When to Travel in Turkey

When to travel in Turkey? Spring is best, autumn next, then summer, last winter.

SPRING
Spring (April, May, through mid-June) is prime because the weather is moderate throughout the country and the days are long. (April can be rainy, though.) This is high season for Istanbul and Cappadocia, with many boutique hotels fully booked, and prices at their highest. It's off-season for Aegean and Mediterranean beach resorts.

AUTUMN
Autumn (mid-September through October) is second best with mostly mild weather, but the days are shorter, and rain may begin again in October. This, too, is high season for Istanbul and Cappadocia, with many boutique hotels heavily booked at their highest prices. At beach resorts, the water is still warm, crowds are smaller, and prices lower.

SUMMER
Summer (mid-June, July, August, through mid-September) is quite hot in five of Turkey's seven distinct climatic regions, though usually rainless, and cool inland in the evenings. Seaside resorts are crowded and prices are at their peak, but the cities are less so—Istanbul is a bargain, with smaller crowds and shorter lines for admission to sights. Cappadocia is cheaper and more comfortable as well.

WINTER
Winter (November, December, January, February, March) can be chill and rainy, with occasional cold but sunny days, everywhere except the southeast, which remains temperate, but lower prices and fewer tourists are compensations. I often travel to Turkey in March and November to benefit from the lower prices, better availability of hotel rooms, and lack of crowds.

Weather & Climatic Regions: Turkey has seven distinct weather and climate zones. More...

Tom's Turkish Almanac: The Turkish year, month by month, with climate, holidays and special events. More...

Official National Holidays: The short list.

Islamic Holidays: They're 11 days earlier every year, and they change travel patterns, so you need to know about them. More...

Special Events: football finals, Formula 1 Grand Prix, film festivals—these can fill hotels and make travel difficult (if not impossible) for short periods.

Airfares & Flight Times
Check the flights you might want to take. More...

What to Wear & Pack: According to season and itinerary. More...

Turkish Time Zone: And comparative times in other cities and countries of the world. More...

Is it safe? Friendly?

What will it cost?

Where should I go?

Where should I stay?

What about transport?

Airfares & Flight Times

Best Itineraries

Travel Details

TTP Homepage

	Thermometer on the Central Post Office in Istanbul. That's Ottoman Turkish (Arabic script) at the top.