Here you will now see a sea of tulips. It’s not about the Netherlands at all
A city in Turkey, a beloved tourist country, turns into a colorful land. Tourists will be delighted with the views.
Festivals, concerts and other cultural and social events attract tourists to cities around the world. The season for them is mainly in July and August, but there is a lot going on even in spring. Now there is a great opportunity to go to Turkey. An annual hit and colorful views await us.
Famous festival in Turkey
In April, a big event takes place in Istanbul. This is the largest and most populous city in Turkey and at the same time an important cultural and commercial center organizes a tulip festival. If you thought that these flowers could only reign in the Netherlands, you were wrong. They also have special importance in Turkey.
The 2026 Istanbul Tulip Festival (İstanbul Lale Festivali) does not have a specific date, as flowering depends on the weather. However, according to the dates of trips organized to the place, it is worth being there on April 10.
Carpets of beautiful colorful flowers can be admired in several places, and this is the heart of the event Emirgan Park with the largest compositions and pavilions from the Ottoman era. You will also see a sea of tulips in Sultanahmet Square next to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, in Gülhane Park and Göztepe Park (Asian Side). Entry to each place is free, the only expenses are flights, accommodation and food.
Tulips in Istanbul. Tourists don’t know this
Many tourists associate Turkey mainly with holiday resorts and delicious cuisine. When we think about tulips, we think of the Netherlands. It turns out that this country, much further away from Poland, also loves spring flowers.
Tulips are among the most important symbols in the local culture. They began to be cultivated in the 16th century and quickly became popular garden plants. The importance of these flowers grew, among others. during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent and then many varieties began to be created. The tulip symbol itself was used, among others, in poems, on tombstones, coins or in stories. Meanings also began to be assigned to their specific colors.
When flying to the festival in Turkey, remember that you can travel to Istanbul directly, among others: from Gdańsk or Warsaw. There are 43 species of tulips on site, including 20 endemic – occurring naturally only in this specific area.
