"Happy New Year!" in Turkish - Mutlu Yillar! We tell you what the weather is in Turkey at the height of winter, what are the prices for tours, where to celebrate the new year 2021 and what to do during the holidays. As a bonus - reviews of tourists about the holiday.
Weather in Turkey for New Year
Winter in Turkey is mild, without severe cold. In December and January, the weather is changeable and is very similar to our April. During the day, the air can warm up to +17 ... + 19 ° С, and in the evening it can cool down to +3 ... + 8 ° С. The sun shines all day, then hides behind the clouds. At times it rains and rarely snows. There is 200-250 mm of precipitation per month. The average air temperature in Istanbul is +10 ... + 15 ° С, and in the ski resorts of the country - about −2 ... −5 ° С.
From November to May in Turkey, the low season, so the beaches of most resorts are closed. The sea water temperature does not rise above +16 ... 18 ° С. If you want to spend your holidays in Antalya, Alanya, Side, Bodrum or Kemer, stay in hotels with a warm pool. Find out about holidays in Antalya in December and January.
Air temperature table in Antalya in December, day and night:
| When | t in the afternoon | t at night |
| Mid December | + 17 ° C | + 10 ° C |
| End of December | + 15 ° C | + 9 ° C |
| Early january | + 14 ° C | + 6 ° C |
| End of january | + 15 ° C | + 8 ° C |
Where to celebrate the new 2021 in Turkey
The choice of location depends on your preferences and the purpose of your trip. Someone likes to celebrate the main holiday of the year among a jubilant crowd in a bustling city. Others prefer to relax together in a small resort village and admire the starry sky.
Istanbul. In a city steeped in history, there is always something to see and do. Here history and culture lovers will spend an unforgettable winter vacation! Visit the beautiful Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, shop at the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar, admire the city buildings from the height of the ancient Galata Tower, and stroll along the colorful pedestrian Istiklal Street.
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- Where to stay in Istanbul
- How to celebrate New Year in Istanbul
Ski resorts. Do you like sports and outdoor activities? It's a good idea to celebrate the new year 2021 in Turkey with skiing and snowboarding. Uludag, Sarikamysh, Kartalkaya, Palandoken, Kartepe and Erciyes receive guests from December to March.
Of course, the slopes are not the most difficult and are significantly inferior to the popular alpine resorts. But Turkish ski resorts are famous for well-prepared slopes, decent service and picturesque landscapes for a relatively low price. And where else do you go for an all-inclusive ride?
Sea resorts. Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Side and other seaside resorts in Turkey are popular among vacationers not only in summer - many people prefer to celebrate the New Year there. This is beneficial - you will receive good service at an affordable price.
Prices for tours in the new 2021 to Turkey
New Year packages to Turkey are in demand, so book them in advance. Holidays are the peak of the winter tourist season, and compared to the autumn calm, prices skyrocket. Look for New Year's tours on Travelata and Level.Travel, hotels on Hotelluk.
How New Year is celebrated in Turkey
Celebrations are organized mainly for tourists. The fact is that the Turks do not attach importance to the traditional New Year for us. Here it was declared a day off only in 1981. Most Turks are Muslims, and Muslim holidays are much more important to them.
Spiritual leaders do not recommend that residents decorate the Christmas tree. True, not everyone listens to this advice - for example, young people are happy to take part in a common holiday.
Every year, a special festive lottery with big winnings is held in the country. Lottery tickets are a welcome gift and are often placed under the tree and presented as souvenirs to family and friends.
The mass meeting of the New Year in Turkey takes place at the resorts of the Turkish Riviera, in Ankara and Izmir. According to reviews, concerts are organized on large squares, and the local Santa Claus, Noel Baba, performs in front of the audience.
On the last day of the year, almost every Turkish hotel organizes a festive banquet and show program for guests. Elite 5 * hotels invite Russian and foreign pop stars to perform. Stuffed turkey with oriental sauces, bottles of champagne, salads and national Turkish dishes appear on the festive table.
According to reviews, tourists often celebrate the New Year in Turkey together or with close friends. To do this, they book a hotel with a good view of the city or the coast. The festive night is spent at dinner in a restaurant or on board the yacht.
In Istanbul, the winter celebration is celebrated on the Galata Bridge, in the Pera and Kadikoy districts, in the Sultanahmet and Taksim squares. Here, tables are set, a festive dinner is prepared and spectacular evening fireworks are organized. Many people like to celebrate the holiday while walking on a motor ship along the Bosphorus.
What to do during your vacation at seaside resorts
Resorts on the shores of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas receive tourists mainly in the summer, but on New Year's in Turkey there are many guests. In winter, there is no heat, and tourists are happy to bask in the soft winter sun and enjoy hiking in the fresh sea air.
Heated pools. Since it is cold to swim in the sea in winter, only rare daredevils dare to do this. If you still want to swim, book hotels with a warm pool. The water temperature in them reaches +26 ... + 28 ° С.
Leisure. During the holidays, you can play golf and learn horse riding. In addition, paragliding is popular all year round.
Wellness. Combine relaxation with healing and wellness treatments at spas, thalassotherapy and massage centers. During the cold season, it is so nice to relax in the traditional Turkish hammams and thermal springs!
Historical and natural attractions. In winter, there is no heat and crowds of tourists, so feel free to take excursions to interesting places. From the sea coast there are bus tours to Cappadocia and Pamukkale, to the ancient cities of Anemurium, Mira, Phaselis, Olympos and Sagalassos. A big plus - the prices for excursions in the winter months are lower than in the summer. Find out how to rent a car in Turkey.
Museums. There are museums on the Turkish Riviera all year round. Antalya and Alanya have rich archaeological collections and houses-museums of Ataturk. In Kemer, you can visit the Yuruk open-air museum-park, and in Side - the museum of ancient art.
Sales. During your New Year holiday in Turkey, go shopping. The sales season starts well before the holidays and reaches its peak at Catholic Christmas. During the holidays, prices are usually the lowest - even sellers in the markets are more willing to bargain.
Reviews about holidays in Turkey for the New Year and tips
Pros:
- The flight from Moscow takes only 3-3.5 hours, and Russians do not need to apply for a visa.
- The weather for the New Year in Turkey is much better than in Central Russia or Siberia.
- Winter recreation is varied: you can swim in the pool, visit historical sites, take a walk by the sea, go skiing and shopping.
- During the holidays, it is convenient to go on bus excursions and visit the sights on your own.
According to reviews, disadvantages rest in Turkey for the New Year is a little:
- In the first month of winter, the rainy season begins, and precipitation falls during the winter holidays throughout the country.
- Many hotels close after the end of the summer season and do not accept tourists in winter.
Advice experienced tourists:
- If you want to meet the new 2021 in Turkey with maximum comfort, but at a low price, buy an all-inclusive tour. In winter they cost one and a half times cheaper than in summer.
- December 31 is a working day in the country.Everyone is trying to finish work early in order to be home in time for the festive table. As a result, large traffic jams are formed on the roads - take this feature into account.
- It rains and cold winds in Turkey during the height of winter, so bring a windbreaker, waterproof shoes and an umbrella.
- If you are going to celebrate the new year 2021 in Turkey with children, choose a seaside resort that has many interesting attractions and parks. Stay in hotels with indoor water parks and playgrounds.
- On weekdays, prices for excursions and museum tickets are usually lower.
