Can anybody tell me what it is like to visit Istanbul at Christmas time?  I know Turks do not celebrate Christmas and I know the weather is not at its best.  I just wondered if it was worth visiting, or if that time of year was bad for sightseeing.

 any time of year is good for sightseeing in Istanbul!! Don´t forget the Turkish celebrate New Year´s Eve!

We visitied in February and although it rained non-stop for one day the rest of the time was sunny and crisp. Better for sight seeing than in the heat of the summer. For us anyway!

Have a good time

 Hi Tina, I can see you have one eye on work and the other on TC

Thanks for your comments, it´s what I thought, that it would be cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing and maybe I will stay for New Year´s Eve too, depending on who I´m with.

 Some retails stores may decorate for Christmas but if you are looking to get the warm, fuzzy feelings of Christmas, then you will probably be disappointed.  It is a bit cold for me (I live in Texas) this time of year but it is tolerable and most of the attractions will not be very crowded like in the summer.  To be honest, Istanbul is beautiful any time of the year but I like it best in the Spring. 

Thanks Elisabeth, thats good to hear. I can only go at Christmas time because that´s the only holiday I have left from work.

I agree. To be more specific I like it best in May but it may be extended from mid-April to mid-June(The best times to be in Ýstanbul).

 are you working in the same office with Tina?:YYYY

 I definitely wouldn´t get any work done then!!!!

 why? you like gossip?