10 Things to Do in Istanbul at Christmas

With a large part of the country's population of Muslim belief, I want to tell you that in Turkey Christmas is not celebrated as you may know it, so you may be surprised to see everything functioning normally on December 25. But this is not to say that the city is not decked out and lit up during this season.

Besides, you'll be pleased to know that this is a very peaceful time to peacefully visit the architectural and historical wonders, as the tourist wave has passed and you can have a special view of the transcontinental night in old Constantinople, adorned by snow. An ideal time then to enjoy all you have to see and do in Istanbul.

One of the first things you will notice is that December 24 and 25 are normal working days. With a majority Muslim population, the birth of Jesus is not celebrated.

However, many neighborhoods in Istanbul, with a Christian or more European population, decorate their facades with Christmas decorations. So you can see large decorated trees, and find yourself in the street with a Santa Claus handing out candy and taking pictures with children. The most recommended plan is to visit some of the city's shopping malls, which follow the tradition of the season with large Christmas trees inside, decorations, Christmas lights and a program to celebrate with the family. Some of the most recognized are:

• Vadistanbul
• Cevhair
• Akaysha
• Kanyon

As a curiosity, the legend of the Santa Claus character is inspired by Nicholas of Myra, a Christian bishop born in the city of Patara in southern Turkey, famous for throwing gold coins into the chimneys of the houses of the needy.

The feast of this saint is held on December 6 and in his honor people gave each other gifts and shared dinner, which inspired centuries later the image of the red-dressed, bearded and good-natured man we know today. Another particular thing is that you won't hear a single Christmas Eve carol.

If Christmas shopping is what you are looking for, I recommend you to participate in one of the most outstanding events that take place at this time of the year in Istanbul. This is the Christmas Bazaar, organized by Istanbul International Women (IWI), a social organization that offers support to foreign women living in the city.

While most fundraising events organized by this organization are closed to the public, during the Christmas season, the Bazaar is opened to everyone in an event that includes, gift stalls, international food and a lottery with prizes for attendees. The event is held annually and one of its venues is the İstanbul Yelken Kulübü Yacht Club located in Kalamış. A good opportunity to enjoy a very Christmas night, while collaborating for a social cause.

A very Christmas plan and that in Istanbul offers several alternatives to enjoy with the family. One of them is the outdoor ice rink at the Uniq Istanbul event center, which is available throughout the winter and during the Christmas season offers a rink decorated for the occasion with lights, Christmas music in the background and decorations.

The place also has professional coaches who offer private skating lessons. It is open at night and, if you are lucky, you can also enjoy one of their themed parties. This event hall has an adventure playground, children's workshops and an area where you can see temporary exhibitions.

Useful information

• Price: 2.50 approximately (40 Turkish Lira) for a 40-minute skating session.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Address: Huzur Mah. Maslak Ayazağa Cad. No.4 Sarıyer/İstanbul

Christmas and the end of the year season in general, brings with it certain seasonal dishes and what better plan than to enjoy some drinks and food from Istanbul's abundant menu.

One of the traditional meals served in the city's restaurants are meze, which, although they are considered a starter in Turkish gastronomy, can be the dinner of a whole night because of their remarkable variety. The most common ones usually feature eggplant, tomatoes, chickpeas, peppers, olives, seafood, lamb and much more.

Normally a menu can serve up to 20 or more of these dishes, in two groups, first the cold ones that usually have fresh vegetables and cheeses and then the hot ones. Everything is traditionally accompanied with raki, which is Turkey's national drink.

The most popular drink at Christmas time is Salep, a mixture of milk or boiling water, cinnamon and a special flour that comes out after processing the tubers of two typical Anatolian orchids.

Another winter classic is Boza, a drink made from the fermentation of breadfruit seeds, a cereal widely consumed in Asian countries and served with a little cinnamon powder on top.

Remember that in Turkish food spices are the order of the day and many preparations are usually spicy, so if you are not used to it, I recommend asking for those preparations with less spice. Do not miss a gastronomic tour in Istanbul, because the variety of flavors will surprise you and it is no secret that at Christmas we want to try everything.

And if what you want is a gastronomic experience with all the tradition of Christmas, I recommend you check the schedule of the hotels in the city, which at this time organize special events, including musical shows and Christmas dinners for the whole family.

One of the most renowned is the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, located on the banks of the Bosphorus. Its facilities are in a 19th century Ottoman palace that has been restored without losing the details of classic Istanbul architecture. During Christmas the hotel terrace is illuminated with Christmas lights and you can have a drink in a more private and romantic atmosphere.

Traditional seasonal drinks and the option for you to reserve a place for a Christmas Eve dinner on December 24, a Christmas lunch on December 25, and even for the New Year's Eve gala dinner on December 31. If you're looking for a less sophisticated plan, you won't have to look far as most restaurants and bars in the city will be offering menus and plans to celebrate the season.

An alternative to experience Christmas in a western style. Throughout history, Istanbul has been inhabited by Jews, Armenians, Christians and Greeks. Cultures that have ended up shaping the historical heritage of the city. In the city, you can find some Catholic churches to attend the traditional Christmas mass on the night of December 24.

Two of these churches, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua and the Maria Draperis Church, are in the pedestrian street of Istiklal, an area that I invite you to walk around, and where you will also find places to drink and eat something. An ideal place to enjoythe night in Istanbul.

It is always a good time to enjoy a cruise, and if it is one through the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey, a good experience is guaranteed. If you are in Istanbul on Christmas Eve, you can live this experience on private boats that offer sunset cruises to enjoy incredible views, as a prelude to your Christmas Eve celebration.

These private yacht and cruise options are designed for travel groups of up to 12 people, and include pick-up from your hotel, a Christmas cruise lasting approximately 2.5 hours, welcome cocktail, Turkish wine and beer, selection of traditional appetizers and return to your hotel or venue.

If you are traveling alone, you can also find a variety of tours and excursions on the Bosphorus, so you can enjoy a Christmas evening as it should be. Incredible views, a good drink and the company of other travelers who, like you, have chosen Istanbul to experience a different kind of Christmas.

Many of these Bosphorus tours take you on a tour of:

• Bosphorus Bridge, border of the European and Asian part of the city.
• Rumeli Fortress.
• Beylerbeyi Palace.
• Jewish quarter of Balat.
• Yildiz Palace.
• Walls of Constantinople.
• Quarter of Eyup.

I don't know about you, but for me the Christmas season sky and the atmosphere in general becomes different. So nothing better than having a hot drink on a terrace, to appreciate the Christmas lights that adorn the city. The Pierre Loti cafe, could be a good option, as it is considered the great viewpoint of the city.

After an afternoon of Christmas shopping in shopping malls or in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, or touring some of the neighborhoods of the city, head to this place located on a hill in the Eyüp cemetery that gives you incredible views of the city.

The place is decorated with 19th century furniture and the waiters are dressed in 19th century costumes. On its terrace, decorated for the Christmas season, you can enjoy a hot drink typical of this season and have a panoramic view of Istanbul, from where you can take some pictures to remember, because you can see from above the Christmas lights that decorate all of Istanbul. To get to this place you can walk or take the cable car, one of the means of public transport in the city.

If you are looking for a more festive atmosphere at Christmas, I recommend you to check the schedule of nightclubs in Istanbul, as they usually organize theme parties to celebrate this date.

If you are on the Asian side of the city, I recommend the Groundy Club in Kadıköy, a nightclub well known for its parties and DJs. For Christmas Eve they usually organize a party with paid entrance, which usually includes a drink.

Towards the European side, it is highly recommended to visit Beşiktaş, where you will find many bars and clubs to celebrate Christmas. One of the most striking is the Kafepi pub, which also organizes a party on these dates, with guest DJs and a curious Christmas sweater competition.

I told you that Christmas is not as popular as in the West, but the celebration of the New Year is something else. If you decide to travel to Istanbul for 7 days or more and you catch both celebrations, you will be able to enjoy a lot.

The first thing is not to miss the impressive fireworks show that welcomes the new year, which can be seen throughout the many places located along the banks of the Bosphorus. It is on December 31 when families get together and share gifts, prepare dinners at home or celebrate in style at a good traditional restaurant in the city.

Turks also enjoy performing certain rituals every New Year's Eve to ensure that the coming year arrives with prosperity and abundance. One of these traditions is to throw a pomegranate fruit on the ground, the redder it is and the more pieces it breaks into, the better the omen of luck for the coming year.

Some curiosities about Christmas in Istanbul

• The pomegranate fruit is a symbol of abundance and prosperity in Turkish idiosyncrasy and it is common to find pomegranate-shaped amulets, adorned with ribbons and nazar boncuğu (Turkish eye) pebbles that according to locals conjure the evil eye and negative energies.
• Another local practice in the new year, is that when the clock strikes twelve o'clock at night, it is customary to open a faucet for a few minutes, so that health and fortune will not be lacking in the new year. They also wear red clothes to attract abundance.
• In ancient Turkey, it was customary to put up decorated trees for the New Year and it is from there that the custom of the Christmas tree was taken in Western countries.