The Best Time to Visit Turkey

The Best Time to Visit Turkey

By Kimi Huang | Updated Mar. 17, 2023

When planning a trip to Turkey, one of the most pressing questions must be, "When is the best time to go?"

The Best Time to Visit Turkey

Turkey is a year-round travel destination! The best time to visit depends on where your interests lie.

Weather-wise, the best times to visit Turkey are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) because the weather is pleasantly warm and the sky sunny most of the time. it is quite suitable for outdoor activities.

Summer months (June to August) are hot and dry. July and August are the hottest months of the year with the temperatures consistently in the 30s°C and even reaching 40°C (104°F) in some areas. But for the beaches-lovers, it is the perfect time go to the coast to relax and swim.

The rainy season lasts from November to March in Turkey and the temperature varies greatly from morning to evening. Accordingly, this is also the tourism low season of the year. Without the crowds this is the good time to explore the historical and cultural elements of Turkey.

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Turkey's Climate Guide

Turkey straddles the continents of Europe and Asia, bordering the Mediterranean and Black sea. The geographical diversity makes the climate of Turkey very different place to place.

The eastern mountainous area is characterized by a cold winter and hot and dry summer. The hinterland of the Anatolian plateau has a typical continental climate with severe cold and heavy snow in winter and little rain in summer. While the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea have cool, rainy winters and dry, hot summers.

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Visiting Turkey in Spring (April-May)

The weather in spring: It is warm and comfortable. The temperature is from 7 to 22 °C (45–72°F) and is warming up. But April can be a little bit rainy.

Tips for Traveling in Spring in Turkey

The temperatures are moderate throughout the country making this is an ideal time to visit the many ancient ruins sites and natural beauties around the country.

Spring is the peak season in Istanbul and Cappadocia, so the hotel rates will be more expensive at this time.

April is also the tulip blooming season. The tulip has been a symbol of Istanbul and plays a major role in Turkish art and culture. During the Istanbul Tulip Festival (April 1st to 30th), the parks and gardens of Istanbul will be bursting with varying color making it a wonderful time to visit Istanbul!

Visiting Turkey in Summer (June-August)

The weather in summer:The average high is 27 to 31°C (81–88°F). Five out of seven of Turkey's climatic regions are quite hot and rainless, it is cool inland in the evenings.

Tips for Traveling in Summer in Turkey

Though the weather is hot, this time of the year has the biggest stream of tourists. All the seaside resorts are crowded and prices are at their peak.

The hot weather makes exploring the ancient sites uncomfortable, because there tends to be little or no shade at these spots. So good sun protection is necessary and it is recommended to carry an umbrella for shade.

Due to the hot weather, Cappadocia tends to be quieter over the summer months, it is a good time to go there for hiking.

Visiting Turkey in Fall (September-November)

The weather in autumn:The temperature is from 3 to 22°C (37–72°F). It is still hot in early September, but the temperatures begin to cool starting the middle of the month and the days grow shorter.

Tips for Traveling in Fall in Turkey

September through mid-October has similar weather conditions to the spring months. It is the golden time for visiting Turkey with mostly mild weather; you can explore historical sites, local life, and unique nature at a comfortable temperature.

The water is still warm at beach resorts. The price for visiting Turquoise Coast is more affordable, along with the crowds being thinner, but the hotels along the Mediterranean typically close by mid-October.

Autumn in Turkey offers the picture-perfect postcard scene for any aspiring photographer! The abundance of vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, and browns dominate the landscape.

Visiting Turkey in Winter (December-March)

The weather in winter:The temperature is from -4 to 6°C (25–43°F). It is chilly and rainy throughout most of the country, with the exception of the southeast which remains fairly warm.

Tips for Traveling in Winter in Turkey

Winter is the low season of the year as lots of places and attractions are much quieter than at other times of the year. You don't have to worry about endless queues, hotels are discounted, and the restaurants even lower their prices! It is a wonderful time to visit if you don't mind the cooler temperatures and occasional rain or snow.

Visiting Turkey in winter can be just as delightful as the rest of the year. Here are our recommended winter destinations:

Bursa – Skiing at Mount Uludag and experiencing the hot springs are the best activities you can experience during your winter holiday.

Cappadocia – Skiing at Mount Erciyes and enjoying the Cappadocia snow-covered "moonscape".

Bolu – Relax and play in the snow at Yedigoller National Park.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Turkey Trip

We provide tailor-made tours to Turkey. Our travel advisors are glad to give you guidance for your trip planning. We will help you find the best time of year to experience Turkey!

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