | Hotel spas nearby, or Kılıç Ali Paşa in Tophane | The warmest way to spend a cold, wet afternoon. See hammam and spa |
Museums and palaces close on one day a week, which varies by place, so check before you go.
A rainy day in the old city
- Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque: indoors, though the queues are outside. Go early.
- The Basilica Cistern: an underground hall of columns, dry and atmospheric.
- The Grand Bazaar: thousands of shops under one roof. It is closed on Sundays.
- The Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, also covered, for Turkish delight, tea and spices.
- Topkapı Palace has indoor rooms and treasuries, but you walk between them through open courtyards: save it for a drier day if you can.
The M2 runs straight from Osmanbey to Vezneciler, a short walk from the Grand Bazaar. See getting to the old city.
With children
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum on the Golden Horn, with its trains, planes and submarine, and the aquariums are the best rainy-day choices for children. See Nişantaşı with children.
Tips for getting around in the rain
- Take the metro. Traffic slows down and taxis are hard to find when it rains; taxi apps help but prices and waits go up.
- Umbrellas appear for sale outside metro stations within minutes of the first drops.
- Watch your step on the hills: smooth stone pavements get slippery.
- Ferries run in most weather, and the covered cabin is warm, but the open deck is not much fun in the rain.
For the weather month by month, see the best time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do in Istanbul when it rains?
Visit Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the covered Grand Bazaar in the old city, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Pera Museum or Istanbul Modern, go to a hammam, or spend an afternoon in a mall with a cinema. From Nişantaşı, the Military Museum is a short walk.
Which museums are near Nişantaşı?
The Military Museum in Harbiye and the Atatürk Museum in Şişli are within walking distance. Dolmabahçe Palace is about 10 minutes away by taxi, and the Pera Museum is a short walk from Şişhane on the M2 metro.
When does it rain most in Istanbul?
From November to February. Rain usually comes in spells rather than all day.
Is the Grand Bazaar open when it rains?
Yes, it is covered, which makes it a good rainy-day choice. It is closed on Sundays.