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Turkey is a relatively large country with lots to do in all four seasons. Most people will recommend visiting in the summer because of Turkey’s famous beaches, and many will also recommend the fall and spring because you can still find the warmth while dodging the busiest tourist season and highest prices. Our intention is to tell you things you don’t know, so we’ll focus a bit more on what we’re sure you rarely hear.

This guide, like most of our guides at the moment, will cover information on Turkey in general with an emphasis on Istanbul, the Aegean coast (Izmir, Ephesus, Bodrum, etc.), the Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Fethiye, etc.), and Cappadocia. If you’d like more of a customized itinerary that will plan the perfect trip going to the places you’d love most during just the right season, that will also cover every region of Turkey in the event that you wanted to take a step off the beaten path – The Travel Blueprint is your go-to.

Spring / Autumn 

These seasons bring fewer crowds and moderate temperatures, however you’ll have to deal with unpredictable weather- the coasts can get some rain. Cappadocia stays pretty dry but you’ll have some wind to deal with. 

In 2025, Ramadan is from March 1-29. Turkey is more lively at night and more grouchy during the day. As a visitor, it’s considerate to eat and drink discreetly in public during daylight hours, especially in more conservative areas. See our guides on holidays and religion in Turkey for how to be a respectful tourist during this time. 

Travel prices will rise around March 28-April 7 because people will be traveling for Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı) . If you plan to come to Turkey around then it’s best to book as early as possible.  

School starts back up early-mid September so prices will go down around then and other than hoildays, they will remain low until mid June. 

Annual spring / autumn events: 

Be on the lookout for our upcoming posts about all of these events…

• Istanbul Film Festival (April)
• Istanbul Tulip Festival (April)
• Alacati Herb Festival, Cesme (April)
• Fethiye International Culture and Arts Festival (April)
• Izmir European Jazz Festival (March)
• International Izmir Opera and Ballet Days (Ephesus, May)
• Ephesus/Selçuk: Efes Ultra Sky Trail Mountain Marathon (May)
• International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival (Starts in May)
• Cappadox Festival (Cappadocia, May)
• Avanos International Tourism and Handicrafts Festival (May)
• Istanbul Biennial (September-November, every odd year)
• Izmir International Fair (September)
• Bodrum International Biennial (September)
• Urgup Grape Harvest Festival (September)
• Istanbul: Istanbul Marathon (November)
• Istanbul Theater Festival (November)
• Izmir Short Film Festival (November)
• Mandarine Harvest (Bodrum, November/December)
• Avanos International Tourism and Handicrafts Festival (Ends in November)
• International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival (Ends in November)
• Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (October)
• Bodrum Cup (Bodrum, October traditional wooden yacht race)
• Fethiye Oludeniz Air Games Festival (October)
• Akbank Jazz Festival (Istanbul, October)
• Cappadocia Ultra-Trail (Ultramarathon race in Cappadocia, October)

Summer

Summer is super crowded and super hot. For the most part you’ll have clear skies and minimal rain. 

In 2025, travel prices will rise around June 5-16 because people will be traveling for Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı). If you plan to come to Turkey around then it’s best to book as early as possible. The prices might just stay up until around the beginning of September. See our guides on holidays and religion in Turkey for more info, and look out for our detailed guide on what happens during Kurban Bayrami.   

Some other reasons summertime travel is not ideal: 

• Depending on where you are, you might feel uncomfortable in your typical summer attire. Shorts and sandals are not as common to wear in places that aren’t considered holiday spots. Many foreign residents who are used to wearing “beach attire” (shorts/tank tops) all summer long will dress more modestly in cities and most definitely in inland conservative small towns and villages. This advice is for people presenting male or female, however people presenting female have had a much difficult time dressing how they wish in the summer. 
• Lack of an authentic experience: lots of people think they can deal with crowds but they don’t understand to what extent they’re dealing with. You won’t get that Instagram shot you’ve been waiting for at Cappadocia and the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul is already bustling – try it in the peak of summer and you’ll be rubbing up against each other’s bodies, sweat and all. It’s not kinky. 

Annual summer events:

Be on the lookout for our upcoming posts about all of these events…

• Istanbul Music Festival (June)
• International Izmir Festival (June)
• Istanbul Jazz Festival (July)
• The Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim (July)
• Avanos International Tourism and Handicrafts Festival (Continues till November)
• International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival (Continues till November)
• Bodrum Ballet Festival (August)
• Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies and Culture and Arts Festival (August)
• Aydin Fig Festival, Aydin (August)
• Cappadocia Cave Running (Cappadocia, July)
• Antalya: Runatolia (Antalya Marathon, June)

Winter

Feeling disappointed because your only availability to go to Turkey is in the winter? Don’t. Winter in Turkey can be cozy, romantic, and you can even swim if you’d like. You won’t have those super hot summer days and in most places you probably won’t want to stay in the sea for a long time, but it’s definitely doable.

Hamams – They’re the best in the winter, and they’re something that pretty much any type of tourist would love. Some would argue it’s the best part of Turkey. See our guide on hamams for more info.

If you hate Christmas – Turkey is a great place to be! They still do “Christmas” decor but it’s actually for the new year, and it’s pretty minimal if you’re used to the craziness in the United States or other Christian countries.

If you love Christmas – You can still find sentimental decor and Christmas markets – if you look for it. “Christmas” decor and traditions have definitely gained popularity and will probably keep doing so. A Christmas in Turkey guide is in the works. Questions? Ask us here.

Cappadocia winter – now this is your winter wonderland. Even if you don’t get snow, it’s still dreamy and cozy because you’ll hopefully be sleeping in a cave. This place is amazing year round and it’s still something special in the winter. 

Skiing – There are people who do all-inclusive hotels, and there are people who don’t do all-inclusive hotels. Skiing in the winter in Turkey is for both of those groups of people.The prices are super reasonable and Turkey’s hospitality is so top-notch that even if you don’t typically like these kinds of vacations (that’s us), you’ll be satisfied with this one (trust us). More to come.

A real meyhane experience – You can have a real meyhane experience any time of the year, but the darkness of the winter adds the perfect ambiance. It’s even okay to skip the ice in the rakı in winter. Smoke can be bothersome but it’s worth embracing for just a night and you can definitely find meyhanes the forbid smoking. 

Get to know the locals – the locals are gone in the summer. The winter is a great time to meet people in their own realm.

Seasonal food and drink: There are a billion delicious soups in Turkey, and tourists have no idea. What better time to explore them than in the winter? And in the Aegean region as well as Cappadocia, there’s a ton of tasty wine (you just have to find it, and our upcoming wine guide is here to help) for chilly winter nights. Turkish tea and Turkish coffee in the heat of the day? Meh. Most tourists can only drink tea like a local when the weather isn’t stifling hot. And the best part about winter treats? Salep, the most irresistible beverage for anyone with a sweet tooth on a cool winter day.

Good traveling weather – In the summer, hot buses or long walks can make travel days rough. Are you one of those people who do not function well without air-conditioning in the summer? Go to Turkey in the winter instead (Or sign up for the Travel Blueprint and we’ll make sure you don’t get caught in a heat wave).

Annual winter events:

Be on the lookout for our upcoming posts about all of these events…

• The International Raki Festival (December, Izmir)
• Camel Wrestling Festival, Selcuk (January)
• Camel Wrestling Tournament (Ephesus/Selçuk, January)
• Orange Blossom Carnival (Antalya, February)
• Bodrum: Bodrum Global Run (International marathon event, February)
• International Istanbul Gastronomy Festival (February)
• International Bodrum Carnival (February)