Panoramic views of İstanbul from the Galata Tower…
Rising from the heart of Beyoğlu with its commanding architecture, the Galata Tower is one of Istanbul’s enduring symbols. After an extensive restoration, it now serves only as an observation deck and museum. On days when the city lies under a veil of white or when gray clouds lend the skyline a dramatic edge, it offers a mesmerizing 360-degree view. With the top-floor restaurant removed, every inch of the space now belongs to those who have come simply to stand still and take in the panorama.
Shop in historical bazaars
For centuries, İstanbul has been known as a shopping destination, featuring numerous bazaars and countless shops and ateliers. The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar are two of the most well-known historical bazaars. Whether you are reside in İstanbul or are visiting, drop into one of these traditional markets, with their spice, jewelry, handicrafts and food stalls. Particularly in winter, these covered bazaars offer warmth, appetizing aromas and hot glasses of tea!
Enjoy the fragrance of roasting chestnuts on Istiklal Street
While some areas in İstanbul become quieter in the winter, Istiklal Street never stops buzzing.
At every step, Istiklal Street brings together people from various places and cultures, to listen to street musicians, ride the nostalgic tram, and sample local specialties in the many cafes. Ride the Tünel, the quaint subway funicular inaugurated in 1875, and stroll along charming French Street, also known as Cezayir Street. And of course, stop by one of the vendors selling fragrant hot roasted chestnuts and try this delicious and warming street snack.
Visit Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace
Winter is an ideal time to visit all those historical sites that you meant to see in the summer. The Dolmabahçe and Topkapı Palaces, vibrant symbols of İstanbul’s deep history, are among the most important structures in the city. Brighten a gloomy day with the glittering interiors of these majestic palaces. If going outdoors feels too challenging, read about them and feel inspired.
Discover peaceful Gülhane Park, the subject of songs and poems.
A visit to Topkapı Palace can be overwhelming, so enjoy a relaxing stroll through adjacent Gülhane Park. Beautifully uncrowded during the chillier months, the Park’s paved paths meander amid trees and greenery, including a 300-year-old ‘stony plane tree’. Conclude your idyll at a café, with a cup of tea brewed in an old-fashioned samovar.
Take a stroll in Küçüksu Kasri (Küçüksu Pavilion)
In İstanbul’s Küçüksu district, on the Üsküdar-Beykoz coastal road, the ornate, waterfront Küçüksu Pavilion was among the preferred boarding pavilions used by the Ottoman sultans. The original wood villa is believed to have been built in 1752; the current structure, made of stone, was built in 1856 by Sultan Abdülmecid. Also known as Göksu Pavilion, its décor was designed by Sechan, the decorator of the Paris Opera, who is also responsible for the interior design of the Dolmabahçe Palace. For another heart-warming İstanbul experience, visit the Küçüksu Pavilion and enjoy the crisp Bosphorus breezes.
Discover İstanbul’s museums
A terrific winter activity in İstanbul is to visit one of the city’s numerous museums. In Sultanahmet, the Archaeological Museum and the Turkish-Islamic Arts Museum are highlights, as is the İstanbul Naval Museum, in Beşiktaş, or the Istanbul Military Museum, in Harbiye. In Beyoğlu, the charming Pera Museum offers interesting temporary exhibits; its permanent exhibits include Osman Hamdi Bey’s renowned painting, the Tortoise Trainer.
Listen to the sounds of İstanbul at Pierre Loti
In the Eyüpsultan district and overlooking the Bosphorus, Pierre Loti Hill takes its name from the French naval officer who frequented the teahouses in the area and wrote his first novel in İstanbul. Even one visit to Pierre Loti Hill, with its views of the Golden Horn, offers a unique perspective of the city. In the winter, order a cup of hot salep, the milky drink made from orchid tuber flour, and savor the ambiance. The Hill can be accessed by car or foot, as well as a cable car. As the path is steep, we recommend going by cable car (you can use your İstanbul card), especially in the winter months.
Meet art beneath the arches of the Basilica Cistern
On any winter list of places to see in Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern now holds its own. Since the restoration and the introduction of a new lighting system, the space feels more mystical than ever. As you visit the Medusa heads, you may come across contemporary art installations or hear the sounds of water and history during classical music concerts held as part of the “Night Shift” program.
Sample boza (a thick, slightly fermented millet drink) in its original neighborhood
Boza is a traditional winter beverage in Istanbul and the best place to drink it is in the Vefa district in Fatih, İstanbul. Fermented grain drinks were a staple in the Fertile Crescent for centuries, but the original Turkish version of boza is believed to have originated in the 10th century. The alcohol-free boza recipe perfected in the Vefa neighborhood is sweeter than the original drink, which had a low alcohol content, and is often topped with powdered cinnamon and roasted chickpeas.
The largest in Europe: Discover the Rami Library
On a cold Istanbul day, there is no warmer, more cultured refuge than Rami Library. Transformed from a 250-year-old historic barracks and now counted among the world’s remarkable libraries, this vast complex is not only a haven for book lovers but also a rewarding stop for anyone drawn to history and architecture. While the immense courtyard lies under a blanket of snow, you can settle into the warm reading halls with your book or wander through the exhibition spaces at an unhurried pace.
Watch an opera at the Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM), where the heart of Istanbul’s arts scene beats
Taksim Square’s landmark, the Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM), is a magnificent way to turn winter evenings into a celebration of the arts. Inside its mesmerizing opera hall, defined by the iconic red sphere and sleek modern architecture, watching a ballet or an opera while rain falls outside is among the most refined experiences Istanbul offers. Even if there is no performance on the program, you can linger in the vast library, explore the exhibition spaces, or wander through the design shops tucked inside. While there, you can also check out its exquisite restaurant, “Biz,” and enjoy a magnificent cityscape that includes the ancient peninsula.
Spend time in nature in Belgrad Forest
When you want to escape Istanbul’s crowds and the heaviness of winter, Belgrad Forest is one of the airiest refuges you can turn to. This ancient woodland, which for centuries supplied the city’s water, takes on a different kind of calm in the winter months, wrapped in silence. Long walks accompanied by the scent of rain-washed earth are among the best ways to clear your mind in the cold. And if you enjoy losing yourself among trees, the other routes we mentioned in our blog post, “The colors of autumn beckon: The forests of Istanbul,” are just as rewarding in winter.
Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Istanbul from Çamlıca Hill
If you want to take in the “city of seven hills” in a single glance, Büyük Çamlıca Hill is where you should be heading. As one of Istanbul’s highest peaks, it offers a sweeping view of the city’s magical skyline, stretching from Asia to Europe, right at your feet. In winter, when mist rises from the Bosphorus and gray clouds settle over the historic peninsula, the city takes on an almost mystical mood. Even if the wind cuts sharply, sitting by the window at one of the hilltop cafés with a warming cup of salep or a steaming glass of tea, watching the view unfold, is an experience worth savoring. The Princes’ Islands on one side, the Bosphorus on the other. In the clear, cold of winter, this is where you feel just how vast and breathtaking Istanbul really is, standing at the very top of the city.
Unwind from the day’s fatigue in the warmth of historical Turkish baths
After roaming Istanbul’s streets in winter and feeling the chill settle in, the most traditional and pleasurable way to warm up is to surrender to the heat of a historic hammam. Marble basins, the gentle warmth rising from the “göbek taşı” (heated marble platform), and the soothing sound of water come together in a purification ritual that has remained unchanged for centuries. Süleymaniye, Cağaloğlu, Çemberlitaş, and Kılıç Ali Paşa are not only places to thaw out but also rare stops where you can experience the elegance of Ottoman architecture firsthand. If you’d like to get to know this warm world beneath the domes more closely and discover which hammam suits you best, we highly recommend our guide, “Historical baths of Istanbul: architectural and cultural wonders”.
