If you haven’t explored Istanbul at night, you are certainly missing out on something. After all, the city has a rocking nightlife that allows the visitors to enjoy the warmth of the Eastern pleasures.

It is a completely different experience to see the vibrant and dazzling side of Istanbul at night.

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There is so much to explore and do in the city at night that you will come home exhausted. Life starts in Istanbul only when the sun sets, and all you need to do is plan a great trip here.

That being said, Istanbul is one of the best places to live in Turkey, so if you’re thinking of moving there, you’ll find there are many things to do there.

Here are some of the best things to do in Istanbul at night.

istanbul at night

Turkish Bath

There can’t be a better way to spend the night than at a Turkish bath, especially if you are exhausted after a long day. As there are dozens of such baths or hammams across Istanbul, you can go ahead and pick one based on your whims and fancies.

You could get your feet scrubbed in a five-hundred-year-old hammam or look for one which is the most Instagrammable.

Dinner Cruise

Why not go for the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise on the waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Marmara and divides Istanbul into two continents. 

Look for cheap hotel booking in Istanbul with a sea view and get ready for an unforgettable experience. Get ready for a night that you will remember for a lifetime. What you can expect is unlimited local beverages, wine, and soft drinks, and the guest can enjoy delicious dinner and shows.

There are even hotel pickups, and drop-offs and the cruise will last for about 3 hours. Gaze at Istanbul’s bridges, palaces, and mosques that are beautifully illuminated at night, as well as glittering shows by local artists and belly dancers.

Grand Bazaar

Locally known as Kapali Carsi, the Grand Bazaar is the largest and oldest covered market in the world. This is indeed one of the best spots to explore at night.

You will find the market crammed with locals and tourists. Enter the market from any of those 11 gates and explore more than 400 shops that sell everything under the sun, such as textiles, jewelry, and carpet.

Just be careful as it is easy to get lost in the streets of the Grand Bazaar. Take catching photographs once inside the lively bazaar and shop for souvenirs and authentic Turkish goods.

Pub Crawl

If you love pubs, you can certainly have the time of your life when you go for a good pub crawl at night in Istanbul. There would be opportunities to hang out with other people and make friends.

This is a great option for solo travelers as well as couples to enjoy a great evening. You can explore different bars and some secret local hotspots and look ahead for a fun-filled night with some great company.

There are some great meeting points where you can enjoy a couple of drinks and have some fun card games, surrounded by great music and friendly vibes.

Casino 

Take a casino tour from Istanbul to Svilengrad, which is just a two-hour drive away. Svilengrad has more than 20 casinos, and you can enjoy some free time in any of those casinos.

This is a great way to spend the night in Istanbul, especially for those who love casinos. An air-conditioned vehicle will drive you around, and you get free snacks and beverages.

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.

She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.


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