Enjoying Winter In Istanbul

The capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires

, Istanbul has stood through the ages as one of the most beautiful, historic, and culturally rich cities in the world. This city marries ancient wonders and treasures with modern luxuries and conveniences, offering the best of both worlds.

The best Istanbul hotels offer world-class accommodation and services, while outside, sometimes merely a few streets away, a wealth of history and incredible experiences await visitors. Though beautiful all year round, winters in this UNESCO World Heritage City are especially stunning, evoking images of magical snowglobe-like cityscapes from legends of old. With the reduced number of visitors, you can take your time exploring the city and its wonders without having to worry about overcrowded venues or long lines. Be sure to dress warmly, though. Istanbuls winters can be wet and cold, but its myriad attractions are well worth braving the weather.

Bathe in a Turkish Hamam

If youre feeling chilly while sightseeing but not yet ready to retire to one of the best Istanbul hotels, what better way to warm up than to visit an authentic hamam such as the Sultanahmet baths? In these grand marble Turkish baths, visitors can enjoy warm-to-hot relaxing waters, massages and scrubs by trained personnel. These purifying gender-segregated baths are said to have both beautifying and healthful properties, and are popular with visitors and locals alike. Afterwards, be sure to continue indulging yourself by visiting a nearby coffee shop or restaurant and having a cup of Turkish tea or coffee with some baklava or Turkish delight.

Shop in the Grand Bazaar

When picturing the opulence of the Byzantine era, a Turkish marketplace is one of the iconic images that spring to mind. Byzantine silk, lush and intricate carpets, and exotic spices are only some of the goods that were greatly in demand all over the world. Today, visitors to the city flock to the Grand Bazaar for the ultimate shopping experience. Here, the phrase shop till you drop may be quite literal as the Grand Bazaar features more than 5,000 stalls covering approximately 60 streets protected by domed ceilings. Not to worry; the Grand Bazaar is only a short distance from many of the best Istanbul hotels, so making several visits over the course of your trip is a good idea.

Whether youre looking for trinkets, jewellery, leather goods, leather goods, carpets, cloth, spices, antiquities, pipes or hookahs, or a unique piece of Turkish memorabilia, youre sure to find it here. Be ready to part with the contents of your purse, though, as you may find many of its offerings irresistible. Make sure you compare prices and haggle to get the best deals possible. Carpets are in great demand here, but more portable souvenirs - jewellery and trinkets featuring Nazar Boncugu, or evil eye beads or pendants (which are said to protect the wearer against evil) - are especially also popular. As a bonus, in winter you can enjoy winter-only treats such as sahlep, a drink made from crushed orchid bulb, or boza, a drink made from fermented millet, before retreating back to one of the best Istanbul hotels for the evening.

by: Roberta Stuart

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