What is the temperature in Turkey at Christmas?
It can be quite cool at this time of year, so visitors are recommended to take warmer clothes especially for venturing out after dark. The average daily maximum is 17 C and the average daily minimum is 7 C.
December is early winter in Turkey, and while temperatures are at their coldest (along with January and February), travelers from many parts of North America or Northern Europe probably won't find most places too cold. December is a great time to enjoy Turkey's sights without the crowds.
Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|
Avg Nightly (°C) | -1 | -3 |
Avg Daily (°F) | 52 | 41 |
Avg Nightly (°F) | 31 | 27 |
Avg Rainfall (mm) | 40 | 60 |
Turkey generally has a colder and darker December than the UK, with an occasional (rare) smattering of snow - but that makes it perfect Christmas weather for cosying up in big jumpers and enjoying warm drinks with good food!
Does Turkey experience snowfall during winter? Yes, one can find snow in Turkey during December and January. There are places like Atalaya, Bolu, Marmara Bölgesi, Kartepe, and Palandöken where there is a thick layer of snow, covering every corner with a white sheet of ice.
In the winter months of November, December, January and February it gets really cold and wet (and it snows) so wrap up – take a coat, warm hat, scarf and gloves. In the summer – June, July, August and September – wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.
Prices for the poultry category that includes turkey surged nearly 18%. The most recent increases come on top of higher protein costs across the board during the pandemic, as high feed costs and labor shortages throughout the supply chain drive up prices.
Most tourists prefer to visit Turkey between June to October which is the peak season for a Turkey trip. However, the winter months are ideal to see some of Turkey's gems as the crowd is less and so is the heat.
January is the coldest month with daily average highs of just 8.6°C.
Christmas really isn't celebrated in Turkey. December 25th isn't a public holiday - it's just a normal day! Only 0.2% of the Turkish population are Christians, and many of those are migrants/refugees from countries such as Syria and Iran, etc. Christians in Turkey will go to Christmas services at their churches.
Does Turkey close at Christmas?
One of the best things about celebrating Christmas in Istanbul or the whole of Turkey is that everything functions as it would on a normal day. All the businesses are open, including banks, shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. You also get the Christmas weather in Istanbul.
December Weather in İstanbul Turkey. Daily high temperatures decrease by 5°F, from 54°F to 49°F, rarely falling below 39°F or exceeding 62°F.
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.
Turkey has always been perceived as a summer holiday destination, but this country is a good choice for your winter getaways too. Turkey is quieter in winter, so you won't have to deal with a lot of tourist crowd. This also brings us to the second most important point, which is expenses.
One of the questions we get asked the most is; is Turkey expensive to travel to? No, Turkey is a really cheap place to visit, especially since the Turkish Lira is declining in value by the month. But how much does a trip to Turkey cost?
April, May, September and October are pleasantly warm, with temperatures of 20°C to 30°C, so are typically the best times to visit Turkey's grand array of ancient sites. The summer months (June through to September) are very hot, with temperatures reaching the mid-thirties on the south coast.
The general Istanbul dress code for tourists and especially women is to cover your legs at least past to your knees, cover your chest and cover any cleavage and cover your stomach. What is this? Based on my experience visiting and living in Istanbul, having the bottom of your legs showing and feet is fine.
Women need to cover their heads and hair and wear respectful clothing. Unless you wish to borrow a scarf from the mosque, you should pack your shawl or pashmina. One that is long enough to wrap around your head and cover your shoulders.
There is no problem wearing shorts for comfort, except when you visit mosques. As for Turks, most of them will be wearing "smart casual" clothes: sleeved summer dresses or sleeved top and skirt for women, short-sleeved shirt and long trousers for men.
An average portion of cooked turkey meat per person should be 140-175g, but as you tend to buy turkey as a whole bird it's easiest to use the turkey guide below.
How much turkey per person for xmas dinner?
When buying a turkey for a family of four you should go for a six-pound turkey, this will also allow for leftovers that you can enjoy on Boxing Day. However, if you are concentrating on your Christmas dinner only, get a four pound turkey for four people. For a family of eight go for a 12 pound turkey.
The Christmas turkey tradition can be traced back to Henry VIII, who decided to make the bird a staple for the festive day. After the British Empire discovered the New World (that's the Americas) an influx of gobble-gobbles hit Britain.
- Maldives. Famous for its vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and sprawling greenery, the Maldives is one of everyone's dream destinations. ...
- Sri Lanka. ...
- Dubai. ...
- Vatican City. ...
- France. ...
- Egypt. ...
- Chile. ...
- Singapore.
Some areas may still have entry restrictions and roadblocks. If you're in the affected area, be careful, monitor the media and follow the advice of the local authorities (see 'Safety'). There's an ongoing high threat of terrorist attacks in Türkiye. Terrorists could attack with little or no warning (see 'Safety').
In central Anatolia the temperatures can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F), with higher elevated parts dropping below -30 °C (- 22 °F) at times. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures generally around or above 30 °C (86 °F) in the day. Nights are cool.
About 75 million people speak Turkish in Turkey, where Turkish is the official language, and 90% of the population speaks it as a first language. Turkish is also the language spoken at home by those living in areas that had been governed by the Ottoman Empire.
When does it Snow in Turkey? It snows during the wintry months of December, January, and February in Turkey. There's a stark contrast between regions in Turkey, with some parts such as Eastern Turkey experience heavy snowfall while other places like the Marmara region rarely snow.
Turkey is one of the most iconic features of a Christmas dinner. For many families, it simply isn't a Christmas dinner without a turkey. However, most people don't know where this tradition started, or why it is that turkeys - rather than goose, chicken or beef - are the most popular option on Christmas Day.
The US Department of Agriculture recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days. However the NHS is more conservative recommending that one to two days is the only safe period for eating your turkey.
Schools in Turkey start the school year every second week of September. Winter holidays start in January and ends in the first week of February.
Are things open in Istanbul on Christmas?
December 25th is just another normal day in Istanbul. Shops, banks, businesses, restaurants and tourist attractions will have their usual opening hours for that day of the week. Some larger shops might include Christmas music in their playlists but there's no super-saturation with it as we experience in the West.
Weather in Istanbul in Turkey
Average highs are 11C and lows are 5C (that is 51F to 41F). On average December sees over 17 days of rain and snow is not uncommon. While the South of Turkey has much warmer temperatures, do not expect Istanbul in December to be a warm weather getaway!
Though it is predominantly a Muslim country, many Istanbulites celebrate Christmas, and New Year's is one of the biggest events of the year. If you may have never considered spending the holidays in Istanbul before, it may be time to take a trip to this surprisingly festive city during December.
Yes, it does snow in Istanbul, especially during the winter.
Typically speaking, the first snow in Istanbul occurs sometime in December. By early March, the city is warm enough that it no longer snows.
Top spots that are adorned with festive lights and beautiful decorations are Bağdat caddesi, Nisantasi, Ortaköy, Istiklal street, and the historic Galata neigborhood. Another great option for celebrating the Christmas holidays in Istanbul is to have a festive dinner at one of the city's many incredible restaurants.
Mid-range traveller: 1500 TRY / person / day. A spend of 83 USD per person per day (or 580 USD/week) is ideal for mid-range travellers.
The warmest cities in Turkey in December are Antalya, Alanya, Belek, Side, and Kemer.
December in Cappadocia
It has a decent amount of precipitation, which is often turned to snow because of the cold temperatures. During the day, the temperature stays in the single digits but plummets to below zero almost every night.
I would say an ideal amount of time for a first trip would be 10 to 14 days. This will give you plenty of time to get a taste of Turkey and see some of the country's most famous cities, historical attractions, and beaches.
Ordinary and service/official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Türkiye. Holders of such passports may get their 90-day multiple-entry visas from Turkish missions abroad or obtain their 30-day single-entry e-visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.
Is Turkey expensive for American tourists?
The average price of a 7-day trip to Turkey is $870 for a solo traveler, $1,416 for a couple, and $1,054 for a family of 4. Turkey hotels range from $33 to $141 per night with an average of $54, while most vacation rentals will cost $70 to $390 per night for the entire home.
Average cost for a meal ranges from 20 to 50 Turkish Liras. As a city with many different nationalities, the range of cuisine types and restaurants in the largest city of Turkey is wide. Find all kinds of world food in Istanbul - from Japanese sushi to Italian pizza.
- Alanya. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Alanya, one of the most popular seaside resorts in Turkey. ...
- Side. Halfway between Alanya and Antalya lies the charming resort town of Side, another extremely popular place to stay in Turkey. ...
- Antalya. ...
- Kemer. ...
- Cappadocia. ...
- Marmaris. ...
- Bodrum. ...
- Istanbul.
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Istanbul demands a minimum of two days, but we'd suggest at least four days to do it justice. Even with a week, you'd find yourself running out of time trying to tackle everything the city has to offer.
Tourist Places in Turkey in December
Turkey is a traveller's paradise with so much to see and do. Most tourists prefer to visit Turkey between June to October which is the peak season for a Turkey trip. However, the winter months are ideal to see some of Turkey's gems as the crowd is less and so is the heat.
The best times to visit Istanbul are from March to May and between September and November. That's when crowds at the city's attractions are manageable, room rates are average and daytime temperatures generally sit in the 60s and 70s.
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.
The US Department of Agriculture recommends using cooked turkey within three to four days. However the NHS is more conservative recommending that one to two days is the only safe period for eating your turkey.
Turkey is one of the most iconic features of a Christmas dinner. For many families, it simply isn't a Christmas dinner without a turkey. However, most people don't know where this tradition started, or why it is that turkeys - rather than goose, chicken or beef - are the most popular option on Christmas Day.
Are holidays to Turkey still safe?
Terrorism. Jonathon said: “Turkey has experienced several terrorist attacks in recent years, including attacks on popular tourist destinations. Tourists should be cautious and vigilant, especially in crowded public places, and follow the advice of local authorities.”
A generous budget of 276 USD per person per day (or 1932 USD/week) is more than enough for Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly to Istanbul is usually December.