Anyone advise on Istanbul?

[Maltester71]

Considering a trip to Istanbul in December with teens.

Could I ask advice please?

what would December weather be like? Is a weekend do-able? Should we stay in the old town? Any particular hotel?

thanks in advance

It’s quite a long flight for a weekend

About 4h?

It's about 3hrs 15

December weather isn't much better than the uk
Rain & cold

But it's a fantastic city to visit

I think December is highest month for rainfall?
following - as I want to go too…

I love Istanbul! I went in February and was very similar to a February in the UK.

If you love history, it’s by far the best city to visit in Europe as it’s so easy to get around and so cheap! Visit Taksim Square, the Istanbul Modern Museum (my favourite modern art museum I’ve been to) & the Blue Mosque is gorgeous. Enjoy!

Istanbul brilliant. So much to see and a real mixture of the touristy and Turkey proper. I went for New Year and it was v cold and sleety. I think it will be slightly warmer in Feb but pretty comparable to temps here. Take the ferry over the Bospherus to explore both sides

My favourite city andI have been many times but the best months for weather are April to June and September to November.

We just got back and the weather was gorgeous

I lived there for 6 years until recently. It’s fabulous. December is as cold (or warm) as the U.K.. There are ski resorts not too far away in Turkey and it snows in Istanbul but it’s also sunny and rainy! It’s always lovely and good to visit. Very similar to Milan in weather which I have also lived in…coats amd hats decided by season not temperature and everyone in huge jackets until April! If it’s a short visit you must stay centrally to the more tourist spots. I very very strongly recommend the hotel below-and use their transfers as the price is good and you will not get ripped off which spoils things.
www.hilton.com/en/hotels/istsidi-doubletree-istanbul-sirkeci/?cid=&WT.mc_id=&dclid=&gclid=&AWC=

theres lots of similar hotels (even other Hilton’s) but I do like this one as you can walk everywhere. Oh and remember that a letter c is pronounced as a j!

Thank you everyone

Istanbul is my favourite city. I lived there a million years ago and go back when I can.
Weather in December isn't great but if it snows, Sultanahmet is lovely.
I usually stay in Sultanahmet, there are a lot of good hotels and it's easy to get around.
Personally I don't think a weekend is long enough,it's quite a distance from either airport to Sultanahmet or Taksim (likely to be where your accommodation is).... it can take a day to look round Topkapi Palace, spice Market + fish sandwiches ...a couple of hours...Bosphorus Cruise (wrap up warm)... half a day, Grand Bazaar..... forever 😂, Taksim/Galata... a day