Weather by month for central Turkey, the best months to go and how Turkey's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 19°C to 29°C · 1–8 rain days
Apr, May, Aug, Nov
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 13°C to 30°C · 2–11 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
The weakest weather of the year: too hot, too cold or too wet.
Highs 4°C to 11°C · 7–12 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / -5°C | 10 days (54 mm) | 7.0 h/day | 2.7/10 |
| February | 7°C / -3°C | 7 days (31 mm) | 8.4 h/day | 3.5/10 |
| March | 11°C / -1°C | 12 days (63 mm) | 8.8 h/day | 3.9/10 |
| April | 17°C / 4°C | 8 days (38 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| May | 21°C / 9°C | 11 days (58 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| Best month: June | 25°C / 13°C | 8 days (41 mm) | 13.3 h/day | 8.4/10 |
| Best month: July | 29°C / 15°C | 1 day (4 mm) | 13.6 h/day | 8.3/10 |
| August | 30°C / 16°C | 2 days (7 mm) | 12.9 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| Best month: September | 26°C / 12°C | 2 days (13 mm) | 11.4 h/day | 9.5/10 |
| Best month: October | 19°C / 7°C | 4 days (16 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 9.3/10 |
| November | 13°C / 1°C | 5 days (25 mm) | 8.0 h/day | 6.2/10 |
| December | 7°C / -2°C | 9 days (43 mm) | 7.1 h/day | 3.0/10 |
Figures for central Turkey; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
4°C / -5°C · 10 rain days · 7.0 h sun
Turkey averages a high of 4°C and a low of -5°C in January, with 10 rain days and only 7 hours of sun. The cold, wet weather keeps this month at the bottom of the scores, 2.7 out of 10. New Year's Day falls on 1 January. It suits travellers who want quiet sites and don't mind cold, damp days.
7°C / -3°C · 7 rain days · 8.4 h sun
February warms slightly to a high of 7°C, with 7.3 rain days and 8.4 hours of sun. The score stays low at 3.5, reflecting the chilly, often wet conditions. It's a quiet month with no major holidays, good for budget trips if you pack warm layers.
11°C / -1°C · 12 rain days · 8.8 h sun
March brings a high of 11°C but also the wettest spell of the year, with 12.1 rain days and 63mm of rain. The score of 3.9 shows the weather is still unsettled. Eid al-Fitr falls late in the month on 20–22 March, which can affect transport and crowds at religious sites.
17°C / 4°C · 8 rain days · 10.5 h sun
April is where conditions turn favourable: highs reach 17°C, rain drops to 7.7 days, and sun hours climb to 10.5. The score jumps to 7.8, marking the start of the best stretch of the year. National Independence & Children's Day on 23 April adds a festive note to city visits.
21°C / 9°C · 11 rain days · 11.6 h sun
May offers a high of 21°C, 11 rain days, and 11.6 hours of sun, keeping the score at 7.8. Labour Day on 1 May and Atatürk Commemoration & Youth Day on 19 May bring public holidays. Eid al-Adha starts on 27 May, so expect busier domestic travel toward month's end.
25°C / 13°C · 8 rain days · 13.3 h sun
June is one of the top months, scoring 8.4, with a high of 25°C and sun hours up to 13.3. Rain drops to just 8 days. Eid al-Adha continues into early June, so the first days may see holiday crowds before conditions settle into steady summer warmth.
29°C / 15°C · 1 rain days · 13.6 h sun
July is hot and dry: highs hit 29°C, rain days fall to just 1.1, and sun hours peak at 13.6. The score of 8.3 confirms this as prime summer weather, good for coastal travel but hot for inland sightseeing. Democracy and National Unity Day falls on 15 July.
30°C / 16°C · 2 rain days · 12.9 h sun
August is the hottest month, with a high of 30°C and barely any rain at 1.6 days. Sun hours stay high at 12.9, and the score holds at 7.8. Victory Day on 30 August marks a national holiday; the heat can make midday exploring tiring, so plan around early mornings and evenings.
26°C / 12°C · 2 rain days · 11.4 h sun
September scores the highest of the year at 9.5, with a high of 26°C, just 2.3 rain days, and 11.4 hours of sun. The heat of summer eases while dry, sunny weather continues, making this an excellent all-round month for both coast and inland travel.
19°C / 7°C · 4 rain days · 10.0 h sun
October stays close behind at 9.3, with a high of 19°C, only 3.5 rain days, and 10 hours of sun. Mild temperatures and dry skies make it comfortable for walking and sightseeing. Republic Day falls on 29 October, a national holiday worth planning around for closures.
13°C / 1°C · 5 rain days · 8.0 h sun
November cools to a high of 13°C, with rain days rising to 5.1 and sun hours dropping to 8. The score of 6.2 marks a good but transitional month, with milder crowds and prices than summer, though you'll need a jacket for cooler evenings.
7°C / -2°C · 9 rain days · 7.1 h sun
December brings a high of just 7°C, a low of -1.8°C, and 8.7 rain days, with sun hours down to 7.1. The score falls to 3, reflecting cold, damp conditions typical of winter. It suits travellers chasing low-season rates and quieter sites rather than beach weather.
By trip type
City sightseeing
June, July, September and October work well for sightseeing. June and July bring highs of 25-29°C with up to 13.6 hours of sun and almost no rain, while September and October cool to 19-26°C with just 2-4 rain days a month, making walking around cities comfortable.
Hiking & nature
September, October, April and November suit hiking best. Highs range from 12.5°C to 25.6°C, cooler than the summer peak, and rain stays moderate at 2.3 to 7.7 rain days a month, avoiding the heaviest wet spells of March and May.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Public holidays: Eid al-Fitr First Day (20 Mar), Eid al-Fitr Second Day (21 Mar), Eid al-Fitr Third Day (22 Mar)
Public holidays: National Independence & Children's Day (23 Apr)
Public holidays: Labour Day (1 May), Atatürk Commemoration & Youth Day (19 May), Eid al-Adha First Day (27 May), Eid al-Adha Second Day (28 May), Eid al-Adha Third Day (29 May), Eid al-Adha Fourth Day (30 May)
Public holidays: Democracy and National Unity Day (15 Jul)
Public holidays: Victory Day (30 Aug)
Public holidays: Republic Day (29 Oct)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes, August scores 7.8 out of 10 and is one of the warmer best months. Expect highs around 29.7°C and lows near 15.8°C, with almost no rain, just 1.6 rainy days and 7mm total. It's dry and sunny, with 12.9 hours of sun a day, but the heat can feel intense for sightseeing.
Yes, September is the top-scoring month at 9.5 out of 10. Highs ease to 25.6°C and lows sit at 12.4°C, which feels more comfortable than peak summer. Rain is still rare, with only 2.3 rain days and 13mm for the month, and there's still 11.4 hours of sunshine daily.
No, January is the lowest-scoring month at 2.7 out of 10. Highs only reach 3.8°C and lows drop to -5°C, with 10.1 rain days and 54mm of rain, the wettest month of the year. Sunshine is also at its weakest, just 7 hours a day.
Yes, October scores 9.3 out of 10, making it one of the two best months alongside September. Highs sit at 19.3°C and lows at 7.1°C, offering mild, comfortable conditions. Rain is light, with only 3.5 rain days and 16mm, and there's still 10 hours of sun each day.
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