Istanbul Guide

When to come

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable stretches. The weather is good for walking and the crowds are thinner than in summer. For patients who want to see the city after treatment, these are the easiest months.

July and August are hot and humid, and long stretches outdoors can be tiring. Winter is cool and wet, but museums and bazaars are comparatively empty — an advantage if you dislike crowds.

Tell us which period you would prefer when your treatment dates are being set, and appointments are planned accordingly.

On your free days

The guided city tour is placed on a day with no clinic appointment. What you do with the rest of your time is up to you, and your coordinator will explain how to get around.

• The Sultanahmet area — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace are within walking distance of each other
• A Bosphorus ferry — the cheapest and most enjoyable way to see the city from the water
• The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar — haggling is normal, so take your time
• Galata and Karaköy — coffee, small shops and the view from the tower
• The Princes’ Islands — an hour by ferry, for a quiet day without cars

If you plan to walk, bring comfortable shoes — the historic peninsula is cobbled and hilly.

Practical notes

• The currency is the Turkish lira. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though cash is handy in bazaars and small shops.
• The time zone is GMT+3 — three hours ahead of London, two ahead of central Europe.
• Sockets are European (two round pins) on 220V. Coming from the UK, you will need an adapter.
• Hotels and most cafés have free wi-fi. For a longer stay, a local SIM or eSIM from the airport is practical.
• Tap water is not generally drunk; bottled water is cheap and everywhere.
• Tipping is not obligatory but is common — around a tenth of the bill in restaurants is customary.

Eating out — a note after treatment

Istanbul’s food is worth exploring, but in the first days after a new restoration you may be asked to avoid anything very hard or very sticky. Your dentist gives you any case-specific advice in writing before you leave — go by that when choosing where to eat.

If you want something soft, soups, lentil köfte, hummus, yoghurt-based meze and baked rice pudding are safe choices. Vegetarian and halal options are easy to find; if you have an allergy, tell your coordinator and they will help with the choice of restaurant.

If you are not feeling up to it, the tour can be moved or shortened. The schedule exists to serve you, not the other way round.