Spending December in Turkey can be a good idea if you are fond of rich cultural heritage, a huge diversion of cuisine, carved with splendid mountains and spectacular beaches. Located on the border of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a throbbing country rich in historical excellence. Not only that, but the natural beauty of this country is also wonderful as you can observe lots of diversions here. The magical Mediterranean coastline will overwhelm you, while the alpine pastures of the Kackar Mountains will mesmerize you at the same time. So, if you want to enjoy Turkey at its best, you need to know the best time of the year to visit here. Today, you will learn about that and the most happening things to do in Turkey in December.
Weather In Turkey In December
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November hails winter in Turkey and that expands throughout December. The entire country is chilly, but you will feel the warmth of welcome anywhere in Turkey. Once you go to the Mediterranean Coast, the place is mildly cold and you will enjoy the sunny days while roaming on the beaches. You can also experience a little rain with cloudy days in December. You can also experience heavy rain in some parts of Turkey, so be prepared. You can expect snow at higher elevations in certain parts of eastern Turkey.
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Things To Do In Turkey In December
Whenever you hear about Turkey, you think of fantastic beaches throughout the country, but there are lots of other things to do here if you plan a trip in December. There are lots of places which you can visit only in winter to have an amazing vacation. Here are the best things to do in Turkey in December. Read on to know more-
1. Ankara Castle: Take A Tour
2. Fairy-Chimney Rock: Explore The Exotic View
3. Aqua Vega Museum: Explore The Underwater World
4. Erimtan Museum: Know The History
5. Dolmabahce Palace: Witness The Grandeur
6. Gobekli Tepe: Visit And Explore
1. Ankara Castle: Take A Tour
As you know, Turkey is a historical country. You will like to begin your journey by learning about the old Turkey. You can do that once you visit the old Ankara Castle. This castle was established in the 7th Century under the Roman Empire. The castle is located on a 43000 square kilometers area where you will find several old Ankara houses and numerous mosques, which are the epitome of the architectural excellence of that period.
Location: Kale, Gözcü Sk. 8-10, 06250 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
Timings: 24 hours
Price: None
2. Fairy-Chimney Rock: Explore The Exotic View
Image Credit: Wolfgang Moroder for Wikimedia Commons
Winter can be exotic if you visit the grand fair chimney rock, as it will be covered with a thin layer of snow. The view is great in the months of winter. This is the part of the Goreme National Park and declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Cappadocia, this place is the house of medieval rock churches, underground cities, open-air museums and so on. You can also trek through the valley to add more fun and excitement to your trip.
Location: Kapadokya, Turkey
Timings: 24 hours
Price: None
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3. Aqua Vega Museum: Explore The Underwater World
If you are having a trip to Turkey with your family and kids, a day-trip to this museum will be perfect. It is one of the largest underwater museums in Europe. Aqua Vega Museum has a capacity of 4.5 million litres of water, where you can see numerous species of sea creatures. There are different parts of the museum to astonish you, like the Adrenaline World, The Jungle Corner, the Sea Shell Museum, etc. where you can visit sea animals, like koi fish, sharks, clownfish, napoleon fish, and so on.
Location: Akşemsettin, Doğukent Bulvarı Nata Vega Outlet, 06480 Mamak/Ankara, Turkey
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Price: 15TL for adults, 10TL for kids
4. Erimtan Museum: Know The History
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Museums can tell the history of civilization; that’s why spending some time over there can make you rich with experience. Erimtan Museum was established in 2009, and it is an art museum that attracts art lovers all over the world. The museum’s name was given after Yuksel Erimtan, a civil engineer who found many ancient artifacts at the construction site he was working on. With those collections and lots, more this museum was established. Many of these artefacts are mainly ancient jewels, but there are also ceramic and glass objects, seals, coins, etc. While enjoying these artefacts, visitors can also go to the concert organized by the museum every Tuesday.
Location: Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:10, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday closed)
Price: 100TL
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5. Dolmabahce Palace: Witness The Grandeur
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Located in the heart of Istanbul, this ancient palace was the central administrative building of the Ottoman Empire. The architecture of this palace is influenced by the baroque style, and there is also a touch of neoclassical architecture in certain parts of it. This is the largest palace in Turkey, with 285 rooms and 46 halls, and visitors will get tired of exploring it one day. You can have a guided tour to learn more about the history of this palace. While here, you should not miss watching the Bohemian crystal chandelier, gifted by Queen Victoria. This is the largest of its kind in the world.
Location: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey
Timings: 9 am to 4 pm (Monday closed)
Price: 0.51 Euro
6. Gobekli Tepe: Visit And Explore
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Gobekli Tepe is popularly known as ‘Potbelly Hill’ and it is an archeological site in the Anatolia Region of Turkey. There is an artificial tell which is believed to belong to the pre-pottery Neolithic Period. This place is rich in history and you can know about this place in detail from the local tour guide. You will feel thrilling to know that the true mystery of Gobekli Tepe is yet untold and it is believed that once the history comes in front, it will unfold lots of hidden truths about human civilization.
Location: Örencik, 63290 Haliliye/Şanlıurfa, Turkey
Timings: Opens 24 hours
Price: None
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Festivals In Turkey In December
December is the time of celebration worldwide, and Turkey is not an exception. This is the time when the country is decorated with festive lights and glory. Though there are not that many events happen in December, here are certain festivals to enjoy in Turkey in December-
1. St. Nicholas Festival
2. Rumi Commemoration
1. St. Nicholas Festival
Image Credit: Ethan Doyle White for Wikimedia Commons
The arrival of Santa Claus is celebrated throughout Turkey in the early weeks of December which gets its complete form on Christmas. People have lots of fun at this time and the shops and many centers remain closed this time.
Date: Early December
2. Rumi Commemoration
The Rumi Commemoration ceremony is celebrated in the first half of December on the memory of Jalaluddin Rumi, the famous Sufi poet. People around the world prefer to visit Turkey this time to celebrate this occasion and that’s why the hotel rooms and flight tickets are always in high demand.
Date: First half of December
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Tips To Visit Turkey In December
- December is quite chilly in Turkey, so you need to bring warm clothes when visiting the cities.
- The Mediterranean coast area has mild weather conditions, so you don’t need to layer many clothes at those places.
- Always carry sunscreen, sunhat, and comfortable cotton clothes as you will find several bright sunny days also.
- December is the time of brisk to heavy rain. Be prepared with an umbrella and rain jacket.
- Always wear comfortable footwear that can help you to make journeys and explore places.
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So, here’s a detailed account of visiting Turkey in December. It’s really difficult to visit every place at once, as there are so many wonders throughout the country. Still, you should try to make a list of must-visit places and have fun! Now that you know what this country has to offer, get your bags packed and be ready to have an amazing trip to Turkey amidst the artistic architecture and many other unusual things.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey In December
Why Turkey is famous?
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world where tourists can roam around the cities without any fear. It is said that Istanbul and Ankara are the safest cities in this country.
Can you visit Turkey in December?
December is winter in Turkey and quite comfortable. If you want to enjoy the cool weather, but not the chilly wind, you can head towards Mediterranean coastal areas. You can also get brisk rain to enjoy your vacation.
Which are the best places to visit in Turkey in December?
It is very difficult to point out the best places, but there are certain places that you can enjoy in December, like Gobekli Tepe, Dolmabahce Palace, Aqua Vega Museum, etc.
Which are the most beautiful cities in Turkey?
As Turkey is a historical country, its beauty is scattered throughout. Still, some of the wonderful cities in Turkey are Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, etc. where you will find lots of places of attraction.
How can you travel to Turkey?
You need a visa to travel to Turkey. You can apply for a Turkish visa from Turkish missions or apply e-Visa and wait for it.
What to wear in Turkey?
Turkey is a country of free-minded people, so there is no restriction on wearing whatever you want. But, you need to wear a sober dress and full-length apparel while visiting any mosque.
Do you need any vaccines while visiting Turkey?
Yes, there are certain types of vaccinations you need before going to Turkey. As per WHO, you should have vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps and rubella, anthrax, rabies, typhoid, etc.
What are the traditional foods to taste in Turkey?
Once you are in Turkey, you should try some traditional foods in this country. Try pide, manti, baklava, meze, lahmacun, kumpir, balik ekmek, etc.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
