September is a perfect month to visit Turkey with temperatures warm but not too hot, and great weather throughout the country. We recommend visiting the beaches, but also going sightseeing in September. Continue reading for more information on travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for the month of September.
Turkey Weather in September: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 17–28°C (63–83°F)
- Rainfall: 2 cm (1 inch)
- Rainy days: 4
- Sunshine hours/day: 8
- Sea temperature: 25°C (77°F)
- Humidity: 49–74% (dry in the south to more humid in Istanbul)
September in Turkey marks the end of the hot summer months, with warm weather still prevalent throughout the country. It's a busy time of year, as it is the end of the school holidays in many countries, and because the temperatures are slightly lower than they were in July and August.
The days in September are still long, with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day, and there is still barely any rainfall (September sees 4 rainy days with approximately 2 cm (1 inch) of rain on average.
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Weather of Turkey's Major Cities in September
| Turkey City | Daily High Temp. | Daily Low Temp. |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (largest city, historical importance) | 24ºC (75ºF) | 17ºC (63ºF) |
| Cappadocia (Rockscape, ballooning) | 27ºC (81ºF) | 8ºC (46ºF) |
| Antalya (Top beach resort city) | 32ºC (90ºF) | 20ºC (68ºF) |
| Izmir (near Kusadasi, once Ephesus) | 30ºC (86ºF) | 20ºC (68ºF) |
| Turkey City | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (largest city, historical importance) | 6 | 2 |
| Cappadocia (Rockscape, ballooning) | 1 | 0 |
| Antalya (Top beach resort city) | 2 | 1 |
| Izmir (near Kusadasi, once Ephesus) | 2 | 1 |
The Best Places to Visit in Turkey in September
September is the best time of the year to visit if you're hoping to visit both the beaches and see the historical and cultural sights that Turkey has to offer. The temperatures are still warm enough to relax by the pool or the ocean, but you'll also find that temperatures in Istanbul, for example, have dropped enough to make walking around the city more pleasant.
You will find some more ideas of where in Turkey to visit below, ranging from some of Turkey's most beautiful beaches to its best city destinations, with something for each kind of traveler.
1. Test your Tastebuds in Istanbul
Istanbul is a great city to visit for foodies, with lots of different restaurants showcasing Turkish cuisine including some of the following dishes The 10 Dishes You Must Try in Turkey.
For further details on what to do while you are visiting Istanbul, check out our Weather in Turkey in May article, or you can find more information here: Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul.
Follow your culinary adventures with a little bit of shopping at one of Istanbul's many markets to find some souvenirs to take home. We've put together some guidance to help you pick what to buy here: 10 Best Turkish Souvenirs to Take Home
- 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
2. Do Absolutely Nothing But Relax on Fethiye's Beaches
With September still being a great time of the year to visit one of Turkey's beaches, we recommend heading on over to Fethiye, home to some of the country's best beaches for relaxing, swimming, and sunbathing.
There is a wide range of beaches nearby, including Blue Lagoon, Oludeniz, or Calis Beach. For those who are traveling with their family, there is also Sultans Aqua City with slides for thrill seekers of all ages.
If you'd like to see more beach options in Turkey, we recommend The 10 Best Beaches in Turkey.
3. Explore Caves and Castles on the Coast in Alanya
Alanya, not to be confused with Antalya, is a beautiful resort town which is perfect to add onto a Turkey summer itinerary. Some of the most popular sights there include Damlatas Caves, which has its entrance on one of Alanya's beautiful beaches.
Other sights in Alanya, apart from the many beautiful beaches that you can choose from, include the famous Alanya Castle, built in the 13th century. The building is an open-air museum and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus in Izmir
One of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus was built by Greek colonists in the 10th century BC. Its preservation makes it an important historical sight to visit while you are in Turkey, and any budding archaeologists' dream.
You can explore the Temple of Artemis, as well as the Library of Celsus and Hadrian's Temple, as well as the 25,000-seat Great Theater of Ephesus, once the largest open-air theater in the ancient world. There is also Ephesus Archaeological Museum, which houses many of the treasures that were uncovered there.
Turkey Festivals in September: Milad un Nabi
In September for the next three years, Turkish Muslims celebrate Milad un Nabi, the annual celebration commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. The celebration takes place in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal which is the third month on the Islamic Calendar.
In 2023, Milad un Nabi falls between the evening of September 26 and the evening of September 27, in 2024 between September 15 and 16, and in 2025 between September 4 and 5. These days are public holidays in Turkey, and you might find that some restaurants and shops are closed, and that some mosques are either closed to tourists or that they are busier than usual on the practicing side.
Start of Low Season: Less Crowded and Cheaper
September is a great time of the year to visit Turkey because it falls in Turkey's low season (high season is between June and August). As a result, there are fewer tourists throughout the country, with less crowds at all the most popular sights, and prices at hotels and for internal flights are lower.
What to Wear in September
September's weather is largely still warm, so we recommend wearing light-colored clothing and items made of natural fabrics. Cotton or linen shirts are a good idea, as are loose trousers or longer skirts.
Most Turkish people identify as Muslims, and you will see that Turkish people tend to dress more conservatively as a result. We recommend covering your shoulders and knees, to show respect while you are visiting, especially if you are going to be seeing some of the beautiful mosques.
If you are visiting the beaches, it is fine to dress however you would like, and the same goes inside the resorts and hotels, where the staff are used to tourists and there are less expectations on how to dress.
For those visiting Cappadocia and Istanbul, we recommend bringing a layer such as a coat or a jumper for the mornings and evenings, when the temperatures are lower. This is especially the case for Cappadocia, where temperatures can drop a lot at night.
Monthly Weather in Turkey
Suggested reading: Best and Worst Times to Visit Turkey>>>
Recommended Tours for Turkey in September
September is an ideal time of year to visit Turkey, especially for first time visitors, with the weather being great in so many of Turkey's main tourist destinations and it being low tourist season with lower prices throughout. From the beaches to the mosques, September is ideal for any type of visitor to Turkey.
Bearing in mind that September is a good time to visit, below are some of our most popular Turkey itineraries. If you have specific spots you want to see, let us know how long you are hoping to visit Turkey for and when, and our experts can tailor an itinerary especially 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
- Classical Wonders — 7-Day Top Highlights of Turkey: Istanbul–Cappadocia–Kusadasi
- Top Natural Heritages Combo of Turkey — 3-Day Private Adventure Tour through Cappadocia and Pamukkale
- Romantic Turkish Honeymoon — 10-Day Private Honeymoon Tour: Istanbul–Fethiye–Antalya–Cappadocia
- Turkey Tours
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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