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Istanbul Place

Christmas in Istanbul. A good idea?

October 2021 by Julia

25 Oct

Istanbul at Christmas time makes a great getaway: the city is wintry, festive-feeling (technically for New Year) yet without the Christmas overwhelm that’s often found in other parts of the world.

The first time I came to Istanbul myself was a mid-December, in the hope of escaping the highly commercialised festive fever gripping my home, England. With the population of Turkey 98% Muslim, it was unclear what I’d find.

The idea was to search for – and hopefully photograph – the December 17th celebrations that mark the life and death of the Sufi philosopher Mevlâna Jelaleddin Rumî. I arrived on this mission but it turned out that my own life was spun around very like the whirling dervishes I was trying to find. A week into my trip I descended a spiral staircase and met Tarkan at the bottom. Within a year we were living together in this, his city, later followed by the birth of our son and the evolution of our business Istanbul Place Apartments – a new life like nothing I’d previously known.

So OF COURSE we recommend spending Christmas in Istanbul!

Here’s a look at what will be waiting for you:

Street lights and ‘Christmas’ trees in Istanbul

Many main streets, particularly famous Istiklal, will be strung with stylish festive lights between buildings. In our Galata neighbourhood there’ll be views of the tower with sparkling street lights too. You’ll also see decorated pine trees, particularly in public spaces and shopping malls.

All this is actually intended to celebrate New Year, just around the corner, but the atmosphere is much the same as Christmas. Wrap up well and treat yourself to some hot, freshly roasted chestnuts from a street seller – you might feel even more ‘Christmassy’ than home!

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Very little fuss

December 25th is just another normal day in Istanbul. Shops, banks, businesses, restaurants and tourist attractions will have their usual opening hours for that day of the week. Some larger shops might include Christmas music in their playlists but there’s no super-saturation with it as we experience in the West. Commercial pressure is at ordinary levels. Phew.

Crisp, cold weather and sometimes snow

We can’t promise it, but the city smothered in snow is a distinct possibility. The weather will certainly be cold and it can be wet, so do come prepared for all eventualities. If snow does arrive during your stay then city views will be magical and make life-time memories. Head straight up to the roof terrace if you’re staying in one of our Petraki Place Apartments to share the winter wonderland cityscape with seagulls and cats.

Saint Nicholas lived in Turkey

The boy who became St Nicholas lived in the ancient province of Lycia in southern Turkey, during the 3rd century. He was orphaned young and became generous with his inherited wealth, dedicating his life to helping the poor. He became famous for secret gift-giving and was soon ordained as a priest, later Bishop of Myra.

Legend has it that one local family couldn’t afford dowries for their 3 daughters but found bags of gold mysteriously thrown through their open window. The gold is said to have landed in the girls’ stockings which were hanging by the fire – starting the tradition we now know so well.

Christmas celebrations to be found

If you’d like to attend a Christmas service or mass, they do happen in several of Istanbul’s historic city churches. The British Consulate Chapel of Saint Helena, up the hill from our apartments, has a Christmas Eve service and our lovely local Crimean Memorial Church, just along Serdar-i Ekrem, holds a service on Christmas Morning. Grand Saint Anthony of Padua, the city’s largest Catholic church, is on Istiklal Caddesi and holds Christmas masses throughout Christmas Day in Polish, English, Italian and Turkish.

Many big International hotels offer Christmas meals, often buffet-style, and will need to be booked in advance.

However it’s a challenge to find the ingredients to make your own traditional meal, let alone all the trimmings. You’ll need to be creative on this one! Or just enjoy what is available: the many local restaurants will be open as usual with their own wonderful menus.

There are usually a few events held amongst the city’s welcoming expat community. A personal favourite of ours is ‘The Handmade Istanbul Holiday Market‘. It’s a craft fair usually held in Saint Helena Chapel in early December. The long established IWI Winter Festival, organised by the International Women of Istanbul, tends to get very busy but is also interesting and full of festive feels.

Alternatively, if you welcome the excuse to just forget about the whole thing, that’s absolutely possible too! We provide a mini Christmas tree with fairy lights in your apartment, but will happily hide it all away if you ask, without so much as a ‘bah humbug!‘.

Do you have questions?

We love Christmas in Istanbul – and throughout the rest of the year too.
Do feel free to ask us any questions you may have in the comments section below.

If you’d like to book an apartment with us for this Christmas or later into the New Year, we do still have some availability: ENQUIRE

« #BookDirect Day 2021
Istanbul Tulip Festival 2022. How to enjoy it! »

Comments

  1. Catarina says

    December 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Sounds magical Julia.

    Although I do love Christmas and being with my family, I also feel it is becoming more and more commercially out-of-control, so what you describe sounds refreshing and coming back to the peacefulness it really is about.

    Catarina x

    Reply
    • Julia says

      December 2016 at 10:06 am

      It’s great to see you here Catarina! Thanks so much for your interest in the post.

      Something that I could/should have made clearer is that each of the apartments sleeps up to 7 people and some of them are in the same building, just across the hall from each other.

      So, if being with family is a priority you can bring them too, even if you have lots! And there’ll still be space for quiet time: win-win :))

      Reply
  2. Julianne says

    December 2016 at 3:28 pm

    I love staying at home at Christmas but part of me would love to go away and explore another culture’s traditions like this. You make it sound fantastic.

    Reply
    • Julia says

      December 2016 at 3:42 pm

      In many ways being away at Christmas helps you appreciate the home-version all the more, I think, ready for next time. It does take the pressure off too, unless you have to be super-organised with presents etc for family before you go! Thanks for your comment Julianne.

      Reply
  3. Donna Maartinez says

    December 2016 at 2:48 pm

    Excellent idea for a unique holiday escape!

    Reply
    • Julia says

      December 2016 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you Donna. You know we’d love to see you here any time at all.

      Reply
  4. Sian says

    December 2016 at 11:17 am

    Sounds idyllic! One of the places I’ve always wanted to visit.

    Reply
    • Julia says

      December 2016 at 11:27 am

      Thanks Siân, it is an incredible city. Hope you can come adventuring one day!

      Reply

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Pasha Place Apartment has a new sofa, antique chai Pasha Place Apartment has a new sofa, antique chairs and designer side tables so photography updates are needed this week ✨
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>> link in bio to see it newly on the website, for more details and to book your stay 👆🏻​​​​​​​​
Farewell 2022 and welcome to 2023! 🥂 It’s no Farewell 2022 and welcome to 2023! 🥂

It’s not been the easiest of years but along the way we’ve so loved being in touch with you online and hosting all our wonderful guests. Thanks for your part in it 🥰

Were you able to stay with us?

The Sema ceremony pictured is from Galata Mevlevihanesi just up the hill and reminds us of Rumi’s words:

“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” 

If this resonates with you and you’re tempted in an Istanbul direction, we’d be delighted to see you in 2023 ✨

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>>UPDATE: now booked<< Still wondering what to do >>UPDATE: now booked<<

Still wondering what to do for New Year? We can now offer Pasha Penthouse Apartment between Dec 30th and January 5th - including New Years’ Eve! Just finished getting it ready in time 😅

This very special apartment has a private roof terrace with sweeping views across the Bosphorus and Golden Horn - a dream for the fireworks at midnight - an unforgettable way to welcome in 2023 🥂

It’s also perfectly placed to explore the famous sights on the peninsula yet feel a sense of belonging in your own historic home. Swipe for more images of the property and streets around <<

✨ 2 nights minimum stay
✨ Romantic for 2, fun for 4
✨ The best street in Galata at your doorstep
✨ Great cafes and restaurants in the neighbourhood 

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📷: @gokhan_sariyaz_foto @hotelfotografcisi 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Pasha Penthouse is ready! 🙌🏻 Our latest pro Pasha Penthouse is ready! 🙌🏻

Our latest project is now finished and photographed, so it might be time to test it out a little 🤪

See in stories why we’re calling it Pasha Penthouse (private terrace!! floor to ceiling glass doors!! million dollar view!!) 

It’s not on the website yet so please make contact directly if you’d like to book a stay.

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📷: @gokhan_sariyaz_foto @hotelfotografcisi 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Yesterday is history Tomorrow is a mystery But tod Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
But today is a gift 💫

This view is a present to you - any time you like - from us and from Istanbul, when you stay at Pasha Penthouse apartment in Galata ✨

Save to remember!

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Hello and merhaba old friends and welcome to new o Hello and merhaba old friends and welcome to new ones too 👋🏻👋🏻

This family business Istanbul Place Apartments is run by my husband Tarkan and myself @juliabayne together with our wonderful manager Taşkın. It all began 15 years ago when we lived in Singapore, though more recently we’ve been based in England for our son’s education. 

We still dash around a lot and here I am looking a bit weary in the midst of working on our latest addition. When finished it’ll give you a choice of 15 historic apartments with us,  for your next Istanbul trip ✨

One day if we can be in the same place at the same time, hopefully and inşallah we can manage a professional picture all together. But until then it’s another knackered mirror-selfie from me!

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Wishing you a lovely Sunday, from us all, wherever you may be. We hope to welcome you to Istanbul very soon ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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The framing of sultans 🤪 They don’t seem to m The framing of sultans 🤪 They don’t seem to mind!

These pretty frames from @coxandcox have glass backs, so the interesting historic info about each Ottoman sultan can still be read. The vintage card-portraits themselves were an antique shop find a few years ago and have been patiently waiting in a dark folder for their Bosphorus views to be reinstated 💫

Will you come to visit and tell them the latest palace gossip?!

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Goodnight and iyi geceler from us 💫 This is a Goodnight and iyi geceler from us 💫

This is a bit of the view from an apartment we’re currently furnishing and preparing for guests - hopefully you! 

It has a magnificent private terrace overlooking the Bosphorus, Golden Horn AND Galata Tower. If you know our Pasha Place Apartment, this one is in the same building at the top. It’s not on the website yet, but will be soon - meanwhile there’s work to be done. 

So we’ll crack on and sleep well tonight with the exhaustion of it all 🤪 Hope you sleep well too.

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📷: our lovely manager Taşkın 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Life is so busy - it really helps to be able to ar Life is so busy - it really helps to be able to arrange your travels and apartment stay efficiently ✨​​​​​​​​
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Across the Golden Horn, November 2022 ✨ This ci Across the Golden Horn, November 2022 ✨

This city, over millennia, has seen so much - too much in many ways. 

And so today we - the lucky ones - are getting on with life again, enjoying the moments and each other. 

We’re taking deep breaths of the views and also recommending mercimek çorbası - comfort soup! @ozlems_turkish_table has a great recipe - simple and healthy, swipe to be tempted. It helps with everything 💫

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This particular bit of skyline is from the shared roof terrace of our Petraki Place Apartments.
Deliveries are happening ✨ Although we use loca Deliveries are happening ✨

Although we use locally sourced items as much as possible to furnish the apartments, there are some things that best arrive in suitcases. With the winter season coming up here are some new cosy textiles and family games for Petraki Place II Apartment. 

Also a repatriated hamam bowl, English breakfast tea bags - for personal use! - and some fancy chocolates for the team 🤪

What would you bring?!

>> link in bio to our website for more of this apartment, including floor plan, reviews and easy direct booking 👆🏻

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Meet The Team ✨ Do you know Taşkın? We’re ce Meet The Team ✨ Do you know Taşkın? We’re celebrating 5 years’ of working together with him this November 🙌🏻

Taşkın - pronounced “Tashkuhn” - is our skilled and lovely manager in Galata. When you arrive at your apartment he’ll welcome you with grace, show how things work and help with any questions you might have. From then on he’s only a phone call or WhatsApp message away, should you need any support during your stay 💫

Having worked in Istanbul tourism for many years, his English, patience and positive outlook are great! He has two adult children - Irem and Emir - and lives across the Golden Horn with his wife Sevda. We’re very lucky to have him on our business journey with us 🧿
Do you like this headboard? Honestly! 🤔 For ma Do you like this headboard? Honestly! 🤔

For many years we’ve been designing our own velvet headboards and having them made by talented local upholsterer Izmet. This example is waiting for you in one of Petraki Place III apartment’s 3 bedrooms. 

The dimensions are completely to our own design, so for a twin room like this the length << swipe to see << allows two beds to be moved together or apart. For double beds we’ve always gone for more drama with the height, but kept to velvet upholstery. 

A new apartment will be joining the Istanbul Place collection soon and we’re wondering if it’s time for headboard change. What do you think? ✨

>> link in bio to our website for more of this apartment, including floor plan, reviews and easy direct booking 👆🏻

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Who doesn’t appreciate a sparkly clean kitchen i Who doesn’t appreciate a sparkly clean kitchen in their holiday rental? 💫

Our guests can be sure of arriving to one when staying in an Istanbul Place Apartment. There’s no pressure to use it though! Lots of interesting restaurants and cafés are on your doorstep so you can cook at home as little or as much as you choose - and if you do need any help keeping on top of it during your stay we can arrange an extra cleaning service for you.

>> link in bio to our website for more of this apartment, including floor plan, reviews and easy direct booking 👆🏻

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Last of the summer meze ✨ It’s not too late f Last of the summer meze ✨

It’s not too late for summer food, is it?! Make this at home or find similar in neighbourhood restaurants and cafés when you stay in our apartments. 

Summer isn’t quite over in Istanbul yet! Have a lovely weekend wherever you are ✨
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📷: @always_hungry_fats 🙏🏻🙏🏻⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you recognise this beautiful building? Share i Do you recognise this beautiful building?  Share its name in the comments if you do ✨

Our son attended a wedding celebration here last week and it’s been lovely to remind him of why we called our first Istanbul Place Apartment ‘Pera Place’. 

They’re of the same period and in the same neighbourhood… clue!

We were tongue-in-cheek all those years ago, though in time it evolved into our current business name so there’s no going back! 

Swipe 👈🏻 to see our Pera Place Apartment and whether you can imagine Agatha Christie staying with us too, after her inspirational journey on the Orient Express 🥂

>> link in bio to see more of Pera Place Apartment, including availability, pricing, floor plan, reviews and direct booking 👆🏻 

#myistanbulplace
What a treat to be included in @insideoutinistanbu What a treat to be included in @insideoutinistanbul’s recent post about the women of Istanbul!

It’s an interesting piece that’ll put you on the trail of some of the women who’ve made a difference historically, as well as some who are trying their best across the city these days ✨

In our case it’s all about the teamwork and @sulekcay has been so helpful recently - many thanks to her too 🙏🏻🙏🏻
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>> link in bio to read @insideoutinistanbul Lisa’s post ‘Discover the Istanbul Women Created’ 👆🏻​​​​​​​​
We’re fortunate to have Istanbul itself, with al We’re fortunate to have Istanbul itself, with all its intriguing complexities, on our marketing team 🤪

Thanks to all our wonderful guests who left great reviews to qualify us for another @tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award in 2022 🙏🏻🙏🏻

>> link in bio to website, where you can read much more about the service we give, guests’ experiences and apartment quality, to inform your choice 👆🏻

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Recognise this street? Tell us if you know/remembe Recognise this street? Tell us if you know/remember its name! 🤔​​​​​​​​
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There’s a heavy old iron doorway on the left leading up to the four Petraki Place Apartments we offer and their magnificent roof terrace view. Straight ahead you can just see Galata tower in sunshine. Cafés, boutique shops and small restaurants abound. ​​​​​​​​
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When will we see you here?!​​​​​​​​
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>> link in bio to read more about the city and see the apartments we offer, including floor plans and reviews 👆🏻​​​​​​​​
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#myistanbulplace ​​​​​​​​

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