Climate in Turkey by region and month: a guide for those moving

Seven climate zones: general map

Türkiye is a country of climatic contrasts. Its area is comparable to France and Germany together. Therefore, the weather on the west coast and in the east differs dramatically.

The seven zones of Turkey: Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara (Istanbul), Black Sea, Central Anatolian, Eastern Anatolian and South-Eastern. Each is a separate climate world.

For those moving, one thing is important: the choice of region determines the quality of life no less than the choice of apartment. Therefore, study the climate in advance - preferably by spending at least one winter in the region.

Mediterranean: Antalya and Bodrum

This is the best climate for permanent residence. Antalya, Bodrum, Alanya, Marmaris - most emigrants from the CIS live here. And not by chance.

Summer is long and hot: from June to September the temperature stays at +35-40°C. The humidity is low, the heat is easier to bear than in Moscow at +30°C. There is almost no rain in summer - this is a classic Mediterranean climate.

Winter is mild: December-February gives +10-15°C. Snow is rare, falling once every few years. There is rain, but not prolonged. In February the gardens are already blooming.

Swimming season is from April to November. The sea warms up to +28°C in summer and remains warm (+20-22°C) in October.

Minus: in summer it is very hot for children and the elderly. From July to August it is better to stay at home from 12 to 16 hours. Air conditioning is a necessity, not a luxury.

Aegean Coast: Izmir and Cesme

The Aegean region is similar to the Mediterranean, but a little softer. Izmir is Turkey's third city, with good infrastructure and a large expat community.

Summer: +32-36°C, wind from the sea softens the heat. Winter: +8-13°C, rains in December-January. Swimming season: May-October.

Izmir attracts those who want city life by the sea. Housing prices are lower than in Istanbul, the climate is better. International school, good hospitals, direct flights to Europe.

Cesme and Alacati are resort areas for those who work remotely. In winter it is quiet and inexpensive, in summer it is noisy and expensive.

Istanbul: temperate climate with surprises

Istanbul stands on the border of two seas and two continents. The climate is moderate - but with character.

Summer: +27-32°C, high humidity. There are also rains in the summer - short but strong. The stuffiness in July-August is felt more acutely than in the south at the same temperature.

Winter: +3-8°C. Snow falls once every year or two, but when it does, the city stands up. The roads are not cleaned, transport does not work. Russians have a hard time getting used to this.

Rains - from October to March. Gray days, fog, slush. This is the most difficult time for those who followed the sun.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the best times in Istanbul. Warm, sunny, without heat and without winter dampness.

Black Sea coast: Trabzon and Rize

The Black Sea coast is the wettest region of Turkey. Trabzon, Rize, Giresun - tea and hazelnuts grow here. Because it rains a lot.

Summer: +24-28°C, humidity 80-90%. Winter: +5-10°C, rains almost every day. There is snow in the mountains already in November. There are less than 100 sunny days a year.

The Black Sea region is rarely chosen for relocation. But it has its advantages: cheap housing, green nature, fresh seafood, a more relaxed way of life. If you are not afraid of rain, this is a quiet and inexpensive place.

Important: there is no beach holiday here. Black Sea beaches are pebble, the water is colder (+20-22°C in July), there is less infrastructure.

Central Anatolia: Ankara

Ankara is the capital of the country and the second largest city. The climate is sharply continental. This is not a resort.

Summer is hot and dry: +35-38°C in July. Winter is cold: -5 to -10°C in January, snow remains for several weeks. Spring and autumn are short.

Humidity is low. Therefore, both heat and frost are tolerable. But if you went to Turkey for a mild winter, Ankara will disappoint.

Ankara's plus: reasonable housing prices, good infrastructure, fewer tourists. Minus: the climate is far from a Mediterranean paradise.

Eastern Turkey: harsh winters

Erzurum, Kars, Van are eastern provinces with a continental climate. Winter is real here: -20-30°C, snow from November to April.

Summer is short and pleasant: +25-30°C, dry. The nature is impressive - mountains, lakes, ancient fortresses.

Emigrants practically do not live here. The infrastructure is weaker, the language of communication is Turkish without English, the climate is harsh. But it’s cheap: rental housing is 3-5 times lower than in Istanbul.

The best climate for living: comparison of regions

The choice of region depends on your lifestyle. Here's a fair comparison.

If you want warm winters and mild summers, choose the Mediterranean or Aegean coast. For business activity with a city rhythm - Istanbul. For budget living in silence - the Black Sea region.

Weather by month: when to move

The best month to move to the south of Turkey is September or October. The heat is subsiding, the sea is still warm, rental prices are falling.

March-April is a second good option. Nature is blooming, there are no tourists, you can calmly look around.

July-August is the worst time to move. The heat is exhausting, housing prices are at their peak, tourists are everywhere. If you arrived during this period, do not draw conclusions about the country, wait until September.

For Istanbul, the best moving period is May or September. April is still rainy, October is already grey, but these two months are perfect.

Climate and health: what is important to know

Doctors consider the Mediterranean climate to be one of the most beneficial. Sunshine all year round reduces the risk of depression, joint pain decreases in dry air, and respiratory problems improve for many.

But there are nuances. The summer heat in Antalya (+40°C) is difficult for heart patients and children under 3 years old. Air conditioning is a must, but a sudden change from +40 outside to +20 indoors is a common cause of colds.

Allergy sufferers, please note: in spring (March-April) there is active flowering in Turkey. Especially on the coast - olives, citruses, cereals. If you have hay fever, check the flowering season in the selected region.

The humid climate of the Black Sea region is contraindicated for rheumatism and pulmonary diseases. Central Anatolia, with its dry continental climate, on the contrary, is better for such cases.

Practice: how to check the climate before moving

The most common mistake is to come for a week in the summer, fall in love with the sea and rent an apartment. And then face gray November in Istanbul or 40-degree heat without air conditioning.

The rule is simple: spend at least one “bad” season in the region. For the south this is summer (July-August). For Istanbul it is winter (December-February).

Useful sources for checking your climate: Numbeo - Turkish climate gives ratings from real residents. The website meteoblue.com shows weather archives for any city for 30 years.

Another way is to talk to those who already live in the selected city. In Antalya and Istanbul there are Russian-speaking communities on Telegram, where people talk about the disadvantages.

And one more thing: the climate on the coast and 20 km from it may differ. The mountains near Analya provide coolness. The Asian side of Istanbul is slightly warmer than the European ones.

Climate for families with children

For families with school-aged children, the best choice is Antalya or Izmir. Mild winters allow you to walk all year round. Children do not get sick as often as in cold climates.

In summer, it is important to organize your routine correctly. From 12 to 17 hours the heat is too strong for active games outside. It's good if there is a pool or the sea nearby.

For children under 2 years old: be careful during the summer in Antalya. +40°C is a serious load. In the hot months, pediatricians recommend going to mountainous areas (Kemer, Beydaglari) at an altitude of 700-1000 m - it is 8-10 degrees cooler there.

Istanbul with children has convenient infrastructure, but winter (rain, slush, sometimes snow) is worse than in the south. If your children are small and you want an active life outside, the south is preferable.

Moving to Turkey: status and documents

We chose the climate - now about the legal side. For long-term residence in Turkey you need a residence permit (residence permit).

The most popular option for the CIS audience is a residence permit through the purchase of real estate or investment. The minimum threshold for citizenship by investment is $400,000 in real estate with a 3 year hold.

More information about citizenship and residence permit programs is on the page Turkish citizenship by investment. There are also current conditions, deadlines and what is included in the process.

Tax residency occurs when you reside for more than 183 days a year. Türkiye does not tax income earned abroad unless it is remitted into the country. This is important for those who work remotely or earn income in Russia or Europe.

Infrastructure in different climatic zones

Climate and infrastructure often go hand in hand in Turkey. Tourist regions are better developed.

Antalya: excellent roads, international airport, large shopping centers, private clinics with Russian-speaking staff, international schools. The best infrastructure for emigrants from the CIS.

Istanbul: a metropolis with metro, buses, ferries. Everything is there - but the traffic jams are catastrophic. It takes 2 hours to drive from one end of the city to the other.

Izmir: more compact than Istanbul, good metro, pleasant pace of life. Less traffic jams, more European spirit.

Trabzon and east: infrastructure is weaker. There are no international schools, there are few private clinics, and English-language service is rare. This is important to consider for families with children.

Comparison with Russia: what to prepare for

The main climate shock in Antalya is not the heat, but the absence of winter. This sounds like a plus, but psychologically the brain does not understand where the “beginning of the year” is. Many describe the first winter without snow as strangely disorienting.

Summer heat +40°C is subjectively worse than Moscow +30°C due to the duration: in Moscow the heat lasts for weeks, in Antalya - 4 months in a row. The air conditioning works 24 hours a day.

Istanbul winter is reminiscent of St. Petersburg: +5°C, gray sky, rain. But without -20°C and without organized snow removal. If you lived in Moscow, Istanbul in winter will seem familiar, but without winter infrastructure.

Summer daylight hours in Antalya: 14-15 hours. The sun rises at 5:30 and sets at 20:00. This is invigorating and pleasing - especially after a grey northern February.

Bottom line: how to choose a region by climate

A few simple questions will help you decide.

Is a warm winter important to you? Choose the Mediterranean or the Aegean coast. Antalya and Izmir give +10-15°C in January.

Do you want city life with a career? Istanbul is the only choice. The climate will have to be taken for granted.

Do you work remotely and want silence? Bodrum or Cesme in the off-season - budget and comfortable.

Do you have problems with your joints or lungs? The dry climate of Antalya or Central Anatolia is better than the humid Black Sea region.

Are you with children and appreciate nature? Izmir - balance of climate, infrastructure and prices.

And most importantly: do not make a decision remotely. Come and live for a month in different seasons. Climate is something you feel with your skin, and not something you read in articles.