Latest news

New Years Eve is a very exciting time of the year. As the old year comes to a close and a new one begins, we look back on all of the things that we have accomplished and experienced in the last 12 months. As the clock ticks down to midnight we celebrate turning the page to a new calendar and making a fresh start. We set goals and make resolutions, we are thankful for our friends and family, and we party until the early morning to celebrate our lives. This year, why not celebrate New Years by booking holidays to Turkey with your friends or family?

Celebrating the New Year on your holidays to Turkey can be a fantastic experience, and you can expect that there will be many festivities happening throughout the country. 

Turkish New Years Traditions

There are many cultural traditions of New Years that you will observe on your holidays to Turkey. The streets will be lit up with glittering lights and many Turkish people exchange small gifts with each other on New Years Eve. A large family dinner with many relatives and friends is usually arranged, and authentic Turkish dishes such as dolma, baklava, eggplant, and hot borek are served. 

Many communities all over Turkey will be having concerts, live theatre shows, and other family friendly events. In Istanbul, for example, people gather in Taksim Square to watch the fireworks and participate in the celebrations. At midnight there will be a countdown, and after the clock strikes twelve there will be parties and street performances until down. Be sure to join in one of these local celebrations during your holidays to Turkey as they will be a lot of fun and a great way to experience the local culture. 

On New Year’s Day in Turkey, this is when most people go to visit their relatives who they did not see on New Years Eve, and they might bring small gifts for them as well. Most businesses, post offices, and schools will be closed on New Years Day, and public transport will likely be running on a reduced schedule. 

Where to Go?

Which part of the country should you visit on your holidays to Turkey during the New Year? The choice depends on what type of holiday you would like to have. If you like the idea of celebrating in a huge city with thousands of people from all over the world, dining in world class restaurants, and then hitting up the nightclubs until dawn, the best place to go is Istanbul. 

However, if you like the more traditional idea of a Turkish New Year celebration you might want to consider staying in a smaller town or village. Perhaps you can even meet with some local people and join in on their traditional holiday meal. 

If you are planning to celebrate the New Year on holidays to Turkey this year, be sure to tell everyone you meet “Mutlu Yillar!” which means “Happy New Year!”.