Istanbul During Winter Time

Editor Istanbul

Nov 02 551 read

Istanbul During Winter Time

Istanbul's winter season runs from mid-December to mid-March, with temperatures hardly rising beyond 10 degrees Celsius. The sky is frequently dreary even when the weather is bright. This does not imply that life comes to a standstill; rather, it is reorganized in a new form. The core neighborhoods, such as Nişantaş and Beyoglu, grow increasingly populated, while the coastlines of the Bosphorus become calmer. It's a great time to visit Istanbul since there are hardly no tourists, enabling you to explore the city's landmarks and museums in solitude. Visiting Istanbul in the winter takes on a different character, one that is both genuine and mysterious. It usually snows for about a fortnight in the winter, which is ideal for photographers!

What to Wear in Winter in Istanbul?

Be prepared for chilly and wet conditions, as previously said. Women should dress in cold sweaters and slacks, a knit dress with leggings, and a good winter coat. Smartwool base jackets are one of my favorite winter accessories, and they're the ideal way to remain warm in Istanbul. Men should wear pants and sweaters as well. Wear a cap, scarf, gloves, boots, and thick socks to keep warm. Don't worry if you forget anything; Istanbul offers wonderful shopping (especially cheap shopping), and you'll be able to purchase all you need while you're there. Don't forget to wear tights when exploring in Istanbul!

Travel Around Historical Sites

A vacation to Istanbul isn't complete without a ride down Istiklal Street on a classic tram. The tram service started in the nineteenth century and was eventually phased out when buses replaced it. It was reopened in 1990 as a means of transit between Taksim and Tünel Squares. These old trams are sluggish and short, but they're a great way to see Istanbul's snow-covered streets in the winter. It only stops at a few locations along the road, the most important of which being Galatasaray Square, where it connects with the other tram. Some historical sites you can visit close are Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce and more!

Go Snow Skiing

If you visit Istanbul in the winter, plan to go skiing. Although Uludag National Park is just a two-hour boat trip from Istanbul, it may take you to another nation. You'll find yourself in a winter paradise if you ride the world's longest cable car far into the sky.

If you don't want to go sledding or tubing, the park also has camping, sledding, and other activities. I spent two days and one night skiing in Bursa and produced a guide to help you experience the same — don't visit Turkey in the winter without including it on your schedule!

Taste Istanbul Cuisine

The fishing season resumes around the end of September, and this is when the best variety and quality of fish may be found. The Best Fish and Mezze Places is a list of the restaurants we suggest.

We recommend the lüfer, a Bosphorus fish, and the kalkan, which, despite its unpleasant appearance, is quite delicious. Try complementing your dinner with some rak if you want to remain warm in the cold. The national alcoholic beverage is rak, an aniseed alcohol comparable to pastis. For the record, the father of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, admired it. He frequently hosted "rak sofras," meals with his advisers and family where they debated whether to drink raki or not. Ordering some at a seafood restaurant is quite popular. This is referred to as "raki balik." Travel to Istanbul to sample some of the greatest grilled fish in the world!

New Year in Istanbul

Despite the fact that Istanbul's Christmas isn't very merry, it's not unusual to see stores decked up in decorations. The city, though, is most enthusiastic to celebrate the New Year. Around the end of December, the region will be bustling with Christmas preparations. The Bosporus strait is the ideal place to witness the spectacular fireworks display that lights up the city at night on New Year's Eve. You may also join a sunset cruise and enjoy excellent meals while watching the fireworks from the ships. Spend the evening with your special someone to make it a romantic evening!

The number of tour options is one of the benefits of visiting Istanbul in December.