Turkey in November: Ideal Hiking Weather
Want to see a different side of Turkey? Well, touring Turkey in November means that you get to catch the start of the ski season in mountainous places like Uludağ and Palandöken. This is also a great time to head inland to destinations like Cappadocia, where the conditions are cooler for activities such as hiking and hot air balloon rides. If you want to stick to the popular cities like Istanbul in November, expect cooler temperatures and rain showers. But on the plus side, you will find fewer tourist crowds and lower rates. On the coast, near Antalya and Bodrum, the resorts are mostly closed for the season as the number of tourists drop with the temperature.
- Ryan S
- From England
Turkey Weather in November
While Turkey in November may not have the best weather conditions, it is still a great time to capture many captivating sights. The average temperature in Turkey in November is around 12°C (54°F), so it’s a lot colder than the peak summer months. It is a bit warmer on the Mediterranean coast, with the temperature in Antalya in November reaching 21°C (70°F), many holiday resorts in the area are closed. So it’s worth staying closer to the main tourist hotspots of Istanbul and Cappadocia. Istanbul sees the temperature average of 15°C (59°F), with 11 rainy days (33 mm) throughout the month. Bring an umbrella or waterproof jacket if you are visiting Istanbul in November.
If you are not sure when to plan your Turkish holiday, check out our seasonal overview for the best time to visit Turkey.
Weather in Turkey in November - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 3 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 5 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | -5 | -4 | -2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 3 | -1 | -3 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 38 | 41 | 52 | 61 | 68 | 77 | 83 | 83 | 77 | 65 | 52 | 41 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 23 | 25 | 29 | 38 | 43 | 49 | 54 | 54 | 47 | 38 | 31 | 27 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 60 | 40 | 30 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 60 |
| Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 18 | 11 | 5 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 3 | -1 | -3 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 65 | 52 | 41 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 38 | 31 | 27 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 30 | 40 | 60 |
Why Visit Turkey in November
Thanks to November being the beginning of the low season, there are a lot of reasons to visit Turkey this time of year. Let's find out more.
- Better rates: A trip to Turkey in November means accommodation, tours and flights are a lot cheaper. Therefore, you can splash out on some more elaborate lodgings or excursions if you wish to.
- Fewer crowds: Turkey is a lot cooler and rainier in November, and the footfall is significantly lower. This means that you can often have popular sites all to yourself.
- Hike the Love Valley: If you want to explore Turkey by foot, November is the ideal time, as the country’s temperature is much cooler. The weather is perfect for hiking through Cappadocia‘s Love Valley or enjoying a hot air balloon trip in this iconic destination.
- Grab a bargain: Thanks to low crowd numbers, November is a great time to check out the Grand Bazaar while touring in Istanbul. As there are fewer people around, you can get a much better bargain on Turkish souvenirs.
Where to go and what to do
Fancy yourself as a film fanatic? Then head to the Ankara International Film Festival, which takes place at the start of November. Bringing together filmmakers from all over the world, it is a good opportunity to catch films from different cultures as well as up-and-coming directors meet other like-minded film fans, discuss different movies and genres, and find a new favorite.
And if you prefer more active pursuits like running, swimming or cycling, then the iconic Ironman event comes to Belek in November. If you feel that you are not ready to take on the 113 kilometers triathlon event, it is well worth checking out the race as a spectator. Featuring a 1.9 kilometers swim, 90 kilometers cycle and a 21 kilometers run, it is a true test of the human body and endurance.
Alternatively, if you want to kick back and relax, take a tour of Cappadocia. November offers the perfect conditions to explore this archaeologically important area, as there are fewer tourists around and the weather is also much cooler. Hop on a hot air balloon and fly over this iconic destination. The changing temperatures of November mean that you might even see a sprinkling of snow on the surrounding vistas. Of course, the highlight of any Cappadocia trip is to fly in a hot air balloon, something that you should not miss out on during your trip to Turkey in November.
Whatever the season, there is always something new and beautiful to discover in Turkey—and November is no different. For one, you can actually experience its highlights without hordes of crowds clamoring and jostling to take photos. As the weather cools in Turkey, so does the crowd number. And November offers a brief lull before the ensuing chaos of the ski season. If you want to explore all the ancient sites of Turkey on a budget and with little crowds around, November is the perfect time to plan your trip. You may want to bring along a water-proof jacket for the occasional rainfalls that Turkey sees during November.
If you need help planning a perfect Turkish itinerary, visit here for a customized trip from our dedicated travel experts.
Check out our tours to Turkey in November for more ideas.
