Turkey Weather in August 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

August is one of the hotter months to visit Turkey, and travel throughout the country is recommended, particularly Turkey's beaches. Continue reading for more information on travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for the month of August.

Turkey Weather in August: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 21–32°C (69–90°F)
• Rainfall: 1 cm (1 inch)
• Rainy days: 2
• Sunshine hours/day: 9
• Sea temperature: 27°C (81°F)
• Humidity: 46–70% (dry in the south to more humid in Istanbul)

August is one of the two hottest months of the year in Turkey (the other one being July), making it a great time of the year to visit its beaches. It's a busy time of the year on Turkey's beaches, also as a result of international school holidays.

In Turkey in August, you can expect an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day, and barely any rainy days, at an average of 2 in the entire month of August. When it does rain, you can expect around 1 cm (or 1 inch) of rain — nothing to worry about for visitors looking for a warm summer escape.

Weather of Turkey's Major Cities in August

3-Day Top Natural Heritages Combo of Turkey Tour

The Best Places to Visit in Turkey in August

Due to August's balmy temperatures, the best places to visit in August include many of Turkey's beaches! The southern and western coasts are both beautiful, with plenty of incredible spots for either a relaxing summer holiday by the pool or beach, or, for a more active holiday, there are many places for those looking to dive or go on a boat trip.

Of course, you'll also want to stop off in Istanbul. While temperatures are not so high there in August, it is a destination you cannot miss, and your flights would likely come into Istanbul regardless.

For more information on where to visit in Turkey in August, read on.

1. Visit Istanbul: A Mix of East and West

Istanbul spans across both Europe and Asia, making it a perfect destination for those looking to soak up the culture of both. For more information on what to do in Istanbul, check out our Weather in Turkey in May article, or read on here: Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul and Top 9 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Istanbul.

If you're thinking about visiting but need some itinerary ideas, these are two of our more popular Turkey tours:

• Istanbul Old City Walking Tour — Full-day Guided Immersion of the Old Days
• Istanbul Land & Sea Combo with Food Tasting — 2-Day Istanbul Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour

10-Day Turkey Honeymoon Tour

2. Relax on Fethiye's Blue Lagoon Beach

One of the most popular coastlines in Turkey is Fethiye, and Blue Lagoon is one of the many beautiful beaches you'll find along here. The beaches aren't too far from Antalya, and we can help arrange a transfer to visit them with Global Highlights.

Other nearby beaches include the Butterfly Valley Ravine, Calis Beach, or Oludeniz. More options are also curated in our list of The 10 Best Beaches in Turkey. You could visit a different beach every day and spend weeks along Turkey's idyllic coastline.

3. Visit Hadrian's Gate in the Morning and Swim in the Afternoon in Antalya

Antalya is a great mix of culture and natural beauty, with something for every type of traveler. You could start your day with a visit to Hadrian's Gate, an arch originally built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the year 130 CE, part of which was rebuilt in the 13th century, or by a visit to Yivliminare Mosque.

Finish off your day with a swim on one of Antalya's beaches, or a visit to the Duden Waterfalls where the Duden River spills into the sea over the Antalya Cliffs. You can get close to the waterfall during a boat tour too.

As the weather does get warm in Antalya in August, we recommend starting off with sightseeing in the early morning and spending your afternoon either indoors or in the shade on the beach or by the pool.

7-Day Turkey Classical Wonders Tour

4. Check out Cappadocia's Hot Air Balloon Festival

Cappadocia is one of Turkey's best known tourist destinations as a result of the stunning rocky landscapes that are often photo'd topped off with hot air balloons dotted throughout the air. August sees Cappadocia's Hot Air Balloon Festival, during which many unusual hot air balloons take to the skies.

The festival is held in August (the 2024 dates yet to be confirmed), so do get in touch if you are interested, because Global Highlights can help you arrange your trip to fall during the hot air balloon festival.

For other Cappadocia sights, see Top 10 Things to Do in Cappadocia.

And some of our more popular tours that include Cappadocia are listed here:

• Top Natural Heritages Combo of Turkey — 3-Day Private Adventure Tour through Cappadocia and Pamukkale
• Great Circle of Turkey — 16-Day Turkey Legends: Istanbul–Canakkale–Kusadasi–Pamukkale–Antalya–Cappadocia

16-Day Turkey Great Circle Tour

Turkey Festivals in August: Victory Day

August 30 marks Victory Day throughout Turkey, the day on which the Turkish Army defeated the Greek army during the Dumlupinar Battle in 1922. Every year this date is a national public holiday to celebrate, with banks, schools, post offices and government offices closed as a result.

Stores and restaurants do generally remain open, but we recommend calling ahead to avoid disappointment, especially if you're planning on visiting a smaller museum or restaurant and traveling specifically for it.

High Season: More Crowding and More Expensive

August is peak season for tourists visiting Turkey, both as a result of the warmer weather on the beaches, and of school holidays in Europe and Northern America. As a result, you'll find that the tourist spots are busier.

For those looking to visit in August, we recommend booking ahead. This is because the higher demand generally leads to an increase in prices for accommodation and flights to and from Turkey.

11-Day Turkey Classic Wonders and the Mediterranean Tour

What to Wear in August

With August being so warm in Turkey, we do recommend wearing both natural fabrics and lighter colored clothing to stay cool. Airy clothing such as longer dresses and skirts, as well as loose-fitting trousers are a good idea.

Because much of Turkey is Muslim, you will notice that most people dress on the more conservative side. We recommend covering your shoulders and knees when you are out and about as a result.

If you are planning on visiting one of Turkey's many beaches and resort towns, you will notice that dressing guidelines are more relaxed, and you can of course wear whatever you feel comfortable in at the beach or by the pool.

We also recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen for those looking to visit in August, as well as sunglasses, a hat to keep your face out of the sun, and supportive footwear.

Monthly Weather in Turkey

Suggested reading: Best and Worst Times to Visit Turkey>>>

9-Day Turkey Bible Legacy Tour

Recommended Tours for Turkey in August

August is a great time of the year to visit Turkey, especially if you are a fan of the beach or the pool! Many of our tours include a visit to one of Turkey's many beaches, and we can always tailor your itinerary to include more time relaxing with your toes in the sand.

Below are some of our popular tours, but if you have a specific itinerary in mind, do reach out and let us know your needs, expectations, how long you're hoping to spend in Turkey, and when you would like to go. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.

• Great Circle of Turkey — 16-Day Turkey Legends: Istanbul–Canakkale–Kusadasi–Pamukkale–Antalya–Cappadocia
• Natural Beauty Immersion — 13-Day Natural Highlights of Turkey: Istanbul–Fethiye–Faralya–Blue Cruise–Antalya–Cappadocia
• New Testament Legacy Tour: 7 Churches from the Book of Revelation — 9-Day Christianity Highlights (Churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) with Turkey Highlights
• Turkey Tours