February is winter in Turkey, and you can expect cold to mild temperatures depending on which places you visit. Due to February's weather conditions, we would recommend visiting Istanbul as well as Cappadocia and Bursa. Read on for more travel and weather information, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and more tips.
Turkey Weather in February: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 5–14°C (41–57°F)
- Rainfall: 7 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 10
- Sunshine hours/day: 3
- Sea temperature: 11°C (52°F)
- Humidity: 68–78% (muggy in the south to oppressive on the northwest coast)
February marks the beginning of the end of Turkey's cold and wet winter. Visiting in February you can expect colder temperatures throughout the country, with lots of cloudy days and some showers depending on where you visit.
It is, however, a great time of the year to visit for snowy landscapes and even for those looking to go skiing. Some places more inland, such as Cappadocia, also have lots of winter sun and less rainfall in February.
Weather of Turkey's Major Cities in February
| Turkey City | Daily High Temp. | Daily Low Temp. |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (largest city, historical importance) | 9ºC (48ºF) | 3ºC (37ºF) |
| Cappadocia (Rockscape, ballooning) | 7ºC (41ºF) | -5ºC (23ºF) |
| Antalya (Top beach resort city) | 16ºC (61ºF) | 7ºC (45ºF) |
| Izmir (near Kusadasi, once Ephesus) | 14ºC (57ºF) | 7ºC (45ºF) |
| Turkey City | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (largest city, historical importance) | 8 | 3 |
| Cappadocia (Rockscape, ballooning) | 4 | 2 |
| Antalya (Top beach resort city) | 11 | 4 |
| Izmir (near Kusadasi, once Ephesus) | 11 | 4 |
The Best Places to Visit in Turkey in February
February sees temperatures that are still too low for a beach holiday (similarly to January's weather), but with there still being snow across many of the inland eastern destinations, there is still a lot of fun to be had in Turkey in February!
Recommendations for a visit to Turkey in February include a stop in Istanbul for its incredible history and architecture, as well as visits to Bursa for skiing, Cappadocia for a hot air balloon ride, and a visit to Bolu National Park.
Read on to find out more about these recommendations, and to get some inspiration to plan your trip to Turkey this February.
1. Istanbul — Explore Turkey's Colorful History and Eat Turkish Delights
You'll likely have heard of the Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul's top historical sights to schedule in when you plan a trip to Turkey. Today, the Hagia Sophia is a mosque, but it was originally the principal church of the Byzantine Empire when Istanbul was still Constantinople. As a result, inside you'll find a mix of multiple different religion's architectural features.
Istanbul is also home to the beautiful Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus River, the Basilica Cistern, and the Topkapi Palace, making the city great to visit no matter what the temperature is like. On top of that, Istanbul is likely where your international flight will land.
For foodies, Istanbul is a must, as there are some incredible restaurants and cafes at which to try The 10 Dishes You Must Try in Turkey.
For further reading, we recommend the Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul, and for some sample Istanbul tour plans…
- We can take you on a full-day walking tour: Istanbul Old City Walking Tour — Full-day Guided Immersion of the Old Days.
- But for a longer cultural adventure with a focus on Istanbul's delicious food, see Istanbul Land & Sea Combo with Food Tasting — 2-Day Istanbul Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour.
- Our experts at Global Highlights can also arrange what you want to see, as we can put together a tailor-made itinerary just for you. Our tours are fully-customizable.
2. Fly a Hot Air Balloon across Cappadocia
Cappadocia is probably Turkey's second best-known tourist destination. You've undoubtedly come across the images of many colorful hot air balloons across the interesting rocky landscape. We recommend having a few days there to ensure that you can go for a ride, as the weather doesn't always allow for it.
Cappadocia is still a great place to visit in February, even with lower temperatures. And on top of this, Cappadocia is also home to a ski resort on Mount Erciyes. The resort has a total of 8 lifts and slopes from 2,200 to 3,100 m (7,000–10,000 ft) altitude, with different tracks for any skiing ability.
For more activities in Cappadocia, see Top 10 Things to Do in Cappadocia, or check out our customizable Cappadocia tour here: Cappadocia Panoramic Adventure — 2-Day Cappadocia Highlights.
3. Ski at Bursa's Mount Uludag — Not Far from Istanbul
For those who don't have a lot of time, but want to see some of Turkey's slopes, we recommend Bursa near Istanbul. At just 3 hours away, there are dozens of ski trails there, although there are not many that are difficult, making it a great place for beginners.
Booking of ski passes can be a little confusing for those not familiar with Turkey. Contact us for the smoothest visit to Bursa with your own private transport and help booking everything you need, including accommodation and the rental of ski gear.
4. Explore and Hike around Ani's Medieval Churches
Further east into Turkey, February is not a bad time of the year to visit Ani, which is extremely charming covered in a layer of snow. Near the border of Armenia, Ani is home to many medieval Armenian churches, displaying some elements of modern-day Armenian architecture. The city was located on the ancient Silk Road, flourishing in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Ani has been nicknamed the 'City of One Thousand and One Churches and Forty Gates', and for good reason. You'll be able to do lots of hiking and walking around the area to see the ruins, for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in the snow.
As this destination is not on your usual tour itineraries, we recommend getting in touch with us for private transport arrangements.
End of the Low Season: Least Crowding and Cost
Because February falls at the end of the low season in Turkey, it is one of the cheaper months to visit the country. You'll find transportation and flights much less expensive at this time of the year as a result.
On top of that, sights will be much less crowded (particularly the hot spots of Istanbul and Cappadocia), making February worth considering as a quieter time of year, which may be something you would want for your trip to Turkey.
What to Wear in February
February sees lower temperatures throughout Turkey, as well as rainy days in some cities. We recommend bringing an umbrella or a waterproof layer if you are planning on visiting Istanbul, Antalya or Izmir for those passing showers. You will likely also need a jumper and/or a coat.
If you are planning on heading to the snowy peaks or going skiing, we recommend bringing plenty of layers. At ski resorts, some ski gear can be rented, but bringing a good coat (skiing jacket) is still important, as well as a hat and gloves.
Most hotels do provide central heating, but it's still worth bringing warm pajamas just in case.
Finally, for those planning on going for a hike or walking a lot, we recommend good, waterproof footwear too. This is especially the case if you're planning on going for walks through the snowy landscapes.
Monthly Weather in Turkey
Suggested reading: Best and Worst Times to Visit Turkey>>>
Recommended Tours for Turkey in February
Navigating Turkish public transport can be time consuming and a little bit stressful, especially if you're not familiar with the country or the distances between some cities (it is a large country, and the cities can be further from each other than you think).
Global Highlights can help you put together your ideal itinerary, or we can tailor a pre-existing itinerary to fit your needs and requirements, making sure you're seeing everything that you want to see.
You can see some itineraries we recommend for February below:
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Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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