Weather in Turkey

Due to its size, the weather in Turkey varies based on the part of the country you're visiting. If you're travelling to areas on the western or southern coasts like Antalya or Izmir, expect a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Central Turkey, home to Cappadocia and the capital city of Ankara, can experience temperature extremes, with scorching summers and winters that regularly dip below freezing. The transitional climate of Istanbul features a little bit of both; nice, hot summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall.

Weather in Istanbul

Group at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey's largest city straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with climate influences from the Sea of Marmara to the south and the Black Sea to the north. Weather in Istanbul is pretty temperate and its proximity to the coasts regulates severe weather, sheltering the city from extreme heat or cold.

Summers are sunny, and August is the warmest month, averaging about 23 °C. Winters are typically cloudy, and February temperatures can dip to 5 °C. Istanbul is prone to snow during the winter as cold Siberian winds meet the Black Sea's warm waters, creating snow storms in a phenomenon called the lake-effect.

MONTH

 AVERAGE HIGH 

 AVERAGE LOW 

 March to May 

12°C

9°C

 June to August 

24°C

20°C

 September to November 

17°C

14°C

 December to February 

6°C

4°C

Weather in Antalya

Antalya Harbour on a sunny day, Turkey

Located on Turkey's famed Turquoise Coast, Antalya has a Mediterranean climate known for picture-perfect summers. Summer weather in Antalya has daytime temps that average around 32°C, and beachgoers can delight in water temps of 28°C. The region sees an influx of people escaping the scorching inland cities to keep cool by the coast between June-September.

Antalya is one of the warmest winter destinations in Turkey. The weather will be wet but manageable, and snow is highly unusual. Even in winter, you'll still see locals walking on the beaches and occasionally even swimming in the sea.

MONTH

 AVERAGE HIGH 

 AVERAGE LOW 

 March to May 

21°C

15°C

 June to August 

32°C

25°C

 September to November 

25°C

18°C

 December to February 

15°C

9°C

Weather in Cappadocia

Sunset over the rock formation in Cappadocia

Cappadocia, famous for its unique rock formations and cave dwellings, is located in the semi-arid Central Anatolia region. The climate is continental, so the weather in Cappadocia is defined by hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.

Summer is peak season for tourism as there is very little wind and precipitation – perfect hot air ballooning weather. Hot air balloons don't operate during the winter due to wet and icy conditions, but seeing the fairy chimneys covered in a dusting of snow is magical. Don't forget to bundle up!

MONTH

 AVERAGE HIGH 

 AVERAGE LOW 

 March to May 

11°C

3°C

 June to August 

22°C

12°C

 September to November 

14°C

6°C

 December to February 

4°C

-2°C

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