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Cappadocia town with rock formation at sunset

Turkey travel guide

Where Europe meets Asia, with coastlines, old cities and mountains in one 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 a mix of history, coast and city life without sticking to one region. Istanbul, with 15,655,924 people, anchors the north, while Antalya and Bodrum cover the southern coast. Go in June, July, September or October for the most comfortable weather. The country is huge, at 783,562 km2, so moving between regions takes real planning and time.

  • Istanbul's sheer scale

    Istanbul is Turkey's biggest city by far, with 15,655,924 people. It's also coastal, straddling the water between two continents, so you get a huge urban center and a sea view in the same trip.

  • A long, warm coastline

    Turkey has several coastal cities to choose from, including Antalya (2,426,356 people), Trabzon (824,352) on the Black Sea, and the smaller Bodrum (175,000). Each sits on a different stretch of coast, so the scenery and sea change a lot depending on where you land.

  • Best weather windows

    The fact pack points to September, October, June and July as the best months to visit. That gives you a choice between early-summer warmth (June, July) and a milder, likely less crowded autumn stretch (September, October).

  • Inland cities with real size

    Away from the coast, Turkey has large inland cities too: Ankara, the capital, has 5,803,482 people, Şanlıurfa has 1,985,753, and Kayseri has 1,389,680. These give travellers a different kind of city trip than the coastal resorts.

  • One country, two continents

    Turkey spans 783,562 km2 across Western Asia, with Istanbul itself split by water between Europe and Asia. That geography alone makes the country an easy base for comparing very different landscapes and city styles in one trip.

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: November

6.2/10
Avg high
13°C
Avg low
1°C
Rain days
5

Averages for Turkey.

Weather by month

This data is for Ankara. September and October are the sweet spot, with highs of 25.6°C and 19.3°C, barely any rain, and 10 to 11.4 hours of sun a day, while June and July also score well despite highs near 29°C. January and December are the toughest months, with highs of just 3.8°C and 7°C, lows below freezing, and over 8 rain days each.

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, Antalya and Cappadocia Highlights

  1. Day 1–3

    Istanbul

    Explore the historic peninsula, cross between Europe and Asia by ferry, and wander the markets and mosques of this coastal city on the Bosphorus.

  2. Day 4–5

    Kayseri

    Use Kayseri as a base to see the volcanic rock formations and cave dwellings of the wider Cappadocia region.

  3. Day 6–7

    Antalya

    Finish on the Mediterranean coast with beaches, old town streets and nearby ancient ruins in this coastal city.

10 days

Coast to Capital: A Wider Turkey Loop

  1. Day 1–3

    Istanbul

    Start in Turkey's largest city, split by the Bosphorus strait, with its mosques, bazaars and waterfront neighbourhoods.

  2. Day 4–5

    Ankara

    Visit the capital for its museums and government quarter, a contrast to the coastal cities on this trip.

  3. Day 6–7

    Kayseri

    Head inland to explore the rock-cut landscapes of Cappadocia using Kayseri as your base.

  4. Day 8–10

    Antalya

    End on the coast in Antalya, with beaches, a harbour old town and easy access to nearby ruins.

Food to try in Turkey

Kebab

Grilled or roasted meat, often lamb or chicken, served with bread, rice, or vegetables. Found in restaurants and street stalls across Turkey, from simple shish to doner cut from a vertical spit.

Meze

A selection of small cold and hot dishes served before the main meal, such as hummus, stuffed vine leaves, and eggplant salads. Common at the start of dinner in restaurants and homes.

Baklava

A sweet pastry made of thin layers of dough filled with chopped nuts and soaked in syrup. Popular as a dessert or with coffee, especially in the southeast of the country.

Turkish tea (çay)

Strong black tea served in small tulip-shaped glasses. Drunk throughout the day, at breakfast, after meals, and during social visits.

Pide

A boat-shaped flatbread topped with cheese, minced meat, or vegetables, baked in a wood-fired oven. Often eaten as a quick lunch or casual dinner.

Turkish coffee

Finely ground coffee boiled in a small pot and served unfiltered in a small cup. Traditionally drunk after meals, often with a glass of water on the side.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Turkey uses plug types C and F, the standard two round pins found across Europe. Electricity runs at 230 V, so most phone and laptop chargers work fine, but US-style devices without dual voltage will need a converter.
  • Driving side: Cars drive on the right in Turkey. If you're renting a car and you're used to driving on the left, give yourself extra time to adjust, especially at roundabouts and junctions.
  • Emergency number: Dial 112 for any emergency in Turkey. This single number covers police, ambulance and fire services across the whole country.
  • Currency: The currency is the Turkish lira. Card payments are widely accepted in cities, but carrying some cash is useful for smaller shops, markets and rural areas.
  • Language: Turkish is the official language. English is common in tourist areas and hotels, but learning a few basic Turkish phrases helps outside the main tourist spots.
  • Tipping: Tipping isn't required but is common and appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount for good service is standard practice in restaurants and for taxi drivers.

Turkey: frequently asked questions

Is Turkey good to visit in August?

Yes, August scores 7.8 out of 10. It's the hottest month, with highs of 29.7°C and lows near 15.8°C. Rain is rare, with only 1.6 rain days and 7 mm of rainfall, so expect dry, sunny conditions with 12.9 hours of sun a day.

What is the best month to visit Turkey?

September is the top-scoring month, at 9.5 out of 10. Highs average 25.6°C, lows sit at 12.4°C, and rain drops to just 2.3 days and 13 mm. October follows closely with a 9.3 score, offering similar mild, dry weather.

When is the rainy season in Turkey?

The wettest months are March and May, each with around 11 to 12 rain days and over 58 mm of rainfall. January and December also bring frequent rain, around 8 to 10 rain days each. By contrast, July has almost no rain, with just 1.1 rain days.

Is winter a bad time to visit Turkey?

Winter months score low: January at 2.7, December at 3, and February at 3.5, all rated 'avoid'. Highs barely reach 3.8°C to 6.8°C, and lows drop to minus 5°C in January. Sun hours are also at their lowest, around 7 to 8.4 hours.

How warm is Turkey in June?

June is warm, with highs averaging 25.2°C and lows of 12.8°C. It scores 8.4 out of 10, among the best months. Rain is light, with 8 rain days and 41 mm total, and sun hours reach 13.3, among the highest of the year.

What is the emergency number in Turkey?

The emergency number in Turkey is 112. The country uses plug types C and F, runs on 230 V, and the local currency is the Turkish lira. Turkey drives on the right and uses the +90 calling code.

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