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Optimal time to visit Turkey?

Posted by (Seattle, WA, USA ☔️) on

We're thinking about 2-3 weeks in Turkey next year. I don't like crowds, and I don't like relentless hot weather. I typically prefer Mediterranean destinations in the spring and fall. I'm thinking that mid- to late-September might be the sweet spot for Turkey (maybe arrive around Sept 10, stay through the last few days of September).

I assume the worst of the crowds start to dissipate soon after August rolls over into September, and by mid-September things are starting to get quiet, but not quite off-season dead, and most things will still be open and going. Weather should be warm (warm enough to swim) but not oh-my-god hot, water temps still nice and warm for comfy swimming, with the stored heat from the dwindling summer.

Of course, I've never been there, so I'm just making guesses. For those who know Turkey, how close are my guesses? Any other downsides to traveling in mid-late September?

Thanks!

Posted by
2185 posts

We were in Turkey the first 2 weeks of September in 2013 and it was OMG hot in Istanbul and along the coast (from Patara to Datca). They said it was an unusual heat wave, but it was brutal. I would wait until October if I were to go again.

Posted by
4637 posts

I was there in second half of October and weather was pleasant. September is still too hot in most of Turkey.

Posted by
15780 posts

Where in Turkey? I don't know about water temps. I'd start at the beaches, then Cappadoccia, and lastly Istanbul. If you do that, early October should be fine. I was in Istanbul last week of October and the sights were still crowded, but not too bad - just don't go to the Spice Market on Sunday.

Posted by
6788 posts

Where in Turkey? Don't know yet. I'm sure we will want to include Istanbul, a good bit of the coast, and maybe Cappadoccia. The order we do things is not yet determined - lots of choices to be made, I'm just beginning to plan. Don't think I'm going to be renting a villa.

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