You've just moved to the city, your friend group has drifted apart, or you simply want new people in your life. Here are 7 ways that actually work to meet women in Istanbul and turn those first meetings into real friendships.
Istanbul is home to more than fifteen million people, yet feeling lonely here is surprisingly easy. When you start a new job, move from another city, or your close friends drift away one by one as they marry, have children or move abroad, the question "Where do I even find new friends at this age?" sounds very familiar.
The good news: you're not the only one asking. Making friends as an adult doesn't happen as naturally as it did in childhood; it takes a little intention and a little routine. The ideas below are tried-and-tested ways to meet women in Istanbul and turn those first meetings into real friendships.
Going to a concert or an exhibition is fun, but it doesn't make meeting someone new any easier: everyone looks at the stage or the artwork, then goes home. If you want to meet new people, choose events where meeting each other is part of the programme. A brunch at a shared table, a workshop where you make something together or an activity in small groups gets the conversation going on its own.
That's exactly why we started Girl Math Society: at our events for women in Istanbul most guests come alone, and we design every event so that meeting people feels easy.
The biggest obstacle to making new friends is often the thought "I don't know anyone, it'll be awkward if I go alone." In reality, someone who comes alone joins conversations far more easily than someone who arrives with their group, because the people around them feel more comfortable approaching.
A small tip: arrive a few minutes early. Meeting the first few people before the crowd builds up is much easier than joining a big group later.
Ceramics, flower arranging, hat design, candle making, painting... It's easier to chat when your hands are busy; silences don't feel awkward and there's always something to talk about ("How did yours turn out?"). And you go home with something you made yourself. Workshops are a great starting point, especially if constant eye contact and the pressure to keep talking wear you out.
Pilates, yoga, running clubs, padel, swimming... Places where you exercise regularly mean you see the same people every week, and friendships largely grow out of repeated encounters. Grabbing a coffee with someone you've seen at the same studio three weeks in a row feels far more natural than with someone you've just met.
If you can't commit to a regular schedule, one-off sessions work too: events like pilates on a boat or a padel taster day let you try a new sport and meet women who share the same curiosity.
Meeting once is rarely enough; friendships grow stronger through repeated get-togethers. So instead of going somewhere completely different every week, try attending the events of a community you like on a regular basis. By the second or third event you'll start spotting familiar faces, and at some point you'll be texting each other "Are you coming this time too?"
You had a great chat at the event; then what? Most potential friendships get lost right here because nobody makes the first move. Saying "Shall we go to the next event together?" or "I want to try this brunch place at the weekend, want to come?" is much less awkward than you think. The other person is very likely thinking the same thing but feels shy about saying it.
Animal shelters, clean-up days, book clubs, language exchange meet-ups, neighbourhood solidarity groups... Coming together around a shared purpose is one of the most reliable ways to meet people whose values are close to yours. If you've just arrived in the city, groups like these in your neighbourhood will quickly make you feel part of it.
Friendships take time to settle as an adult. You may not find your "best friend" at your first event, and that's completely normal. What matters is regularly being in places with new people and continuing to take small steps.
If you're looking for a good place to start, take a look at our upcoming events. Not sure which one suits you? The Girl Math AI quiz suggests the best event for you with a few questions. Come alone; chances are you'll leave with new friends.