Winter in Istanbul

Of course, winter Istanbul does not provide an opportunity to sunbathe and soak up the warm, gentle rays of the sun, but the city’s attractions in winter do not diminish. On the contrary, visiting Istanbul from December to February, travelers can enjoy the tranquility of the metropolis, devoid of crowds of tourists and queues to historical sites. In addition, in winter Istanbul is an ideal place for shopping , and many gourmets arrange real food tours for themselves this time of year!

Let’s take a look at the PROS and CONS of traveling to Istanbul in winter!

Pros of staying in Istanbul in winter:

The ability to walk around the city without crowds of tourists and see the sights without queues.

Opportunity to go shopping while sales are on.

The prices for air tickets and hotel accommodation are downright pleasing!

Ski resorts for all tastes near Istanbul.

Cons of staying in Istanbul in winter:

Some museums are under reconstruction in winter

Museums close early at 17:00.

 You may not be lucky with the weather, and walking around the city will be uncomfortable. But you can arrange a full-fledged gastronomic tour, basking in attractive pastry shops and coffee shops!

In mid-December, the Winter Market opens at Feriye Sarayı. As a rule, the fair is open from noon to evening on the second weekend of the first winter month. In addition to a large selection of gifts, souvenirs and Christmas decorations, there are also events such as creative workshops.

Another event that takes place annually on the eve of winter holidays is the International Winter Women’s Festival. The place of its holding needs to be specified – it can change.

The two most popular winter drinks in Istanbul, the traditions of which have been lost in the mists of time, are salep and boza. Salep is a hot and viscous drink made from orchid roots and milk, sprinkled with cinnamon. Boza is prepared by fermentation of wheat, corn and millet, it contains a small percentage of alcohol and a loading dose of B vitamins.