Gülhane Park, recently renovated with the zoo and other structures removed, sits on Sarayburnu peninsula at the base of Topkapı Palace of which it was formerly a part. In April, millions of tulips bloom in colorful displays to celebrate Turkey’s national flower, but all year round the promenade, green lawns, and tea gardens overlooking the Bosphorus are a great place to unwind and watch the world go by.
Turkey, Istanbul, Gulhane Park, Blooming tulips
Martin Siepmann/© Martin Siepmann
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Gülhane Park and Tea Gardens
Gülhane Park, recently renovated with the zoo and other structures removed, sits on Sarayburnu peninsula at the base of Topkapı Palace of which it was formerly a part. In April, millions of tulips bloom in colorful displays to celebrate Turkey’s national flower, but all year round the promenade, green lawns, and tea gardens overlooking the Bosphorus are a great place to unwind and watch the world go by.
Gulhane Park in Tulip Season
When the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality host the International Istanbul Tulip Festival every April most locals travel north - past the second Bosphorus Bridge - to Emirgan Park to see 117 acres of parkland blooming with millions of tulips. Gradually over the years though, Gulhane Park on the old Istanbul peninsula, has matched Emirgan for its colorful artistic displays of Turkey’s national flower. This is great news for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who stay in old Istanbul every April. There’s now no need for a day trip to Emirgan if you’re short of vacation time. Simply visit Gulhane Park as part of your excursion to Topkapi Palace and the Archaeology Museum. Gulhane Park is just a 10-minute walk downhill from the Hagia Sophia; the closest tram stop is Gulhane. The flowers bloom for the entire month of April but their peak beauty occurs around mid April.
