So, you’re heading to Turkey… in winter? Bold choice, my friend. Most travellers flock here for sun-drenched coastlines and balloon selfies in sleeveless shirts. But you? You’re chasing snowflakes in a land known for sun and spice. And you’re about to be very glad you did.
Because here’s the secret no one tells you: winter in Turkey is glorious. Think snowy mountain villages, steaming thermal springs, quiet ancient ruins and just the right amount of tourists (read: barely any). Fewer crowds, lower prices and a whole lot of winter magic with a Turkish twist.
So, zip up that coat, grab some roasted chestnuts and get ready to discover 10 winter activities that prove Turkey isn’t just a summer fling — it’s a year-round love affair.
1. Hit the Slopes in Uludağ
🎿 Welcome to Turkey’s answer to the Alps… just with more kebabs. Uludağ, near Bursa, is the country’s most popular ski resort — think powdery snow, pine forests and après-ski with Turkish tea instead of schnapps.
💡 Pro tip: Book early on weekends. Istanbulites descend in droves, and nothing says “buzzkill” like a lift queue longer than a Turkish soap opera.
2. Soak in Pamukkale’s Thermal Pools
🛁 Snow falling while you’re soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by surreal white travertine terraces? Yes please. Pamukkale turns into a real-life winter fairy tale — no filter needed.
💡 Pro tip: Skip the midday rush and go early morning or late afternoon. More mist, less crowd. And yes, it’s totally fine to pretend you’re in a spa commercial.
3. Go Snowshoeing in Cappadocia
❄️ Cappadocia in winter? Criminally underrated. Those fairy chimneys dusted with snow? Pure magic. You can hike or snowshoe through silent valleys, then warm up with a çay in a cave café.
💡 Pro tip: Balloons fly in winter too, weather permitting. Fewer people, same wow. And bonus — you won’t melt while waiting for takeoff.
4. Sip Sahlep in Istanbul’s Cosy Cafés
☕ Forget pumpkin spice. Sahlep is Turkey’s winter drink of dreams — a hot, creamy concoction made from orchid root and topped with cinnamon. It’s nostalgia in a cup, and basically a hug for your soul.
💡 Pro tip: Try it from a street vendor with a fancy brass pot. If it doesn’t burn your tongue and your heart a little, you’re not doing it right.
5. Ski the Wild Slopes of Palandöken
🏔️ For real-deal skiers who laugh in the face of bunny slopes, Palandöken near Erzurum offers steep runs, long trails and actual cold weather (minus 20 kind of cold). Hardcore vibes, but with baklava.
💡 Pro tip: Night skiing here is a thing. Yes, skiing. At night. Under the stars. While freezing. Epic.
6. Explore the Ghostly Ruins of Ephesus (Without the Crowds)
🏛️ In summer, Ephesus feels like a history exam with 3,000 classmates. In winter? Peaceful, quiet, and mist curling around columns like something out of an ancient mystery novel.
💡 Pro tip: Wear layers. Turkish ruins don’t come with central heating. Or roofs.
7. Relax in a Traditional Turkish Hammam
🧖♀️ There’s cold, and then there’s got-lost-in-a-snowstorm-in-Eastern-Turkey cold. Enter: the hammam. Stripped down, scrubbed silly and steamed into oblivion. It’s equal parts cleansing and mildly traumatic.
💡 Pro tip: Say yes to the kese (scrubbing mitt). Say no to modesty. Hammams are not shy places.
8. Wander Snowy Streets in Safranbolu
🏘️ This UNESCO-listed town is all Ottoman charm — wooden houses, winding lanes and the kind of snow-dusted rooftops that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Turkish Christmas card (minus the Christmas bit).
💡 Pro tip: Try the local saffron-flavoured Turkish delight. It’s sweet, yellow and wildly addictive.
9. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Istanbul
🎉 Istanbul goes big on New Year’s — fireworks over the Bosphorus, street parties, rooftop dinners and just the right amount of chaos. It’s loud, glittery and oh-so-worth it.
💡 Pro tip: Dress warm, book early and keep your phone charged. You’ll want the midnight shot with the fireworks and the ferry in the background.
10. Warm Up with a Bowl of Iskembe Soup at 3am
🍲 You haven’t truly done Turkish winter until you’ve found yourself at a street-side lokanta, eating tripe soup after midnight with a random group of locals swearing it cures hangovers, heartbreak and frostbite.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t ask what’s in it. Just squeeze the lemon, take a sip and join the conversation.
✨ Final Frosty Thoughts:
Turkey in winter is the country’s best-kept secret. It’s wild, romantic, uncrowded and somehow even more Turkish — with steaming food, strong tea, and the kind of warm hospitality that makes you forget you can’t feel your toes.
So whether you’re skiing, soaking, sledding or sipping sahlep, know this: you came for the adventure, but you’ll stay for the surprise. And possibly, the hammam.
Just don’t forget your scarf. Or your appetite.
