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?
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
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.
Mr. hahahahaha says
Great page. Really helpful. THANK YOU
MEERA CHATURE SANKHARI says
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.
Erlend says
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.
MEERA CHATURE SANKHARI says
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
Erlend says
Hi Meera,
Glad to hear you had a nice trip. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Take good care.
Amit Mohanty says
Is the Tulip festival called off this year or it’s happening ? I read tourism department is removing tulip from their logo. Any updates?
Erlend says
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.
GAURISH NAYAK says
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?
Erlend says
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.
Nasreen Motiwala says
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 ?
Erlend says
Hi Nasreen,
Can you have a look at the reply to Gaurish, who had a similar question?
Thanks.
Wish says
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?
Erlend says
Hi,
They are two very different things I’m afraid. The full Bosphorus tour you spend mainly on the water with a 2-hour stay at the furthest point. Visiting (one of) the Princes’ Islands for me is more a walk or bicycle tour in nature after a ferry trip and breakfast.
Hope this helps.