The best places in Turkey during winter will vary depending on whether you want snow or sun. Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines offer respite from the cold winter depths. While the searing heat of summer months is long gone, the Turkish seaside winter days are pleasant and mild, with temperatures hovering around 12-15 degrees - although it generally feels warmer due to the sunshine.
However, some destinations during Turkey’s winter season make you feel like you have dropped into a fairytale land. Indeed, while Turkey is a popular spot during summer, it is a great winter getaway and for city breaks as well. That's why many expats live here as well. Let's look at winter destinations for the sun, places for magical winter holidays and which cities for a weekend break.
Best Places in Turkey During Winter
1: Fethiye on the Southern Coast
Backed by mountains and a beautiful bay at its mouth, Fethiye offers a year-round working town chock-full of amenities, accessible tourist sites including ruins, and nature spots, and some very decent restaurants, cafes, and hotels. This isn't a place to head if you want white snow because it never happens. The cooler weather, though, means December is still t-shirt time.
Many people use Fethiye as a point to explore. Visiting pretty Uzumlu, historic Kayakoy, or the famous Oludeniz Beach and Blue Lagoon, there are so many things to do. Fethiye also offers authentic Turkish life, with an old bazaar, a historic hammam (Turkish bath) and a bustling fish market close to the waterfront. Feel like you're part of a community, taking part in traditions that have lasted centuries.
If your tastes run to the historical Fethiye, it has its Lycian rock tombs to explore. You'll find the Lycian ruins of Tlos, Pinara, Patara (where there's an incredible beach) and Xanthos-Letoon, within a car drive away. Kayakoy offers some modern ruins - a village abandoned in 1923 during an unprecedented population exchange. The site inspired Louis de Bernieres' novel Birds Without Wings. Dalaman Airport is a good hour away from the centre of Fethiye and a slightly longer journey if you're farther afield in Hisaronu.
2: Bodrum - Turkish Resort City
With average temperatures around 14 degrees, expect stunning views, the magnificent Bodrum castle, and upmarket shops. Outside of tourism seasons, life slows down here, but each town on the peninsula with the same name, has unique character and, in many cases, industry to sustain it through the colder months.
If you're after some life, bustling Bodrum Town has a marina, an old castle (now an archaeology museum) and a lovely waterfront promenade lined with shops. Further afield, the quieter villages of Gumusluk, Gundogan and Torba offer peace - although they will feel isolated between November and February.
Winter in Bodrum allows one to explore the peninsula and surroundings without tourist crowds. There are several traditional inland villages to visit, walks, and historical destinations. The marinas are open as usual, and Yalikavak marina is a great place to visit for lunch and shopping. And if you're mooring your yacht here - all the better. The airport is just 40 minutes’ drive from Bodrum Town Centre, but during winter, most people fly into Izmir airport.
3: Antalya for Popular Attractions
Antalya is the largest city on Turkey's Turquoise coast and boasts stunning scenic views. Over one million people call this populous city their home, and as a result, expect many attractions, from visiting Kaleici's old quarter to exploring the outlying attractions and beaches. The Mediterranean climate makes it great for a Christmas and New Year destination.
It's a large city with excellent public transport and everything you expect, including all-inclusive and boutique hotel accommodations. While it has a thriving tourist industry, Antalya doesn't miss a beat when winter months arrive. There are attractions galore for culture vultures, including Antalya Museum, Roman remains, and mosques. Aspendos is also a close tourist attraction.
If you have children, there is plenty to do, including a fantastic aquarium and an aquapark. If you have a car or want to book tours, you can play golf in Belek, visit ruins in Phaselis, Side, or Termessos, or visit the prehistoric settlement found in Karain cave. Two hours away, visit Demre, where Santa Claus made his name as the original bishop of Myra. Antalya city centre is the best choice for winter sun and unique experiences.
4: Cappadocia, Kayseri, and Mount Erciyes
If you are prepared to wrap up warm, head to Cappadocia in Turkey’s Anatolian region for underground cities and hot-air balloon rides. Cappadocia's rich history and cave dwellings stretch far back, and it was a centre for early Christianity. Most people book into cave hotels, and then history buffs set about exploring, including the UNESCO Goreme open-air museum full of early Christian rock-cut churches and biblical frescoes.
This is a popular summer destination. People make winter trips but expect snow in January because the Cappadocia region sits at a higher altitude on the central Anatolian plains. After staying in Cappadocia, winter sports enthusiasts should head to nearby Mount Erciyes ski resort for skiing and snowboarding on beautiful snow-covered landscapes. After that, stay in Kayseri overnight. It isn't one of Turkey's major cities, but it does have cultural richness in Kayseri castle and historic sites.
5: Bursa and Mount Uludag Ski Centre
This opportunity to combine a skiing trip with a city break is on the cusp of Turkey’s Black Sea and is a 3-hour drive from Istanbul. Bursa, known for thermal springs, sits on the doorstep of Mount Uludag, which in Greek mythology is the mountain from where the gods watched the Trojan War. Visitors enjoy the blossoming flowers in spring, but in the depths of winter, Mt. Uludag becomes one of Turkey's top skier destinations, boasting amazing panoramic views.
Experienced skiers highly rate it as on par with many resorts in France. Another activity is to explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites that have put Bursa on the tourism map. Full of ancient history from when Bursa was the Ottoman Empire's first capital, also try the famous Iskander kebab, invented here during Ottoman times.
6: Istanbul - The Winter Capital
A destination list without Istanbul landscapes is to miss a major bucket list city break. The weather gets rainy from January to March, and it snows in some years, but visitors still have unique cultural experiences. The first place to head is the ancient city part, known as the Sultanahmet district, the former ruling district of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. See the major sites like Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque, a former imperial place of worship.
Walk down to the excellent bazaar for aromatic spices and unique shopping experiences. Then, head to the other side of European Istanbul to see around Istiklal Avenue. As well as being the centre for shopping and nightlife, there are historical sites round and about, like the Galata Tower and the church of Saint Anthony of Padua. To warm up, take a Turkish hamam in the 16th century Kilic Ali Pasha bathhouse. Also stop by the Galatasaray whirling dervish museum to see a dervish performance who performs rituals to be at one with God. Istanbul is the most popular destination all year round.
7: Lake Cildir and Kars City
Sitting between Ardahan and the beautiful city of Kars, close to the border with Georgia and Armenia, Lake Cildir (Turkey's second biggest lake after Lake Van) freezes over in winter, and a blanket of snow provides unforgettable experiences. As one of Turkey’s colder regions, this frozen lake and winter wonderland prompts tourists to book tickets on a troika, a traditional Russian sleigh pulled by horses.
Since hotel accommodation around the lake is sparse, many people book hotels in Kars City. While there, go and see the old Russian quarter. During World War I, the Russians ruled here, and many old houses there are typical of historic Russian architecture. Book a hotel in Kars, and you can also see, 1 hours’ drive away, the 10th-century Ani Armenian city, to learn about Armenian cultural heritage. There are three destinations to do in one trip—a delightful blend of nature and city holidays for foreign tourists.
8: Abant Lake
Abant is only 18 metres deep and just 7 kilometres long. It stays off the radar for most foreign tourists, yet it is a popular weekend getaway for Turkish tourists because of the natural wonders during warmer months. However, it still portrays beauty during chilly temperatures, and Turks even strike up a BBQ. Book tickets for a horse-driven ride or see the beautiful landscapes on foot. Some people combine their trip to nearby Golcuk Lake. Abant belongs to the Bolu area of Turkey and makes for pleasant, low-key winter holidays.
9: Mount Palandoken for Advanced Skiers
Just a 10-minute drive from Erzurum city centre sits Palandöken Mountain, with the best ski seasons and breathtaking landscapes. As home to Turkey’s longest ski trail and snow quality, it is a popular winter destination for advanced and experienced skiers. With the season lasting from November and often into June, depending on snowfall and quality, Palandoken has made quite a name for itself.
Four hotels sit within the ski resort, but some skiers book hotels in the eastern Erzurum city and make a city break out of it. In addition to the castle, the town has several historical sites. Erzurum is just 3 hours away from Kars to combine a week-long trip out of this corner of Turkey.
What is the Doğu Ekspresi - Eastern Express?
The Eastern Express, an overnight passenger train, runs through eastern regions from Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, to Kars. Stopping in 7 places and taking 26 hours, winding its way through mountainous areas, the sights are genuinely authentic experiences away from tourist coastal regions of Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean. The snowy landscapes have appeared on many Instagram pictures, and despite cold weather conditions, tickets sell out quickly, so you must book well in advance. You can't get any better for beautiful winter displays than this trip.
Should you visit Pamukkale in winter?
Known for healing thermal pools, many travel lists recommend the natural beauty of Pamukkale in winter. While it might be okay in November and December, January through March is cold and rainy, and since the thermal pools and Hierapolis ancient ruins are outside, your visit might be a letdown. In our opinion, Pamukkale is the best destination for the summer season, so during cold months, check the weather before heading there.
What is the winter Weather like in Turkey?
The winter season runs from December to February, and weather characteristics will vary according to where you go because Turkey has several different climate zones. The Antalya region is best for sunny daily temperatures. Be aware that nighttime temperatures will drop, and you must wrap up warm. The harsher climates are in Turkey’s eastern region, with guaranteed snow. February and March are rainy seasons, so check the weather for outdoor sightseeing. Popular cities for winter breaks and indoor attractions include Istanbul and Antalya.
Tip - Drink Salep
Lastly, the best places in Turkey during winter all sell Salep, a beloved winter drink to warm the body. Made from orchid tubers, mastic milk, sugar, and cinnamon, this will warm you immediately. Also, drink Boza, which has been produced for 8,000 years. This fermented drink made from grains is another body warmer during winter.
Also About Turkey
Top Historical Attractions: It is impossible to sum up Turkey's history in a couple of pages. Indeed, there is much more to the country than in Ottoman times. Hundreds of civilisations and empires have ruled these lands since the beginning. The good news is that most people have left traces of their existence behind, and you can see them by visiting the top history sites.
Gorgeous Lakes: If water is your idea of fun, Turkey will delight you because, as well as 7,000 kilometres of coastline, there are also more than 100 natural makes. Some, like Lake Van in the East, and being the largest, earn international fame, while others are weak-kept secrets. This article discusses the top-recommended lakes to visit in Turkey.
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