Entry documents

Citizens of many countries can get a Turkish e-visa online before departure at evisa.gov.tr; others are visa-exempt for short stays. Rules depend on nationality, so check the official site for your passport well before booking.

Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond your visa or visa-exemption period. Carry proof of onward travel and accommodation bookings.

When to go

April to June and September to October are the sweet spots: warm, green, and outside the peak crowds. Istanbul is best in spring and autumn; the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are swimmable from May to October.

July and August are hot, especially inland and in the southeast, and the coast is at its busiest. Winter is the Cappadocia snow season (beautiful, with balloons still flying on clear days) and the Istanbul cultural season.

Ramadan shifts each year: restaurants stay open, but book the Şeb-i Arus period in Konya (December 7-17) well ahead.

April to June and September to October are the sweet spots, and the coasts are swimmable May to October. July and August are hot inland with the busiest beaches, while winter is Cappadocia's snow season and Istanbul's cultural season.

JanWinterCappadocia snow; Istanbul cultural season
FebWinterBalloons still fly on clear days
MarEarly springWarming up
AprSpringSweet spot: warm, green✦ Istanbul Film Festival
MayLate springCoasts swimmable; sweet spot
JunEarly summerSweet spot before peak heat✦ Istanbul Music Festival✦ Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival
JulSummerHot inland; coast at its busiest✦ Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival
AugSummerHot, especially in the southeast
SepAutumnSweet spot
OctAutumnSweet spot; coasts still swimmable✦ Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival
NovLate autumnQuiet; cooling down
DecEarly winterŞeb-i Arus in Konya Dec 7-17: book ahead✦ Şeb-i Arus

When are you going?

Pick your travel months above.

General guidance from regional climate patterns, not a forecast. Event dates follow their traditional pattern; confirm exact days before booking.

What to pack

Modest dress for mosques: women need a headscarf (often provided at the door) and covered shoulders and knees; men should cover knees too.

Comfortable walking shoes: Istanbul's old city is steep and cobbled, and ruins mean uneven ground.

Sun protection for the coast and the southeast; layers for Cappadocia mornings (balloon flights leave before dawn) and the Black Sea's rain.

Official resources

GoTürkiye (https://goturkiye.com): the official tourism portal, with regional guides, festival listings and the national-parks guide.

Turkish e-Visa (https://www.evisa.gov.tr): the official site for electronic visa applications; the only legitimate e-visa channel.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism (https://ktb.gov.tr): official announcements, museum hours and heritage information.

Museum Pass (https://muze.gov.tr): the pass covering 300+ museums and archaeological sites, bought online or at major museums.

TCDD Taşımacılık (https://tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr): timetables and tickets for the high-speed YHT and mainline trains.