Should i visit istanbul in december

As an example, travelers who visit Istanbul have to undergo mandatory medical tests and adhere to the health and safety regulations outlined by the authorities. Admission to attractions may also be limited, so make sure you check into current protocols as things change often. What to Pack. If you want to get the full experience of visiting both of these Istanbul highlights, you can take a guided tour of the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

I love having a guide to show me around a new city fo the first time, I find it makes the experience of a new city much more fulfilling. If you are looking for a guided tour of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue mosque, check out this one! The cost of a Turkish bath can range from 30 — 50 USD. Explore the Basilica Cistern As your next activity, brace yourself for a gothic tour underneath the city of Istanbul. One of the benefits of going to Istanbul in December is that there are plenty of deals on tours to be had.

Shop at the Grand Bazaar Whether you want to do some random shopping or bag some souvenirs to take home, Grand Bazaar is the ultimate local market. Istanbul in December — the Grand Bazaar, considered to be the oldest shopping mall in history with over jewelry, carpet, leather, spice and souvenir shops. Watch the Performance of Whirling Dervishes For travelers seeking unique things to do in Istanbul in December , the Whirling Dervishes Performance is a must-see activity.

Indulge in Turkish Food A lot of local dishes hail from the traditional Ottoman cuisine with a modern twist, and they are largely a combination of Mediterranean, Middle-eastern, and Asian meals. If you want to get a complete experience of food during your time in Istanbul, take this evening food tour. Enjoy Skiing Skiing is one of the most popular activities to do in winter in Turkey. But that gives you all the better opportunity to enjoy all that the city has to offer without the crowds. Average highs are 11C and lows are 5C that is 51F to 41F.

On average December sees over 17 days of rain and snow is not uncommon. While the South of Turkey has much warmer temperatures, do not expect Istanbul in December to be a warm weather getaway! What to Pack for Istanbul in December As mentioned above, ensure you are prepared for cold and wet weather. Women should pack warm sweaters and jeans, a sweater dress with leggings, and a good winter coat.

I love smartwool base layers and they are the perfect option to keep warm in the winter in Istanbul. Men should also pack pants and sweaters.

Planning a trip to Istanbul with my kids in late of May. Is that a good time in Istanbul for shopping? Shopping is always good in Istanbul so many little shops and markets and late May is nice as the weather is great — not too hot yet. I plan to visit Turkey in December this year. Please advise me which cities I should be planning to visit, in addition to Istanbul? Any general advice regarding a trip in December would be much appreciated.

I am thinking to cover 2 cities from Marmaris, Cappadocia, Pamukkale. The coast is probably a better option, although it too will be chilly. Consider visiting the sophisticated city of Izmir, which has a sprawling and historic bazaar, a good food scene and a couple of excellent museums.

The nearby ancient sites of Ephesus and Bergama ancient Pergamon are wonderful, too. In Marmaris, base yourself in Canakkale.

From here, you can visit the ancient site of Troy and the battlefields of Gallipoli. If travelling there from Istanbul, consider visiting the town of Edirne in Thrace on the way.

Once the capital of the Ottoman empire, it has magnificent mosques and a number of other attractions. I know in much of Europe locals leave the cities and head to the coasts during July and August — and especially August.

Is that the same in Istanbul? Is the city quiet in the summer months and are we better off to visit in June or September? Also, is there an area of Istanbul that is good for local food and restaurants even shops and markets but still fairly central for sightseeing and good hotels? Is there a hotel or two that is good for proximity to good Turkish restaurants? And finally, is Istanbul a very walkable city?

This means that some city businesses including restaurants, clubs, and bars close. August is particularly quiet. During this period most hotel prices in the city revert to shoulder season rates, which is a boon for travellers looking to save money. An area of Istanbul that is close to local food and restaurants and still fairly central for sightseeing and good hotels?

Key events: Istanbul Gastronomy Festival. You might also like: 9 must-do things on your trip to Istanbul How to get to the six best beaches near Istanbul 12 unmissable things to do in Turkey. When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

Jennifer Hattam. Introducing Istanbul. Share this story:. Places from this story Istanbul Turkey City. In addition to the aquarium section, you will find many activities such as feeding the fish, attend a 5D projection and many more. It is a bit far from the city center but it is definitely worth a visit, and will easily occupy you a large part of the day it also has several restaurants , perfect to please children. In Istanbul, you will see many people in small cafes playing tavla backgammon.

It is a national sport, in Turkey, everyone plays it. Do not hesitate to ask for help servers, they will explain to you the layout of the pawns or even the basic rules. In this kind of establishments, you can also request laying cards kart. The Cihangir district, strong-hold of the hipsters of Istanbul, is also very nice. The nargile, or hookah in English, is a large water pipe used to smoke tobacco. It is possible to find all flavors peach, mango, chocolate, apple… and some places are dedicated to it.

In this kind of coffee, you sit to smoke the hookah and you can also play Tavla Backgammon Here are some nice addresses:. If you are in the area of Etiler and want to smoke a nargile, go to Balkon. This cafe opened fifteen years ago has stunning views of the Bosphorus and Bebek. In addition to our culinary walk culinary and cultural walk on two continents , and our other programs guided tours , we can put at your disposal our guides to help you discover our city in depth.

If there are monuments, museums and specific activities you want to do, do not hesitate to let us know, we are very flexible, you are on vacation and Istanbul is a city where anything is possible. We also organize tailor-made tours outside of Istanbul. For more information, contact us. We wish you a pleasant stay in Istanbul!