Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia and has four distinct seasons. April, May, September, and October are the best months. Spring brings tulip festivals in Emirgan Park (April), mild temperatures around 14C to 22C, and vibrant outdoor cafe life in Karakoy and Beyoglu. Autumn is warm, 18C to 25C in September, with the summer heat fading and the Bosphorus at its most beautiful under golden light. July and August are hot, 28C to 34C, and crowded. The Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace lines are at their longest. Morning visits by 8am to 9am are the only way to avoid peak summer queues at major sites. December and January bring cool, damp weather, around 5C to 10C. The city is much quieter. The Bosphorus can be misty in winter, creating dramatic photographs. Ramadan falls in different months each year and changes the city's entire rhythm: evening iftars along the Golden Horn are a unique experience.