Konya Weather in December 2026
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 8 rainy days across the month, on average.
December on the Konya plateau blends cold, damp weather with the year's biggest cultural draw: highs reach 8.3C (46.9F), lows dip to -0.6C (30.9F), rainfall climbs to the year's peak of 49mm across 7.5 days, and sunshine shrinks to just 7.1 hours daily. Cloud cover and low mist over Alaeddin Hill create the atmosphere many pilgrims come specifically to experience.
December 7-17 hosts the Seb-i Arus Rumi commemoration; whirling dervishes perform nightly at Mevlana Cultural Center, and bookings need to be made six months out. The Mevlana Museum itself sees the year's longest queues, sometimes 45 minutes even on wet weekday mornings. Hotel rates triple versus November across Selcuklu district, and Sifa Restaurant runs reservations-only for etli ekmek dinners. Cezerye and lokum shops around the museum work extended hours, and taxi wait times near the Cultural Center exceed 30 minutes after evening performances.
Ten-year records show December in Konya warming approximately 1.1C, with fewer heavy snow events but more rain-with-sleet mixes. December 2026 delivered a colder-than-recent first week with three -4C nights and a brief snow cover on the 4th and 5th, then the Seb-i Arus period ran cool but mostly dry with two clear photography evenings; 44mm rainfall came in the closing ten days after the commemoration crowds departed.
Travellers heading to Konya in 2026 for the pilgrimage window must plan aggressively: Mevlana Cultural Center tickets sold out by June, and remaining hotel availability lies mainly at Bera Konya and Novotel by autumn. Non-pilgrimage December visits after the 17th offer the empty city at 60 percent lower rates, with all cultural sites open and normal restaurant queues at Sifa, Hacibaba and Somatci Fihi Ma Fih.
Konya is Turkey's most religiously conservative major city; alcohol is served in only 3 hotels and no bars operate. Etli ekmek is a meter-long thin-crust flatbread with lamb; Sifa Restaurant since 1930. Mevlana Museum is Rumi's tomb, not the whirling venue (that's separate Cultural Center). Sille was Greek Orthodox until 1923; the church still stands. Cezerye candy from carrot and walnut is a local specialty.
What to pack for Konya in December
December needs proper cold-and-wet gear plus modest layers for repeated indoor religious-site entries throughout the pilgrimage circuit.
- Warm waterproof coat with hood for rainy evening dervish queues
- Wool base layer under trousers for outdoor waiting times
- Waterproof boots with grip for slick paving around Mevlana courtyard
- Gloves and hat; -1C evenings with wind feel colder
- Modest scarf for tomb entry, easily added over other layers
What to pack for Konya in December
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Where to stay in Konya
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Things worth doing
Seb-i Arus dervish performances at Mevlana Cultural Center, Mevlana Museum pilgrimage visit, Karatay Medrese tile museum, indoor Sifa etli ekmek dinners, Aziziye Mosque, covered bazaar cezerye shops, Ince Minareli Medrese, evening tirit at Hacibaba.
December vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Konya. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Konya
While December has its own character in Konya, the data-backed best months to visit Konya are April, May, June, September. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across an 11-year climate record (2015–2025).
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for KonyaOther places with a similar climate right now
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Konya in December — FAQ
Q01Is December a good time to visit Konya?
Is December a good time to visit Konya?
It is a fair time to visit — expect variable conditions and plan flexibility. In December, Konya averages a high of 8°C (47°F) and a low of -1°C (31°F), with 49mm of rainfall across roughly 8 rainy days. December 7-17 Seb-i Arus Rumi commemoration; whirling dervishes perform nightly at Mevlana Cultural Center, book 6 months out.
Q02What is the average temperature in Konya in December?
What is the average temperature in Konya in December?
The average high temperature in Konya during December is 8°C (47°F), with an average low of -1°C (31°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). January -8C with steppe wind; Alaeddin Hill empties, but tirit and firin kebabi restaurants steam up, and Sille village heats with kizilcik wood.
Q03How many rainy days does Konya have in December?
How many rainy days does Konya have in December?
Konya averages approximately 8 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 49mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for Konya in December?
What should I pack for Konya in December?
For Konya in December, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. Modest layered scarf for entering Mevlana tomb where women must cover shoulders and hair even in 35C August.
Q05How crowded is Konya in December?
How crowded is Konya in December?
Tourist crowds in Konya during December are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Konya is Turkey's most religiously conservative major city; alcohol is served in only 3 hotels and no bars operate. Etli ekmek is a meter-long thin-crust flatbread with lamb; Sifa Restaurant since 1930. Mevlana Museum is Rumi's tomb, not the whirling venue (that's separate Cultural Center). Sille was Greek Orthodox until 1923; the church still stands. Cezerye candy from carrot and walnut is a local specialty.