When to go · Türkiye (Turkey)

Türkiye (Turkey), month by month

The best months for Türkiye (Turkey): May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Plan around it

Month by month

JanuaryMixedCold and wet in Istanbul, snow in Cappadocia; low prices, short days, coast mostly shut.Istanbul and Marmara: cool · Aegean coast: rainy · Mediterranean coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
FebruaryMixedLike January; Ramadan starts around the second week of February in 2027 — check.Istanbul and Marmara: cool · Aegean coast: rainy · Mediterranean coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
MarchMixedWarming but changeable; Ramazan Bayramı 9–11 Mar 2027 fills transport — check dates.Istanbul and Marmara: cool · Aegean coast: fine · Mediterranean coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
AprilGoodTulips in Istanbul, green Cappadocia, empty ruins; Easter and the 23 April holiday add crowds.Istanbul and Marmara: fine · Aegean coast: best weather · Mediterranean coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
MayGreatOne of the two best months; avoid 15–19 May 2027 (Kurban Bayramı plus 19 May) for travel days — check.Istanbul and Marmara: best weather · Aegean coast: best weather · Mediterranean coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
JuneGreatWarm sea, long days, ruins still bearable before 11:00.Warm sea, long days, ruins still bearable before 11:00 AM.Istanbul and Marmara: best weather · Aegean coast: hot · Mediterranean coast: hotCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
JulyMixedPeak season and heat: coast and Istanbul crowded; inland sites at 38 °C (100 °F).Peak season and heat: coast and Istanbul crowded; inland sites at 100 °F (38 °C).Istanbul and Marmara: hot · Aegean coast: hot · Mediterranean coast: hotCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
AugustMixedAs July; European and Turkish school holidays; book early.Istanbul and Marmara: hot · Aegean coast: hot · Mediterranean coast: hotCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
SeptemberGreatThe best month for most trips: warm sea, cooling ruins, lower prices after mid-month.Istanbul and Marmara: best weather · Aegean coast: best weather · Mediterranean coast: hotCrowds: Medium
OctoberGreatClear Cappadocia mornings, sea still warm in the south; Republic Day (29 Oct) crowds.Istanbul and Marmara: best weather · Aegean coast: best weather · Mediterranean coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
NovemberMixedRain begins; Istanbul and Cappadocia fine, coastal resorts close.Istanbul and Marmara: fine · Aegean coast: fine · Mediterranean coast: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
DecemberMixedCold, wet Istanbul with low hotel rates; snowy Cappadocia; New Year spikes prices.Istanbul and Marmara: rainy · Aegean coast: rainy · Mediterranean coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Türkiye (Turkey), side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
May: Great
Jun: Great
Crowds
May: High
Jun: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 3
Jun: 2

May: One of the two best months; avoid 15–19 May 2027 (Kurban Bayramı plus 19 May) for travel days — check.

June: Warm sea, long days, ruins still bearable before 11:00.

Türkiye (Turkey): figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Istanbul and MarmaraIstanbul, Bursa, Edirne	Cool	Cool	Cool	OK	Best	Best	Hot	Hot	Best	Best	OK	Wet
Aegean coastİzmir, Selçuk (Ephesus), Bodrum, Çeşme	Wet	Wet	OK	Best	Best	Hot	Hot	Hot	Best	Best	OK	Wet
Mediterranean coastAntalya, Kaş, Fethiye, Alanya	Wet	Wet	OK	Best	Best	Hot	Hot	Hot	Hot	Best	Best	Wet
Central AnatoliaCappadocia, Ankara, Konya	Cool	Cool	Cool	OK	Best	Best	OK	OK	Best	Best	OK	Cool
Black SeaTrabzon, Rize, the Kaçkar	Cool	Cool	Cool	Wet	OK	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	Cool
East and south-eastKars, Van, Mardin, Şanlıurfa	Cool	Cool	Cool	OK	Best	Best	Hot	Hot	Best	Best	OK	Cool