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Date night in Istanbul is Europe’s cheapest despite 76% price jump in 5 years

Locals and tourists spent time around the Karakoy area in Istanbul, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and cultural attractions in Türkiye on January 23, 2025. (AA Photo)
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Locals and tourists spent time around the Karakoy area in Istanbul, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and cultural attractions in Türkiye on January 23, 2025. (AA Photo)
By Newsroom
July 25, 2025 05:18 PM GMT+03:00

Despite rising global costs, Istanbul has emerged as the cheapest city in Europe for a romantic date, according to Deutsche Bank’s 2025 “Mapping the World’s Prices” report.

The study ranked 69 global cities using its “Cheap Date Index,” which calculates the total cost of a typical evening out for two. Istanbul ranked at the bottom of the European cities, ahead of Prague ($219) and Budapest ($226).

What the index includes:

  • A bottle of wine
  • A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant
  • Two cinema tickets
  • Coffee for two
  • A summer dress
  • A pair of jeans
  • Two public transport tickets
  • 3,1 mile taxi ride

The same date in Geneva, the most expensive city on the list, costs nearly $471, more than double the cost in Istanbul. Other high-cost cities include Zurich, Copenhagen, Oslo, London, and New York.

Istanbul’s position on the list is notable, as many Western European cities have seen significant increases in prices due to inflation, high rent, and elevated service costs. For travelers, Istanbul remains a budget-friendly destination for food, transport, and entertainment.

People walking in Istiklal street, one of the iconic place in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Türkiye, July 6, 2023. (Stock Photo)
People walking in Istiklal street, one of the iconic place in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Türkiye, July 6, 2023. (Stock Photo)

Can Turkish people afford going on dates in Istanbul?

Istanbul may be the cheapest city in Europe for a romantic night out, but the cost has increased sharply for those living in Türkiye.

According to Deutsche Bank, the average price of a typical date in Istanbul rose from $109 in 2020 to $192 in 2025, a 76.5 percent increase over 5 years. The same date cost $188 in 2012, showing that prices have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

For residents earning in Turkish Lira, the increase is even more dramatic. The report notes that the cost of a date has surged by 840 percent in local currency terms since 2020, driven by high inflation and the depreciation of the lira. Even though prices appear low in dollars, the impact on local purchasing power has been severe.

The study places Istanbul’s date cost at 54 percent of New York’s, reinforcing its relative affordability for tourists. However, for locals, basic activities like dining out, transportation, and entertainment have become significantly more expensive. What seems like a budget-friendly evening to visitors now requires careful planning for many residents.

Tourists admire the sunset over Istanbuls Golden Horn, with Galata Tower and the citys skyline in view, Türkiye, accessed June 25, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Tourists admire the sunset over Istanbuls Golden Horn, with Galata Tower and the citys skyline in view, Türkiye, accessed June 25, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)

5 affordable fun date ideas in Istanbul, Türkiye

Despite the rising cost of a night out, couples in Istanbul still have access to plenty of affordable and meaningful ways to spend time together.

The city’s public spaces, cultural venues, ferry routes, and vibrant neighborhoods offer alternatives that do not require a fixed menu or a reservation.

Half Moon is seen with Grand Camlica Mosque and Galata Tower during night time in Istanbul, Türkiye, June 20, 2025.  (AA Photo)
Half Moon is seen with Grand Camlica Mosque and Galata Tower during night time in Istanbul, Türkiye, June 20, 2025. (AA Photo)

1. Watch the sunset from Galata Tower or the Ortakoy waterfront

Few experiences in Istanbul offer the same quiet romance as watching the sun set over the Bosphorus.

From the top of Galata Tower, couples can see the full sweep of the city’s skyline, stretching from the Golden Horn to the Marmara Sea. The tower’s viewing platform offers panoramic views that become even more vivid as night falls and lights begin to flicker across the hills.

For those who prefer to stay grounded, the Ortakoy waterfront is just as rewarding. The open square faces the Bosphorus Bridge, which is lit up in the evening, and the cobbled streets nearby are lined with vendors selling kumpir, stuffed baked potatoes piled high with toppings.

It’s a simple but satisfying stop in a district known for its charm.

View from the sea to the island Kinaliada of the Princes' Islands in summer, Istanbul, Türkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)
View from the sea to the island Kinaliada of the Princes' Islands in summer, Istanbul, Türkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)

2. Take a ferry to the Prince's Islands for a quiet day together

Istanbul’s public ferries provide affordable round-trip tickets to the Prince’s Islands, a cluster of quiet, car-free getaways in the Sea of Marmara.

On Buyukada or Heybeliada, couples can rent bikes, explore old wooden houses, and enjoy long walks along the shore without the sound of traffic.

These islands are popular for day trips, especially in spring and autumn, but even in winter their slower pace and peaceful streets offer a welcome contrast to the mainland.

Sharing tea by the water or watching seabirds circle the docks can turn a short escape into something memorable, without the need for reservations or expensive outings.

“Between Worlds” exhibition of works by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota at Istanbul Modern, Istanbul, Türkiye, September 5, 2024. (AA Photo)
“Between Worlds” exhibition of works by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota at Istanbul Modern, Istanbul, Türkiye, September 5, 2024. (AA Photo)

3. Visit small museums and cultural spaces for quiet reflection

Istanbul is full of modest museums and intimate cultural venues that are easy to reach and inexpensive to enter.

The Istanbul Modern Art Museum, located near the Karakoy pier, offers free admission for Turkish residents on Thursdays and houses both Turkish and international works.

Couples can also visit the Masumiyet Muzesi (Museum of Innocence), based on Orhan Pamuk’s novel, where personal objects and stories are arranged in a house-turned-museum. It is a reflective and unusual place to spend an hour or two.

In Beyoglu, the Cinema and Television Museum preserves the legacy of Türkiye’s film history with vintage gear, wax figures, and nostalgic photos, all for a symbolic entrance fee.

Photo shows a glass of tea set against green backdrop of fresh tea sprouts and lush tea fields in Rize, Türkiye, accessed on July 8, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Photo shows a glass of tea set against green backdrop of fresh tea sprouts and lush tea fields in Rize, Türkiye, accessed on July 8, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)

4. Have tea or a picnic in Moda or Gulhane Park

Public parks in Istanbul remain some of the city’s most romantic and affordable spaces.

Gulhane Park, located behind Topkapi Palace, offers wide walking paths, benches beneath old trees, and views of the Bosphorus. It is a place where people come to read, drink tea, or simply share time without pressure or cost.

On the Asian side, Moda’s waterfront park draws a younger crowd. Couples sit along the seawall, bring picnic blankets, or share snacks from nearby bakeries. The sounds of street musicians and the sight of ferries crossing the sea make it an easy place to relax without a set schedule.

World-renowned instrumentalist Ibrahim Maalouf (left) and singer and actress Hiba Tawaji (right) performed a concert accompanied by a symphony orchestra at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre, Istanbul, Türkiye, June 24, 2025. (AA Photo)
World-renowned instrumentalist Ibrahim Maalouf (left) and singer and actress Hiba Tawaji (right) performed a concert accompanied by a symphony orchestra at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre, Istanbul, Türkiye, June 24, 2025. (AA Photo)

5. Find live music, poetry, or dance nights on a budget

Cultural nights in Istanbul do not have to be formal or expensive.

Small bars and venues in Kadikoy regularly host live music for free or with low cover charges. Some centers organize Milonga nights, where guests can learn or watch tango dancing for an affordable price.

The Hodjapasha Cultural Center, set inside a former Ottoman hamam, holds Whirling Dervish ceremonies and traditional music shows throughout the year. While tickets are not free, they remain far more affordable than similar events in major European capitals. For couples looking to do something different, these evenings offer a shared experience that is emotional and rooted in local tradition.

July 25, 2025 05:18 PM GMT+03:00
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