European school holidays mean every hotel is full and prices are at their highest. Expect to bake, especially in humid Antalya, bone-dry Cappadocia, and traffic-congested Istanbul.
Off Season: November to March
Hotels and restaurants empty and many close for the season. The weather is unreliable, but you’ll see Turkey at its beautiful best on relatively frequent days of winter sun. The greatest chance of sun comes along the coast, but smaller resorts often resemble ghost towns. The interior is much colder than the coasts and Istanbul.
Sweet Spot: September to October; April to June
These are probably the best months to visit Turkey. The weather is usually warm, but not too hot, and the sites attract shorter queues than in July and August. Prices start to rise, but bargains still crop up in hotels if business is slow.
