Straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus strait, Istanbul has been the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. As Constantinople, it was the largest and wealthiest city in Europe for a thousand years. The Hagia Sophia, built in 537 AD, was the world's largest cathedral for nearly a millennium, and the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets on Earth.
Nights sit around 19°C and afternoons around 26°C, though some days reach 30°C.
Istanbul has real seasons: summer afternoons sit around 30°C, winter ones around 11°C.
Some summer days reach 34°C, and some winter nights drop below freezing.
Most of the rain falls in winter, least in summer. The wettest month is December, with 99 mm.
Air quality is worth watching: January averages an AQI of 96, while July clears to 59.
Days stretch to about 14.9 hours of light in June and shrink to 9.1 in December — something to weigh if you work to a fixed timezone.
For what you're after, the best months in Istanbul are June – September. Expect fast internet (233 Mbps) and a moderate cost of living (about €1500 a month).
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