Winter in Istanbul: A January / February Trip to Turkey
I’ve really enjoyed visiting Istanbul in the winter. I haven’t been lucky enough to see a pretty white dusting of snow covering the mosques, but it does snow in the city (and in much of Turkey) each January and February.
We’ll go over the best sites to see in the winter in Istanbul, plus what to pack and where to stay to make sure some potentially inclement weather doesn’t negatively impact your trip to this amazing city!
Pros of Visiting in Winter
✅ Fewer tourists – Attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar are less crowded.
✅ Cozy cafés – Enjoy Turkish coffee or tea in one of Istanbul’s cozy cafes or bakeries.
✅ Lower prices – Flights and hotels are often cheaper than in peak seasons.
Cons of Winter Travel
❌ Shorter daylight hours – Sunset is between 5:00pm and 6:00pm in January and February.
❌ Unpredictable weather – Some days are mild, others are cold and wet… even snowy!
❌ Bosphorus cruises may be limited by fog or rough seas.
❌ Cappadocia hot air balloons cancel launches if it snows.
Where to Stay in Istanbul in the Winter
I’d stay near the Eminonu neighborhood or across the Galata Bridge in the Karakoy neighborhood of Istanbul. The city is full of great neighborhoods to stay in, but these two spots are ideal for winter.
You’ll easily be able to get to the city’s famous sites and to the Istanbul Metro (or taxis) without having to spend too much time out in the elements if it’s cold and rainy.
This interactive map is centered in Eminonu, and it’ll allow you to plug in your dates to check rates:
One of my favorite unique hotels is the Orientbank in the Eminonu neighborhood.
You can also read my posts about cave hotels in Cappadocia, which are toasty even in the winter!
Top Winter Tours in Turkey
I like exploring a city on my own, for the most part, but Istanbul is full of so much history, it helps to have a professional lead you through certain sites.
These are the top three I’d book for a January/February visit to Turkey:
➡️ Click to Book: Private Driver & Guide
Winter Weather
If you’re coming from New England or the American Midwest, winter in Turkey will seem mild. Still, December, January, and February are chilly, a bit drizzly, and possibly snowy. It’s still a fine time to visit Istanbul, if you prepare well for the weather!
Packing for Winter in Turkey
Remember to bring layers, an umbrella, and an outer waterproof jacket or shell for possible rain.
Something I forgot on my last winter visit: a scarf! I had to buy one in Istanbul. They definitely help keep the warmth in.
Also, non-slippery shoes are a *must.* You’ll be walking on rocks and cobblestones, which can be slippery in the rain.
Average Winter Weather in Istanbul
- Daytime: If it’s sunny, the days will be nice to walk around in, with temps 5–10°C (41–50°F)
- Nighttime: It usually drops below freezing at night, to 0–5°C (32–41°F)
- Coldest Months in Turkey: January and February
Rain & Snow
- Winter is one of the wettest seasons, with foggy and overcast days in Istanbul.
- While snow isn’t guaranteed, it usually snows a few times per winter, creating beautiful scenes around the mosques and rooftops.
- Remember: The Bosphorus breeze makes it feel colder than the actual temperature.
Istanbul Neighborhoods
Istanbul is a massive city, but these are three of the neighborhoods tourists tend to gravitate toward in winter, or any time of year.
Eminonu
Eminonu is one of Istanbul’s most historic and bustling neighborhoods, located on the European side where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. It’s a major transportation hub and a hotspot for tourists, shoppers, and street food lovers.
Winter is a good time to check out:
- Mosques, like Yeni Cami (New Mosque) and the Süleymaniye Mosque.
- Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar – covered, sprawling, and warm all winter.
- Street Food – Great way to warm up on a chilly winter day.
Uskudar
I’d recommend taking the ferry (or Metro) to Istanbul’s Asian side to check out the shops, restaurants, and bakeries in the Uskudar neighborhood.
PRO TIP: Head toward the corner of İcadiye Cd. & Tufan Sk. Plug that into a map app and you’ll find tree-lined streets with countless bakeries and coffee shops to check out on a winter day.
Balat
Balat is on the city’s European side, with vibrant streets, charming cafes, and historic architecture. It’s a favorite part of Istanbul for photography.
There’s a Metro station right down the street from the main shopping/restaurant area, so even if the weather is rainy or crummy, it won’t be a far walk from the train to a restaurant to warm up in.
Take Shelter Underground
You can escape any inclement weather by going underground to explore the Basilica Cistern. It’s a stunning, historic structure, which has somehow survived centuries of earthquakes in Istanbul.
The Cistern is an underground water reservoir built in the 6th century, originally to store water for Constantinople.
I’m impressed with the way they’ve designed the modern-day tourist experience. You’ll be walking on metal pathways just above the water in the cistern. A restoration project completed at the end of the pandemic made even more parts of the Cistern accessible to the public.
A Winter Warmup in a Turkish Bath / Hamam
If you’re having a cold, wet week in Istanbul, nothing will warm you up and shock your system like a Turkish bath!
Each bathhouse is different, but generally the process goes like this:
- Men and women are separated.
- You’ll undress down to a towel.
- The first step is a 15-minute sauna-type experience to open your pores.
- Next, an attendant will bring you into a communal bath area to scrub you down.
- You’ll be exfoliated, shampooed, and doused with water.
- The hamam experience usually includes some sort of massage, plus a likely back cracking.
Many Turkish baths last about an hour, and can include add-ons, like clay masques and aromatherapy.
Using Istanbul’s Metro / Tram
Istanbul’s Metro system is as easy to use as the Metro in Paris. It’s safe, cost-effective, efficient, and tourist-friendly.
Using a map app (like Google Maps) you can plot your course and find the station closest to you. The lines are numbered and color-coded.
You’ll find a ticket kiosk at each station. They allow you to pick your language, buy a Metro card, and add a fare. Each ride is less than a dollar, and the trains run every 7 minutes (or so).
Especially if it’s cold and rainy, it’s pretty easy to use the Istanbul Metro to zip to a neighborhood that’s full of coffee shops to warm up in!
Cappadocia in the Winter
Cappadocia is a one-hour flight from Istanbul. Turkish Airlines has multiple flights each day to choose from.
I’d say the most famous draw to Cappadocia would be the sunrise hot air balloon launch. Every day, around 100 colorful balloons rise above the horizon with the sun. It’s a beautiful site, whether you’re in a balloon basket or just watching from the ground from one of the terraces or viewpoints.
A winter warning: if it snows, the balloons don’t launch. Guides say the weather’s good enough to launch 300 days a year (or more).
Aside from the balloons, Cappadocia is home to stunning rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, plus ancient cliff dwellings and underground cities from past civilizations.
Whether you’re coming to Turkey in January or February, or later in the year, it’s worth spending a day or two exploring Cappadocia.
Remember Ramadan in February
Ramadan usually runs for about four weeks from mid-to-late February through mid-to-late March.
Are Cafés and Restaurants Open?
Yes! Most cafés and restaurants remain open during Ramadan, though some may have adjusted hours. Many offer special iftar menus for breaking the fast at sunset.
What’s Served for Iftar?
Traditional Turkish iftar meals typically include:
- Ramadan Pide – A soft, sesame-topped bread made only during this time.
- Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası) – A warm and comforting dish to start the meal.
- Dates & Olives – Traditionally eaten first to break the fast.
- Grilled Meats & Stews – Hearty dishes served alongside rice and vegetables.
- Desserts – Classics like baklava and güllaç (a light, milky dessert with rose water).
Tips for Tourists
- While daytime dining is still available, it’s good to be mindful that many locals are fasting.
- Sunset (Iftar) is a peak time – restaurants can get busy, so reservations may be needed.
- The city becomes more vibrant at night, with a festive atmosphere in popular areas like Sultanahmet, Taksim, and the Bosphorus waterfront.
Wrap: Are January or February Still Good Times to Visit Istanbul?
I’ve really enjoyed visiting the sites of Istanbul in the winter months. While a lot of Americans picture this part of the world being warm year-round, you’ll definitely encounter winter weather in January and February, into March.
Even places like the Princes’ Islands, normally thought of as summery and coastal, are enjoyable to visit on a sunny winter day.
You’re likely to save big on hotels and flights during the winter, and crowds at Istanbul’s famous sites will be much smaller. These benefits outweigh the main drawback of a winter visit: the cold weather. With that in mind, you should be fine in your gloves, scarf, and jacket … just like you’d be in Paris or New York in the winter!
