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Best time to visit Turkey: month by month
Short answer
April to June and September to October are best, with about 16–25°C in Istanbul, warmer on the Aegean and comfortable walking at Ephesus. July and August are hot inland and on the coast (35°C and more) and crowded; winter is cool and wet in Istanbul and cold, sometimes snowy, in Cappadocia.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10°C | 5°C | 11 | low |
| Feb | 10°C | 4°C | 10 | low |
| Mar | 10°C | 4°C | 14 | medium |
| Apr | 16°C | 8°C | 13 | high |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 9 | high |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 9 | high |
| Jul | 30°C | 21°C | 3 | very high |
| Aug | 30°C | 22°C | 4 | very high |
| Sep | 25°C | 18°C | 6 | high |
| Oct | 20°C | 14°C | 6 | high |
| Nov | 17°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Dec | 13°C | 8°C | 11 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Istanbul warms from about 10°C in March to 21°C in May; tulip season in April, and comfortable temperatures at Ephesus and Pamukkale.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Istanbul at about 25–30°C with little rain; the coast and inland sites are hotter, often 35°C and more. Peak crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 25°C) and October (about 20°C) are excellent, with a warm sea on the coast; November cools to about 17°C and rain returns.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Istanbul is cool and damp at about 10–13°C with 10–11 rainy days a month; snow in Cappadocia makes striking balloon photos, and prices drop.
Events worth planning around
- Istanbul Tulip Festival (April)
- Istanbul Music Festival (June)
- Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival near Antalya (late summer)
- Ramadan and the Eid holidays, which change opening hours (dates move each year)
When to avoid
July and August are very hot at inland and coastal sites and the busiest time; national holidays such as Kurban Bayramı bring domestic crowds and higher prices.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Turkey?
April to June and September to October, with about 16–25°C in Istanbul and pleasant weather at the ancient sites.
Is Turkey too hot in summer?
Istanbul is about 25–30°C, but Ephesus, Pamukkale and the coast often exceed 35°C in July and August.
Is Cappadocia worth visiting in winter?
Yes: snow on the fairy chimneys makes stunning balloon views and prices drop, though it is cold and flights can be cancelled.