10 Things to Do in Istanbul in January

When you are preparing your trip for the month of January it is likely that you will try to find some special event to add to the already numerous attractions of Istanbul. Unfortunately, this is not a month in which any special activity, festival or event stands out, although that does not mean it is a bad time to visit the ancient Constantinople.

Just walking through its streets, perhaps snowy, is worth spending several days in the city. The lower tourist influx will allow you to enter with much more tranquility in its monuments and, in addition, you will be able to try some great recipes to warm up. In my opinion, do not doubt at any time that your trip to Istanbul in January will be an experience you will not forget.

January is, along with February, the coldest month of the year in Istanbul, so it's best to plan as many indoor activities as possible. Among them, there is possibly none more relaxing than enjoying a hamam or Turkish bath. This type of traditional bath combines relaxation with cleansing the body, although at one time it also had a social function as a meeting place.

Nowadays, almost all baths in Istanbul offer with your ticket an exfoliating wash, different massages and sauna moments. One thing you should keep in mind is that the first two treatments are quite strong and it is not uncommon that when you get out you will be sore all over. Of course, without a single dead cell on the skin and with a great feeling of relaxation.

If you decide to live this experience, nothing better than to do it in a traditional hammam 5 centuries old in whose facilities you can also enjoy its fabulous architecture, a pleasure for the senses!

Although shopping in Istanbul is always associated with places like the Grand Bazaar (where you can take a guided tour of Istanbul) or the Egyptian Bazaar (the spice bazaar), the truth is that the Turkish city also offers great opportunities for those looking for fashion items. In January, you can also take advantage of the beginning of the winter sales to find very good prices on high-end brands.

If you prefer to do your shopping in places not too far from the center, just walk along İstiklal Caddesi. In its many stores you will see a sign that says "indirim", Turkish for "sales".

If you have gone to Istanbul with children and at the same time you want to find the best deals there is nothing better than going to one of the big shopping malls in the city, which you can reach comfortably by bus. One example is the Istanbul Cevahir Shopping Centre, considered the largest in Europe. In its more than 400,000 square meters you will find:

• The best international and national stores.
• Several movie theaters.
• A theater.
• A wave pool.
• A roller coaster.
• A bowling alley.

Although Turkey is a largely Muslim country, there are also other religious communities, especially in large cities like Istanbul. If you are in the city on January 6, you can witness the celebration of the Epiphany by the Orthodox community of the city.

To do this you must go to one of the most interesting neighborhoods of Istanbul, Fener, where the beautiful palace of the Patriarchate of the Greek-Latin Community is located. The ceremony begins with a religious ritual in a church of that confession, but the most curious thing comes later.

Those present walk to the seashore and the Patriarch throws a cross into the water. After this, numerous young people jump into the water to try to rescue it. It is a tradition full of emotion and colorfulness and it is really worth seeing.

How to get to Fener

Although other districts of Istanbul also celebrate similar rituals, such as Kuzguncuk, Buyukada and Yesilkoy, the Fener ceremony is the best known. To get there you have several options:

• You can board one of the ferries that are part of the public transport network in Istanbul.

public transport network in Istanbul.

• Take the bus next to the Galata Bridge, in front of the Spice Bazaar. The buses that go to Fener are the 99 A and 48 E.

It doesn't really take cold weather for Turks to start every meal (even breakfasts) with a soup**(an çorba in their language**). However, it is when the temperatures drop that this type of food is at its best. Do not hesitate to try the many varieties that Turkish cuisine has to offer Some of the best known are these:

• Tarhana çorbası: one of the most traditional in the country and, perhaps, one of the ones that may seem strangest to you because of its texture. The basic ingredients are tomatoes, onions, peppers and, of course, several types of spices. After cooking everything together, flour and yogurt are added and left to ferment until ready.
• Beyran çorbası: tasty lamb soup with rice.
• İşkembe çorbası: you may find this soup a bit strange at first, as its main ingredient is tripe. However, I assure you that it is delicious and, moreover, they say it is great for hangovers.
• Ezogelin çorbası: along with the previous one, my favorite Turkish soup. The bride's soup (meaning of the name) is made with red lentils, bulgur and paprika. Of course, in the more traditional food places they season it with hot spices.
• Domates: tomato soup very common in almost all lokantasis (traditional food restaurants where you usually have to go with the tray to choose the food).
• Mercimek çorbası: a rather thick lentil soup.
• Tavuk: perhaps the most recognizable for Spaniards, as it is a chicken soup.

One of the must-sees in Istanbul is the ancient basilica ofHagia Sophia (Aya Sofia). In January, with far fewer visitors than the rest of the year and you can see inside at your leisure. However, please note that the entrance is not allowed at prayer time. The rest of the time, you can visit the temple for free.

Entering this monument, now a mosque again after having been a museum for decades, is to contemplate the grandeur of its construction, which later inspired the structure of the Ottoman mosques.

Having been converted into a mosque, to enter you must maintain certain standards of behavior. Women, for example, must cover their heads, while men are not allowed to enter wearing shorts (something you won't feel like doing in winter anyway). At the door you will find scarves to put in your hair or to improvise a kind of sarong.

Although you can possibly find the typical winter baked potatoes in more places, Ortakoy, located next to the Bosphorus (almost under the bridge) in the Besiktas district, is definitely worth a visit. In fact, one of the most widespread customs among the inhabitants of Istanbul who come to this neighborhood is to buy this delicious winter food in the stalls that are placed there. I recommend you to find a place to sit and enjoy this humble and tasty food while contemplating the Asian neighborhood of Üsküdar, located across the street.

Today it is one of the most popular neighborhoods and has a great youthful and trendy atmosphere. Strolling along the waterfront and through the square watching the crowds or sitting down for a cup of tea is one of the best things to do in Istanbul in January.

You should not miss the small Ortakoy mosque, located practically on the water. Finally, the streets of the neighborhood are among the liveliest if you want to enjoy the night in Istanbul.

How to get to Ortakoy

Ortakoy Square is half an hour walk from another of the places you can not miss in Istanbul, the Dolmabahce Palace.

You can take advantage of this visit to approach walking, or take the streetcar to the Kabatas stop and then the bus line 22.

I'm sure you'll have more than one tea during your stay, including the apple-flavored variety that only tourists drink. You might also try raki or ayran, two other traditional drinks of the city. However, in January you will find other types of beverages typical of the season.

The first, considered the most consumed in winter, is salep, made with orchid bulb, hot milk and cinnamon. You won't have to go out of your way to find it, as it is available in numerous stalls throughout the city.

Another good option to drink in January is boza. With a light alcoholic content, this drink is offered by numerous street vendors in many parts of the city. Its warming power is proven by the fact that it was offered to Ottoman soldiers to protect them from the cold.

January weather in Istanbul is characterized by low temperatures. The snow, although it does not fall every year and is not too abundant, is quite frequent and makes the city offer a totally different view. In case it snows during your stay, be sure to walk around Sultanahmet to see how Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome or the Blue Mosque changes with a white mantle.

In addition to walking around and taking pictures, it may also be a good idea to enter one of the restaurants with two floors or terrace in the area. From them you will be able to have a wider and spectacular view.

Within Istanbul itself you will have the opportunity to do an activity that you probably did not expect: ice skating. For a few years now, the so-called Buzzfest has been held in the Kadiköy district, a series of activities including the setting up of an ice rink open to everyone, as well as surprise events on New Year's Day and craft stalls.

Specifically, the rink and the rest of the activities take place in Kalamış Atatürk Park, from the beginning of January to the beginning of February. To get there, it is best to take the ferry from Eminonu.

The ice rink can be used by everyone over the age of 4, in sessions of about 30 minutes. Those who have never skated before will have an instructor at their disposal to give them some instructions so that they can enjoy the experience more. Although using the rink costs about 10 lire, both skates and knee pads are loaned free of charge by the organization.

The cultural program in Istanbul is quite extensive throughout the year, but in the winter months it is most welcome to attend an opera or ballet in a heated venue.

The best place to enjoy these performances is the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), a large complex that has recently been renovated and reopened after several decades. Located in Taksim Square, it houses a large auditorium for 2,040 spectators, as well as a theater, a library, an art gallery and several rooms for various cultural activities.

As the city's major cultural center, the AKM is home to the city's ballet company, the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra and the State Theater. At Christmas it hosts a major New Year's concert, but during January the programming is continuous and you're sure to find something you like.

Cold and wet are the main characteristics of Istanbul's weather during this month. The average highs are 9°C, while the lows don't usually rise above 3°C. Although these temperatures are easily bearable with winter clothes, you should keep in mind that the thermal sensation is usually lower due to the mentioned humidity and wind.

On the other hand, the most uncomfortable thing you may encounter is rain, which is quite frequent during this month. In some occasions, the precipitations are in the form of snow, although not being too copious it usually lasts a short time before melting.

When preparing your luggage you should never forget to check the weather forecast a few days before and do not forget to bring an umbrella.