Best time to visit Turkey

The best times to visit Turkey (Istanbul) are in June, July, August and September based on our default weather conditions. Update your weather preferences to see which months best match.

Turkey by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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Top Turkey destinations

Below are average maximum temperatures at popular countries, regions and places in Turkey in December. Select a holiday destination to see more weather parameters.

All Turkey regions

All Turkey destinations

When is the best time to visit Turkey?

The best times to visit Turkey (Istanbul) are in June, July, August and September based on the following average weather conditions.

Maximum daytime temperature = 72 - 86°F [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 8 hours or more [remove]

Change the criteria to reflect your weather preferences.

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Max Day Temperature (°F)

  • 46°F maximum daytime temperature in January in Turkey (Istanbul)46
    Jan
  • 48°F maximum daytime temperature in February in Turkey (Istanbul)48
    Feb
  • 52°F maximum daytime temperature in March in Turkey (Istanbul)52
    Mar
  • 61°F maximum daytime temperature in April in Turkey (Istanbul)61
    Apr
  • 70°F maximum daytime temperature in May in Turkey (Istanbul)70
    May
  • 77°F maximum daytime temperature in June in Turkey (Istanbul)77
    Jun
  • 81°F maximum daytime temperature in July in Turkey (Istanbul)81
    Jul
  • 81°F maximum daytime temperature in August in Turkey (Istanbul)81
    Aug
  • 75°F maximum daytime temperature in September in Turkey (Istanbul)75
    Sep
  • 66°F maximum daytime temperature in October in Turkey (Istanbul)66
    Oct
  • 59°F maximum daytime temperature in November in Turkey (Istanbul)59
    Nov
  • 52°F maximum daytime temperature in December in Turkey (Istanbul)52
    Dec

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

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)  |  Imperial (°F)

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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.

More about Turkey

Explore our complete guide to Turkey with the latest travel advice for travellers and holidaymakers including official updates and local travel tips for Turkey.

Turkey travel guide - essential info

Below is a beginner's guide to Turkey with essential travel facts such as dominant language spoken, typical flight time from the UK and the local currency. You can also check whether visas are required and what plug adapter you need to pack.

Turkey - quick facts
Flight time✝ 4 to 6.5 hours
Time difference UK +3 hours
Language(s) Turkish, Kurdish
Currency Turkish Lira
Electricity C + F plug (230V)
Driving side Right

✝ = Typical flight time from the UK.

Travelling to Turkey?

Browse holidays, flights, hotels and more from popular travel providers for your escape to Turkey in 2026/2027.

Holidays to Turkey

TUI TUI
Find and book ATOL protected holidays to Turkey and destinations worldwide with low deposits and free child places available.
Jet2holidays Jet2holidays
UK's largest package holiday provider offers escapes to Turkey. Book holidays to Europe and North Africa from regional UK airports.
Love Holidays Love Holidays
Book flights, hotels and transfers as holiday packages to worldwide destinations with this UK based OTA.
Club Med Club Med
Just Go Holidays Just Go Holidays
Saga Holidays Saga Holidays
Mercury Holidays Mercury Holidays
First Choice First Choice
National Holidays National Holidays
lastminute.com lastminute.com
Thomas Cook Thomas Cook
Broadway Travel Broadway Travel
Secret Escapes Secret Escapes
TUI Ireland TUI Ireland
Holiday Discount Centre Holiday Discount Centre
Holiday Hypermarket Holiday Hypermarket
easyJet holidays easyJet holidays
Expedia Expedia
On the Beach On the Beach
Sunshine.co.uk Sunshine.co.uk
Travelbag Travelbag

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Tours to Turkey

Travelsphere Travelsphere
Riviera Travel Riviera Travel
Wendy Wu Tours Wendy Wu Tours
Newmarket Holidays Newmarket Holidays
Explore! Explore!
Trafalgar Trafalgar
G Adventures G Adventures
Exoticca Exoticca
TourRadar TourRadar
TUI Tours TUI Tours
Just You Just You

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Flights to Turkey

TUI TUI
British Airways British Airways
KAYAK KAYAK
Jet2 Jet2
Air France Air France
Qatar Airways Qatar Airways
KLM KLM
eDreams eDreams
Kiwi.com Kiwi.com
Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines

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Hotels in Turkey

Barcelo Barcelo
Hilton Hilton
IHG IHG
Marriott Marriott
Millennium Hotels Millennium Hotels
Radisson Hotels Radisson Hotels
Priceline Priceline
Hotels.com Hotels.com
Booking.com Booking.com
Agoda Agoda
ALL ALL
Trivago Trivago

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Accommodation in Turkey

Simpson Travel Simpson Travel
VRBO VRBO
Solmar Villas Solmar Villas
Vintage Travel Vintage Travel
Oliver's Travels Oliver's Travels
Hostelworld Hostelworld
SPL Villas SPL Villas

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Ocean cruises to Turkey

Marella Cruises Marella Cruises
Fred Olsen Fred Olsen

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Things to do in Turkey

Get Your Guide Get Your Guide
Airbnb Airbnb
Klook Klook
Tiqets Tiqets
Isango Isango
Viator Viator

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Buses & trains in Turkey

Flixbus Flixbus

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Car hire in Turkey

Holiday Autos Holiday Autos
Zest Car Rental Zest Car Rental
KAYAK KAYAK
Carrentals.co.uk Carrentals.co.uk
Avis Avis
Enjoy Travel Enjoy Travel
Europcar Europcar
Rentalcars.com Rentalcars.com
Sixt Sixt

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Ferries in Turkey

Direct Ferries Direct Ferries

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Money transfers to Turkey

Wise.com Wise.com
World Remit World Remit
XE Money Transfers XE Money Transfers

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Airport taxis for Turkey

Hoppa Hoppa
Shuttle Direct Shuttle Direct

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Boat rental for Turkey

SamBoat SamBoat

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Driving advice for Turkey

RAC RAC

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eSIMs for Turkey

Amigo Amigo
Airalo Airalo
Holafly Holafly
Roamless Roamless

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Turkey travel deals

Check out the latest deals, discount codes and special offers on holidays, flights, hotels and more for Turkey in 2026/2027. Pay low deposits and save with last minute holidays, early bird offers and free kids places where available.

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  • FREE child places available for select holidays
  • Pay £0 deposits with direct debit & spread the cost
Go to TUI deal >>

View all TUI offers

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British Airways: The Original Sale is now on

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  • Travel between 1st Jan & 31st Dec 2026 (inclusive)
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Turkey travel guidance

Check the latest travel guidance and advice on visiting Turkey from official government sources (in english) from around the world including entry requirements and travel restrictions.

Learn more about the current safety and security risks from terrorism, natural disasters and more. Read about the local laws and customs to consider when travelling around Turkey.

Note: UK FCDO - UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

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Turkey travel health

Find out more about staying safe when travelling to Turkey with the latest guidance on required vaccinations and recommended medication to take with you.

Check out the general travel tips for staying safe and healthy in Turkey, risks of preventable diseases and what to pack.

Note: CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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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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Turkey FAQs

Read our frequently asked questions about travelling to Turkey including the current entry restrictions, driving side, electrical plugs used and much more.

Which is the hottest month in Turkey?

The hottest time of year in Istanbul, Turkey is normally July. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 81°F 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 5.0 inches 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 75°F.

What is the flight time to Turkey from the UK?

The flight time to Turkey from the UK is typically 4 to 6.5 hours.

What is the time difference between Turkey and the UK?

The time difference between Turkey and the UK is UK time+3 hours.

What is the main language spoken in Turkey?

The main languages spoken in Turkey are Turkish and Kurdish.

Learn a language for Turkey with Babbel*, Busuu* and Mondly*.

What is the currency in Turkey?

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY).

Send money to Turkey with Wise.com*, World Remit* and XE Money Transfers*.

Which plugs are used in Turkey?

Turkey uses electrical plug type C + F (230 Volts).

Which side of the road do they drive on in Turkey?

They drive on the right side of the road in Turkey.

Find out more about driving in Turkey with RAC* and International Drivers Association*.

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