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Turkey is a fascinating country, stretching from the ancient city of Istanbul on the Bosporus Strait down to the stunning Turquoise Coast, and across to central Cappadocia and the mountainous eastern regions. Deciding on the best time to visit Turkey depends a great deal on what you’re looking to get out of your trip and the types of activities you want to do, so let’s dive in…

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Visiting Turkey is a wonderful experience, but when is it best to plan your trip?

The weather in Turkey

Turkey borders the Black Sea in the north and the Mediterranean in the south, with a central plateau that rises up to the mountains in the east, so the weather can vary significantly between different parts of the country at different times of the year.

In general the summer months are hot and reliably sunny, with good weather continuing into September and even October, but the winter season can be extremely cold.

Istanbul and the North Coastal regions

The best time to visit Istanbul if you’re planning on hitting as many sites as possible during your trip is in the fall or spring months, when the temperatures are mild but the days are still sunny and you’re unlikely to see much rain – perfect sightseeing weather.

During the hot summers the heat builds and due to the humidity it can feel extremely hot, with highs of 90°F. The winters come with significantly cooler temperatures, averaging around 40°F, and with a higher chance of rain, although it rarely snows here.

blue mosque istanbul at night
Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is best seen during the cooler fall and spring months
Photo credit: Taylan Tasbani

South Western Turkey and the Mediterranean coast

The Mediterranean sea makes the southern coast and western Turkey consistently warm compared to the north, with average temperatures in the 80’s in the summer and high 50’s in the winter.

The south coast especially sees mild weather (although it can rain quite a bit) in the winter so it’s a great year round destination, but the summer is the best time for visiting Turkey if you want to spend long sunny days on the beach.

Central Turkey

Once you get away from the coast, the center of Turkey is very dry, meaning it gets much hotter in the summer months and colder in the winter.

Expect very chilly temperatures averaging around 35°F in the winter months and up to 100°F in the summer. The best time to visit this region is either in the spring or fall season when you will not experience these extreme temperatures.

Eastern Turkey

In general eastern Turkey is subject to more extreme changes in climate across the year. The northern mountainous region is the coldest part of the country but there are lots of winter sports available and Turkey has a ski season.

The southeastern semi-desert region is significantly hotter during the summer months, regularly reaching highs of 110°F. Given the large variations in temperature, humidity and rainfall across eastern Turkey, it’s a good idea to look closely at the weather conditions for the area you want to explore before deciding when the best time to visit is.

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The eastern stretches of Turkey have a varied climate depending on altitude and location

What to expect from Turkey’s seasons

While Turkey is a very large country with regional variations, in general you can have similar expectations from the seasons wherever you go.

Summer in Turkey

The summer months of June, July and August in Turkey are peak season for anywhere near the coast. You can expect large summer crowds and higher prices at all the popular beach spots, especially along the Turquoise coast.

If you can handle the summer heat and high humidity, it can be a good time to visit Istanbul as there are fewer tourists visiting the major sights. Cappadocia is also a little quieter in the summer.

These beaches on the Turquoise coast get extremely busy in the summer
Photo credit: Taylan Tasbasi

Fall in Turkey

In September and October the summer heat starts to ease but the weather is still beautiful. Especially in early fall, the days are pleasantly warm and there is little rain, so you can relax at the beach but it’s also cool enough that spending your days exploring Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and historical sites is very comfortable.

This is classed as peak season for top tourist destinations like Istanbul, Ephesus and Cappadocia as people have realized that it is a better time to visit Turkey for sightseeing with mild temperatures, so don’t be surprised to find it busy in these popular locations.

Winter in Turkey

The winter months of November through March can be an appealing time to visit Turkey despite the low temperatures. As the weather begins to get colder, the coastal resorts tend to close for the low season but life continues as normal in the cities, ancient sites stay open year round and you won’t have any shortage of things to do.

As long as you bring warm clothing and are prepared for some rain, the fairly cold months can be an excellent time for visiting Turkey with fewer crowds.

Of course, winter is the best time to visit Turkey for winter sports enthusiasts.

Spring in Turkey

While you can expect occasional rain showers in the spring months, this is still one of the best times of year for visiting Turkey. The pleasant weather and improving temperatures combined with spring flowers being in full bloom and days getting longer make spring in Turkey a wonderful experience.

This side of the shoulder season is also becoming a busier tourist season, but there is so much to see in this gorgeous country that it remains a great time of year for travel.

turkey istanbul spice market
The markets in Istanbul are so much more enjoyable in the cooler spring season

High season vs low season

Winter is low season across Turkey except for at the ski resorts, so you can expect to find that accommodation and flights cost less than in peak season. The cheaper prices and fewer crowds can make it a good time to visit Turkey if you’re prepared to find some places closed.

The summer high season period means flights and accommodation costs are higher for the entire country, even if the inland areas can be unappealingly hot. Book your travel well in advance if you plan to visit Turkey this time of year to ensure you get the best deals possible.

The shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October are generally thought of as the best time to visit Turkey, so you will not be alone if you travel at these times, and prices remain higher. Plan your trip for early April or late October for the most reasonable prices and availability.

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The ancient ruins scattered all over Turkey are busier during high season but still well worth visiting
Photo credit: Taylan Tasbasi

How much time should you spend visiting Turkey?

Part of deciding when to visit Turkey is thinking about what you want to do while there, and how much you want to see.

You could easily spend weeks and weeks traveling all around the country, but from our experiences in Turkey, here are our suggestions:

Most people will spend some time in Istanbul. To see the major religious sites of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, as well as the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace and the other important sights, you need at least 3-4 days in this iconic city to do it well.

If you want to head inland to see the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and take a hot air balloon ride above the unique structures, remember to set aside time to reach the region. It is around a 10 hour drive from Istanbul, or you can fly internally, so you need to account for at least a couple of days in your itinerary.

best time to visit turkey - visiting ephesus
Visiting the Library of Celsus and the other ancient ruins at Ephesus should be allocated at least a full day in your trip planning
Photo credit: Taylan Tasbasi

Similarly, if you plan to head to Ephesus, the UNESCO World Heritage site on the west coast, allow a couple of days to travel there and then see the site. From here, you can easily travel down to the Turquoise coast where you could then spend a week simply visiting the many sights on offer, not including time relaxing on the beach.

Our Turkey tours last ten days, but these are focused on a particular region, so if you want to travel around more, make sure you are giving yourself enough time to see everything you want.

Set sail with us in Turkey!

Set sail on a luxurious private yacht and discover the stunning Turkish coastline. Cruise through crystal-clear waters, hidden coves, and charming seaside villages on an unforgettable journey. Enjoy a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, exploring ancient ruins, snorkeling in turquoise waters, or basking on pristine beaches. Each evening, anchor in picturesque harbors, stroll through local markets, and savor authentic Turkish cuisine. Experience the comfort of spacious cabins and modern amenities, with personalized service in an intimate setting. Join a small group of like-minded travelers for a truly special staycation and see Turkey’s coastline from a fresh perspective.

Helping you decide the best time to visit Turkey

To be honest, the best time to visit Turkey can be any time, especially if you want to see the cities.

However, we love the spring with its combination of pleasantly warm weather and smaller crowds of visitors – there’s a reason our Turkey tours tend to run at this time of year – so if we had to choose one season, spring would be it. If you would like more information about traveling in Turkey don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

 

AWS Staff

This post was published by the Adventures with Sarah team. Click here to find out more about the people that make everything at AWS happen.

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