November is a great time of year to visit Turkey with warm to cool weather throughout the country. Recommendations for a trip in November include Istanbul and Cappadocia. Continue reading for more information on travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for the month of November.
Turkey Weather in November: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 9–19°C (48–65°F)
- Rainfall: 8 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 8
- Sunshine hours/day: 3
- Sea temperature: 14°C (57°F)
- Humidity: 67–80% (from slightly humid along the south coast to more humid in Istanbul)
November is when the weather in Turkey starts to cool down, and the humidity levels start to rise, meaning the weather might feel cooler than it actually is. This is especially true for Istanbul, where humidity levels can reach 80% in November (with 20–60% considered comfortable).
Daily sunshine hours also decrease in November, to approximately 3 hours a day. Combined with lower sea temperatures, this means that we don't recommend a beach holiday in November in Turkey. However, there is plenty to do in Turkey in November, with lower temperatures making it more comfortable for more-active travelers or those looking to sightsee.
Weather of Turkey's Major Cities in November
| Turkey City | Daily High Temp. | Daily Low Temp. |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (largest city, historical importance) | 14ºC (57ºF) | 9ºC (48ºF) |
| Cappadocia (Rockscape, ballooning) | 14ºC (57ºF) | -1ºC (30ºF) |
| Antalya (Top beach resort city) | 22ºC (72ºF) | 11ºC (52ºF) |
| Izmir (near Kusadasi, once Ephesus) | 19ºC (66ºF) | 11ºC (52ºF) |
| Turkey City | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (largest city, historical importance) | 11 | 4 |
| Cappadocia (Rockscape, ballooning) | 3 | 1 |
| Antalya (Top beach resort city) | 15 | 6 |
| Izmir (near Kusadasi, once Ephesus) | 10 | 4 |
The Best Places to Visit in Turkey in November
November is a great time of the year to visit Turkey for visitors looking to go sightseeing and go on more-active trips. This is because temperatures are the most moderate of the year, making it more pleasant to be outside for longer, and because November is off-peak, making it easier to visit for longer or with a smaller budget.
We particularly recommend going to visit Istanbul, Cappadocia, and hiking the Lycian Way.
While you might experience a little rain on a trip to Turkey in November, there is not enough to put you off going to explore this incredible destination.
For more information about our recommendations for Turkey in November, continue reading below.
1. Go on a Foodie Tour of Istanbul
Istanbul is full of incredible restaurants, both fine dining as well as street vendors selling traditional Turkish snacks and street food. November is a great time of the year to do this, because you'll be able to spend more time walking outside and exploring.
In between snacks, you'll want to explore the beautiful Hagia Sophia, the beautiful and famous Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Topkapi Palace Museum, Galata Tower, the Suleymaniye Mosque, and many more amazing architectural landmarks.
To take the planning pressure off you, check out one of our many Istanbul tours:
- Istanbul Old City Walking Tour — Full-day Guided Immersion of the Old Days
- Turkey Food Tour — 4-Hour Private Night Food Tour in Istanbul
- Istanbul Land & Sea Combo with Food Tasting — 2-Day Istanbul Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour
2. Hike the Beautiful Lycian Way near Antalya
You might have heard of Antalya in reference to its beautiful beaches, but there are also some incredible hiking spots around the coastline there.
The Lycian Way is one of the most underrated hikes in the area, which stretches from Fethiye to Kabak. The paths take you through wildly differing landscapes, Roman ruins, abandoned villages both Turkish and Greek, mountainous passages, and stunning bays with clear water as far as the eye can see. The coastline there is not far from Greece, and the views are comparable, if not better, due to the fact that there are fewer tourists there.
The route can be a little challenging, so you need a baseline of fitness. To help you plan your trip there, reach out to Global Highlights and our experts can help put your dream holiday together.
3. Take in Rocky Landscapes from a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia
While the temperatures drop in November around Cappadocia, it is still a good time of year to go for a hot air balloon ride at one of the most popular destinations in the entire world to do so.
You will want to make sure you have a couple of days there to ensure that you don't leave disappointed (the weather does not allow hot air balloons to go up every day), and there is plenty to do on the other days. You can see more about Cappadocia here: Top 10 Things to Do in Cappadocia.
And these are some of the most popular tours that include Cappadocia, although it can be included in any tour you are interested in:
- Cappadocia Panoramic Adventure — 2-Day Cappadocia Highlights
- Great Circle of Turkey — 16-Day Turkey Legends: Istanbul–Canakkale–Kusadasi–Pamukkale–Antalya–Cappadocia
- Top Natural Heritages Combo of Turkey — 3-Day Private Adventure Tour through Cappadocia and Pamukkale
4. Hike Mount Nemrut and Visit its Ancient Tomb
For those interested in both an active holiday and sightseeing, it is worth looking into adding Mount Nemrut to your itinerary. Located on the tallest peak of the Eastern Taurus mountain range, the landscape is dotted with ancient statues of King Antiochus, as this is where his tomb is found.
There you'll be able to hike, and learn more about this imperial cult which did not last very long: this kingdom only ruled there between 109 BC and 72 AD.
If you are looking to go in November, we recommend visiting in early November, as the very tail end of the month might see some snow around the roads. We also recommend visiting either at sunset or sunrise for the best views.
Low Season: Less Crowded and Lower Prices
November is a great time of the year for those looking to visit Istanbul on a budget, or for those not wanting to pay peak prices. This is because November is a less popular time to visit (due to the temperatures not being high enough for a beach holiday).
However, on the flip side, you'll also experience fewer crowds throughout the country as a result.
What to Wear in November
What to wear in Turkey in November depends on what you're looking to do while you are in Turkey, but we recommend bringing plenty of layers. Mostly you will be looking to wear both a jumper and a mid-weight coat, as well as a hat or a scarf (or even a thick winter coat) for those looking to visit Cappadocia.
Temperatures in the evenings and mornings are lower, and if you're heading up into the mountains you will also be in need of bringing plenty of layers to keep warm, as well as warm shoes.
To visit mosques or churches in Turkey, we recommend bringing a headscarf or a shawl, as women will need to cover their heads. You can always rent or borrow one at the bigger sites, but it might be easier to bring your own.
Monthly Weather in Turkey
Suggested reading: Best and Worst Times to Visit Turkey>>>
Recommended Tours for Turkey in November
With the exception of the beaches (for sunbathers, as diving is still possible in wetsuits in November), most Turkey tourist destinations come recommended in November. For those visiting for the first time, or if you're looking for more inspiration, read on to find out about our most popular tours.
If you want to put together your own tour with our help, that is also possible. Just let us know what you would like to do and our experts will do the rest for you! Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.
- 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
- Classical Wonders — 7-Day Top Highlights of Turkey: Istanbul–Cappadocia–Kusadasi
- Turkey Tours
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Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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