Istanbul in December 2021 – what to see, holidays, weather, reviews, prices
Istanbul is an amazing city located on two continents Europe and Asia and attracts tourists all year round. Here, the achievements of modern civilization and the ancient oriental flavor are intricately intertwined. Buildings from different times organically fit into the urban landscape. Winter Turkey appears to tourists in an unusual format, radically different from a summer beach holiday. Travel allows you to see the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Weather
In the first half of December in Istanbul, the daytime temperature fluctuates between + 10- + 15 ° C, in sunny weather you can even sunbathe a little. By the evening it gets slightly colder up to +8-+12˚С. By the end of the month, the thermometer does not rise above +7-+11˚С even during the day, and at night it becomes even cooler — +5-9˚С.
In December, it often rains, on some days there is a strong wind. On average, there are 8 clear days per month, 8 days with prolonged precipitation. The rest of the time there is partly cloudy: the sun will come out for several hours, then the sky will be covered with clouds and a downpour will pour.
Is it cold in December
The weather in Istanbul during the first winter month is unstable and unpredictable. Heavy rains can soak clothes through, fresh wind from the Bosphorus increases the feeling of chilliness. So that the surprises of the December weather do not spoil your vacation, you need to carefully consider your wardrobe. Clothing should be warm, waterproof, not restrict movement.
On a trip, you will need a windproof jacket with a hood, a wool sweater. In the evenings, a hat or a warm scarf will not be superfluous. Shoes must be low-heeled with waterproof soles. An umbrella that is resistant to gusts of wind will come in handy when traveling.
What to see
It is impossible to appreciate the charm of the national color of Istanbul without walking, which is worth taking in good weather. Favorite route of tourists: pl. Taksim – Istiklal Street (analogue of the Old Arbat in Moscow) – Galata Tower. There are many antique shops, cozy bars and cafes on the street. Street vendors, acrobats and musicians complete the picture.
In rainy weather, you can visit beautiful examples of Muslim architecture from different eras. Hagia Sophia was an Orthodox church until the 13th century, turned into the Hagia Sophia mosque after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks. Topkapi Palace (1479) – the official residence of the Ottoman sultans. Dolmabahce Palace will be interesting for a tour of the harem and the adjacent garden with roaming peacocks, a beautiful view of the Bosphorus.
The Blue Mosque, surrounded by six minarets, is a masterpiece of architecture. Galata Tower (built in 507) with an observation deck that offers stunning views of Istanbul and its surroundings. The Maiden's Tower is located on a rock above the waters of the Bosphorus.
Turkish hammam is a must-have place to relax in winter. Hamam Suleymaniye – is part of the mosque complex, the bathhouse was built in 1557, intended for visiting by couples. Even if you don't like shopping and buying souvenirs, the famous Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar are worth a visit.
Here you can buy odorous spices, local sweets, dried fruits. In the evening, many establishments open their doors – restaurants, cafes and pubs with live music, working until late at night.
Vacation with children
Arriving in the city with the whole family, be sure to visit the toy museum, which will not leave indifferent children and adults. More than 4000 unique products for games from all over the world are collected here.
Rahmi M. Koch Museum – presents an exposition of aircraft, retro cars, trains and steam locomotives of the 19th-20th centuries. Children are allowed to touch the exhibits, you can go inside a real submarine.
Sea Life I Stanbul is one of the 5 largest water parks in the world. Various marine and freshwater animals live in huge aquariums with a volume of 5 million liters. A 100 m long thick glass tunnel creates the illusion of being in the depths of the sea.
Beluga whales, walruses, and seals take part in performances at the Istanbul Dolphinarium. There is a zoo in the suburbs, where even in winter animals from warm countries are in the open air. Nearby is a botanical garden with exotic plants of the tropics.
Excursions
In Istanbul, local guides offer many sightseeing walking and bus tours. It can be a classic walk through the main sights or a trip to the Asian quarters of the city, with a visit to Eminonu shops and Uskudar mosques. Families with children are offered trips to the Miniaturk park, where there are more than 100 famous architectural objects made in M 1:25.
The landscape of the park is interesting with dwarf trees, miniature ships sailing along the canals. You can drive through the territory on the children's railway. Lunapark Vialand is the Turkish equivalent of Disneyland, spread over an area of more than 20 hectares, includes an adventure park, a historical zone and a play area. If you are not afraid of long journeys, take a trip to the mountain resort of Yalova.
Impressive panoramas of mountain gorges, Sultan's baths at thermal springs are waiting for you. Weather permitting, you can take a ferry excursion to Buyukada, the largest of the islands in the Princes' Islands archipelago, with magnificent natural and seascapes.
New Year
From mid-December, decorated Christmas trees begin to be installed on the streets of Istanbul, the city is illuminated with New Year's illumination. Christmas markets are open in many areas, the Winter Bazaar opens in the Farne Palace. Here you can meet European Santa Claus and Turkish Noel Baba. The holiday itself is called Yilbashi in Turkish. On New Year's Eve, tourists predominate on the street, the Turks prefer to celebrate the holiday with their families.
It is forbidden to launch fireworks and firecrackers on your own here. A wonderful laser show and fireworks are held at the Ortakoy Mosque (it is convenient to watch the spectacle from the Galata Bridge). Pubs, discos and restaurants are open all night long. The administration is thoroughly preparing for the celebration, preparing interesting show programs. Meetings of the New Year are in demand on comfortable motor ships cruising along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
The cost of travel
The most convenient way to get to Istanbul is by plane. Airfare – from 3060 rubles. Flight time – 3 hours 30 minutes. A hotel room 3 costs from 1,193 rubles, 4 – from 1,908 rubles. If desired, you can find apartments with the ability to spend the night for 700-900 rubles. The cost of a trip for two for 5 nights will be approximately 25-30 thousand rubles. including the cost of food, entertainment and museum tickets.
View prices for tours to Istanbul
In December, tour operators make very interesting offers: tours for 5-7 nights with attractive prices, including flights, transfers, accommodation and insurance. A tour to hotel 3 costs from 20,124 rubles, 4 – from 22,515 rubles. By purchasing a tour, you are freed from the hassle of booking a hotel and tickets, you will be delivered directly to your place of residence. In some cases, this is economically beneficial.
Reviews of tourists
Most travelers who visited Istanbul in winter were satisfied with the trip. December weather is much more suitable for a rich excursion program than the summer heat. There are no crowds of tourists that interfere with calm sightseeing. Those who met the New Year in Istanbul note that they received a lot of positive emotions from the indescribable colorful atmosphere of the holiday under the palm trees.
Until mid-December, housing and flight prices are record low, but in the last days of the month they can jump 2-3 times. Travelers are advised to decide on the venue of the New Year in advance; at the end of December, all the best hotel rooms and tables in restaurants with panoramic windows are booked.
Conclusion
A trip to Istanbul in December is a great opportunity to enrich your horizons, relax and have fun for little money. The city with a centuries-old history, where modern technologies and ancient oriental traditions are combined, leaves an unforgettable impression. The Turks are polite and friendly people, they do everything possible for a comfortable pastime for tourists.