Winter in Istanbul is typically the off-season for tourism, but since the winter season is mild it isn’t terribly cold to still explore the city. While you should visit all the major tourist attractions in Istanbul such as the Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, and Topkapi Palace, I’ve put together a list of activities that are mostly exclusive to the winter months.
Read on to find out what the weather during the winter in Istanbul is like, and if there are holiday activities or easy day trips.
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What to Wear – Winter in Istanbul
During the winter in Istanbul, it can get very wet and windy. The winds along the Bosphorus can be quite strong and there is more precipitation at higher altitudes, such as on top of the many hills. Be prepared to see more rain or snow at the top of the hills and dry at the bottom.
Istanbul also covers a large area of land so just because it is dry in one area doesn’t mean it is dry everywhere. Very often it can be raining in Europe but be dry in Asia, or vice versa.
Keep in mind that it does snow in Istanbul and while it does make everything look picturesque it can be dangerous to travel around in the snow. This is because Istanbul is not used to this kind of weather and they aren’t prepared for it. The roads and sidewalks can be slick and icy, especially near the water. Be cautious when going up and down hills.
The temperature in the winter varies between 0-10 degrees Celcius (32-50 Fahrenheit). Rarely does it stay below 0 degrees Celcius. The wind can make it feel colder than it is. The humidity is still high in the winter, between 50-80%. This is can make you feel hot and sweaty when you’re wearing a lot of layers and a jacket.
Due to this unpredictable weather during the winter in Istanbul, these are some things that I suggest to bring with you:
- Waterproof boots
- Thick socks and leg warmers
- Thermal leggings or black jeans
- Lots of layers – t-shirts, loose sweaters, oversized/boyfriend button-up shirts
- Waterproof jacket
- A knit hat or headband to keep your hair neat when it’s windy
- Umbrella
Things to do in Istanbul in the Winter
1. Turkish Hamam
Hamams are available year-round, but there’s nothing like going to the steamy, warm Hamam during the winter in Istanbul. If you’ve never been to a Hamam before, it’s a cross between a bath and a massage at the same time. You’ll be scrubbed and massaged head to toe by one of the Hamam workers. It might be a bit awkward at first, but after a while, you’ll get used to it and relax.
Depending on the Hamam that you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy the steam room and jacuzzi. At the end of the whole experience, you’ll be served a hot Turkish çay.
There is an excellent Hamam in Karakoy called Kılıc Ali Pasha Hamam. The structure was built in the 16th Century and was recently renovated. I definitely recommend checking it out for your first Hamam experience.
2. Street Vendors Selling Warm Salep
Salep is a Turkish beverage made with milk, sugar, salep powder, and cinnamon. It is a very popular winter drink in Turkey. While walking on the streets in Taksim, Besiktas, Kadikoy or Old Town you’ll see some street vendors with large brass containers that contain salep.
Salep comes from a plant within the orchid family. It grows in Europe and Northwestern Africa. Today, many of these flowers are harvested in Iran, Turkey, and Greece.
I definitely recommend trying some to warm you up while you explore the city.
3. Christmas/Holiday Markets
Galataport Istanbul has a 2-week festival in December that is packed with many different activities for the whole family. The program changes yearly, but generally includes music, baked goods, shopping, arts and crafts, and food and drinks. You can check out more details on their Instagram page.
The International Women of Istanbul (IWI) put together a small Christmas market at the Istanbul Yacht Club in Kadikoy. IWI is a nonprofit organization that helps ex-pat women adjust to life in Istanbul. Business members of the organization set up booths with their products or services. Guests can purchase many holiday-themed items such as cookies, handmade gifts, clothing, and food.
Day Trips from Istanbul in the Winter
1. Skiing in Bursa
I would say the most popular day trip from Istanbul in the winter is to head to Bursa for skiing. Bursa is a fairly large city very close to Istanbul. In fact, you can take a ferry from Istanbul to Bursa in less than 2 hours. The ferry leaves from Yenikapi port near the Sultanahmet neighborhood. Check the IDO website for times and fares.
The ski location is called Uludag National Park. It is 36 km south of Bursa and reachable by cable car. The best times to go are between late December and mid-March.
Uludag National Park was the first ski center in Turkey and is very popular in the winter. You can rent all the necessary equipment from shops within the ski area. There are a lot of options.
Prices for ski passes vary depending on how many days or hours you plan on staying on the mountain. You can purchase passes online at a discount or purchase them from your hotel or at a sales point.
2. Lake Sapanca and Kartepe Mountain
Lake Sapanca is about an hour and a half drive from Istanbul. It is popular for weekend getaways year-round. The lake is 45 square kilometers and offers plenty of water activities during the warmer months. In the winter, you can dine at one of the many lake view restaurants or enjoy a spa day at the numerous resorts which are highly recommended.
Most visitors prefer to rent a cozy private bungalow for their stay. There are many to choose from depending on the location. Some are closer to the lake than others. Some are in quieter areas away from the town. Most of the bungalows generally have a log cabin feel made of wood with large windows to view nature. The calm and quiet atmosphere makes for a relaxing city retreat.
During the winter months, Kartepe Mountain is a ski destination. It is about 15 kilometers from Lake Sapanca. At its peak, the mountain stands at 1600 meters. The snow depth can be anywhere between 60-200 centimeters. The resort has four lifts and twelve runs which are a mixture of beginner and intermediate levels. Ski equipment is available for rent.
The main resort is called Green Park Ski Resort. Information about ski passes and rental equipment can be found on their website.
Due to the lack of public transportation in this area, it is recommended to have your own rental car to reach the resort.
3. Yalova Hot Springs
The city of Yalova is about one hour from Istanbul. There are also daily ferries from Pendik to Yalova that take about 45 minutes.
There are two main hot spring areas. Both are said to have healing powers for diseases such as arthritis, rheumatism, gastrointestinal problems, and liver, kidney, and urinary tract disorders.
In order to take advantage of this therapeutic water, you first have to choose a spa or resort. The spa will pump the water into their facilities to fill the pools.
The first is Armutlu Thermal Springs. These hot springs can be accessed through the Armutla Thermal Resort. The temperature of the water is between 57-73 degrees Celsius. The thermal spring waters are made up of a mixture of sulfate, bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, sodium, and carbon dioxide.
Second is the Termal Hot Springs. These springs are located in the Termal district of Yalova and are considered the most complex in Turkey. Not only does it have natural hot spring water, which formed from a prehistorical earthquake, but it also has intriguing botanical life with many flowers and trees.
December in Istanbul
While Turkey is a secular country, the major of the people are Muslim. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t find any holiday-themed places in Istanbul in December.
The malls will be decorated with a holiday theme and some will even have Santa. You will see a lot of sparkly gold and silver decorations as well as red and white ribbons and candy canes.
The weather in December is more mild compared to January and February. It will rain more and be more overcast and cloudy the majority of the time.
New Year’s Eve in Istanbul
New Year’s Eve in Istanbul is very low-key. There are no large organized parties or fireworks. While you can dance the night away at many different nightclubs, most people prefer to stay at home with their friends and families.
For people in their 20s and 30s, house parties are typically the norm.
This is partly due to the 2017 mass shooting in an Istanbul nightclub on New Year’s Eve killing 39 people.
Conclusion – Winter in Turkey
Generally, winter across Turkey is mild. There are many various winter sports locations around the country, the most popular being Bursa for skiing.
The Black Sea region of the country gets the most amount of snow due to its mountainous landscape. In the Eastern part of the country, there is a scenic winter train from Ankara to Kars, also another popular skiing destination, that operates twice a week only during the winter months. It is called Turistik Doğu Ekspresi in Turkish. In English, it is known as The Eastern Express.
The Central region of the country which includes Kayseri and Cappadocia also receives a bit of snow making the landscape look like a fairytale.
In the Southern cities such as Antalya and Bodrum, there won’t be much going on. Many shops and restaurants will close during these winter months due to low tourism. The sea is a bit cold to swim in during this time of the year.
More Istanbul Tips
Go cafe hunting with my cute Instagram-worthy cafe guide.
Explore the Asia side of Istanbul.
Be sure to check off all these activities from my Istanbul bucket list.
Visit the top 4 palaces in Istanbul.
