December is the best month of the year, in december we get prepared for the winter, the weather becomes colder and the rain or even the snow starts to fall, and what is a better place to spend this beautiful month than istanbul with its coziness and the limitless things to do. in this article, i will talk about the best things to do in istanbul during december hope you will enjoy it.
December is the start of winter in Istanbul, as well as a fantastic month with Christmas and New Year fervor in the city. The average temperature is 10°C. The weather is cold, little snow. I recommend you bring a winter coat and a portable umbrella. Also, take a sweater for some warmer days. The days are still short but started to get longer, the sunset around 18:30.
New Year’s Eve is one of the best events that happen around all over the world, in Istanbul however, you can enjoy watching the fireworks with the countdown along the Bosphorus shores, or Bosphorus cruise, celebrate the night at one of the many great Istanbul clubs, or see the magical city light up at midnight with a New Year’s Eve meal in a top Istanbul restaurant with a view. It could be freezing in NYC, which makes Istanbul the best place with its warm weather (around 11C) to walk around comfortably. You can see the New Year Tree almost anywhere you go around Istanbul especially the malls which makes the amazing atmosphere all around. A lot of people tend to spend the New Year’s Eve at their homes watching TV, but at the same time if you are an active person and tend to go for a party or a bar you should check the availability first, the spaces during Istanbul’s New Year’s Eve are often limited. For the ones who want to spend the night outdoors with crowds and street parties, then I recommend Ortaköy, Nisantaşı, Bağdat Avenue in Kadiköy. I recommend Taksim Square and Istiklal Street in the evening because it gets crowded with the locals and you may enjoy walking around in the crowded place as I do.
Mystical night out at hodjapasha:
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Hodjapasha is a traditional old hammam (bath) which is located in Sirkeci Eminönü, it is close to Sultan Ahmet Square too. Hodjapasha has been turned into a high ceiling theatre cultural place, where they present three different shows, you can enjoy the Whirling Darvishes show which is a journey through man’s spiritual ascent to “perfection” through mind and love, a truly unmissable and astonishing experience of music and moves. Also, you can book your seat at their Rhythm of The Dance show, which is a brilliant walk into history with joy, they expose the traditional dance and exotic belly dance with fascinating modern 360-degree special visual effects which creates an exclusive and cozy atmosphere in this special historical place.
Istanbul has 200 modern shopping malls. And due to the beginning of the winter, all the brands start the sales on the new products, so if you are into shopping it is a great opportunity so spend some quality time with the crowd looking for what you need. In the European Side Istiniye Park shopping mall comes on top of the list, it has 300 shops, both indoor and outdoor space, superior stores, cinema, entertainment, food, and activity areas. For the Asian side Viaport Asia in Pendik, it has 250 stores, 4,000 vehicle car-park, and cinemas. Designed in a street concept and offers shopping at affordable prices at the stores are designed in an outlet concept. A fun center for families with children, with the Pony Club, Amusement Centre, bowling and cinema in addition to the food and restaurants court.
This is one time of experience during your visit to Istanbul. With a Turkish bath, also called Hammam, you can enjoy an authentic experience, relax your muscles, refresh your body. The traditional bath mostly includes a 15-minute massage. It can be a unique experience for you in these cold days.
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Beşiktaş is one of the most popular districts in Istanbul. There are many neighborhoods in Beşiktaş with different identities but to be fair it is a great district for shopping. Central Beşiktaş is good for its bakeries, accessories, and small boutiques. Other neighborhoods like Bebek or Etiler on the other hand is great for luxury shopping. Here all you need to now about Beşiktaş and shopping.
Turkey is a country surrounded by seas on three sides. Therefore, it is very rich in fish and seafood. It is possible to get lost among the fish and seafood on the menus of Istanbul restaurants. Because a saying in Turkey is reflected in the culinary culture of the whole country: “I would eat my own father if he came out of the sea.”
Where is selamicesme? the selamicesme neighborhood of the kadikoy district is home to the selamicesme mosque. being one of the most well-known and adored neighborhoods on istanbul's asian side, getting there is not a problem. the marmaray and stepping out at the feneryolu stop are the most direct ways to travel to kadikoy from the european side of istanbul. selamicesme mosque is about a 5-minute walk from there.you can board one of the ferries that depart from eminonu for kadikoy if you prefer a more time-consuming yet enjoyable mode of transportation. by doing this, you can spend about 15 minutes admiring the stunning bosphorus strait while grabbing a cup of tea and some goodies from the store inside the ships. when you arrive at the kadikoy pier, seek the big yellow iett bus pick-up location, which is very close to the kadikoy pier. take the bus with the number 4 or the one with the 16d. to get to the selamicesme mosque, get out at the onsekiz mart stop and walk for 5 to 10 minutes. other things to do in and near kadikoy visit the moda neighborhood: the moda neighborhood is one of kadikoy's attractions that stands out from the rest. there is enough to do here to keep you busy for a full day. take a stroll along istanbul's moda coast to observe the bosphorus strait from one of the city's most picturesque and tranquil coastlines. you will unavoidably pass by a few tea gardens on the way there. choose one with a view of the bosphorus, and as you take in the scenery, order a cup of tea or turkish coffee. visit dondurmaci ali usta to sample any of the more than 50 types of delicious, all-natural ice cream for some of the best ice cream in turkey. next, board a tram and begin exploring kadikoy. you will observe the district's prevailing bohemian aesthetic during your trip. you can take a culinary walks kadikoy tour to enjoy turkish cuisine while touring one of the most well-liked neighborhoods on istanbul's asian side because kadikoy is home to a lot of fantastic restaurants where you can sample numerous dishes from the well-known turkish kitchen. visit moda stage theatre to see some of the finest works of turkish theater and cinema. the location for art lovers in kadikoy, there are various plays and movies being produced here, from well-known shows to more independent, arthouse films. after all of this, it might become a little bit late, but don't worry—kadikoy is recognized for having fantastic nightlife with a variety of top-notch bars and pubs. arkaoda is undoubtedly one of istanbul's top bars and a favorite among both locals and tourists. this establishment, which can be found on bar street, features fantastic live music, a wonderful ambiance, and a wide selection of top-notch drinks. viktor levi wine house provides more than 12 different varieties of wines prepared in their cellar if you prefer outstanding house wine over a few beers. the interior of the building is decorated with a variety of plants, adding to its elegant appearance. do you like rock music? so zincir bar is the spot for you. this inviting and welcoming tavern offers a wide selection of drinks and snacks at more reasonable prices than other bars around. are you prepared for another adventure? the following day, depart from the kadikoy dock and board a ferry to eminonu. once there, enter the historic neighborhood of fatih because there is much to learn about this area.
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Hagia sophia or ayasofya could be considered the most visited attraction in istanbul along with its neighbor topkapı palace museum. hagia sophia was built as a christian church around 532. throughout time, hagia sophia has become a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. the minarets and inscriptions of islam illustrates the theological transformations that have occurred in the region throughout the centuries. after turkey's administrative court reversed a 1934 judgment that paved the way for hagia sophia's usage as a museum, a decree on the 10th of july 2020 to legally classify the hagia sophia as a mosque was issued.
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