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Discover IstanbulLike a Local
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Istanbul this winter

Things to Do in Istanbul in Winter

Published Updated

Hamsi season, steamed-up meyhanes, heated dinner cruises — and the classics without the crowds.

Use this winter selection to choose your next experience: a food stop, a bazaar visit, a neighbourhood walk or an outing on the water. Mix the options to suit your interests rather than treating them as a fixed route.

For weather, clothing and broader seasonal planning, continue to the Istanbul winter guide. For the day itself, compare the food, shopping and transport guides below and choose the detail you need.

Start with
Just landed→ Airport to cityTonight→ Meyhane nightOn the water→ Bosphorus cruisesShop like a local→ MahmutpaşaFirst time→ Travel guide
Red nostalgic tram and simit cart on İstiklal Avenue during snowfall at night Istanbul in winter →Dinner table set for a small group on a private yacht at dusk Private dinner cruise on your own yacht →Grilled fish, meze plates and rakı set on a restaurant table Meyhane: how locals do rakı night →

Popular this winter

Red nostalgic tram and simit cart on İstiklal Avenue during snowfall at nightSeasonalIstanbul in winterDinner table set for a small group on a private yacht at duskPrivatePrivate dinner cruise on your own yachtA dinner cruise boat lit up at night on the BosphorusDinner & showBosphorus dinner cruise: shows & pricesShoppers on a sloping market street lined with textiles and clothingShoppingMahmutpaşa Bazaar: the local market street

Choose where to start

Every card leads to a live guide
Travel guide

Just landed? Start here.

/travel-guide/ →
Travellers with luggage inside Istanbul Airport terminal1 · ArriveIstanbul Airport to the cityAn airport bus in Istanbul1 · ArriveSabiha Gökçen to the cityIstanbulkart held beside a public transport card reader2 · Get aroundIstanbulkart: buy & top upAn M2 metro train at a platform with Yenikapi on its destination display2 · Get aroundMetro: maps & routes
Like a Local

Eat and shop like an Istanbulite

Guides built with confectioners, fishmongers and meyhane regulars.
Rolled Turkish delight with nuts and dried fruitLokumWhere locals buy Turkish delightBaklava and assorted pastries displayed in metal traysBaklavaWhere locals actually buy itRed simit cart filled with sesame bread rings on an Istanbul streetSokakStreet food, stall by stallGrilled fish, meze plates and rakı set on a restaurant tableMeyhaneHow locals do rakı night

A day in Istanbul, hour by hour

  1. Dawn Landing in the dark? Metro or transfer
  2. Morning Salep on the first ferry
  3. Afternoon Mahmutpaşa out of the rain
  4. Sunset A heated yacht for sunset
  5. Night Hamsi and rakı in a warm meyhane

When to come

/best-time-to-visit/ →
Ahmet H. Yildirim passenger ferry on the Bosphorus with Galata Tower behind itTravel guide · FerriesIstanbul ferry guide: routes & timetablesRed nostalgic tram and simit cart on İstiklal Avenue during snowfall at nightSeasonal guide · Dec – FebIstanbul in winter: what to do, eat & wear
A dinner cruise boat lit up at night on the Bosphorus
Bosphorus & Boats Heated decks and city lights: winter dinner cruises and private yachts.Compare here, book with Istanbul On Boat. Istanbul On Boat is our sister brand. Bookings are made on Istanbul On Boat.
Compare every cruise →Istanbul On Boat ↗

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