Istanbul, Turkey's beautiful and lively capital, is the center of the country's New Year's Eve celebrations. With its picturesque location at the mouth of the gorgeous Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a great place to see some of the most spectacular fireworks in the world and witness other celebrations as well.
Although most people wouldn't think of the city as a place to celebrate New Year's Eve, it magically comes to life at this time of year. The Turkish people know a little something about throwing a party. They are also extremely proud of their firework skills and are known for creating memorable large-scale shows.
Fireworks & Countdown points
On New Year's Eve in Istanbul, crowds of excited partygoers gather on Istiklal Street and Taksim Square. Locals and tourists honk their car horns as New Year's Eve countdown begins. Then, a number of spectacular firework shows light up the sky from vantage points across Istanbul, making for a breathtaking end to the celebrations. Fatih district is one of the best places to watch New Year's Eve fireworks.
Boat trips
The view from the Bosphorus in Istanbul is stunning, and it's one of the best places to spend New Year's Eve. Going slowly over the Bosphorus on a boat is one of the most relaxing things you can do. When you're on a boat trip, you'll feel the freshness of air with every breath you take. You can also order delicious meals while on the boat. The New Year's dinner includes appetizers, different kinds of food, desserts, and drinks.
The Bosphorus cruises on New Year's Eve may be the most unforgettable thing you do there. Remember to book your seats ahead of time because boat tours are extremely popular, and all tickets may get sold out quickly!
Other celebrations
The city centre will be jam-packed with thousands of tourists on New Year's Eve. This fact means that you should expect to see tons of people simply strolling around the streets, pub crawling, buying souvenirs, tasting local baklava, and enjoying the holiday ambiance.
One of the biggest gathering points in Istanbul is Galata Tower, which is near Taksim Square. Most restaurants with food from other countries are in the Beyoglu district. Along Istiklal Avenue is the Çicek Pasaj, which is now filled with wine bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants, and more. This way, you may want to go there in pursuit of the finest local drinks and meals. When planning your trip to Istanbul, remember that it gets extremely busy this time of year, so we recommend booking your accommodation in advance (see the map below for suggested housing options).
