Best time to visit Turkey

Find the best time to visit Turkey and plan your perfect trip in 2025/2026. Get holiday inspiration, weather guides, travel advice and find great deals.

Turkey by month

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Top Turkey destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in Turkey. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

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When is the best time to visit Turkey?

The best time to visit Turkey (Istanbul) is June, July and August based on the following average weather conditions.

Maximum daytime temperature = 22 - 30°C [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more [remove]

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Max Day Temperature (°C)

  • 8°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Turkey (Istanbul)8
    Jan
  • 9°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Turkey (Istanbul)9
    Feb
  • 11°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Turkey (Istanbul)11
    Mar
  • 16°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Turkey (Istanbul)16
    Apr
  • 21°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Turkey (Istanbul)21
    May
  • 25°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Turkey (Istanbul)25
    Jun
  • 27°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Turkey (Istanbul)27
    Jul
  • 27°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Turkey (Istanbul)27
    Aug
  • 24°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Turkey (Istanbul)24
    Sep
  • 19°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Turkey (Istanbul)19
    Oct
  • 15°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Turkey (Istanbul)15
    Nov
  • 11°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Turkey (Istanbul)11
    Dec

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

Which is the hottest month in Turkey?

The hottest time of year in Istanbul, Turkey is normally July. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 27°C with low heat and humidity.

Which month has the most rain in Turkey?

In terms of rainfall, December is usually the wettest month in Istanbul, Turkey with 126mm on average. There are normally 18 days in December with some rain.

When is it sunniest in Turkey?

The sunniest time of year in Istanbul, Turkey is normally July with bright sunshine on average for 79% of daylight hours; that's 12 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in Turkey?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Istanbul, Turkey in August when the water temperature reaches 24°C.

Best time to visit

The weather guide for Turkey (Istanbul) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

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Turkey weather overview

Part of Turkey is in Europe but the bulk of it, Anatolia, lies in Asia. Anatolia is a high plateau with mountains to its east, north and south. The higher peaks draw snow throughout the year and the climate here contrasts with that of lower ground and coastal regions to give Turkey a wide variety of weather conditions.

The country's interior has a hot, arid summer climate and cold winters which increase in harshness the further east you go. The coasts bordering the Black Sea, the Aegean and the Mediterranean Coast have higher rainfall and warmer winters. Even between the coasts, however, conditions can vary.

The area surrounding Istanbul and the Black Sea is slightly colder in winter and rainier throughout the year than the shorelines to the west and south whose weather is more typically Mediterranean and can be hot and sticky on summer nights.

The hottest part of Turkey is the wide plain which borders Syria at the entrance to the Taurus Mountains. Here, you'll find a desert-like climate with fiercely hot summers and cold winters.

What to pack for Turkey weather

Light clothes are fine in the summer months, but in winter take very warm clothes for visiting the interior or the mountains.

Turkey travel features

Do you want to learn more about Turkey? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in Turkey.

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