Travel
Top 8 Places To Explore in Turkey in December

Turkey is one of the most exciting Asian countries you can visit. It is located in Asia, with some parts in South-Eastern Europe, making it a transcontinental country. It features several tourist attractions such as Ephesus, Cappadocia, Topkapı Palace, Pamukkale, Antalya, Blue Mosque, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Chora Church, and a lot more.
However, Turkish cuisine is one of a kind and is known for its splendidness.
Turkey visa is available as tourist, business, and transit visas. Also, for both tourist and business visas, an e-visa is available. The processing time for tourist e-visa is just 1-2 business days. For business, e-visa is just 2-4 business days. Thus, you can process your Turkey visa application accordingly.
All places in Turkey are worthy to visit, but a few tourist attractions ace the list of paying a visit specifically in the winter time during December. So, let’s have a look at the top places you can explore in Turkey when visiting in December.
8 Winter Places in Turkey
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Sunken Palace
Sunken Palace is also known as Basilica Cistern, which is a historical monument in Turkey. The iconic Basilica Cistern is one of the best places to visit in Turkey in December. It is one of the two cisterns that remain open to tourists. The tourists walk through the 336 columns of the reservoir and it spreads across 1000 sq metres.
Location: The Basilica Cistern is located at the Alemdar, Yerebatan in Istanbul, Turkey
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Blue Mosque
Well, when you visit Turkey, this illuminated blue mosque is another heartwarming place to be at. The aura of the place reflects beauty and calmness in the blue illumination at night. The mosque is made up of hand-painted blue tiles, which would not fail to mesmerise you.
It is believed that the mosque was built in the early 17th century during the rule of Ottoman emperor Ahmed I. The tomb of the king, prayer area, and a madrasa or Islamic school can also be visited.
Location: Located at Sultan Ahmet, right next to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is the sprawling Blue Mosque.
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Lake Cildir
Are you visiting Turkey in December? This beautiful lake will give you a more pleasant experience than ever. This lake, with a height of 2000 metres, is one of the best places to visit in Turkey in December.
The lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides and during December, it is frozen. Thus, it gives you an opportunity for a plethora of winter sports experiences.
You can take a ride on horse-drawn sleds or snow vehicles and also watch the fishermen catch fish by digging holes through the glacial surface.
Location: Lake Cildir is an inland lake in the northeastern Ardahan Province of Turkey.
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Mount Erciyes
Mount Erciyes had been a volcanic mountain that is now dormant. Mount Erciyes had erupted roughly around 6800 BC. This mountain is a truly exciting place to visit in Turkey and undeniably is a hub for winter sports. The famous Erciyes Ski Resort is located here and can be visited by all the ski lovers out there.
Location: The Mount Erciyes lies in the Kayseri province of Turkey near the Talus and Hacilar towns
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Yedigoller National Park
Turkey is not just about monumental attractions and mountains but also features wildlife. This park is a habitat for various animals such as deer, fixes, wolves, bears, and more. It is also known as the Seven Lakes Park in Yedigoller. You can have a true natural forest life experience by residing in caravans and tents here. At the same time, there are ski centers, hot springs, and several treks that you can take up.
Location: The park is located in the Black Sea region, between Ankara and Istanbul in the Mengen district of the Bolu province in Turkey
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Dolmabahce Palace
One of the best places to visit in Istanbul in December is Dolmabahce Palace. It is considered to be the administrative building of the Ottoman Empire.
The amazing part is that it is Istanbul’s largest palace with two hundred and eighty-five rooms and forty-six halls. The palace features a truly royal experience and thus is a must-visit.
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Fair – Chimney Rock
Having a truly exotic winter experience is something that you will cherish for a lifetime.
This UNESCO World Heritage site which encompasses medieval rock churches, underground cities, open-air museums, and more, would not fail to mesmerize you.
The winter view of the area is truly amazing and cherishable. Furthermore, if you are into trekking, then you can trek up through the valley and gather more.
Location: Kapadokya, Turkey
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Aqua Vega Museum: Explore The Underwater World
Underwater Museums are a wonderful place to go to. It’s one of the largest underwater museums in Europe. It is the ideal place for a family trip, which offers a truly exciting experience. Aqua Vega Museum has a huge water capacity of 4.5 million liters of water. The museum features numerous species of sea creatures. From various spots like Adrenaline World, The Jungle Corner, the Sea Shell Museum, and more, offer a stimulating experience. You can see a variety of sea animals like koi fish, sharks, clownfish, Napoleon fish, and more.
Location: Akşemsettin, Doğukent Bulvarı Nata Vega Outlet, 06480 Mamak/Ankara, Turkey
End Note
There is a lot to explore in Turkey, from the wilderness of wildlife to the explicitness of the calm waters of the lake.
On one hand, the aesthetic value of the place would enlighten you, while on the other hand, the nightlife would give you a memorable experience to cherish.
You can spend time engaging in hot air balloon rides, skiing, trekking and a lot more.