The location of Turkey on two continents (Asia and Europe) determines the diversity of the climate of each of its regions. The entire territory of Turkey is surrounded by the sea, except for its central part. This makes the center of Turkey warmer and drier in January, while the eastern part is rainy and frosty. In general, every season is good for holidays in Turkey, it all depends on our preferences and expectations.
Turkey weather
The weather in Turkey is very different in different regions. If tourists go on vacation in January, you should prepare for cold weather, as well as heavy and frequent rains. The lowest temperatures are recorded in central and eastern Anatolia. They sometimes fall below zero, but on average no more than -6 ° C. So compared to the European winter, this is a fairly comfortable temperature.
The warmest climate is found in the Mediterranean - the average is around 10 °C. Due to the small number of sunny days, the water in the sea hardly exceeds 10 °C. The beach resorts are empty. Turkey will start to wake up only at the end of March, when the weather improves and more comfortable temperatures are established.
Temperatures and precipitation
The temperature in Turkey in January is not pleasant either on the beach or sightseeing. In most tourist resorts, the thermometer shows a maximum of 10 °C. In addition, there are very unfavorable weather conditions throughout the country. January is the month in which, on average, fifteen days out of the total are rainy. Precipitation is often high, and the amount throughout the country usually exceeds 200 mm. Humidity is high and maintained at 50%. The sun shines only 3-4 hours a day on average.
The weather in Turkey in January at the main tourist resorts is as follows:
- Bodrum: 6 °C.
- Antalya: 12 °C.
- Kusadasi: 11 °C.
- Cesme: 10 °C.
Entertainment in January
January is a winter month, but relatively warm in the Mediterranean. Of course, it's the rainy season, so vacationers should be prepared for long overcast days, but they can't get in the way of visiting this beautiful country. Being in Turkey in January, tourists should mainly focus on viewing the architectural beauties of the state. Low winter temperatures make for longer car trips, so you can visit the mountainous surroundings during this period.
If guests want to take a break from the rain, take refuge in cozy Turkish cafes and try local delicacies. There are always many different pubs to be found on the streets, often with live music.
Ski season in Turkey
Turkey is a very diverse country in terms ofclimate, finally, is a mountainous country. Between December and March, heavy snowfall occurs in the eastern and central parts of the country. Holidays in Turkey in January are favorable for visiting areas where mountain lifts operate. Skiing in winter is a favorite way to spend free time not only for tourists, but also for local residents. The most popular Turkish ski resort is Uludag near Mount Bursa. There are quite a lot of ski lifts, and they usually work from December to April. But first of all, you should pay attention to the air temperature and the amount of snow.
Turkey in January: reviews of tourists
Walking in the winter months is not much different from visiting in the summer months, except that you have to dress differently and be aware of the short day, and it gets much colder after dark. All tourist sites during this period are accessible and not crowded. The central areas are best for sightseeing.
The most important architectural monuments of Turkey are, first of all, fabulous Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale. But if guests happen to have a rest in Antalya in January, then it is worth noting that this is not only a beach resort with kilometers of white sand, but also a city with a long history and interesting monuments. The oldest part of Antalya and its port deserve special attention.
It is worth seeing the symbol of the city the Great Mosque (Yivli Minare) - a monument of the 13th century (the kingdom of Sejuk). As well as the white mosque Ulu-Kami with its characteristic domes. Here you can also see a very old olivetree, take a walk to the former Dervish House (XV century) - today an art gallery. Hadrian's Gate is one of the most important monuments of the city. This Arc de Triomphe was built in honor of Emperor Hadrian. The Antalya Museum is also a very interesting object with exhibits from the 15th century to BC. The oldest treasures of the museum are represented by sculptures, household items - vases, ceramics, sarcophagi, coins and many other items from southern Anatolia.
A mandatory place to stay in Turkey in January, according to tourists, is Istanbul, the largest city and the former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The city is one of the most popular weekend destinations in Europe. More than 8 million tourists come here every year, which makes it one of the ten most visited cities in the world. The bright industrial and cultural center of two continents, combined with a variety of architectural styles, will not leave anyone indifferent.
The real pleasure to get from Turkey in January is to look at the panoramas of the mountains, enjoy the fresh clear air and ride the mountain slopes. According to tourists, long cold days can be spent in a cozy cafe, with a glass of delicious Turkish drink Salep, which warms you up in the winter months, and you can also try local herbal teas such as ada sai (with lemon and honey), ihlamur (with cinnamon and linden) and, of course, Turkish pie.
Tourists also recommend going to the Turkish bath. And in the open air it will be especially useful to work out jogging, ride bicyclesor head to the outdoor gym. Mild climate, lack of heat - an ideal opportunity for learning sports. In addition, for those who have the opportunity, you can use the indoor pools and practice swimming.
Disadvantages when visiting Turkey in January
Vacationers often complain about low temperatures in apartments (if someone will not live in a hotel). There are no radiators. The water is heated by solar panels. The best thing, according to guest reviews, is to stay in hotels or hotels that have air conditioning in the rooms.
Winter is definitely a bad time to travel to the east of Turkey as well – there are slight frosts at this time of the year, and heavy snow can temporarily block access roads.
Winter is not the best time to visit Turkey. In January, it is better to visit the Mediterranean, Marmara, Aegean and Black Sea regions with a mild maritime climate, without severe frosts, but with the opportunity to experience all the "charm" of the rainy season. An interesting idea might be a trip to winter Turkey for both sightseeing and skiing.
