We visited Turkey in winter and enjoyed the cooler weather and fewer crowds, among other benefits. Does this sound ideal to you?
Turkey (now known as Türkiye) has a beautiful coastline complete with charming harbor towns, stunning beaches and lively waterfront cities. But these are probably not the places you want to visit in the winter. Fortunately, there are also fascinating historical sites, delicious Turkish Food to try and exceptional natural wonders that provide plenty of options for visiting Turkey in winter.
Best Places to Visit in Turkey in Winter
As mentioned, the beach towns of Turkey (Türkiye) are not where you want to go in the cooler months. So what are the best sights to see and places to go for winter in Turkey?
Istanbul
The colorful and vibrant city of Istanbul has an intriguing past and a diverse and interesting present. It is an intoxicating mix of East and West, modern and ancient. A city that is full of culture and history, delicious food, and friendly people. It is a destination with mosques and palaces, markets and hammams and an exciting place to visit any time of year. We visited Istanbul in the winter and although it can get pretty cold we loved our time there.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a unique region known for its otherworldly landscape. Here, you can explore homes and churches carved out of bizarre rock formations or venture into an ancient underground city. You can then go from under the earth to flying high above it in a hot air balloon followed by a hike through the Red Valley before finally resting your head in a castle cave hotel or other unique accommodation in Cappadocia.
*Note: Cappadocia can get very hot and busy in the summer months so it’s a great destination choice when visiting Turkey in winter.
Ephesus
The Unesco World Heritage site of the ancient city of Ephesus allows you to walk the stone streets among the recovered and renovated ruins and get a feel for what life was like in the 10th century BC. The world long past comes alive, maybe more so than anywhere else in the world, as you view the Temple of Hadrian the Library of Celcius and the Great Theater.
*Note: Ephesus is not only a good option for off-season travel, it is actually better to visit at this time. During peak and even shoulder season, you will be one of thousands of tourists all jostling for a spot. Going in the winter means you will be able to stop and take photos and admire the beautiful buildings rather than being shuffled along with the crowds. Plus you’re not dying from the heat!
Pamukkale
The Cotton Palace (which is what Pamukkale means in Turkish) is an unreal landscape of white, dotted with turquoise pools. The terraced basins and petrified waterfalls are created by the mineral-laden hot springs which were used as a therapeutic thermal spa by the Greco-Romans. Aside from the amazing natural phenomenon the site is also home to the fascinating ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. It can get pretty cold at night so make sure you pack some warmer layers.
*Note: Although the site is well worth visiting any time of year, the pools are more picturesque during the warmer months. However, they are also much busier.
Suggested 5-7 Day Turkey Itinerary
- Stay in Istanbul for a minimum of 3 nights to be able to see the main sights
- Fly or drive to Kayseri then drive or bus to Cappadocia
- Stay in Cappadocia for 2-3 nights to see the landscape by land and also hot air balloon
- Fly or drive to Izmir. Will likely want to overnight depending on transportation.
- Drive, bus or train from Izmir to Selcuk
- Use Selcuk or Sirince for a home base for 2-3 nights
- Do day trips to Ephesus and Pamukkale by car or bus
- Fly back to Istanbul
Born in England, Sarah developed her wanderlust at a young age as she traveled around Europe with her parents. As a young adult she spent every penny she could on experiences as opposed to possessions. Eventually she found a way to earn a living doing what she loved: traveling, writing and capturing images of the wondrous world we live in. When not on the go Sarah enjoys time in her “sometimes home” of Vancouver.