Istanbul is a special city, therefore, the New Year in the ancient city can be unforgettable! Find out how and where to celebrate the new year 2021, what the weather is like and what to do during the holidays. We share the best restaurants with a good New Year's Eve program.
Weather in Istanbul for New Year
By Russian standards, winters are mild: during the day, on average, +10 ... + 12 ° C, the temperature rarely drops to +6 ... + 4 ° C. Especially warm when the sun is shining. It is cooler at night and evenings.
In December, the weather is very changeable. It may be just cloudy, sometimes it rains, and it rarely snows. The sea is cold because of the wind. In general, the weather in Istanbul for the New Year is usually good, but it is better to dress warmly - in waterproof and windproof. However, the Turks take care of their guests: special heating devices work in restaurants and warm blankets are given out.
Ideas for celebrating the New Year in Istanbul
There are many options for meeting the new 2021 in Istanbul, but most tourists in their reviews recommend meeting it on Galata bridge... It is a bridge across the Golden Horn Bay, connecting the new and old parts of the European side of the city. People come here to admire the festive fireworks or start their own fireworks. And on the lower floor of the bridge there are many fish restaurants where you can book a table in advance. True, not all restaurants are famous for their cuisine, and they also shamelessly overcharge. Haggle!
District Taksim and the street Istiklal - the heart of the city at night. There are many shops, bars, nightclubs, the doors of which do not close until the early morning. On New Year's Eve, the clubs organize shows and discos, which attracts young people.
Another option for celebrating the New Year in Istanbul is to take boat trip, drink champagne with light snacks and enjoy the views of the city at night in the lights, crossing the waters of the Bosphorus. Often during the cruise, they put on shows and fireworks. If you want to ride the Bosphorus, find out the weather in advance.
If you want a quiet and romantic holiday, book a table in a closed restaurant with panoramic windows - there are enough of them in Istanbul!
The best restaurants and hotels to celebrate the New Year
How else to celebrate New Year in Istanbul? Rent a room in a luxury hotel and order dinner in a restaurant with a city view! So, in the Taksim area there is the Intercontinental Istanbul hotel, its restaurant Safran has won numerous awards for Turkish cuisine. The magnificent panoramic view will be a great addition to the overall festive atmosphere.
Fine dining, fireworks, cocktails and a disco - such a New Year's scenario is offered by The Marmara Hotel in Taksim. For vacationers with children, it is a good idea to stay and celebrate the holiday at the Marti Istanbul hotel - they have a special children's menu.
In the Besiktas district is the five-star Four Seasons Hotel at the Bosphorus. A restaurant Aqua when he treats his guests with truffles, foie gras and other delights, live music plays, a disco until the morning.
One of the oldest hotels Pera Palace Hotel invites guests to celebrate the New Year in the style of the glamorous 20s and 30s: great food and live music, ladies in evening dresses and men in tailcoats.
Prices for New Year in Istanbul in 2021
As tourists note in their reviews, on New Year's in Istanbul, prices jump significantly. Hotels for the period of New Year's celebrations usually raise prices 2-3 times, a standard room in a 3 * hotel for three nights - from 200 to 400 $. We advise you to book rooms at Hotelluk or Rumguru a few months before the holiday.
According to the reviews of tourists who met New Year's Eve in Istanbul, for a modest festive dinner in a restaurant, you will have to leave $ 75-100 per person. Typically, the menu includes fish and meat snacks, beer, champagne and local drinks. Some establishments allow visitors to bring alcohol with them.
In the nightclubs of the Taksim district on New Year's Eve, prices are high - from $ 100 at least to $ 600-700 in high-profile establishments. There are a lot of people, so it is better to worry about entrance tickets in advance. In some clubs, a paid entrance is set at $ 30-50 per person, for this money you can watch the show program, but you will have to pay separately for drinks and snacks.
A New Year's walk along the Bosphorus on a boat with champagne will cost $ 150 per person.
What to see during the holidays in Istanbul
In winter, exploring the city is much more pleasant than in summer, as there is no sultry heat and crowds of tourists stepping on their heels. You can safely see the local sights: visit the Hagia Sophia, climb the Galata Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the whole of Istanbul, admire the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), wander around the Topkapi Palace, walk along Istiklal Street and ride a retro tram. Find out the must-sees in Istanbul.
For shopping, check out the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar. And also take a boat ride on the Bosphorus - the city from the water will give you an unforgettable experience. See which excursions are worth taking in Istanbul. Look for author's interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster sites - with reviews from tourists and detailed descriptions of the program.
Tours to Istanbul for New Year - 2021
Winter holidays are more expensive, so it is worth buying them a few months before the New Year. Look for them on Travelata and Level.Travel services.
Now you can still find great inexpensive deals. For example, tours departing on December 28 for 7-8 nights cost from 60 thousand rubles (3-4 star hotels with good guest ratings).
Reviews of tourists about holidays in Istanbul in the New Year
So, what good were the tourists noted in their reviews about the New Year in Istanbul:
- A beautiful city with many attractions and attractions. Weather conditions in winter are quite suitable for romantic boat trips or leisurely walks along the embankments.
- Excellent cuisine - and this applies not only to expensive establishments. The quality of food is high everywhere, even in regular street outlets.
- You can really relax with a visit to the Turkish bath.
- There is an opportunity to combine a good holiday with shopping. New Year's sales begin even before the New Year, you can have time to make pleasant purchases.
The tourists called the disadvantages of such vacations:
- Excessive attention to women of Slavic appearance on the part of Turkish men. A male companion does little to get rid of intrusive glances, especially sensitive ones will have to be patient.
- Some are awakened in the morning by prayer. It is simply impossible not to hear them: there are several thousand mosques in the city, and powerful speakers amplify the outgoing sound.
- In places with a large crowd of people, excesses are possible - people drink, and not everyone knows how to do it adequately. A hot temperament can burst out, therefore, in order to avoid adventures, it is better to celebrate the New Year in a cozy restaurant at a hotel or in another quieter place.
Mutlu Yillar! Happy New Year!
