UAE Travellers Choose Istanbul for Christmas & New Year 2026

DUBAI / ISTANBUL – More travellers from the UAE are planning to spend their Christmas holidays and New Year 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey, thanks to easy connections from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. HolidayBest Gulf is reporting strong interest in festive packages that combine flights, hotels, tours and airport transfers in one booking.

Festive Streets, Markets & Christmas Vibes

Popular areas such as Taksim Square, Istiklal Street and Nişantaşı light up with decorations, street music and Christmas-style markets. Visitors can enjoy:

Evening walks on Istiklal Street with festive lights and cafés
Christmas-style markets with gifts, sweets and hot drinks
Warm Turkish tea and desserts in cozy rooftop cafés
Shopping in malls and local boutiques for end-of-year sales

Bosphorus Cruises & New Year Celebrations

To welcome New Year 2026, many visitors are booking Bosphorus dinner cruises with live music, shows and countdown views of the city. Others prefer:

Family-friendly New Year dinners in Sultanahmet and Taksim
Photo stops at Galata Tower and Bosphorus bridges
Day tours to the Asian side of Istanbul for a different city view

Easy Packages from UAE: Flights, Hotels & Tours

HolidayBest Gulf offers packages from the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah) that include:

Return flights from major UAE airports
4★ & 5★ hotel options in key Istanbul areas
Daily breakfast and selected city tours
Airport transfers and local assistance

The aim is simple: travellers can enjoy their Christmas time in Turkey – Istanbul and finish the year with a relaxed New Year holiday, without worrying about separate bookings for flights, hotels and tours.