Winter in Istanbul (The Best Activities 2024)
Winter in Istanbul is incredible and Istanbul is attractive at any time of the year. Traveling to Istanbul in winter has its advantages because there are no queues to see. You can safely look at every corner of this beautiful city. Walking in the winter city will become even more unusual if it snows during your trip. Snow-covered mosques and palm trees give Istanbul a unique look. Here are the winter trips you will make in Istanbul; keep reading!
Why Should You Visit Istanbul in Winter?
- The mild climate and lack of heat are great for winter in Istanbul. This weather creates all the conditions for comfortable walks and excursions on the city’s colorful streets.
- It’s time for the long-awaited seasonal discounts, where you can buy branded Turkish clothing at competitive prices.
- Thanks to the discounted ticket prices, winter is lovely in Istanbul. For independent tourists, there is an opportunity to book good hotels in the city center at competitive prices.
- You can try winter drinks such as salep and boza that will warm you up.
New Year’s Eve in Istanbul
We invite you to welcome the New Year on a yacht with a beautiful view of Istanbul. You experience the sights of the city, the festive fireworks, and a real New Year’s show. In addition, a walk along the Bosphorus, where you can see the dervish dance and, of course, the belly dance, awaits you.
The organizers offer a special festive menu so that the holiday feeling doesn’t leave you during the trip. A New Year’s cruise on the Bosphorus is an unrealistically exciting journey and a great option to celebrate the New Year unusually and beautifully.
Winter in Istanbul: Unique Landscapes
Check out the places you can choose for winter landscapes in Istanbul:
- Topkapi Palace: The residence of the Turkish sultans overlooking the Bosphorus. Currently, the palace is one of the largest museums in the world.
- Blue Mosque: The mosque has four minarets on the sides and two minarets on the outer corners. One of the symbols of the city. It locates in the center of the old town opposite Hagia Sophia. It got its name from the white and blue handmade tiles from Iznik factories.
- Galata Tower: It is located on a hill in the Galata region. It can be seen from every point of the central part of Istanbul. Galata Tower‘s observation deck offers incredible views of the city and its surroundings, which you can see not only from the platform itself but also from sitting at a table in a cozy cafe.
- Hagia Sophia: Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Justinian. The emperor dreamed of proving his power to the whole world and ordered 130 tons of gold to finish the cathedral, and the emperor spent the country’s 3-year budget on this. In 2020, with the decree of the President of Turkey, the temple became a mosque again.
- Basilica Cistern: It is one of the underground reservoirs of the old Constantinople. In case of drought or siege of the city, it kept a reserve of drinking water distributed through water pipes and aqueducts. It locates next to Hagia Sophia.
How is the Weather in Istanbul in Winter?
The weather in Istanbul is very changeable in winter. But primarily, favorable temperatures prevail. We recommend that you check the current weather conditions during your trip.
What can be Brought from Istanbul?
You can buy tea, coffee, oriental sweets, spices, and souvenirs from Istanbul.
Which Meals Should You Try in Istanbul?
It would be best if you tried the fish bread sandwich. You should also taste mussels and Turkish bagels with rice sprinkled with lemon juice.
