Note: donât rule out Airbnb in Istanbul! Strolling along this street is one of the best things to do in Istanbul in winter as it is in full vogue to celebrate the onset of Christmas and is beautifully decorated during this time of the year. The scenic beauty of this mosque will definitely tempt you to indulge in some photography sessions.Â, When you are in Istanbul, you have to take a ride on the heritage Taksim Tram. Istanbul ⦠Note: you may want to arrange an airport transfer to your hotel ahead of time! Itâs cold, thereâs a lot more rain around, and there is a chance of snow. Explore the ⦠It is located in the palace of Ibrahim Pasha, a friend to the erstwhile Sultan. Our guide was very informative, approachable, helpful, and nice to be with who made our time very enjoyable shared with us in detail about each place we visited, most memorable is the lookout on Instanbul, Athens, and Cappadocia which made it really great... We had such interesting trips and all requirements were been taken care of and we had a stress-free trip throughout... 10/10 would definitely recommend this to all families or friends that are interested in traveling abroad. Thanks for reading and commenting ð. Having experienced both an Istanbul winter and an Istanbul summer, I can say that thereâs no right answer to this question. I went to Istanbul last September and it reminded me of Amsterdam and Dubai combined into one city! If museums arenât really your thing but you want something fun to do indoors, the Istanbul Aquarium is more than a little impressive. December is one of the coldest months in Istanbul. I feel like it is a bit of an overlooked destination to be honest, but youâre totally right â itâs the perfect âEast meets West.â Thatâs what makes it so fascinating â to see seemingly opposing cultures and viewpoints mesh together so well. Here is the list of activities to do especially in winter: For those of you who have visited mosques over the course of your lifetime, youâll note that most are actually quite sparsely decorated on the inside. This data will only be used by our team to contact you and no other purposes. I know you donât want to spend a ton of time outside in Istanbul during winter but trust me, the street food and drink is worth being a little cold for. Either way, check the forecast before you go and pack layers! Check out Hotel Ibrahim Pasha, my hotel pick for Sultanahmet. Hagia Sophia is a massive dome, which is the largest of its size, and its architectural marvel is absolutely mesmerizing. It was initially constructed as a Greek Orthodox church, but later it was changed into the imperial mosque of the Ottoman empire and finally, the Turkish government transformed it into the museum. I was in love with the itinerary...The airport transfered they arranged for us were of a much higher standard than expected... all the hotel at each place they booked for us was different and all gave us a luxury stay throughout with well-behaved staff, They even provided foods which was on time and good quality. However, I canât speak to what itâs like to visit Istanbul in December â Iâm guessing that with the holidays, it wonât be quite as cheap or empty compared to January and February. As an Arab, Iâve seen my fair share of belly dancers in different countries, so I donât really seek the shows out. Although it still has its fair share of tourists being near Istiklal Caddesi and all, it isnât anywhere near the price point of Sultanahmet and has a plethora of good food and fun shops. Being tourists you would certainly fall in love with some of the points of interest in this monument like the marble door, wishing column and loge of the empress. It is also known as the Kariye Museum, and it has evidence of traces of Christianity in Turkey. Note: if you want the historical lowdown on the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, consider booking a guide as part of a small group tour. Itâs incredibly easy to get around Istanbul, thanks to their extensive rail and bus system (walking is also great if it isnât too cold). Chances of rain and wind are high, which can make average winter temperatures feel even colder. The entire city seems to be vibrant and lively due to the onset of Christmas celebration during winters. Check out this 2-day itinerary. - YouTube I explore some of Istanbul's best known attractions, Hagia Sophia/Ayasofya, The Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and ⦠Hagia Sophia is one of the treasured heritage monuments in Istanbul that reminisces of the Byzantine era of architecture. In all honesty, the Galata tower itself isnât spectacular enough be a must-see on your list of places to visit in Istanbul, but the view certainly is. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'passportandplates_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',125,'0','0'])); I donât normally choose snowy winter destinations to visit, but Istanbul is a special exception. Iâm Sally, the foodie traveler behind Passport & Plates. Our guide to Istanbul in Winter and Istanbul Nightlife have more ideas for indoor activities. We have listed others for you below. Cruise Control. So, bring warm clothes that you can layer. Topkapi Palace, an Ottoman monument, is a beautiful, magnificent museum, where the Ottoman Sultans lived and administered their kingdom. Sufis perform religious ceremonies that involve fast-paced whirling and chanting rituals that help them get closer to God. You may get the tickets from small kiosks on every tram stop. The historical Turkish bath or the Hamam is a special kind of deep ⦠It does look really beautiful though ð. Our first day in Turkey was relatively mild, and we spent a lovely afternoon eating, shopping, and taking pictures in this area. A bit about the weather â December is the beginning of winter, and the weather is cold and windy, with days being shorter than nights. Tourist and public are more leaned towards districts like Nistantasi and Beyoglu whereas the shores is bit quieter. That being said, there are several different neighborhood options to stay in and where you stay will entirely depend on what youâre looking for. I was definitely not prepared, but I did get some spectacular photos out of it! The Turks donât discriminate when it comes to caffeine, so it should come to no surprise that Turkish coffee is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. The usage of the content and images on this website is intended to promote the works and no Definitely an aspect of merchant culture I appreciated, although it did make each transaction a bit long. More Istanbul Travel Resources. Its prohibition of vehicles allows it to become one of the most peaceful weekend getaways. Most famous for its cave houses and hot air balloon rides, itâs truly a city not to be missed. The Egyptian Spice Bazaar or Misi Carsisi is heaven for all shoppers and foodies, and you can find everything under the sun at discounted prices. With the Bosphorus Bridge in the background and the best scenic beauty surrounding it, this mosque is one of the best creations of the Ottoman Period. Hats off to the team. Pssst, get your ticket ahead of time here. Entertain yourself with a nightclub on the upper floors of the tower which host a Turkish show. Youâre recommended to take this trip in the winter as the weather is cool and bracing, making your trip extremely memorable. Have you ever traveled somewhere and dealt with unexpected weather changes? We have a ton of resources to help you plan your trip to Istanbul! If you continue to use this site, I'll assume that you are happy with it. Many restaurants and cafes are sprawling all over the city where you can taste the famous coffee. Originally named as the Tower of Christ, Galata Kulesi has so much to offer to its tourists. There are lots of great options for amazing prices. Yes, December is a good time to visit Istanbul as the weather is cold and wet, but the good part is that the crowds will be significantly less. Check out these photos of Istanbul in springtime for some extra inspiration. We will be back. One of the most enjoyable things of winter in Istanbul is in a secluded coffee house It is a warm Turkish tea drunk with a conversation. Chora Church was a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church which has been converted into a museum now. 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