Are you planning a trip to Turkey in December or January and want to know what the weather will be like? In this article you will find basic information about average temperatures in individual regions of the country in late autumn and winter.
Turkey is a very large country located on two continents - in Asia on the Asia Minor Peninsula (97% of the area) and in Europe (3% of the area). The area of the country is 783 km562. The European part of Turkey is separated from the Asian coast by the Sea of Marmara, as well as the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. Turkey is a country of four seas: it is surrounded by the Black Sea in the north, the Aegean and Marmara in the west, and the Mediterranean in the south. The country is located in the subtropical climate zone, which on the coast of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas accepts marine diversity, continental diversity inside, and in the north of the country approaches a moderate climate. The least pleasant mountain climate prevails in the Armenian Highlands, where snow remains all year round. In winter, Turkey experiences a significant drop in temperature, which is the lowest in the east. The coldest month of the year is January.
Although Turkey is associated with high temperatures and the country is very hot in the summer, in fact its climate is very diverse and depends on the season and region. Due to the fact that Turkey is a very large country, when planning a trip, it is worth paying attention first of all to the weather forecast in the region you are going to visit. In December and January, the temperature in the Stambul may differ significantly from the temperature in the south of the country, where popular resorts are located.
In Istanbul, the last month of the year usually brings many cool, cloudy and rainy days, heralding the onset of winter. The average temperature is usually around 10 °C with nighttime temperatures dropping to 6 °C. According to statistics, there may be snowfall for two days in December.
Despite appearances, relatively warm holidays in Turkey in December are possible. In search of warmer temperatures, it is worth heading to the south of the country, especially to the vicinity of Antalya, Side and Alanya. These places are about 600 km from Istanbul, and therefore December weather on the Turkish Riviera is usually much better. In December, which is considered the coldest month in Antalya, the average daytime temperature is around 12 °C, and the Mediterranean Sea cools down to 18 °C. Unfortunately, precipitation can occur even on a few days of the month.
It is on the Turkish Riviera that popular hotels are located, the names of which appear in December in the offers of leading Russian travel agencies. Off-season tours not only significantly reduce prices, but also guarantee the absence of tourists. So, if the low temperature suits you, and cloudy and rainy days do not upset you, then the south of Turkey in December seems to be the best option. It is worth noting that the weather in Turkey can surprise at any time of the year.
What temperatures can you expect in December in Aegean Turkey? The average temperature in Izmir has been almost half that of Antalya in recent years. Popular resorts such as Bodrum, Marmaris or Kusadasi, the daytime temperature did not exceed 17 °C, and in the evening about 7 °C. At this time of year, there is a high probability of light precipitation and storms. The December sky on the Aegean coast is often cloudy. It is also good to be prepared for strong winds.
December and January are the months when popular Aegean resorts turn into ghost towns, with many hotels and restaurants remaining closed. This situation, however, has its advantages - there is a great chance of finding accommodation on the spot, without prior booking. For places where life is in full swing, it is worth heading to the aforementioned Izmir — the third largest city in Turkey. Winters in the city are usually warm but rainy, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
Is it worth going to Turkey in December or January?
December and January are good times to travel to Turkey, unless you are focused only on the sights from the travel catalogues. Whether you are planning a trip to Istanbul, one of the resorts of the Turkish Riviera, the Aegean coast or the eastern part of Turkey, there are plenty of beautiful landscapes, charming places and excellent cuisine. Turkey off-season creates the opportunity to discover its charms in a rather intimate setting, without having to be surrounded by crowds of tourists.
