Winter in Turkey: What to Do and See

Turkey attracts a large number of tourists during the summer months because it has long been thought of as a summer vacation destination. However, tourists who visit during the winter months are in for a treat. If you’re someone who is looking to have a unique travel experience, winter in Turkey should be your target.

Turkey offers a variety of ski resorts as well as world-class heli-skiing. Aside from that, you’ll be able to enjoy various winter activities and get a glimpse of real life in the area. Prepare to be blown away by anything and everything from low-cost hotels to inexpensive round-trip flights.

The winter season in Turkey lasts from November through March. So, if you don’t mind regular rain showers and chilly temperatures, you should absolutely try it.

Why Turkey in Winter?

Turkey is usually less crowded in the winter, so you won’t have to deal with as many tourists. Additionally, the place is less expensive, particularly in terms of lodging, and you have a large range of options. Along with that, you’ll be able to learn about the Turkish culture since there are less people in the winter. You will also have easier access to public areas and individuals.

Two places in particular have transformed their winter wonderlands into tourist hotspots. People travel to Cappadocia, in the country’s middle, and Kars, in the extreme northeast, to photograph scenes of their snow-covered landscapes.

Turkey’s ski and snowboard landscape improves year after year for winter sports aficionados. So in comparison to the expense of skiing in European and North American ski resorts, several ski centers around the country like Izmit, Uludag and Palandoken provide contemporary amenities and ski pass pricing that are of exceptional value.

Now that you would want to visit Turkey, here are a few exciting activities you can do to make your trip even better.

Paragliding

If you’re looking for an adventure and want to view Turkey’s gorgeous landscapes from above, try paragliding in Turkey. When looking into Turkey paragliding, you’ll notice that it has paragliding locations all across the country. That said, Fethiye is the best place for paragliding as the mild range of temperature in winters makes it an ideal paragliding spot.

Istanbul Old City Tour

The historical places of Istanbul attract a huge number of tourists each year, however, since these places are much less crowded during the winter, you’ll be able to look around all of your favorite historical sites without getting stuck in long queues.

Some of the most popular historical sites of Istanbul include the magnificent Blue mosque, Istanbul archaeology museum and a lot more. You can also join tours which take you all around the historic old city of Istanbul.

Antalya Waterfall Tour

If you are looking for places to visit Turkey in winters, you would not want to miss on the mesmerizing waterfalls of Antalya. Waterfalls offer lovely scenery and are one of Antalya’s most popular tourist attractions.

When visiting the Antalya region, make sure to visit the top rated waterfalls and enjoy a refreshing moment in nature.

Manavgat

The Manavgat Waterfall in Antalya is one of Turkey’s most popular waterfalls. In all seasons, the Manavgat stream is full of water, and it forms a spectacular waterfall four kilometers north of Manavgat.

A calm day by the waterfall is a terrific idea. There are tea gardens, a seafood restaurant, leisure places, and souvenir stores around the waterfall.

Usually in winters, the river really leaps over the banks, with waterfalls strewn everywhere. With its foamy water, the observation area is fully submerged.

Düden Waterfall (Upper and lower)

Düdenbaş is a location where the Düden Stream splits into two forks – Upper Düden and Lower Düden. The Upper Düden Waterfall is located approximately 1 kilometer from Varsak while the Lower Düden Waterfall is located approximately 7 kilometers from Antalya. Both of these waterfalls eventually flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

Duden Waterfall is only 10 kilometers from Antalya, making it easily accessible to numerous tourists. Duden Waterfall is a popular destination for Turkish, Arabic, and international tourists. It is known for its cooling and calming nature.

At the Duden waterfall, seeing the water cascade down from a height of 40 meters makes you feel as if all of your negative feelings are being washed away by the water. Water’s rehabilitative and restorative properties automatically make you feel revitalized and energized.

The Antalya Duden Waterfall captivates visitors with its murmuring water and its beauty. The Waterfall is frequently referred to as Alexander Waterfall since it is said that Alexander the Great used to provide water to his horses when passing through. Get a quote for our waterfall tours here.

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon

The hot air balloons of Cappadocia are by far one of the most popular activities you could do in Turkey, but if you are visiting Turkey in December, your experience would be even more worth it. Again, the perfect range of temperature and less crowd makes winters the perfect time of the year to experience the hot air balloons of Turkey.

The Cappadocia Balloon soars above the scenery of Cappadocia, providing breathtaking views of the rock formations, valleys, fantasy chimneys, and other wonders. Take Instagram-worthy pictures while on your Cappadocia Best Hot Air Balloon Tour, and your friends and family won’t be able to wait to hear all about it.

The hot air balloons operate with the most professional pilots making your safety their priority. So, if you plan to visit Cappadocia, this activity is something you would not want to miss on.

Skiing in Turkey

If you’re going to Turkey and skiing is not on your “to do list”, you’re going to miss out a lot. The country is home to a number of ski resorts. It has some of the best ski resorts you could possibly imagine, that too with easy access and low cost.

Some of these locations are accessible by automobile. You can also take a domestic aircraft to get to a location that is a little further away from Istanbul but if we’re talking about the closest and best, the ski center at Mount Uludag in Bursa, Turkey, is without a doubt one that shouldn’t be missed. Bursa is a Turkish city located near Istanbul and one of the largest cities of the country. It is easily accessible by cars. It takes around two hours to get there from Istanbul. During your winter vacation in Turkey, the Mount Uludag ski resort in Bursa is the best option for skiing. It is fairly simple to go to the location.

Bursa also has a few tourist attractions. You can stay in Bursa for the night and explore the city.

The variety of activities and decent temperature ranges make Turkey an ideal destination even during winters. If you want to explore Turkey without spending a lot, you should really visit Turkey this winter.