The Best Places To Spend New Year's Eve In Turkey

New Year’s Eve is one of biggest days of celebration in Turkey and you’ll be able to find plenty of events going on all around the country. Whether it’s a seven-course dinner at a fancy hotel in the city or a cozy night in a ski hotel in the mountains, here are some great suggestion for entering the new year.

Istanbul

As Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul celebrates the new year in a big way. A great tip is to call your favorite restaurant in advance to ask if they have a special NYE menu prepared, and chances are they probably do. Make sure to choose restaurants such as Mitte, Sunset, Ulus29, or Spago, that also have a bar, which means after dinner, there will be plenty of partying with cocktails. Another great option is to book an NYE evening with Istanbul’s major hotels such as Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Four Seasons by the Bosphorus, Swissotel Bosphorus, or Raffles Istanbul.

Ankara

Alaçatı

For a New Year celebration by the sea, head to the small town of Alaçatı, which has become quite famous for its street party that takes place annually to celebrate the coming of the new year. Enjoy some sun and sea and then head to the bar street in the evening for a nice Aegean dinner and drinks at one of the many bars that open especially for this evening (since they are mostly closed for the winter).

Antalya

Another great place to enjoy the sea (as well as the beautiful mountains!), Antalya may not be the first place that comes to mind for the New Year, but that’s exactly what makes it so unique. Book a room at one of the many five-star hotels and make sure to take part in the New Year’s Eve programs that include dinner and live music. You’ll also be happy to know that the streets of Antalya also become quite lively when it’s time to welcome the new year.

Uludağ

For those who associate the new year with skiing and snow, make sure to head to one of Turkey’s most popular ski resort towns. Spend a day on the slopes and then enjoy a special NYE program at your hotel, such as the Beceren Hotel or the Le Chalet Yazıcı Uludağ. Every year Uludağ’s Grand Yazıcı Arena also holds a special concert with Turkey’s major musical artists, where locals party past midnight.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.