Turkey has scorching summers and harsh winters, the ideal times to visit are in the spring and fall (April, May, and mid-September to mid-November). During these months, the sky will most likely be sunny and the temperatures will be nice, crowds will be there but not overwhelming, and travelers will have a higher chance of finding affordable flights and lodging. Do apply for the Turkey visa as per guidelines.

Best Time to Visit: Outside of the peak tourist season, when lines are typically long and crowds get in the way, the best time to visit Turkey is when temperatures are pleasant but not too hot. Spring may be the nicest season, especially in April before the temperatures rise too high and the flowers blossom. Except for winter, plan to visit attractions early in the morning, just at opening, or late in the day for the finest experience.

Best Time to Take a Bosphorus Cruise: Taking a Bosphorus Cruise is one of the highlights of a trip to Turkey. May is a fantastic month to visit for mild temps on the lake and to spot dolphins in the river. Early to mid-September is also a wonderful time to visit because people are starting to thin out and the harsh winter winds are still weeks away.

Best Time to Shop: With its open-air markets, sophisticated shops, and bazaars, especially the enormous maze of booths in the Spice Bazaar, Istanbul, in particular, is a favorite shopping destination. The Grand Bazaar spans 60 lanes and houses around 5,000 stores noted for their carpets, hand-painted pottery, antiquities, jewelry, and spices. When retailers don’t have as many consumers as they had in the summer, autumn is the perfect season for deals. Generally, the ideal time to shop is early in the morning or right before closing. Summer sales often begin in the first week of July.

Best Time to Visit Turkey for Beaches: Summer is the best time to visit Turkey for beach weather, particularly in July, August, & September when the climate is generally dry and hot (temperatures generally reaching the mid-30s along the south coast), and sea temperatures are warm but ideal for cooling off. September is also an excellent season for honeymooners to visit Turkey.

While Turkey does not always have much snow in the winter, skiing is generally available between December and March in more northern regions like Kartalkaya in the Koroglu Mountains, where snow depth can reach about 10 feet.

Seasons for Traveling to Turkey

High Season (May-September): The hot and dry months, especially in summer, but sometimes in late spring, constitute the high season. July and August are the hottest months. This is when temperatures are frequently in the 30s°C and can even reach 40°C or more. While it’s a great time to enjoy outdoor dinners and visit the beaches, the crowds will be heavy and the lines will be the longest of the year. Accommodation and flights are also at an all-time high. September is my favorite month to visit during the high season.

Shoulder Season (April, October-mid-November): The shoulder season in Turkey is a fantastic time to visit, with April being the nicest month with the tulips in bloom. While visitors visit all year, crowds are unlikely to be excessive, and temperatures, particularly in April and October’s first half, are likely to be pleasant. It’s also an excellent time to look for flight deals.

Winter (Mid-November to March): Winter in Turkey begins unofficially in November, when the weather makes a substantial change, bringing frigid temperatures and a considerable chance of rain or snow. It’s an excellent opportunity to avoid large crowds and long lines while enjoying a more affordable trip with the reduced airline and discounted lodging costs. Simply bring a thick, waterproof coat, waterproof boots, a cap, and other appropriate clothing for cold, rainy weather.

April in Turkey

International Istanbul Tulip Festival – It is one of the world’s largest tulip festivals and is held in Istanbul for three weeks in April and early May, with the precise dates decided by the blooms’ bloom.

Many people are unaware that tulips originated in the Asian steppes and were subsequently cultivated by the Ottoman Empire. Today, millions of tulips have been planted around the city, and they are all vibrantly colored throughout the festival. The Emirgan Park administration organizes concerts, performances, and exhibitions for you to enjoy while you stroll around the gardens in full bloom.

International Film Festival – During the first part of April, Istanbul hosts Turkey’s major international film festival. Visitors and residents alike may watch the best new art-house films in the capital city’s thriving film industry. The festival attracts actors and filmmakers from all around the world.

Alacati Herb Event – In early April, the Cesme Municipality conducts its most popular festival over four days. It attracts hundreds of people who come to enjoy this horticultural tradition, which involves competitions in herb gathering and herb inoculation. Visitors may pick herbs, learn about local tastes, participate in workshops, and eat meals cooked with the herbs.

The TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open is Turkey’s largest international tennis event, lasting a week in April.

National Sovereignty and Children’s Day – April 23 is a public holiday in Turkey, with businesses closing and parades taking place. Many people placed wreaths on the memorials of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Schoolchildren sit in Parliament for the day, symbolically managing the country, as Ataturk devoted the Turkish Republic to children.

May in Turkey

Labor Day is observed on May 1 in various nations. Taksim Square in Istanbul has traditionally been the site of large protests. It is also a significant symbolic meeting since on May 1, 1977, 37 individuals were killed as a result of unexplained firing on protestors.

Ephesus Event of Culture and Art – This yearly festival celebrates Turkish heritage and culture and is usually celebrated during May’s first week. Throughout the week, there will be theatrical performances, concerts, and folk events featuring traditional dancing, some of which will take place at Ephesus’ Great Theatre.

Hidrellez Celebration – This festival marks the beginning of “early summer,” with May often bringing warm, dry weather. Street parties with gypsy music bands will take place in Istanbul throughout the night of May 5th and into the morning of May 6th.

September in Turkey

Bozcaada Vintage Celebration – In early September, this traditional grape festival on the island of Bozcaada celebrates the harvesting of the four kinds. Grapes are collected in the vineyards that cover one-third of the island’s surface and carried to the city center, where they are welcomed with drums and horns. Wines produced from these types, as well as varietals from other locations, will be available for purchase during the event.

Phaselis Art and Cultural Festival – In early September, this week-long festival showcases notable international and Turkish artists in the 2,400-year-old commercial city of Phaselis. Concerts in the old theater feature Turkish jazz, folk, and other genres.

The festival’s objective is to introduce young people to the traditional flavors of Cappadocian cookery and organic farming. A fantastic method to learn about the local culture.

Every September, Turkey’s largest international art fair, Contemporary Istanbul, takes place for four days. Over 100 foreign exhibitors will be present at the Istanbul Congress Center and Convention & Exhibition Centre.

October in Turkey

Akbank International Jazz Festival – This two-week festival brings blues and jazz to Ankara, Izmir, and Istanbul, with world-class musicians performing in some of the most evocative settings.

International Sailing Cup of Bodrum – This event, held over a week in late October, aims to educate sea-loving aficionados in the art of sailing while also displaying the region’s boat manufacture. This one-of-a-kind regatta permits spectators to board yachts throughout the race. Concerts, and culinary and photography competitions are among the nearby attractions.

It commemorates the Republic of Turkey’s proclamation in 1923 with public speeches, parades, fireworks, and other festivities.

Antalya Golden Orange International Film Festival Cumhuriyetous week-long event, held in the autumn months (October-November), focuses on short and feature-length documentaries and narrative fiction and is one of Turkey’s longest-running films festivals.

November in Turkey

The Istanbul Intercontinental Marathon is the only marathon in the world that runs from the Asian seashore to the European side of the Bosphorus on November 3. It all started when a group of German visitors mentioned that they ran marathons in every city they visit. Because Istanbul did not have a marathon, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect the continents arose.

Ataturk Remembrance Day – Although November 10 is not an official holiday. it remembers the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Republic’s father, and creator. There is a moment of silence to commemorate his memory, followed by the sounding of sirens, automobile horns, and foghorns at 9:05 a.m. Concerts, talks, and exhibitions are commonplace in Istanbul and other cities around the nation.