Popular Activities in April

During April, the weather is warm, and the masses of tourists haven’t yet arrived. It makes it the perfect time to visit popular tourist spots and wander in nature.

Also, the Aegean and Mediterranean waters are approaching a comfortable temperature for swimming at their beaches. Prices at beach resorts and for Blue Voyage yacht charters are also low. Here are the most popular activities in April:

• Enjoying the vacant sceneries of Turkey, especially in the beach resort towns of Bodrum, Çeşme, and Kaş. 
• Taking tours of historical sites, such as Aphrodisias, Alanya Castle, Ephesus, and more.
• Swimming in Mediterranean coastal cities, such as Antalya and Kaş. 

Hiking in the valleys of Cappadocia and exploring the ancient underground cities.

Common Events, Festivals, and Holidays in April

Many local and national festivals are held in April. But, the biggest national holiday is National Sovereignty Day (Ulusal Egemenlik Bayramı, April 23rd), when the first Grand National Assembly, or republican parliament, met in Ankara in 1920. It's also Children's Day. An international children's festival with kids from around the world is centered in Ankara, with celebrations throughout the country.

In Istanbul, the city's Tulip Festival produces 30 million tulips. It's a great time to visit the city, meaning boutique hotels are often fully booked at their highest prices, particularly at Easter, if it falls in April. The Orange Blossom Carnival in Adana is another festival that's highly popular among visitors. It is a street parade, so people with costumes inspired by orange enjoy various celebrations.

At the beginning of the month, dolphins, during their annual migration, swim through the Sea of Marmara northward through the Bosphorus at Istanbul and onward to the Black Sea. The storks arrive in Istanbul's Gülhane Parkı and in Selçuk, next to Ephesus, to repair their nests, lay their eggs, and raise their young until September, when they all fly away. In the meantime, their presence brings good luck, beauty, happiness, and a lot of squawking and bill-clattering to the town.

On ANZAC Day (April 25th), dawn services at Gallipoli remember the 500,000 men who died or were wounded here during World War I. Contact Efendi Travel, which organizes tours to Gallipoli.

Percentage of Tourists in Turkey in April

April is the perfect time to visit Turkey with fewer crowds, and fairly affordable compared to summer. It is the best time to take advantage and visit popular tourist spots in the country. 

What to Know Before Traveling to Turkey in April

April has a balanced climate to travel. Temperatures in the west and south are relatively mild, but in the mountainous East, it's still cold. The Southeast (Gaziantep, Urfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır), so torrid and parched in high summer, is pleasant now. However, there may still be snow on top of Nemrut Dağı south of Malatya. So, remember to pack accordingly. 

Visit Turkey in April

April is the last month before tourist crowds start appearing in the country. Prices are reasonable compared to summer, and the weather is warm. You can even swim in the coastal cities on a sunny day without wind. 

Remember to plan your trip before traveling to Turkey, and enjoy your journey! 

—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Can Turan