Weather in Turkey in October - Hottest places (2024)

October is a wonderful time of year for a holiday in Turkey with blissfully warm temperatures and low prices. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts will be reliably sunny – particularly in the first half of the month – and the sea will still be warm enough for swimming. But it won’t feel too hot for visiting ancient sites such as Ephesus, hiking coastal paths or simply pottering around shops and markets.

You can expect about eight hours of daily sunshine on the coast, but in October there’s a big difference in temperature as you travel south. For the warmest weather in Turkey in October, you may want to fly into Antalya in the south, rather than Izmir in the north. For a happy medium, fly into Bodrum or Dalaman and you certainly won’t be disappointed.

Keep scrolling for weather details and holiday recommendations from our team of editors.

Antalya

Average temperature in October: 27ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 8
Monthly rainfall: 80mm
Flying time from UK: 4 hours 15 mins

The beaches around Antalya – shielded by the beautiful Taurus mountains – are perfect for autumn sun. Although this is not the most characterful region of Turkey, there are some excellent hotels, spa resorts and more than a dozen golf courses around the resort of Belek, which is only 30 minutes drive from Antalya airport. Classic Collection has an outstanding choice of hotels in Belek, Side and Kemer.

Bodrum

Average temperature in October: 24ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 8
Monthly rainfall: 50mm
Flying time from UK: 3 hours 50 mins

The stylish and sophisticated port town of Bodrum is still buzzing in October, with its traditional and modern restaurants, bars, nightclubs and independent shops. It’s a charming place with ancient historical sites, a castle overlooking the harbour and a modern marina. Take your pick from these hotels in Bodrum or rent a villa with private pool.

Izmir

Average temperature in October: 23ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 8
Monthly rainfall: 40mm
Flying time from UK: 3 hours 40 mins

Most tourists that fly into Izmir are heading for the resorts of Kusadasi and Çeşme, and this is also the starting point for trips to the Unesco-protected ancient city of Ephesus. Mark Warner has a lovely all-inclusive Phokaia Beach Resort near the harbour town of Foça, with water sports, tennis and mountain biking all included.

Marmaris

Average temperature in October: 25ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 8
Monthly rainfall: 70mm
Flying time from UK: 4 hours (to Dalaman)

There are some gorgeous hotels around Marmaris such as the stylishMandarin Boutique Hotelin a lovely rural setting, which stays open until the end of October. Oliver’s Travels has villas with pools in the resorts of Akyaka and Dalyan.

The best way to explore the coastline around Marmaris is on a gulet cruise, sailing on a traditional wooden boat. For the best of the weather, go in the first half of October.

Kas & Kalkan

Average temperature in October: 22ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 8
Monthly rainfall: 50mm
Flying time from UK: 4 hours (to Dalaman)

Temperatures in the resorts of Kas and Kalkan are not as high as in the south, but it’s well worth coming here to see these pretty whitewashed villages, the clear turquoise sea and the wonderful range of small independent restaurants and tavernas. In October the weather is perfect for a hike in the dramatic Saklikent Gorge and a visit to the ancient city of Xanthos. Check out Classic Collection for hotels and Vintage Travel and CV Villas for luxury villas in Kas, Kalkan and nearby Islamlar.

For serious hikers, Ramble Worldwide has a 14-night group tour in October exploring theLycian Way.

Cappadocia

Average temperature in October: 17ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 7
Monthly rainfall: 25mm
Flying time from UK: 6 hours (to Keyseri via Istanbul)

Of course, Turkey isn’t all about beaches and boat trips. One of its greatest sights is the fabulous “fairy chimney” landscapes of Cappadociawith its unworldly rock formations and cave houses. If you can, join a hot air balloon ride at dawn or dusk to see the region in all its glory. It’s something you’ll never forget.

Istanbul

Average temperature in October: 19ºC
Hours of daily sunshine: 6
Monthly rainfall: 75mm
Flying time from UK: 3 hours 50 mins

October is a popular month for a short break in the buzzing city of Istanbul. Sitting at the cusp of Asia and Europe, Istanbul is steeped in history but is also a dynamic young city. For a luxury break, I recommend Classic Collection or Kirker Holidays.

Cruise holidays in Turkey in October

Star Clippers operates sailing cruises on traditional tall ships in the Eastern Mediterranean until late October. Most itineraries depart from Athens and some arrive into Istanbul. This is a wonderful way to explore the region, with access to smaller ports that large cruise ships cannot reach.

Many of the larger cruise lines operate in the Eastern Mediterranean in summer with almost all trips visiting the majestic site of Ephesus in Turkey. See the best deals at Iglu Cruise.

Touring holidays

We recommend these adventurousgroup tours of Turkeywhich run between March and October including the popular seven-dayIstanbul to the Medtour which takes in Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamakkule and Marmaris.

Find more holiday destinations in Turkey and see our recommendations for luxury stays in Turkey. Check out where else is hot in Europe in October.

The coasts of Turkey

The naming of Turkey’s coasts can be confusing, so here’s an explanation.

The Aegean Coast – also known as the west coast of Turkey, this stretches from Istanbul in the north to Marmaris in the south. It includes the city of Izmir, the ancient site of Ephesus and resorts such as Kusadasi, Cesme and Selcuk near Izmir and Bodrum, Gumbet, Alaçati and the Datca Peninsula. The best airports are Istanbul and Izmir to the north and Bodrum to the south.

The Mediterranean Coast – the most southerly part of the coast stretches roughly from Marmaris to beyond the resort of Alanya including the resorts of the Turquoise Coast and beyond it to more modern resorts of Side, Kemer and Belek. The best airports are Antalya to the east and Dalaman to the West.

The Turquoise Coast – this is actually a (particularly beautiful) section of the Mediterranean Coast which stretches almost 1,000 miles between the resort of Fethiye and the city of Antalya flanked by the Taurus Mountains. It includes some of Turkey’s most characterful resorts including Oludeniz, Kas and Kalkan.

Holiday weather in Turkey in October

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Weather in Turkey in September
Weather in Turkey in October
Weather in Turkey in November

Extreme temperatures in Turkey in October

The highest recorded temperature in Turkey in October was 38.1°C (100.6°F) in Mardin, a beautiful historic city in southeastern Turkey, in 2016. The lowest recorded temperature was -8.9°C (16.0°F) in Kars, a city in northeastern Turkey near the border with Armenia, in 1975.

Last updated: 18 August 2023

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