Turkey by and large experiences a lull in the tourism season as the year begins, although you will see a flurry of tourist activity in Bursa and in the central and eastern parts of the country as ski season kicks into high gear. Ski season continues through March from Ankara east to the Armenian and Azeri borders. Many sights are open in the winter, particularly in big cities like Istanbul, but if you are venturing into the interior of the country, it is best to check operating hours for the sights you want to see before traveling to them. Lines at tourist attractions (save for winter sporting areas) will be small or nonexistent.

Istanbul`s winters are cooler and wetter than many other Mediterranean cities, and it isn`t unheard of to see snow through March. These winter months average between 9-12 precipitation days per month. Highs will average in the upper 40s and low 50s, with lows typically seen in the 30s to around 40. Izmir is a little warmer, with highs in the mid-50s to low 60s in the winter and lows around 40, and similarly wet, averaging 7 to 9 precipitation days per month in the beginning of the year. Antalya`s position on the Mediterranean allows it to stay warmer in the winter, with highs on average hovering around 60 and lows retreating into the low and mid-40s. While more temperate, Antalya and environs also experience their rainy season this time of year.

Like other parts of the country, Ankara experiences a wet season in the first months of the year, and that won`t let up through March. Temperatures are colder inland than on the coast, so Ankara will see highs on average only in the 30s, with lows usually below freezing in the 20s. Colder `cold snaps` and snowfall are not uncommon in Ankara, and you may very well encounter snowstorms if you travel to Ankara or further east during these months. Winter temperatures stay constant in Samsun and other locations close to the Black Sea, with highs around 50 and lows around 40. Lake Van receives some of the coldest weather in the country, with highs in January typically in the 30s and lows below 20. Pack lots of warm clothes and expect heavy snow if you travel to Lake Van or other areas of eastern Turkey in the wintertime.

Holidays and Festivals:

January 1: New Year`s Day (Yilbasi) (business closures nationwide)

January through late March: Camel Wrestling Festival, Selcuk, Izmir Province, twelve weeks of camel wrestling (yes, as in two camels wrestling each other).

Late February to early March: Eurasia Boat Show, Istanbul, the largest boating trade show in Turkey

Early March: Runatolia, a marathon run in Antalya

Mid-March to late April: Istanbul Shopping Fest, where tourists can take advantage of discounts and tax-free shopping in certain areas of Istanbul. Historic sites are also open later to accommodate the larger crowds of tourists.

March 18: Çanakkale Victory and Martyrs` Day (Çanakkale Sehitlerini Anma Günü), celebrating the victory during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 which resulted in three British ships being sunk by Ottoman forces. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of modern-day Turkey, was a colonel in the Ottoman Army during the Gallipoli Campaign, earning the Iron Cross from the German Empire.

Late March: Mercedes-Benz Istanbul Fashion Week

March 21-24: Mesir Paste Festival, Manisa, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival, which has been celebrated every year for nearly 500 years.

April showers bring May flowers, and that is true in Turkey as well, except for tulips, which you will see blooming in Istanbul early, in the month of April. Note that many Turkish people like to take vacations during the springtime, so hotel prices in Istanbul and Cappadocia in particular will be as high as summertime rates in other locations. Many accommodation options along the southern coast, from Antalya west to Bodrum, may still be closed through the middle or end of May. For much of the country, low season transitions to a shoulder season in May, except for places like Istanbul and Cappadocia that see the shoulder season beginning by the start of April.

Temperatures warm up rapidly in Istanbul as spring begins, and clouds will make way for sunshine. Temperatures will warm into the 60s by April and the 70s by May, with lows in the upper 40s and low-to-mid 50s. Izmir warms even faster, with highs in the 60s in April and 70s and 80s by May. The dry season begins in Izmir in May. Drier weather comes to Antalya by May as well, with just three precipitation days in May on average, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Expect wet weather to continue in Ankara, all the way through May, the month when Ankara`s precipitation average peaks at nine days in the month. Temperatures rise from 60s in the afternoon and 30s at night in April to 70s in the afternoon and 40s at night by May. April is the wettest month of the year in Samsun, and May is moderately damp, as temperatures rise into the 60s during the day for those months, with lows in the lower 50s. April and May are also very wet months around Lake Van; temperatures there are still rather cool with 50s and 60s during the day and 30s and 40s at night.

Holidays and Festivals:

Rotating by year: Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish), the holiest of months on the Muslim calendar. Celebrated from May 5-June 3 in 2019, April 24-May 23 in 2020, and April 13-May 12 in 2021. The feast day at the end of Ramadan is called Seker Bayrami and is a holiday. (business closures nationwide for feast day at end of Ramadan)

April or May: Orthodox Easter Sunday (Paskalya Pazarlari in Turkish). Orthodox Easter falls on April 28 in 2019, April 19 in 2020 and May 2 in 2021.

April: International Music Festival, Ankara. There are orchestral performances, chamber music, and Turkish contemporary artists playing traditional and folk music from all over the world.

April: Tulip Festival, Istanbul. 30 million tulips (the flower being a 17th-century import from Holland) are freshly planted around Istanbul each year.

Early-to-mid April: Istanbul International Film Festival. The oldest international film festival in the country, it has been held annually since 1982.

Mid-April: Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, a six-day race that is the largest cycling event in the country.

Mid-to-late-April: Ankara International Film Festival

Mid-April to early May: Mersin International Music Festival, featuring Turkish and international artists, hosted by the Mersin Cultural Society

April 23: National Sovereignty and Children`s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayrami). Commemoration of the first opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey at Ankara in 1920. The holiday is dedicated to the children. (business closures nationwide)

May 1: Labor Day (Emek ve Dayanisma Günü) (business closures nationwide)

May 5-6: Ahirkapi Hidirellez Festival, Istanbul. Hidirellez was the day on which the Prophets Hizir and Ilyas met on Earth, and is now noted as the unofficial arrival of spring. Similar hidirellez festivals can be found across the country.

May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth Day (Atatürk`ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayrami). Commemoration of the beginning of the national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk`s landing in Samsun. This holiday is dedicated to Turkey`s youth. (business closures nationwide, sports events held)

Late May: Bodrum International Ballet Festival

June is the beginning of high tourist season across most of the country. Turkish students are out of class in June, meaning that not only are tourists from around the world coming to see Turkey`s natural beauty and historic landmarks, so are a lot of Turks. You will notice that high season comes to a close quickly by the beginning of July in Istanbul, with high temperatures and many holidays and festivals happening during this time. Expect crowds at nearly every tourist attraction across most of the country, however, even in Istanbul. All accommodations across the Turquoise Coast should be open to travelers, and all ferry lines linking the mainland with the Aegean islands will be in full operation by this time.

Istanbul sees temperatures peaking in the low-to-mid 80s during the day in July, although you will likely see 70s as late as the second half of June. Summer lows average in the low-to-mid 60s. By the summer, Istanbul enters a marked dry season, with averages of only three precipitation days per month for June and July. Izmir, by comparison, is even drier, seeing just one precipitation day per month in June and July on average. Highs are planted firmly in the lower 90s, with lows averaging in the upper 60s. Antalya`s dry season will be in full force by June, and temperatures will reach the 90s during the day by July. Some mornings can be warm in the low 70s.

Rain is still a somewhat common occurrence in Ankara in June, although it definitely tapers off by July. High temperatures move into the 80s in June, and lows warm from the 50s to 60s by July. Drier weather finally comes to Samsun, and so does two months of pleasant conditions, with highs in the 70s and low 80s and lows in the 60s. The drier weather is also a late arrival in the area around Lake Van, which should see completely dry conditions by the middle of July with highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 50s.

Holidays and Festivals:

May or June: Orthodox Ascension (Yükselis Günü in Turkish). Observed on June 6 in 2019, May 28 in 2020, and June 10 in 2021.

June: Istanbul International Music Festival

Mid-June (6 days): Cappadox, Cappadocia (music and cultural festival)

Mid-June: Chill-Out Music Festival, an electronica music festival held at Garden Fiesta, Sariyer, Istanbul

Late June: Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships, Edirne, where Turkish men have wrestled, coated in olive oil, for over 650 years.

Late June–mid-July: Istanbul International Jazz Festival

July 1: Cabotage Day (Kabotaj Bayrami). This maritime festival is celebrated in Turkey by commemorating the establishment of Turkey`s sea borders. Major ports with marinas usually celebrate with yacht races and swimming competitions.

July 15: Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Milli Birlik Günü) Commemoration of the national unity against the coup attempt and for democracy, which occurred on this date in 2016. (business closures nationwide)

High season is in full effect by the beginning of August in Ankara, and it returns in Istanbul around this same time too. By September, Cappadocia also returns to high season. Kids return to school in Turkey in the first half of September, meaning crowds will finally decrease at many tourist attractions. Millions of visitors continue to enjoy the warm weather in the Aegean Islands and along the Turquoise Coast. Many tourist-oriented businesses and accommodations will begin to wind down operations along the Turquoise Coast by the end of September.

August temperatures in Istanbul are much like July`s, with highs in the low-to-mid 80s and lows in the mid-60s. It is similarly dry, with an average of just three precipitation days for the month of August. By September, the weather cools, as highs reach 80 with decreasing frequency and lows below 60 increase in frequency. It is also the last month of the dry season on the western coast. Highs in Izmir will average in the upper 80s and lower 90s, and lows at night will fall into the 60s. Antalya sees its driest air of the year in August, recording an average of zero precipitation days for that month. High temperatures peak in the low and mid-90s in Antalya in August and September, with lows in the upper 60s and low 70s.

August and September are the driest months of the year in Ankara, with just two precipitation days per month expected on average. Expect highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 50s and low 60s. Drier conditions persist in Samsun and other areas along the Black Sea coast, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s and lows in the 60s. August is the driest month of the year around Lake Van and some say it is the most beautiful time of year to visit this region. Highs are in the upper 70s to low 80s and lows at night are cool in the low to mid-50s.

Holidays and Festivals:

August 10-14 (2019), July 31-August 3 (2020), July 20-23 (2021): Sacrifice Feast Days (Kurban Bayrami) (business closures nationwide)

August 15: Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana varsayimi), Ephesus. A special Mass conducted by the Archbishop of Izmir celebrates the Assumption at the House of the Virgin Mary. August 15.

Late August: Antalya International Folk Music and Dance Festival

Late August through September: Ankara Shopping Fest, a similar concept to the early spring event held in Istanbul, with discounts and tax-free shopping at participating retailers.

August 30: Victory Day (Zafer Bayrami) Commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupinar ending the Turkish Independence War in 1922, dedicated to the armed forces. (business closures nationwide)

September-November: Istanbul Biennial, a large-scale art festival held in odd-numbered years.

September: Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, Aspendos, Antalya Province

September: Konya International Mystic Music Festival

Early September: Rock`n Coke Music Festival, Hezarfen Airfield, Istanbul, the biggest open-air rock music festival in the country, sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Early September: Grape Harvest Festival, Bozcaada. Tens of thousands arrive on this Aegean island for a festival showcasing wine, art and culture.

Early-to-mid September: Izmir International Fair, the oldest trade show in Turkey, held every year since 1948.

Early September-mid-October: Urgup International Wine Festival, Cappadocia, one of the most famous wine festivals in the country.

Mid-September: Contemporary Istanbul Art Festival, the largest art fair in Turkey.

Late September: Istanbul Coffee Festival, for Turkish coffee lovers.

Late September-early October: International Antalya Film Festival.

Shoulder season quickly gives way to the low season as we enter October and temperatures begin to plummet across the country. The Turquoise Coast will continue to have warm temperatures, although many hotels may close by this time, so it is important to research your options and find a hotel that will continue to cater to tourists after October. For those of you visiting areas such as Konya in December for the Whirling Dervish festival, you might get to see some fresh snowfall. If you want a truly `local` experience visiting Istanbul, consider December, as you will find very few tourists on the streets by this time of year.

October temperatures in Istanbul are mild, with highs in the upper 60s and lows in the 50s. By early November, the weather becomes markedly cooler, with highs retreating into the 50s and lows falling into the 40s. The last weeks of December are typically cold and snow is not uncommon. Expect temperatures by that time to have fallen into the upper 40s and low 50s during the day, and into the upper 30s and low 40s at night. A marked wet season begins in Istanbul in October, as the average number of days with precipitation rises from 4 in September to 7. This increases to 9 in November and 12 in December. It is even more marked in Izmir, where the precipitation chances become progressively higher until an average of 11 per month is reached in December, the wettest month of the year locally. December is also the wettest month of the year in Antalya, where the temperatures start off warm in October with daily highs in the upper 70s, but finish cool, chilly and damp in December, at only around 60 during the daytime hours.

Temperatures fall below freezing at night beginning in late October in Ankara, and the lows will stay below freezing for many days at a time by December. The wet season officially begins in December, although the chances (for rain and snow) rise dramatically after late October. Average maximum temperatures retreat in October to the mid-60s, then to the mid-50s in November, and finally the mid-40s in December. Wetter conditions arrive in Samsun by October, and temperatures dip below 60 during the day for the first time around the middle of November. Expect lows to be warmer than many other locations, in the upper 40s to around 50. Snow begins to become a possibility for the towns and villages around Lake Van in the month of October, which is the same month you will most likely see lows dropping below freezing for the first time. By December, the high in this region will only be about 40, with lows only in the low 20s. Snowstorms are a possibility in November and December. Fun fact: Even though the air temperature drops well below freezing in Lake Van in the wintertime, the water`s high salinity prevents it from freezing most of the time.

Holidays and Festivals:

Early-to-mid October: Istanbul Marathon

Mid-October: Gallipoli Marathon, Çanakkale

Late October: Izmir International Short Film Festival

October 28–29: Republic Day Eve and Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayrami). Commemoration of the proclamation of the republic in 1923. Also the halfday in the afternoon of previous day. (business closures nationwide)

Early November: Turkish Airlines Open Golf Tournament, Carya Golf Club, Belek, Antalya Province, the most famous PGA golf tournament to be played in Turkey.

November 10: Anniversary of Atatürk`s death. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died on this day in 1938. Turkey comes to a grinding halt at exactly 9:05 a.m., when the population pays its respects to the father and founder of the Republic. Rather than a moment of silence, the streets and waterways echo with the blare of car horns and foghorns. Atatürk-related activities are planned for the day, such as conferences, speeches, and exhibitions, in addition to a memorial concert at the Atatürk Cultural Center.

Early December: Festival of St. Nicholas, Demre. `Santa Claus` actually lived on the Mediterranean, as Bishop of Myra in the fourth century CE. A festival and symposium are held at the Byzantine church that honors St. Nicholas.

Mid-December: Istanbul International Short Film Festival

Mid-December: Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival, Konya, held in honor of the great Sufi saint, Mevlana.

Mid-December: Mersin Marathon

Mid-December to late March: Camel Wrestling Festival, Selcuk, Izmir Province, twelve weeks of camel wrestling (yes, as in two camels wrestling each other).

December 27: Grand Ataturk Run, a 10k run in Ankara

December 31: New Year`s Eve (Yilbasi arifesi). Celebrations are large and raucous throughout the country. New Year`s holds a similar excitement and longing for Turks as Christmas does for Americans.

The currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (₺). U.S. dollars are not accepted, and while the Euro may be accepted in some larger areas, it is best to use the local currency for ease and for the best rate. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for lira upon arrival. In the past few years, the acceptance and widespread use of credit and debit cards was finally achieved in Turkey; we still recommend taking out some Turkish lira upon arrival, however. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city. IF you find that you need Euros for something, please use a bank or currency exchange desk to obtain them.

There is not a national service charge added to bills in restaurants in Turkey. You will find that restaurants in many cities, such as Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, and Ankara, will automatically add a service charge between 10 and 18%. It is still appropriate to tip in this case, but don`t tip if you have experienced bad service. If you received passable service and above, please tip your server directly, as in give a tip directly to the server, because some unscrupulous managers and owners do not divide this charge among their staff, and instead it ends up in their own pockets. Servers here are paid a living wage but many still depend on tips to round out their income.

In cafes, diners, and casual eateries it is common to tip from 5-10% of the total. Err on the smaller side in these establishments, unless you have received stellar service. In bars, tip your bartender directly, usually by rounding up your bill to the next ₺5 or ₺10, or leaving behind your change from each drink you pay for. As mentioned earlier, larger and more upscale restaurants may include a service charge, but an additional tip for your server between 10 and 15% is greatly appreciated.

It is paramount to note that tips must be in cash (bills or coins), and as noted above, must be given directly to your server. In bars, cafés and restaurants you server will bring the bill to your table, on a plate or in a small booklet. You can pay (in most places) by credit card, however there is no way to add an extra amount to the bill before paying it by credit card. Carry around small denominations of bills and extra coins for tipping purposes.

Watch out for: Musicians. Some establishments (meyhanes, fish restaurants) have strolling musicians for entertainment, and they only play for tips. If you don`t want them to play at your table, it is not impolite to graciously wave them away. If you enjoy them and allow them to stay at the table for a few songs it is rude not to tip them. The correct technique is to slide a ₺5 or ₺10 note behind the strings of the violinist when he leans over the table. Alternatively, you can just drop some money in his pockets.

Hotels are easy in Turkey – in as far as that everybody expects a tip. Again modesty is the rule of thumb, but remember that tipping will inevitably lead to better service. For the porter who helps with your bags graciously leave ₺5 per bag, and the same amount applies for room service. Chambermaids receive ₺5-10 per day for their work. Leave this daily on the bed or nightstand. Hotel concierge can be very helpful; they are a wealth of information and suggestions. Tip them around ₺15, or more if they score you hard to get reservations or show tickets. Some hotels have a tip box at the reception box and, if so, it is appropriate to leave tips here.

Turks simply do not tip taxi drivers. The common pratice (which is more to avoid headache for the driver and yourself) is to simply round up the fare. For example, on a fare of ₺8.60, leave ₺9. If the driver was helpful and carried or loaded your luggage to and from the car, leave a little extra, but again only IF the driver went out of his way to help with your bags. If you use a Minibus (Dolmus) for transportation do not leave a tip.

Always remember when travelling abroad that it is good practice to agree on a final fare before the cab driver begins driving.

Tipping tour guides is very much appreciated but not expected.To be honest, the operator has likely already included a service charge in their quoted price. The guides themselves are not particularly well paid, so if you feel the guide provided exceptional service and information or was extremely friendly you may want to leave a tip. This is generally done as a group, with each member throwing in a few lira, no more than ₺2-₺5 per person. If you are a solo traveler on a large tour where you don`t know the other travelers, tip between ₺10 and ₺15 to the guide if you liked the tour.

Airport: Every airport has professional porters who operate by an official tariff. If the tariff is not prominently posted the common tip is ₺2 or ₺3 per suitcase. If that does not meet the offical tariff, rest assured that the porter will not be shy about letting you know. This also applies in bus and train stations.

Turkish Bath (Hamam): There is no way you can avoid or forget to tip the bath/hamam attendant(s). When you are ready to leave, they will all come `to say goodbye.` Be sure you have some cash money on you. It is common divide about 15% of the total amount you spent among the attendants – and there will likely be several!

Other Services: In the event that you are in Turkey for a special occasion (wedding, honeymoon, graduation gift, birthday, etc..) and employ the services of a hairdresser, make-up artist, party planner, personal shopper, tailor or spa services and the like, use your best judgment in tipping. Factor in the cost and quality of service and, as a general rule, stay well within the 5 or 10% range.

Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower here than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with themanager.

Try to pay for services in cash (other than your hotel). While credit cards are widely accepted, as noted above, many places simply do not have options for tipping once the transaction is approved. If you feel uncomfortable, be sure to ask for a receipt. If there is a discrepancy, it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.