Turkey

Turkey's unique location, between Europe and Asia and between three seas means that the weather varies greatly between different regions.

Mediterranean and Aegean Coastal Area

Summers on the Aegean Coast are hot and dry, with temperatures reaching up to 28°C in the shade and a scorching 50°C in the sun. Temperatures are cooler the further north you go. Winters here are fairly mild with lows of about 9°C. As this is one of the most popular tourist destinations, the beaches get packed during the summer months, especially in the main resorts around Bodrum and Altinkum. If you can travel in autumn or spring you are more likely to find a cheap deal on your holiday.

Black Sea Coastal Area

The area just off the Black Sea has a slightly wetter climate than the Aegean Coast, but still enjoys similarly hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures reach about 23°C and in winter the temperature rarely drops below 5°C. Istanbul's peak season runs from April to October, with the months at the beginning and end of the season being particularly nice times to visit due to the milder weather and smaller crowds. The cheapest time to visit Istanbul is during the winter months, but this coincides with the wettest months.

Interior

The interior of Turkey makes up the vast majority of the country and has sharply defined seasons with very hot summers and very cold winters. Temperatures in the summer are regularly higher than 30°C and in the winter can be well below freezing, particularly in the east. Rainfall is low, especially in the plains but is higher in elevated areas.