Winter is gripping Turkey with frigid temperatures and many are stuck at home. However, bad weather can also mean a good day at the city's best museums, shopping malls and other indoor spaces.
1- Have dinner at a museum restaurant
Situated in a "lengerhane," a stone building where anchors were produced for the Ottoman navy, Café du Levant in Rahmi Koç Museum is adorned with French antiques and old bistro posters along with antique bags and hat collections brought from Paris. The secluded spot's menu stands out with its classic French cuisine.
2- Head to Istanbul's most luxurious bookstore
The Istanbul branch of the French publishing house Assouline in Bebek is presumably the city's ultimate place where luxury and books create a stylish scene. The store has a rich collection of visual and vintage publications along with extensive gifts and accessories, including stationary, bookends, book stands, art objects, scented library candles and leather book totes.
3- Pamper yourself
To indulge yourself on a cold day, book a spa session at any of Istanbul's five-star hotels. For those living in the European side, Raffles Spa at Zorlu Mall would be a smart choice. Extending along 3,000 square meters (32,292 square feet), the spa and wellness center features relaxation areas with saunas, steam rooms and special showers as well as Turkish baths.
4- Taste a Beyoğlu favorite
Established in 1944 on İstiklal Avenue and founded by an Albanian Greek, İnci Patisserie has been a long-time favorite of Istanbul locals. The patisserie used to be located in the Cercle d'Orient building, but was later moved to Mis Street. The city's best profiterole can be found here.
5- Visit Madame Tussauds
If you have children, the recently opened Madame Tussauds wax museum on İstiklal Avenue can be an entertaining weekend activity. The museum boasts 60 local and international wax figures on exhibition, including Sufi poet Rumi, Lionel Messi, Madonna, Ottoman court architect Mimar Sinan as well as popular actors like Beren Saat and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ.
6- Join a cupcake workshop
Turkey's leading professional culinary school Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi (MSA) regularly holds cooking workshops and on Jan. 12, the school will be hosting a cupcake workshop. During the one-day class, trainees will make a variety of cupcakes featuring unique flavors like almond and quince jam or bitter chocolate and orange.
7- Spend time with children
Located in Sarıyer's Emirgan district, Lots of Lovely Art (LOLA) is a children's venue featuring an art and design shop, bookstore, a small creative-arts studio and a free library with more than 3,000 books. The English-speaking team teaches different art mediums and styles to children. Feel free to check out the center's extensive library. Children can get a library card and use the space featuring English books for ages 1 to 12.
8- Istanbul Aquarium
Another indoor activity choice for families is visiting the Istanbul Aquarium. The aquarium is revered among worldwide aquariums for its volume, variety of fish species and the activities about travel routes. Visitors follow a path that offers 16 themes and one rainforest, starting from the Black Sea and progressing to the Pacific.
9- Visit the Grand Bazaar
Located in the city's touristy historical peninsula, the Grand Bazaar, the oldest place to shop for traditional Turkish souvenirs, must be on your must-visit list. If you are thinking of taking some gifts home from your Istanbul visit, the bazaar has it all for you, ranging from kilims to quality leather and jewelry to Turkish textiles. While there, be sure to treat yourself to a cup of Turkish coffee at Şark Kahvesi.
