When to Go

Most tourists visit Turkey between April and the end of October. July and August are the busiest and hottest months. April through June and September to October offer more temperate weather, and crowds are smaller; hotel prices somewhat lower, too, with the exception of Easter week, which usually sees an influx of European tourists.

Istanbul tends to be hot in summer, cold and rainy in winter. The Mediterranean (Turquoise) and Aegean coasts have mild winters and hot summers; you can swim along either coast from late April into October. The Black Sea coast is mild and damp, with a rainfall of 90 inches per year. Central and eastern Anatolia can be extremely cold in winter, with roads and mountain passes closed by snow; summers bring hot, dry weather, but cool evenings.

Ankara

Istanbul