What to do in Istanbul when it rains
Istanbul has plenty under cover when the skies open — historic interiors, art collections, sheltered markets and cafés made for a slow afternoon.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Topkapi Palace Museum Cankurtaran, Babı Hümayun Cad No: 1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Basilica Cistern Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Kariye Mosque Derviş Ali, Kariye Camii Sok. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art Kılıçali Paşa, Tophane İskele Cd. No:1/1, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Istanbul Archaeological Museums Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Dolmabahçe Palace Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd. No:2, 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Salt Galata Arap Cami, Bankalar Cd. No:11, 34420 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Antik Hotel Istanbul Mimar Kemalettin Mahallesi, Beyazıt, Sekbanbaşı Sk. No:6, 34130 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- The Muradiye Luxury Apartments & Gallery M Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Galata Şarap İskelesi Sk. No:6, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Galeri 77 Hacımimi Mah. Necatibey Cad, Hacımimi, Sakızcılar Sk. No: 1 D:E, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Hush Hostel Lounge Rasimpaşa Mah. Rıhtım Cad, Rasimpaşa, İskele Sk. No:46, 34716 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Anna Laudel Gümüşsuyu, Kazancı Yokuşu Sok. No: 45 D:49a, 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Galata Tower Bereketzade, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Basilica Cistern Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Kariye Mosque Derviş Ali, Kariye Camii Sok. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Çiçek Pasajı Hüseyinağa Mah. İstiklal Cad. Saitpaşa Geçidi No:176, Hüseyinağa, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Cistern of Theodosius Binbirdirek, Piyer Loti Cd. No:2/1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Egyptian Bazaar Rüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Fatih Wednesday Bazaar Zeyrek, Yesarizade Cd., 34083 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Mahmutpaşa Çarşısı Taya Hatun, Tarakçılar Cd. No:65, 34120 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Cuma Pazarı Haseki Sultan, Özbek Süleyman Efendi Sk. 5-1, 34096 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Historical Kumkapi Fishermen's Market Nişanca, Kennedy Cad., 34130 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- سوق مالطا الفاتح Ali Kuşçu, Fatih Cd. No:8, 34083 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Sarayburnu Aile Çay bahçesi Hoca Paşa, Kennedy Cad. No:8, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Vefa Bozacisi Molla Hüsrev, Vefa Cd. No:66, 34134 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Hafiz Mustafa 1864 Hoca Paşa, Muradiye Cd. No:51, 34080 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- İBB Cihangir Sosyal Tesisi Sanatkarlar Caddesi, Kılıçalipaşa Mahallesi, Kamacı Ustası Sk. No: 1, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Nevmekan Sahil Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi, Şemsipaşa Cd. No:2, 34672 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Leticia Üsküdar Mimar Sinan, Uncular Cd. No:12, 34672, 34672 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Galataport İstanbul Kılıçali Paşa, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No: 8 İç Kapı No: 102, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Historia AVM İskenderpaşa, Adnan Menderes Vatan Blv. No:2, 34080 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Tersane İstanbul Camiikebir, Taşkızak Tersanesi Caddesi No: 5, 34440 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Nevçarşı Alışveriş Merkezi Mimar Sinan, Çavuşdere Cd. No:41E, 34672 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Polat Piyalepaşa Çarşı İstiklal, Piyalepaşa Blv., 34440 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Istiklal Mall Hüseyinağa, İstiklal Cd. No:52, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.