16 Things to Do in Istanbul in December

You have plenty to see and do in Istanbul at any time of the year, but in December the city takes on a special magic with the winter atmosphere. Without many specific events on the local agenda, indoor plans will be the best options. Get ready to explore museums, galleries and enjoy a wide commercial and gastronomic offer that becomes even more active during the end of the year season.

December marks the Sebi-i Arús celebration in Turkey, the commemoration of the death of the poet Muhammad Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, one of the world's most important Sufi philosophers. An opportunity for you to learn more about the Dance of the Whirling Dervishes, an expression declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The Whirling Dervishes, or also called Whirling Dervishes, were an important Sufi current followed by important Ottoman dignitaries. Sufism is a branch of Islam, which seeks to reach ecstasy through this dance.

This type of ceremonies and dance shows can be found throughout the year, but they take on a special spirit during the month of December, so I recommend you include it in your agenda. You will find options to see the dance of the Dervish Giróvagos in organized tours, with prices starting at 36 €, approximately. They usually include entrance to the site where the show is held, an explanation of the ceremony and a drink.

It's December and the cold weather is starting, so visiting tourist attractions indoors is the most advisable option. In addition to the best known and most visited places in the city such as the Topkapi Palace or the Blue Mosque, you have the opportunity to discover other sites with great historical wealth and less crowded as subway water reservoirs or museums with archaeological collections.

Binbirdirek Cistern

It is also known as the Cistern of Philoxenus or Cistern of a Thousand Columns and is located between the Forum of Constantine and the Hippodrome of Constantinople in the Sultanahmet area. It is the second largest subway cistern in Istanbul, after the famous Basilica Cistern.

• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00.
• Address: Binbirdirek Mh., İmran Öktem Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul.

Turkish Islamic Art Museum

Housed in an imposing Ottoman palace, you can explore one of the city's most interesting museums that will take you on a tour of ancient Istanbul through Turkish Islamic art. The museum opened in 1914 and is one of the earliest palace buildings preserved today, along with the Sultan's palaces.

• Price: 3,60 € approximately (60 Turkish Lira).
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00 hours.
• Address: Binbirdirek Mahallesi, At Meydanı Sokak, No: 12 Sultanahmet/İstanbul.

Istanbul Archaeological Museum

Here rather than a single museum you find a complex of museums that are divided between the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Oriental Works and the Tile Kiosk Museum. The latter is the oldest building, dating from 1472, and it exhibits pieces of Turkish tiles and ceramics to appreciate the Ottoman civil architecture of Istanbul.

• Price: 3,60 € approximately (60 Turkish Liras).
• Hours: Every day from 09:00 to 18:30 hours.
• Address: Alemdar Caddesi,Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu,Gülhane.

Ah! And an excellent idea not to miss any detail of ancient Istanbul is to make your own itinerary in this private tour of Istanbul, in which an expert local guide will accompany you to explain all the ins and outs of the different parts of the city you have chosen.

Turkish baths, known as hammams, are sacred places dedicated to social gathering and relaxation. A plan that you can enjoy at any time of the year, but in December will be of great help to protect you from the cold. In addition, you can also see it as an opportunity to recharge your batteries before starting a new year.

You will find these places all over Turkey, but some of the best Turkish baths are in Istanbul.

A deep exfoliation, a superb massage and free time to wander at your leisure in the steam room - can there be a better plan to enjoy in Istanbul in December?

Food cannot be missing in travel and much less in a month like December where we give free rein to our cravings to taste seasonal delicacies. In Istanbul food is synonymous with tradition and family warmth. With a guided tour you can visit some of the most traditional restaurants and stalls of street food.

Let yourself be caught by the Turkish friendliness. These gastronomic tours of Istanbul include the accompaniment of a local guide, tastings in different venues and, in some cases, transportation. Don't forget to ask about seasonal dishes and try it all!

Istanbul offers plenty of nighttime action and in December you will also see a city that is lit up with the spirit of the end of the year season. Parties, of course, are on the agenda throughout the month, so I recommend you enjoy the city's discos and nightclubs to warm up and have a good time.

Babylon Istanbul is one of the most popular nightclubs in the city, located in an old building where a classic brewery used to operate. Here you can enjoy theme parties with guest DJs playing different genres of music such as reggae and electronica.

And if you want a rounded plan enjoying the Istanbul night, I recommend that you hire a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait that includes dinner, unlimited drinks, live music, belly dancing, folk dancing and a live international DJ. Who gives more?

During the month of December the street markets come alive with the festive atmosphere of Christmas. In Istanbul I recommend you to visit the market that takes place every Wednesday morning, very close to the Fatih Mosque, a space that fills with color to offer you local products, Christmas gifts and a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and spices.

It seems to me the best plan to connect with the local culture and enjoy a less touristy activity, such as, for example, touring the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

During the month of December you can enjoy the Istanbul Book Fair, an event that has been held since 1982 and has had a significant international growth, becoming a window for new authors with guest countries in each annual edition.

The fair, which lasts about a week, is held at the TÜYAP Convention, Trade Fair and Congress Center, and brings together more than 500.000 attendees and exhibitors, national and international, around an agenda of conferences to celebrate the love of literature.

If you like books and discovering new writers, this can be a place to have a good time and take some copies back home.

Useful information

• Date: Annual event in December, exact dates may change from year to year.
• Address: Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center Cumhuriyet Mahallesi Eski Hadımköy Yolu Caddesi 9/1, 34500 Büyükçekmece - İstanbul.
• Tickets and schedule: Official website.

Did you know that Turkey has the highest tea consumption per capita in the world? With the low temperatures in December, I recommend you visit some of the best tea rooms in Istanbul, enjoy their variety of flavors and take a break to live this experience that is a ritual.

In the city you will find modern and older places; in all of them you will be offered a wide menu with many varieties of tea so you can indulge yourself tasting the best of this ancient tradition that is taken very seriously in Turkey.

Here are two of my favorites:

Chado Tea

One of the most popular tea brands that also has its own store in Istanbul, where you can drink green, black and white teas, in a quiet atmosphere on Arnavutköy Street.

• Opening hours: Every day from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
• Address: Arnavutköy Mahallesi, Francalacı Cd. 9/A, 34345 Beşiktaş/İstanbul.

Melez Tea Lab

A good place to turn up the heat and learn a lot about teas. Created by tea sommelier Liliana Lopez and her partner Emre Aslanoba, this place offers a concept of tea as a lifestyle in a space that more than a tea room looks like a laboratory, where you're sure to leave with a lot of knowledge about this traditional beverage.

• Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Address: Reşitpaşa Mahallesi, Kongre Caddesi 81/A, Reşitpaşa Mah., 34400 Sarıyer/İstanbul.

December is synonymous with shopping and gifts, so you can't miss a tour of the city's shopping malls, which in addition to decorating their facilities with Christmas motifs and organizing events to enjoy with the family, offer sales and seasonal offers in each of their stores.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to discover the modern face of the city, visiting some of the most popular shopping malls in Istanbul such as Vadistanbul, Cevhair, Istinye Park and Kanyon.

I recommend you also walk along Serdar-ı Ekrem Street, where you will find small boutiques, art and antique stores, in a more relaxed and bohemian atmosphere.

The festive spirit is on fire in December and there are many things to see and do in Istanbul at Christmas. Among my favorite plans, of course, is to walk the streets of the city to see the Christmas lights and enjoy the best local food.

I recommend walking along Istiklal Avenue, undoubtedly the liveliest in the city, where you will find many lights decorating the atmosphere and places to have a drink or a snack. You can also enjoy the ice rinks that open during this season and visit some Christmas markets that attract tourists and locals like those installed near the Egyptian Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar.