Istanbul Insider

Don’t Miss the International Istanbul Tulip Festival

In April the annual International Istanbul Tulip Festival (Istanbul Lale Festivali) takes place. This shouldn’t be a surprise if you know that — unlike common belief — tulips originated more or less in Turkey. So, if you happen to be in Istanbul during this time of the year, you’re in luck. Millions of tulips are planted in Istanbul’s parks, avenues, traffic roundabouts … basically anywhere where some open ground is available. But what is the best place to admire the Istanbul tulips?

Picture of tulips in Emirgan Park during the International Istanbul Tulip Festival, Turkey.
Tulips in Emirgan Park during Istanbul Tulip Festival. © Photo by Fuguetastic

Tulips Originated in Turkey, Not Holland

Tulips originally grew wild on the Asian steppes. Although tulips are associated with Holland, commercial cultivation of the tulip or lale (from the Persian word lâhle) began in the Ottoman Empire. For an elaborated tulip history, you can consult Wikipedia’s page on tulips.

But the most widely accepted story is that of Oghier Ghislain de Busbecq, Ambassador of Ferdinand I to Suleyman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire in 1554. He made a remark in a letter that he saw “an abundance of flowers everywhere: narcissus, hyacinths and those in Turkish called Lale.” It’s no coincidence that this period — the wealthiest of the Ottoman era — is called the Tulip era (Lale Devri).

So how come we associate the tulips these days with Holland? In the 16th century they were brought to Holland from the Ottoman Empire, and quickly became widely popular. Charles de L’Ecluse, author of the first major work on tulips (1592) is largely responsible for the spread of tulip bulbs in the final years of the sixteenth century. He occupied a chair in the medical faculty of the University of Leiden (Holland), and planted both a teaching garden and his own private one, from which between 1596 and 1598 hundreds of bulbs got stolen.

Admire Istanbul Tulips in Emirgan Park

Picture of red tulips in Istanbul's Emirgan Park.
© Nezih Durmazlar

During the month of April, you can spot these glorious spring flowers everywhere in Istanbul. But for a real tulip treat and the International Istanbul Tulip Festival, you have to head to Emirgan Park. It is one of the largest public parks in Istanbul and has several tulip gardens. Emirgan Park is located by the Bosphorus in Sariyer, which is a little bit past the second Bosphorus Bridge. The park is open daily from 07:00 until 22:30. You can reach Emirgan Park by bus 25E from Kabataş.

Further Recommended Reading

  1. Istanbul Festivals and Events
  2. Bebek, Istanbul’s Trendy Village along the Bosphorus
  3. Use Public Transportation in Istanbul to Reach Most Places of Interest

Filed Under: Festivals & Celebrations, Seasonal Tips, See & Do, Travel Tips Tagged With: , , , , ,


Comments

  1. Next year – 2021, fasting month (Ramadhan) will starts on 13 April 2021.
    Will the Tulip Festival at Emirgan Park Istanbul still will starts on 1 April to end April ?

    I intent to go to Turkey on 31 March to 9 April 2021. Really hope to have the chance to see tulips over there.

    Please advise me. Thank you.

    • Hi Noor,

      The time for tulips to blossom is April, ramazan or not. It’s of course still another year to go, but I haven’t heard anything official to postpone the festival. I think it’s a safe bet that the festival will take place at the exact same period.

      Hope this helps and stay safe.

  2. I want to go to Istanbul to see tulips at Ermigan Park this year. Unfortunately because of this Covid 19, i have to postpone the flight ticket to 22 mac until 31 mac 2021. Is there any tulips in the park at that period ?

    • Hi Noor,

      It’s hard to predict, nature has its own ways. But based on the past, there is a big chance that they will still be there. Cross fingers.

  3. Hi, Is the island hopping on the full day Bosphorus cruise give u a feel of the princess islands? I know both are very different, but i can do either or of the two. So any suggestions?

  4. I am planning to visit Emirgan park to see tulips on 1st may the day m reaching to istanbul – just for tulips.

    I read reviews of last year and seems even in last week of April it stats dying – What about this year – I know its too early to check that what will be the status by 1st May.
    Any suggestions ?

    • Hi Nasreen,

      Can you have a look at the reply to Gaurish, who had a similar question?

      Thanks.

  5. Hello, me and my wife, we are planning on visiting Istanbul, on 3rd till 7th of may 2019.
    So we were wondering, will it be possible for us to see the tulip festival by then, will it still be going or are we going to miss it?

    • Hi Gaurish,

      The festival itself runs until the end of April. Normally they collect the tulips to plant them again next year in a new design. Of course, they can’t collect thousands of tulips in one day, and they won’t start until they stopped blooming.

      So, it’s hard to tell, but chances are you can still see (some of) it a few days after the festival has ended.

      I hope this helps.

  6. Is the Tulip festival called off this year or it’s happening ? I read tourism department is removing tulip from their logo. Any updates?

    • Hi Amit,

      I haven’t heard or read anything like that. As far as I know the tulip festival will take place from April 1 until 30.

      Enjoy.

  7. Hi.

    I am planning a trip to Istanbul between April 16-20 2019. I would like to go to to the Emirgen Tulip Garden (from Taksim area) via Ferry. I plan to buy the Istanbulkart as suggested by you. We would be 3 adults & 2 children.

    I am also not engaging any agency, planning my trip entirely on my own.

    Day 1 – First half – Hagia Sofia and nearby sightseeking – Second half – stroll around Galata Tower & dinner
    Day 2 – First half – Emirgen Tulip Garden including lunch. Second half – going to Hodjapasha and watch both the whirling dance and the rhythm dance (7-9:30 pm) – it is the 18th.
    Day 3 – First half – bfast by Bosphorus, Hamam, Sunset cruise and dinner, followed late night stroll at Taksim.

    Please confirm if that sounds O.K.

    p.s. your website is the most informative and very helpful in planning a trip efficiently.

    • Your plan sounds ok, yet you can add a few more places to your list, e.g. day 2 second half after lunch looks too free as you do not need to be at Hodjapasha earlier than 18.15. For a three-day visit you can add some of the following suggestions:
      You can see only some of the Basilica Cistern because of the ongoing restoration works, instead you can visit either recently opened 1600 years old Şerefiye Sarnıcı (Theodosius Cistern) or Binbirdirek Sarnıcı (Cistern of Philoxenos), which are both in Sultanahmet.
      Topkapı Palace – Treasury rooms are under-restoration, for up to date information please check the website.
      Dolmabahçe Palace – A sumptuous palace and an impressive cultural inheritance.
      Have a nice trip.
      p.s. I’m glad to have been helpful.

      • Thank you once again. Had a great trip. Made it to the Basilica Cistern and as you rightly said, it was under renovation .As a matter of fact, most parts of the Sultanahmet Mosque were also under renovation and so was the Archeological museum (we could not see the Horse nor Akbar’s tombstone). Emirgen was great, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Grand Bazaar, walk along Besiktas, Taksim square, Jelly spotting were all good.
        Best, Meera