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Turkey travel guide

Istanbul, a long coastline and inland cities, all in one very large country

Best: Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct

Photo: fromsalih / Pixabay

Capital
Ankara
Language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish lira
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Turkey

Turkey suits travellers who want to mix a big city, beach time and inland towns on one trip. You can start in Istanbul, move to the coast at Antalya or Bodrum, then head inland to Kayseri, Denizli or Şanlıurfa. The best months to go are June, July, September and October. The honest limit is size. Turkey covers 783,562 km², so you cannot see it all in one visit. Pick a few areas and expect long travel days between them.

  • Istanbul, the largest city

    Istanbul is Turkey's biggest city by far, with 15655924 residents. It is on the coast, so you can pair a big-city stay with time by the sea. Plan to spend several days here rather than rushing through.

  • Three coastal bases to choose from

    Beyond Istanbul, Turkey has other coastal cities with very different sizes. Antalya is a large city, Trabzon is mid-sized, and Bodrum is much smaller, with about 175000 people. June and July are among the best months to visit.

  • Autumn is the top season

    September and October head the list of best months for Turkey. They make a good choice if you want to combine several cities in one trip. If your dates are flexible, aim for these 2 months first.

  • A large country beyond the coast

    Turkey covers 783562 km2, and many of its major cities are inland. Ankara, Kayseri, Denizli and Şanlıurfa are all away from the sea. Distances are long, so pick a region rather than trying to see everything.

  • Ankara and practical ease

    Ankara is the capital and the second-largest city in this list. For practical planning: the currency is the Turkish lira, plugs are types C and F at 230 V, traffic drives on the right, and the emergency number is 112.

Is Turkey right for you?

Great for

  • Summer sun seekers: July and August average only 1 to 2 rain days and highs of 29 to 30°C
  • Autumn travellers: September and October bring highs of 26°C and 19°C with just 2 to 4 rain days
  • People who want long days: June and July average over 13 hours of sun a day
  • Coast and city trips mixing Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and Trabzon, all coastal cities
  • European visitors: plug types C and F at 230 V, and driving is on the right

Less ideal for

  • Winter trips: January averages a 3.8°C high, a -5°C low and about 10 rain days
  • Rain-averse spring visitors: March and May each average 11 to 12 rain days
  • Heat-sensitive travellers in August, when highs average about 30°C
  • Short trips trying to see a lot: the country covers 783562 km², so distances are long

Turkey right now: September

9.5/10
Avg high
26°C
Avg low
12°C
Rain days
2

Averages for Turkey.

Weather by month

The chart uses 2015–2024 climate data labelled for Turkey rather than a named city, and September and October score best, with highs of 26°C and 19°C, only 2–4 rain days and 10–11 hours of sun. January is the toughest month, with highs near 4°C, lows of -5°C and about 10 rain days, while February, March and December also bring cold, frosty nights.

Average highs and lows in Turkey by month January: high 4°C, low -5°C , 10 rain days . February: high 7°C, low -3°C , 7 rain days . March: high 11°C, low -1°C , 12 rain days . April: high 17°C, low 4°C , 8 rain days . May: high 21°C, low 9°C , 11 rain days . June: high 25°C, low 13°C , 8 rain days . July: high 29°C, low 15°C , 1 rain days . August: high 30°C, low 16°C , 2 rain days . September: high 26°C, low 12°C , 2 rain days . October: high 19°C, low 7°C , 4 rain days . November: high 13°C, low 1°C , 5 rain days . December: high 7°C, low -2°C , 9 rain days . 4°C -5°C JAN 10d 7°C -3°C FEB 7d 11°C -1°C MAR 12d 17°C 4°C APR 8d 21°C 9°C MAY 11d 25°C 13°C JUN 8d 29°C 15°C JUL 1d 30°C 16°C AUG 2d 26°C 12°C SEP 2d 19°C 7°C OCT 4d 13°C 1°C NOV 5d 7°C -2°C DEC 9d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Turkey (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Turkey: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Istanbul, inland Denizli and the Bodrum coast

  1. Day 1–3

    Istanbul

    Start in Turkey's largest city, home to 15655924 people. Spend 3 days walking its old districts, eating well and taking time by the water, since the city sits on the coast.

  2. Day 4–5

    Denizli

    Head inland to Denizli, a city of about 1027782 people. Use these 2 days for a slower pace, local markets and day trips into the surrounding countryside.

  3. Day 6–7

    Bodrum

    End on the coast in Bodrum, a much smaller town of about 175000 people. Rest, swim and enjoy the seafront before flying home.

10 days

From Istanbul through Anatolia to Antalya

  1. Day 1–3

    Istanbul

    Give Istanbul 3 full days. It is the biggest city in Turkey, so pick 1 or 2 areas per day rather than trying to see everything.

  2. Day 4–5

    Ankara

    Travel inland to Ankara, the capital. Spend 2 days seeing how modern Turkey is run and eating in local, everyday restaurants away from the coast.

  3. Day 6–7

    Kayseri

    Continue to Kayseri, an inland city of about 1389680 people. Use it as a base for 2 days of exploring central Anatolia at a quieter pace.

  4. Day 8–10

    Antalya

    Finish with 3 days on the coast in Antalya. Slow down after the inland stops with time at the sea, walks through town and relaxed meals.

Food to try in Turkey

Çay (Turkish tea)

Strong black tea served in small tulip-shaped glasses, usually without milk. People drink it all day, at home, in cafés and in shops, and it is often offered to guests.

Simit

A ring of bread covered in sesame seeds, crisp outside and soft inside. It is sold from street carts and bakeries and is a common quick breakfast, often with tea.

Menemen

Eggs cooked in a pan with tomatoes, green peppers and spices. It is a popular breakfast dish, eaten with fresh bread straight from the pan.

Meze

A spread of small cold and hot dishes, such as yoghurt dips, stuffed vine leaves and salads. Mezes are shared at the start of a meal, often in the evening.

Pide

A boat-shaped flatbread baked with toppings like minced meat, cheese or egg. You find it in simple restaurants across the country, and it makes a filling lunch.

Baklava

Thin layers of pastry filled with chopped nuts, often pistachios, and soaked in syrup. It is sold in pastry shops and is eaten as a dessert or on special occasions.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Turkey uses plug types C and F, and the voltage is 230 V. Check your chargers and devices before you travel. Bring an adapter, and a converter if your devices do not support 230 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Turkey drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first days.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number in Turkey is 112. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you can call quickly if you need help.
  • Currency: The currency is the Turkish lira. Check the current exchange rate before you go, and confirm the price in lira before you pay.
  • Language: The official language is Turkish. Learning a few basic words, such as hello and thank you, can make everyday situations easier. A translation app is also useful.
  • Time zone: Turkey uses the UTC+3 time zone. Check the time difference from home before you book transport or plan calls.
  • Calling code: The international calling code for Turkey is +90. Use it before a Turkish number when you call from a foreign phone.

Turkey: frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Turkey?

September and October are the best months to visit Turkey. They have the highest scores on our scale, 9.5 and 9.3 out of 10. In September the average high is 25.6°C and the low is 12.4°C, with only 2.3 rain days. October is cooler, with a high of 19.3°C and 3.5 rain days. June (8.4) and July (8.3) come next. These figures are averages for Turkey as a whole, 2015–2024.

Is Turkey good in August?

Yes, August is a good month for Turkey, but it is the hottest. It scores 7.8 out of 10. The average high is 29.7°C and the low is 15.8°C. Rain is rare, with 1.6 rain days and 7 mm, and you get 12.9 hours of sun a day. If you dislike heat, September is cooler and scores higher at 9.5.

Should I visit Turkey in winter?

No, we suggest you avoid Turkey from December to March. These months score between 2.7 and 3.9 out of 10. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 3.8°C, a low of -5°C and 10.1 rain days. If you want a quieter, cooler trip, November is a better choice. It scores 6.2, with a high of 12.5°C and a low of 1.3°C.

Is spring a good time to visit Turkey?

Yes, April and May are both good, scoring 7.8 out of 10. April has an average high of 16.7°C, a low of 4.3°C and 7.7 rain days. May is warmer at 20.7°C, but wetter, with 11 rain days and 58 mm of rain. Pack layers, because nights are still cool. March is not recommended: it has 12.1 rain days, the most of any month.

What is the rainiest and driest month in Turkey?

March is the wettest month and July is the driest. March has 12.1 rain days and 63 mm of rain on average. July has just 1.1 rain days and 4 mm. It also has the most sun, at 13.6 hours a day. July to October is the driest stretch, with 3.5 rain days or fewer each month.

What plugs, currency and time zone does Turkey use?

Turkey uses plug types C and F at 230 V. The currency is the Turkish lira. The whole country is on UTC+03:00. Cars drive on the right. The emergency number is 112, and the country calling code is +90. The official language is Turkish.

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