When to visit Turkey: month by month for our routes

Our tours run from April to October, and within that window the right month depends on what you want more of: swimming or sightseeing, sun or space. Turkey is a big country with three climates on one route, so here is what to expect where.

April

Istanbul in tulips (the festival fills the parks all month), Gallipoli green, Ephesus at 20 C with nobody in it. Cappadocia can still be cold at night and balloon flights are cancelled more often. The sea is 17-18 C: swimmable for the brave, not yet for everyone. Best for history-first travellers and photographers. Anzac Day on the 25th makes the Gallipoli area busy for a few days.

May and early June

The sweet spot. Everything is open, the coast is warm (sea 20-23 C), Cappadocia is green and flying most mornings, and the big crowds have not arrived. Hidrellez on 5-6 May if you are in Istanbul. Our busiest departures.

Late June to August

Hot. Istanbul 30 C, Ephesus and Pamukkale 35-38 C by midday, Cappadocia dry and 32 C. The coast is at its best - this is when the gulet week is pure pleasure, sea at 26-28 C, warm nights on deck. On the bus days we start early and take the sites before the heat. Bring a hat and drink more than you think. Prices and crowds at their highest; book early.

September

Many Turks' favourite month and ours too. Still hot on the coast (sea 25 C), cooler inland, the grape harvest in Cappadocia and Sirince, the light softer. Schools are back so the sites are calmer.

October

Istanbul and Cappadocia at their most comfortable (15-22 C), autumn colour in the valleys, balloons flying in still air. The coast is still warm enough to swim until the last week or two; evenings on the gulet need a jumper. The season's last departures leave in the final week.

November to March

We run only on request. Istanbul is alive all year and Cappadocia under snow is beautiful, but the coast closes down, the gulets are hauled out and the Pamukkale pools are cold. If you are coming in winter, see the camel wrestling festivals and ask us about a private land itinerary.

In short

History and comfort: April, May, October. Beach and boat: June to September. A bit of everything: late May, early June, September.

All dates for every route are on the departures page; every published date is guaranteed to run.