For just one month a year, Turkey's famous capital, Istanbul, transforms into an incredible flower garden, where tulips stand out among all other flowers. Many foreign ambassadors and celebrities visit during this time. to TurkeyJust to admire this delightful spectacle, strolling through colorful parks and squares that transform into truly stunning scenes. But when is the best time to visit Istanbul to avoid missing the tulip festival? Why tulips, and is a tour worth it? You'll learn all these details and features in this article.
Description of the Istanbul festival and excursions
The festival comes every year and lasts throughout April (usually from March 29th to April 27th). It's just an amazing time of year when in Turkey It's not too hot yet, and you can fully enjoy the created floral landscapes while strolling through the parks in the middle of the day.
You can, of course, take a tour, which is very popular in April to the capital Istanbul, but this has its advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of a festival tour in Istanbul:
- You won't have to worry about how and where to move around the city.
- You will be picked up and dropped off back at your hotel using comfortable transportation.
- They will tell you about the history of the creation of many parks, such as Emigran Park, Gulhane and many other places in Istanbul.
- The price includes a complimentary lunch at a restaurant serving traditional Turkish cuisine, where you can stop and rest.
- The price will include insurance to cover unforeseen situations.
Disadvantages of the Istanbul Festival Tour
The main drawback of visiting this festival is the limited time for the tour (it takes about four hours, including lunch). Another major drawback is the price of the tour itself, which will cost you approximately $4 per person. Admittedly, that's quite expensive when you can get there on your own for about $75 roundtrip. And on top of that, children aren't very fond of Turkish food due to the heavy spice and salt content.
How to get there on your own?
If you decide to travel independently, you can always choose your favorite parks and flower-decorated squares not included in the itinerary. You can also choose your own restaurant, as Turkish cuisine may not be exactly to your taste. You can get to Istanbul by minibus from almost every Turkish resort town or by renting a car.
Why are Istanbul's parks decorated with tulips?
Many may not know, but this flower is considered a symbol of Turkish culture. Many wealthy sultans adored tulips, often gifting them to their wives and concubines. Turks often take offense when Europeans suggest that Amsterdam is the capital of these beautiful flowers. After all, the very name "tulip" in Turkish means "toliban"—the name of the fabric used for traditional Turkish clothing. The first shoots of these amazing flowers were brought to Turkey over 500 years ago, captivating the ladies of the court and nobles with their beauty. A little later, they formed the foundation of Turkish culture, becoming a symbol of beauty and perfection. Today, tulips are planted and shaped into entire paintings and works by the finest Turkish florists and gardeners. The entire month is considered a celebration of nature's lushness and fertility. The most beautiful paintings can be seen in Emirgan, Yildiz, Gepet, and Gulhane parks. And also in the main square of Sultanahmet, where tulips literally lay out a multi-colored carpet.
