Turkey can get cold. The average temp in the winter is 45 degrees and it tends to be downcast and rainy. In areas like Cappadocia, it can be 20 degrees colder.
Despite the cold, outdoor dining is in full swing in the winter. Most restaurants have outdoor tables with heat lamps and blankets.
The meals will warm you up! Sizzling bowls of Kavurma or Pottery Kebab arriving in flames are perfect for when the temps drop.
Turkish tea and coffee are available and offered by everyone you talk to. Even more special, Sahlep is a hot milk-based drink sprinkled with cinnamon on top.
Many of the markets sell furs – faux and real – so it’s not unusual to see the locals in head to toe fur.
This is the off-season for travel, so there are less tourists in the area.
Prices are down at hotels and you can often get better deals at events or attractions.
Almost all-outdoor landmarks are open including the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, Mount Nemrut summit, the beaches or the ancient ruins scattered along the country.
In Cappadocia, balloons still fly in the winter. As long as the wind stays below 10mph and there’s no rain or snow in the forecast, it’s a go!
Cappadocia merchants often build fires on the streets during the winter. Locals will warm up and smoke nearby.
Hammams, or Turkish Baths, are a fantastic way to escape the cold. The traditional service is a steam, scrub and bubble wash by an attendant.
Though Christmas isn’t officially celebrated, festive decor can be found at hotels or popular restaurants. Most of the anticipation is for the New Year though.
Istanbul and Cappadocia are known for their terraces and if you bundle up, you can still experience them just as you would in the summer!
