16 Things to Do in Istanbul in December

There's plenty to see and do in Istanbul at any time of 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. Be prepared to explore museums, galleries and enjoy a wide range of shopping and dining options that become even more active during the end-of-year season.

In December, Turkey celebrates Sebi-i Arús, the commemoration of the death of the poet Muhammad Khalāl 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.

These types of ceremonies and dance performances can be found all year round, but they take on a special spirit during the month of December, so I recommend you include it in your agenda. You'll find options to see the Dervish Girovagos dance on organised tours, with prices starting at around €36. These usually include entry to the venue, an explanation of the ceremony and a drink.

It's December and the cold weather is setting in, so visiting tourist attractions indoors is the best option. In addition to the city's best-known and most visited sites such as the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, you have the opportunity to discover other historically rich and less crowded sites such as underground water reservoirs and museums with archaeological collections.

Binbirdirek Cistern

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

• Price: Free admission.
• Opening 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 surviving palace buildings, along with the Sultan's palaces.

• Price: Approximately €3.60 (60 Turkish Lira).
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00.
• 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 divided between the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Oriental Works and the Tile Kiosk Museum. The latter is the oldest building, dating back to 1472, and exhibits Turkish tiles and ceramics to appreciate Istanbul's Ottoman civil architecture.

• Price: Approximately €3.60 (60 Turkish Lira).
• Opening hours: Every day from 09:00 to 18:30.
• Address: Alemdar Caddesi,Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu,Gülhane.

Oh, and an excellent idea to make sure you don't miss out on any detail of old Istanbul is to make your own itinerary on this private tour of Istanbul, where 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 socialising and relaxation. A plan that you can enjoy at any time of the year, but in December it will be a great help to protect you from the cold. You can also see it as a chance to recharge your batteries before the start of a new year.

You'll 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 roam the steam room at your leisure - can there be a better plan to enjoy in Istanbul in December?

Food is a must on a trip and even less so in a month like December when 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 browse the street food stalls.

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

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

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

And if you want the ultimate Istanbul night out, I recommend a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait which includes dinner, unlimited drinks, live music, belly dancing, folk dancing and a live international DJ. Who can beat that?

During the month of December, street markets come alive with the festive Christmas atmosphere. In Istanbul, I recommend you visit the market that takes place every Wednesday morning near the Fatih Mosque, a colourful space that offers local products, Christmas gifts and a wide range of fruit, 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 approximately one week, is held at the TÜYAP Convention, Trade Fair and Congress Centre, and brings together more than 500,000 attendees and exhibitors, national and international, around an agenda of conferences to celebrate the love of literature.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 a few 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 programme: Official website.

Did you know that Turkey has the highest per capita tea consumption 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 flavours and take a break to live this ritualistic experience.

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 that you can indulge yourself with the best of this millenary tradition that is taken very seriously in Turkey.

Here are two of my favourites:

Chado Tea

One of the most popular tea brands that also has its own shop 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 drink.

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 09:00 to 19:00.
• Address: Reşitpaşa Mahallesi, Kongre Caddesi 81/A, Reşitpaşa Mah., 34400 Sarıyer/İstanbul.

December is synonymous with shopping and gift-giving, so don't miss out on a tour of the city's shopping centres, which not only decorate their premises with Christmas motifs and organise events for the whole family to enjoy, but also offer sales and seasonal offers in each of their shops.

You will also have the opportunity to discover the modern face of the city by visiting some of the most popular shopping centres in Istanbul such as Vadistanbul, Cevhair, Istinye Park and Kanyon.

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

The festive spirit is on fire in December and there are so many things to see and do in Istanbul at Christmas. Among my favourite plans, of course, is to wander 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 avenue in the city, where you'll find lots of 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 of the Christmas markets that attract tourists and locals alike, such as the ones near the Egyptian Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar.