Istanbul in December is a captivating mix of winter chill and warm hospitality. With fewer crowds, cozy cafés, misty Bosphorus views, and sparkling lights in Sultanahmet, it’s a beautiful (and underrated) time to visit. Just bring layers — the weather can shift quickly!
From mosque visits to ferry rides and long walks through bazaars, your wardrobe needs to be both modest and practical. December brings cold, rain, and sometimes snow — so smart, stylish, and weather-ready packing is the key to enjoying Istanbul to the fullest.
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for Istanbul in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
December in Istanbul means crisp air, cloudy skies, and rain showers. Snow is rare, but possible. Dress warmly and prepare for changing conditions.
- 🌡️ Average high: 10°C / 50°F – chilly and overcast
- ❄️ Average low: 5°C / 41°F – damp cold in the evenings
- 🌧️ Rainfall: 12+ days/month – bring waterproof layers
- 💨 Breezy, especially near the water and mosques
What to Pack for Istanbul in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 compact and easy to roll over cobblestones
- Checked bag – 🛄 if you’re shopping or packing bulky clothes
- Duffle bag – 🎽 useful for weekend trips to Cappadocia
- Daypack – 🎒 carry layers, snacks, and camera while exploring
- Packing cubes – 📦 organize warm and modest clothing
- Shoe bags – 👟 keep damp shoes separate
- Toiletry bag – 🧼 leak-proof and upright
- Document organizer – 📁 keep passport, visa, and cards in one place
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ ideal for Grand Bazaar finds
- Laundry kit – 🧺 sink washing for longer trips
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ helpful if shopping
- Luggage lock – 🔒 protect in transit
- Money belt – 💰 discreet for crowded markets
- Quick-dry towel – 🧻 great for hammam or hostels
- Neck pillow – 😴 for flights or long ferries
- Sleep mask – 🛌 useful in shared rooms
👗 Clothes
- Long-sleeve tops (4–5) – 👕 layering pieces for mosque visits & street walks
- Knit sweaters (2–3) – 🧶 warm and stylish for cafés
- Modest midi dresses or tunics – 👗 practical and respectful
- Warm winter coat – 🧥 insulated and wind-resistant
- Rain jacket or trench – 🌧️ waterproof and stylish
- Jeans or thick trousers (2–3) – 👖 warm and versatile
- Leggings or fleece tights – 🩳 under dresses or for layering
- Scarf or shawl – 🧣 stylish and doubles for mosque head covering
- Pajamas – 🛏️ warm for chilly hotel nights
- Swimsuit – 🩱 optional for hammam or spa
- Cover-up – 🧖♀️ towel robe or loose wrap
- Underwear (7+) – 👙 breathable and comfortable
- Bras (3–4) – 🧺 include a sports bra if active
- Warm socks (7+) – 🧦 wool or thick cotton preferred
- Tights – 🧤 modest and warm for dresses or skirts
💆 Skincare
- Hydrating cleanser – 🧴 gentle on dry skin
- Toner – 💧 helps with pollution and dry air
- Rich moisturizer – 🧴 locks in hydration
- SPF – ☀️ still necessary on bright days
- Makeup remover – 🧽 wipes or micellar water
- Exfoliator – 🛁 use weekly to refresh
- Eye cream – 👁️ for tired, travel eyes
- Facial mist – 💦 revive your skin during long walks
- Sheet masks – 😷 recovery for skin after long flights
- Lip balm – 💋 for wind-chapped lips
- Spot treatment – 🎯 for any travel breakouts
💄 Makeup
- Moisturizing foundation or BB cream – 💄 winter formulas
- Concealer – 👁️ brighten and correct
- Blush – 🌺 for a healthy glow
- Highlighter – ✨ subtle shimmer
- Neutral eyeshadow palette – 🎨 versatile for day to night
- Eyeliner – ✒️ waterproof in case of rain
- Mascara – 👁️ smudge-proof preferred
- Brow pencil/gel – 🧴 keep brows tidy under headscarves
- Lipstick or tinted balm – 💄 soft shades for everyday wear
- Setting spray – ❄️ keeps makeup fresh all day
- Brushes – 🖌️ compact travel set
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – 💇♀️ detangle post-hammam
- Hair ties + clips – 🧷 useful for windy days
- Shampoo/conditioner – 🧴 travel size for carry-on
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ extend hair freshness
- Heat protectant – 🔥 for styling tools
- Hair serum – 💧 tame frizz in damp air
- Mini dryer – 💨 check hotel amenities first
- Travel straightener/curler – 💁♀️ dual voltage if needed
- Accessories – 🎀 minimalist or scarf-friendly styles
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Waterproof boots – 🥾 warm and reliable for walking
- Comfortable walking shoes – 👟 essential for full days
- Flats or loafers – 👠 for restaurants or mosques
- Umbrella – ☔ compact and windproof
- Wool hat – 🧢 optional but helpful in cold spells
- Gloves – 🧤 lightweight but warm
- Chunky scarf – 🧣 great for warmth and mosque entry
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ sunny winter days do happen
- Jewelry – 💍 simple and minimal
- Watch – ⌚ time your ferry rides!
- Crossbody or anti-theft bag – 👜 secure in crowded areas
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – 🛂 always carry ID
- Visa (if required) – 📄 e-Visa for many nationalities
- ID card or driver’s license – 🪪 backup ID
- Travel insurance – 🏥 print + digital version
- Flight + hotel confirmations – 📧 offline access too
- Credit/debit cards – 💳 Visa and Mastercard widely accepted
- Cash in Turkish Lira – 💶 needed in bazaars and small shops
- Emergency contacts – 📱 digital and printed
- Maps + offline apps – 🗺️ save routes ahead
- Notebook + pen – 🖊️ track expenses or journal
- Wallet – 👛 compact and RFID-safe
- Valuables – 💎 limit and store safely
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 for long walking days
- Painkillers – 💊 for headaches or long flights
- Cold/flu meds – 🤒 in case of changing temps
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧽 quick cleans
- Tweezers – ✂️ multi-use
- Gauze + tape – 🩼 for minor injuries
- Thermometer – 🌡️ compact digital
- Q-tips – 💠 travel-sized pack
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescriptions – 💊 clearly labeled
- Sanitizer – ✋ crowded trams + ferries
- Toothbrush + toothpaste – 🪥 always essential
- Floss – 🧵 mini version
- Deodorant – 🧼 solid or roll-on
- Razor – 🪒 travel-safe
- Feminine hygiene products – 🩸 stock what you prefer
- Wipes – 🧻 bathroom or refresh use
- Compact mirror – 🪞 good for on the go
- Perfume – 🌸 travel-friendly spray
- Eye drops – 👁️ protect against windy air
- Contact lenses + solution – 👓 bring spares
- Tissues – 🧻 always in your bag
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – 📱 with roaming or Turkish SIM/eSIM
- Chargers – 🔌 phone, camera, and power bank
- Camera – 📷 Istanbul is stunning in every light
- Power bank – 🔋 explore all day without worry
- Plug adapter (Type F or C) – 🔌 for Turkey
- Offline apps – 🗺️ maps, Google Translate, Istanbulkart
- Headphones – 🎧 for travel time or audio guides
- E-reader – 📚 for flights and cozy nights
- Cloud or hard drive backup – 💾 for photos
- Waterproof pouch – 📱 rain or ferry protection
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 Istanbul-set novels for mood
- Podcasts – 🎧 for historical or cultural insights
- Downloaded shows – 📺 for downtime
- Journal – 📓 track your Turkish adventures
- Travel games – 🃏 great for travel companions
- Guidebook – 🗞️ for historical context
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – 🍫 keep energy up while touring
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 stay hydrated
- Shopping bag – 🛍️ for market finds
- Laundry soap – 🧼 for sink washes
- Sewing kit – 🪡 for quick fixes
- Whistle – 📣 for solo safety
- Lint roller – 👔 dark winter coats need it
- Footrest – 🦶 for flights or bus rides
- Shoe deodorizer – 👃 long walking days
- Melatonin – 🌙 jet lag recovery tool
🌍 Travel Tips
- Layer your outfits – 🧥 the weather shifts throughout the day
- Respect cultural dress – 🧣 modesty matters in mosques
- Carry cash + Istanbulkart – 💳 for transit
- Confirm bookings – 🧾 and screenshot everything
- Watch your bag in crowds – 👜 especially in markets
- Tell your bank – 🏦 avoid payment issues
- Pack day-one outfit in your carry-on – 👗 just in case
🛂 Visa Tips
- Check if you need a Turkish e-Visa – 🌍 many can apply online
- Print your visa + confirmation – 🖨️ not all places accept digital only
- Bring passport photos – 📷 just in case
- Proof of return ticket – 🎟️ may be asked at immigration
- Respect customs regulations – 📦 limit food/alcohol imports
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport + e-Visa – 🛂 absolute essentials
- Phone + charger + adapter – 📱 stay powered
- Travel insurance – 🏥 for safety and peace of mind
- Daypack – 🎒 carry layers, water, essentials
- Comfortable walking shoes – 👟 must-have for Istanbul terrain
- Warm jacket – 🧥 the cold can be deceiving
- Offline apps + maps – 🗺️ useful without signal
- Health kit – 🚑 travel-friendly meds
- Reusable bottle – 🚰 refill in the hotel or cafés
- Confirmed bookings – 🧾 always accessible
👍 Good-to-Have
- Blanket scarf – 🧣 fashionable and functional
- Extra gloves – 🧤 in case one gets wet
- Travel steamer – 👔 for wrinkle-free looks
- SIM/eSIM – 📶 stay connected at local rates
- Sleep mask + earplugs – 😴 rest better in transit
- Foldable bag – 🛍️ for return-trip shopping
- Luggage tags – 🏷️ in case bags get lost
