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When is the Best Time to Visit Cappadocia, Turkey?

While living in Turkey, we drove over to Cappadocia about twice or even three times a year. It was a nice weekend away, and we enjoyed the comfortable hotels, great food, beautiful landscapes, and just getting away from the big city.

We’ve been to Cappadocia during every season, and each one brings its specific pros and cons. But no matter what it firmly sits on our top 5 best places to visit in Turkey list.

In this article we will tell you all about:

  • each season in Cappadocia
  • which season will fit your travel style
  • and ultimately when is the best time to visit Cappadocia

We also have articles on Where is Cappadocia and What to do in Cappadocia, so bookmark them as well. Altogether they will help you really plan a fantastic trip to the most magical place on Earth.

Clouds hover over the fairy chimneys on a blustery spring day in Cappadocia.
Clouds hover over the fairy chimneys.

We have also recorded a podcast on Cappadocia. You can listen to it here:

Or you can always subscribe to one of these:
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Climate of Cappadocia

Lying at a latitude of almost 39 degrees north, Cappadocia’s climate can be likened to that of northern California. It’s dry and warm most of the year.

The dryness makes it easier to put up with the highest and lowest temperatures throughout the year, but it does make you much thirstier, so keep that water near. During most months of the year, you can expect an average of eight days with some rain or snow.

The average highs don’t get much higher than 80 degrees (F), and the lows are around 30 degrees (F). The overall average temperature is about 62 degrees (F), so it is quite comfortable. (source).

Cluster of cave houses on a beautiful spring day with grass turning green and trees starting to bloom.
Beautiful spring day in Uchisar Cappadocia

Spring in Cappadocia

Spring is the wettest time of year, and it is my favorite season in Cappadocia. Even though there is a bit more rainfall, by the end of April the temperatures are getting quite comfortable and the flowers are beginning to bloom. Average temperatures range from about 35 – 70 degrees (F).

It’s a gorgeous time to visit Cappadocia, especially if you plan on doing some hiking as you can make it much farther than perhaps during the very hot and dry summer.

If you are looking for mostly blue skies and green grass, spring is the time for you. By late-June the landscape has turned from a brilliant new green to less vibrant, but layered beiges and browns.

In May, if you are lucky, you can drive a short distance to Tuz Golu (Salt Lake) and watch the flamingoes stop on their spring migration.

Jim peering out of a small opening in a rock cave.
View from inside.

What should I bring in Spring?

The clothes you will want to pack for spring should include both long and short pants, layered tops, with at least one fleece, and hiking shoes, a good hat, and a rain jacket or small, collapsible umbrella.

For women I love this jacket, because it guards me against the rain, but also has a cozy lining to keep that evening chill at bay.

And for both men and women, we love these LAPASA lightweight thermals to keep in our backpacks, and then add as we get cold.

Spring
Pros: fresh green grass, colorful wildflowers, farmers and locals smiling and working hard in the fields, stunning landscape photos.
Cons: It can still be a bit chilly, especially in the early mornings and evenings, the tourists are starting to arrive and sights will get busy, the hot air balloons can’t fly in rain or gusty winds.

A broken-down wagon sitting on a hill above a patch of yellow flowers near Uchisar, Turkey.
A scene begging to be photographed.

Summer in Cappadocia

Hot and dry, summer is the time that most people will visit this unique and beautiful area. As you get into July and August, you will hit the highest temperatures ranging up to 90 degrees (F). An occasional day will climb into the low hundreds, but it’s still hot, dry, and sunny so you won’t really notice the difference.

Tourism season is in full swing. It’s great because you can do all kinds of adventure activities, walk or hike through gorgeous valleys, cool off in the underground cities, and meet lots of like-minded travelers.

The green grass of summer at Uchisar.
The green grass of summer at Uchisar.

What should I bring in Summer?

Turkish people don’t really wear shorts or flip flops anywhere but the beach. I’m sure you’ll have some with you as you should definitely be visiting Kizkalesi or another beachy area if you are there during the summer, but I would confine wearing them to the hotel.

Capris are okay to wear just about anywhere (except on religious ground ie. a mosque). It’s a nice compromise between the reservedness of the Turkish people and not being too, too warm.

However there are a few things you definitely should not leave home without, as you tour and hike the exceptional valleys:

  • A sun hat with a large brim and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Good hiking sandals
  • A good water bottle with filtration system for hiking

Summer
Pros: Everything is open for business, you won’t be bored. It’s easy to get around. You can go to the beach after your time in Cappadocia.
Cons: There will be crowds of people everywhere except the back-country hikes. You will have to make reservations for whatever you want to do as early as you can. It’s very hot!

A man herds a flock of sheep into Uchisar in the Cappadocia region.
Herding sheep into Uchisar.

Fall in Cappadocia

Fall is my second favorite season in Cappadocia because the evening light glows golden, the leaves are turning yellow, the temperature has cooled off, and you can hike, hike, hike.

It’s still pretty dry with only about eight rainy days per month, the hoteliers, restauranteurs, and tour operators are happy you’re still there and treat you even better than you could imagine. So, you can still do almost all the adventure-type activities that you would want to do.

The temperatures are between 30 and 60 degrees (F) which is perfect for hiking and biking. It’s still warm enough to eat dinner outside many of the days.

A cluster of fairy chimneys near Urgup, which form when rock pillars erode unevenly leaving a layer on top like a capstone.
Fairy chimneys near Urgup.

What should I bring in Fall?

Fall is a pretty easy season to prepare for. You will want to maximize your space by bringing less. Just bring a few short sleeved shirts that can be covered with a light fleece and you will be all set.

It’s the best season for hiking, since it’s dry and there’s not usually much mud. So bring your hiking boots and water bottle.

Fall
Pros: Most if not all the tourists have gone home, so it’s quiet and there’s no need for too many reservations. The weather is pleasantly warm during the day and cool at night. Perfect.
Cons: Towards the end of fall, it does start to get cold. Be prepared.

Cappadocia hills with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground.
A fresh dusting of snow.

Winter in Cappadocia

It does get cold and even snow in Cappadocia. Temperatures can dip as low as 15 degrees (F). Located on the Anatolian plain, it can also get a bit windy, but the warmth of Turkish hospitality will warm you up as quickly as possible.

Even with the cold, surprisingly, winter in Cappadocia is cozy and fun. It definitely snows in the area, but the cave hotels are heated and most have kettles for a warm cup of tea or coffee.

The restaurants get all steamy and people are super happy to have you in their place of business. The tourist sites are empty of people and are gorgeous in their new coats of pristine snow.

Most of the tourist adventure business has died down. However, you are always welcome to call and see if they can accommodate you. You probably are not going to get that hot air balloon ride, though. For that, you’ll need to come in late spring to early fall.

Winter in Cappadocia is not only pretty, but the temperatures are still okay for hiking.
Winter in Cappadocia is not only pretty, but the temperatures are still okay for hiking.

What should I bring in Winter?

I can’t say it enough. Dress in layers, and bring enough socks to change them out when you get back to the hotel. A very warm jacket, maybe even ski pants so that you can keep warm as you visit all the outdoor sites and maybe do some short hikes into the valleys.

If you are going to sleep in a cave hotel, you will also want some warm pajamas. The caves are fun to sleep in, but they aren’t always as warm as you would like.

A trick I learned from traveling in Japan in winter is wearing ski pants to go traveling around in the snow. It keeps your bottom half warm and, most importantly, dry. Something like these outer pants work wonders.

Also, it’s important to remember:

  • good gloves, especially for using a camera
  • a warm hat
  • good warm, wool socks

Winter
Pros: You will be able to be pretty much all alone as you tour the major sights in Cappadocia. The restaurants can be very cozy. Photos will be stunning!
Cons: You can still hike, but many of the adventure activity businesses will have closed down for the season. It can be cold.

Snow blankets the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia.
Snow blankets the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia.

Ramadan Season in Cappadocia

Even though Ramadan isn’t technically a season, it’s a month of religious fasting and can make a difference if you are traveling during that time.

To begin with, observing Muslims cannot eat between sunrise and sundown, so they want a huge meal when the sun goes down. This is called “iftar”. In large cities, many restaurants will prepare an iftar meal, but they are usually sold out quickly by reservation.

In smaller regions, like Cappadocia, it’s hit or miss whether a restaurant will be open, but don’t worry some will. However, it is a good idea during this time to try and book hotels with a working restaurant in them so you don’t have to go out much.

It’s a myth that the locals will be upset if you are eating, they won’t be. They completely understand that not all people, especially tourists, won’t follow Muslim customs. However, it’s also a little bit more polite if you don’t sit at the front of a restaurant or eat outdoors on an open patio during Ramadan.

By no means should traveling during Ramadan slow you down, but just be aware that many people are observing it.

The setting sun silhouettes Uchisar Castle on a distant hill in Uchisar, Turkey.
Sun setting in Uchisar, Turkey.

Our Conclusion – When is the Best Time to Go to Cappadocia?

Cappadocia is magical all year round. Whether it’s wetter or drier, hotter or colder, you will completely enjoy your time spent in this amazing region of Anatolia. Just like us, you’ll become regulars.

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Christiam Ramírez

Saturday 19th of February 2022

I live on Los Ángeles Calif , what airlines take me to Cappadocia and Istanbul ?

Corinne Vail

Sunday 20th of February 2022

We always fly United and Turkish Airlines.