INFORMATION ABOUT TURKEY – COPIED FROM
TURKEY TOURISM BOARD
For
meteorologists, Turkey has seven distinct climatic regions, but from the point
of view of most casual visitors, the most important distinctions are between
the coast with its moderate winter temperatures and hot, humid summers, and the
inland areas with their extremely cold winters and excessively hot summers. The
further east you travel, the more pronounced these climatic extremes become, so
that much of eastern Turkey is unpassable with snow from December through to April, with temperatures sometimes falling to around -12°C.
In July and August temperatures rise rapidly and can exceed 45°C, making travel
in the east very uncomfortable.
The
Black Sea coast gets two to three times the national average rainfall, along
with more moderate temperatures, making it rather like Central Europe but
pleasantly warmer.
When
to go
Spring (April to
May) and autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit, since the climate
will be perfect for sightseeing in İstanbul and
on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and it will be cool in central
Anatolia, but not unpleasantly so. Visiting before mid-June or after August may also help you avoid mosquitoes. If your primary
drive is for beach-bumming, mid-May to September is perfect for the Aegean and
Mediterranean coasts, if a little steamy out of the water. The Black Sea coast
is best visited between April and September – there will still be rain but not
so much of it. Head to eastern Turkey from late June to September, but not
before May or after mid-October unless you’re prepared for snow, road closures
and bone-chilling temperatures.
With
the exception of İstanbul,
Turkey doesn’t really have a winter tourism season. Most accommodation along
the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea and in some parts of Cappadocia is
closed from mid-October until late April. These dates are not set in stone and
depend on how the season is going. High season is from July to mid-September,
and prices are at their peak.
Anticipate
crowds along all coastal areas from mid-June until early September. You will
need to plan ahead when travelling during the four- or five-day Kurban Bayramı,
as banks shut and ATMs may run out of cash. Also, try not to visit the Gallipoli Peninsula
around Anzac Day (25 April) unless it’s particularly important for you to be
there at that time.
