Istanbul in December
Damp and dark until the very end of the month, when İstiklal fills for a New Year that has nothing to do with Christmas.
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
December is one of the better months to visit Istanbul. Crowds sit around 48/100, with typical highs near 11°C.
What’s on in December
- New Year’s Eve on İstiklal Caddesi
Best days in December
Weekdays are almost always calmer than weekends.
Tue is normally the calmest day of the week.
Best hours in December
The daily rhythm, hour by hour.
The 9:00 AM window is usually the calmest of the day.
Weather in December
Typical highs, lows and wet days.
How December compares
Every month in Istanbul, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Istanbul.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Istanbul, from our booking partner.
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Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Istanbul?
December is one of the better months to visit Istanbul. Crowds sit around 48/100, with typical highs near 11°C.
How crowded is Istanbul in December?
Istanbul sits at roughly 48/100 in December on our crowd scale, which is 15 points below the yearly average. The quietest month is January.
What is the weather like in Istanbul in December?
Expect highs around 11°C and lows near 6°C in December, with about 13 wet days across the month.