Turkey in December

Europe Updated 2026-07-01

Cold and low season, apart from a busy few days around New Year.

Is December a good time to visit Turkey?

December is one of the better months across Turkey, with crowds averaging 48/100 and typical highs near 11°C.

Book things to do

Turkey: tours and tickets in Istanbul, from our booking partner.

Free cancellation

Bosphorus Night Cruise + Dinner & Show

Topkapi Palace Tickets + Audio Guide

Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise

4.1(128)3h

from€20

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Tour of the Fener & Balat Neighborhoods

4.6(130)3h

from€18

See all activities in Istanbul

What closes and what fills up in December

New Year celebrations

More tours and tickets

More options from our booking partner.

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Istanbul Tour: Bosphorus Cruise, Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia

4(1517)7h

from€82

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Istanbul Private Tour

4.4(1447)8h

from€180

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Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise

4.7(1369)2h30

from€40

How December compares across the year

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Frequently asked questions

Is December a good month to visit Turkey?

December is one of the better months across Turkey, with crowds averaging 48/100 and typical highs near 11°C.

How busy is Turkey in December?

Averaged across the destinations we track, Turkey sits near 48/100 in December. The calmest of them is Istanbul.

What is the weather like in Turkey in December?

Expect average highs near 11°C and lows near 6°C, with roughly 13 wet days — though Turkey varies by region.

Other months in Turkey

Jan 38 Feb 40 Mar 52 Apr 72 May 80 Jun 74 Jul 72 Aug 68 Sep 82 Oct 76 Nov 56 Dec 48

Turkey Best places to visit in December