A Blustery Day in Istanbul

Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Pete Heck

This wasn’t our first documented run-in with inhospitable weather, and it was nearly as painful. A brisk wind cut right through us, and thus Istanbul photos were few.

With plenty of time left while we housesit in Turkey, we know we’ll be back for more…

The Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia

The Pink Umbrella

Front of Hagia Sophia

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53 Comments... Read them below or add one of your own
  • March 23 2012

    Great Shots! (But they all make me want to go put on a sweater….)

    • March 24 2012

      Thank you! Yes, it was SO cold.

  • March 23 2012

    Amazing images. I was there in Dec/Jan 2009/2010. Sub zero weather and everything was packed. Would love to go back.

    • March 24 2012

      I’ll be back there in a few weeks, can’t wait to wander in warmer temps!

  • Ter
    March 23 2012

    I acutally like the chilly looking sky in the photos – it makes the buildings pop.

    • Teri
      March 23 2012

      Oops. *actually*

      • March 24 2012

        I like the photos too, it was just a bit painful to get them! 🙂

  • flipnomad
    March 23 2012

    gorgeous photo! makes me wanna go there (but not in that weather though) 😉

    • March 24 2012

      Thanks! Yes, better weather would be welcomed for us next time too.

  • Love the pink umbrella!

    • March 24 2012

      Me too. Totally makes that shot.

  • Audrey
    March 23 2012

    Great photos, it’s so beautiful even in the bad weather. We were there 15 years ago!

    • March 24 2012

      15 years! I wonder how much it has changed since then??

  • Ursula
    March 24 2012

    Loved the shots – and certainly enjoyed the area when i visited

    • March 24 2012

      Thanks Ursula! We can’t wait to get back and take more (in nicer weather hopefully)

  • March 24 2012

    Gorgeous shots! Isn’t overcast weather a photographer’s dream? We were there a few years ago in October, so it was definitely warmer. Great to see those impressive sights again, and how wonderful for you to be house-sitting there… Enjoy 🙂
    Sarah Somewhere recently posted..A Midnight Exit in Vientiane

    • March 25 2012

      I like big fluffy white clouds to take pictures with! Ah well, maybe next time it will be warmer for us and we can see more of the city! 🙂

  • March 24 2012

    I was there a week ago (9th-15th), looks exactly like weather I experienced.. Managed to enjoy anyway. 🙂

    • March 25 2012

      Yes, Istanbul doesn’t seem to be warming up much. I’m excited to get back there soon so we can walk around without wincing! 🙂

  • Dyanne
    March 24 2012

    So beautiful. I’m that one person who loves gray winter days!

    • March 25 2012

      I do love them. As long as it’s not cold it hurts!

  • jan
    March 25 2012

    You guys are great photographers. Love the two ladies sharing an umbrella, and that architecture is amazing.

    • March 25 2012

      Thanks Jan! We love that photo too.

  • March 25 2012

    Beautiful pics. Never been there. The Blue Mosque looks so lovely.
    Thanks for sharing, looks blustery indeed.
    Arti recently posted..The Braj Bhoomi Yatra… Begins!

  • March 25 2012

    Well, these are still great shots, despite the bad weather! You’re making me really excited for the handful of days I’ll be spending in Istanbul this summer!

    • March 25 2012

      Glad that Istanbul is making the *cut*! Have you posted your itinerary yet? We’ll still be kicking around Europe for most of the summer now…

      • March 25 2012

        Nope, haven’t posted an itinerary yet as it’s still in the works. But I’ll be bouncing around Eastern Europe and the Balkans from June 24 until late July, and then I’ll be heading up to the UK until August 14.
        Amanda recently posted..Photo of the Day: The Colosseum (HDR)

        • March 26 2012

          Hmmm hmmm hmmm. Let’s keep in touch. We may just cross paths… 🙂

  • March 25 2012

    Wow! Beautiful pictures.. looks like an amazing place! I like the ‘bad’ weather.. gives character to the pics
    Derek recently posted..Earn Free Airline Miles From Current Deals

    • March 25 2012

      Bad weather usually makes for interesting photos, but unfortunately also frozen fingers!

  • March 25 2012

    Now I see where Mos Eisley was modelled on 😉
    Laurence recently posted..Travel blogging tips from the experts: Hecktic Travels

  • March 25 2012

    Your photos make Istanbul so beautiful, even on a gloomy blustry day. Great shots, guys!

  • Laura
    March 25 2012

    Thank you for taking time for a shot for us on such a old day.

  • Abby
    March 25 2012

    Love the colors, and I’ve never seen the Blue Mosque look so beautiful. I happen to have gone there in summer, so it was interesting to see it in the dead of winter.

    • March 26 2012

      Thanks Abby! I’m excited to get back there soon, and see it in warmer conditions. 🙂

  • March 26 2012

    Such the opposite of when I was there and it was SWELTERING. I think I’d prefer your way!

  • Ali
    March 26 2012

    I’m really not a fan of traveling in cold weather. I don’t blame you for not getting too many photos, I’d want to get inside quickly too!

  • March 26 2012

    Your shot of the Blue Mosque is perfect! It looks darker and more interesting with the weather like that. Even with the bad weather you still made Turkey look beautiful.
    Alexa Meisler recently posted..A Perfect Day Up North Down Under – Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia!

    • March 27 2012

      Thanks Alexa – bad weather always adds an interesting perspective in pictures…if we can stand it long enough to take some!

  • Karyn18
    March 26 2012

    Istanbul is a great place to visit. I love the structures and other spots which are very interesting.
    Thanks for sharing those photos. It’s beautiful!

  • That second picture is amazing. Love your shots!

  • March 27 2012

    The pics are still great even though the weather wasn’t so awesome. I love the one with the pink umbrella 🙂

    • March 27 2012

      Me too. That was a “right place, right time” kinda photo!

  • Charlie
    March 26 2012

    I was in Turkey in October and loved it. Make sure you go to Goreme in Anatolya. Amazing scenery there.
    While you are in Istanbul, go hang out at Itsiklal Cadessi, the main street near Taksim, so much to do and see at night there.

    • March 27 2012

      Not sure if we will make it to Anatolya, but I will definitely take your advice on Istanbul, as we are excited to spend more time there!

  • Joe Wong
    March 27 2012

    That shot of the Blue Mosque is amazing. I admit Turkey ain’t one of my top 10 places i would like to visit some day but these pics surely entice me somewhat.

    Great stuff as usual, keep enjoying the journey guys…
    Joe Wong recently posted..What to do in Bangkok Thailand

    • March 27 2012

      Stick around Joe, and we’ll make it our personal mission to get Turkey into your top 10. 🙂

  • March 27 2012

    Wow! Great shots for sure… rainy days sometimes make for the best pictures!
    Hogga recently posted..My Sleepy Fishing Trip

  • Margyle
    March 27 2012

    That first picture of the Blue Mosque just blows me away… definitely on my list of things to see. What’s travel in Turkey like?

    • March 28 2012

      Travel in Turkey is really easy. The transportation is comfortable and fairly cheap, there are plenty of great hotels and the food is incredible. This is moving up the ranks as one of our favorite countries!

  • April 29 2012

    My god! You have no idea how bad I want to come to Turkey.

    Sooo beautiful.

  • December 9 2016

    Istanbul was highest on my list of places I wanted to see…and when we finally ventured there in 2015 it was a dream come true. We always traveled with the children and it was wonderful to see it through the eyes of the kids, too.

    We visited during Ramadan which gave us a wonderful peek into the family life of the locals. LOVED Istanbul.
    Natalie recently posted..5 tips for Christmas holiday travel – with KIDS

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