When is the best time to visit Turkey


When choosing a date to travel to Turkey, you should be aware of the climatic differences in the country. Broadly speaking, the best months to visit are during spring and autumn, and the worst are November to February.

The best time to travel to Turkey

It should be taken into account that this country has different climates depending on the region in question. However, the climate in Turkey is temperate, and Mediterranean in the coastal areas.

In the area of the Black Sea, for example, the climate is oceanic, characterised by very hot and rainy summers, and cold and rainy winters. In the mountains, the thermometer marks an average of 1ºC during the winter while, in the summer, it reaches 30ºC. The climate in Anatolia is continental, so the differences in temperature between winter and summer are quite extreme.

If you’re going to travel to the north of the country, and visit Rize for example, you should be aware that it rains here all year round, while in Ankara, located in the interior, the rains are concentrated in winter and spring. The most inhospitable region of Turkey is Antitaurus, with icy cold winters and very hot and arid summers.

Taking all this into account, the best months to travel to Turkey are from March to May, and from September to early November. The best time to visit the north, where temperatures are more pleasant, is between May and September. We’ll tell you the best time to visit this country, according to the region you want to see.

When to travel to the west coast of Turkey

If you want to visit the Turkish coast bathed by the Aegean Sea, and discover Izmir, Ephesus, Pergamon or Bodrum, the best time to do so is between March and October. During these months not only will you enjoy good weather, but also immerse yourself in cultural festivals and plenty of sunshine to swim in the crystal clear waters on the beaches.

Another thing to keep in mind is that spring and autumn are preferable to the other seasons if you want to avoid overcrowding, especially during the summer months, as many European travellers are on holiday.

When to travel to the Black Sea

If you’re planning on visiting the Black Sea coast, the best time to visit is between April and September if you want to enjoy a pleasant climate. The summer months are the best for lovers of hiking and those who want to discover the Kaçkar mountains.

To visit Inegolu, a flourishing ecotourism destination, Ordu, Sinop, Kocaeli or Amasra, you should be aware that the summers are cool and the winters are mild. Of course, these cities will be very crowded during the summer months, not only by tourists, but also by locals.

When to travel to central Turkey

You can visit Cappadocia from March to October in particular, and it’s best to avoid the winter months (November to February), as it is quite cold in this region. January is the coldest month with an average of 7ºC during the day and -3ºC at night. August is the hottest, reaching 32ºC during the day and 15ºC at night.

In general, Cappadocia has a continental climate, which means cold winters and fairly hot summers. Spring, on the other hand, has a fairly mild climate, with very pleasant daytime temperatures, and a little cooler at night. This means spring would also be a good time to visit Cappadocia.

When to travel to Istanbul

The best time to visit this Turkish city is during the spring, from March to May, and during the autumn, September and October. in particular. Winters are very cold in Istanbul, so it’s not a good idea to plan your trip between November and February.

June, July and August are months where the heat can be unbearable, so they are not the best months to visit the city, unless you want to go to the Istanbul Music Festival which takes place between June and July, and you don’t mind dealing with the heat.

When to travel to Anatolia

The eastern region of Turkey can be visited almost all year round, except for May, October and November. The rest of the year is perfect for discovering this unexplored area of the country, which is still far from mass tourism.

If you want to enjoy nature, the best months to visit Anatolia are from June to September. You will be able to enjoy good temperatures, no rain, and everything with work in your favour if you want to visit this region, comfortably. We’d recommend you choose May, June, or September, avoiding July and August if you want to be more relaxed while travelling.

As you can see, the climate in Turkey is varied, so take this into account when planning your trip.