Istanbul is hot and humid in the summer and seldom freezes in the winter. If you're going to Istanbul in July and August and can't stand the heat, be sure to reserve a hotel with air conditioning.
Spring brings flowers: Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and pansies sprout in gardens; in April the Tulip festival takes place in Emirgan Park.
Autumn is considered the best time to be in Istanbul as the heat wanes--a good time for bird watchers to see migratory birds and arts lovers to crowd the many arts, book and jazz festivals Istanbul offers in Autumn.
