What's the weather actually like across Türkiye, and what do I need to pack?

Türkiye is a country of seven climates. Where you study shapes what you wear and what your heating bill looks like.

Istanbul and the Marmara coast. Mild winters (3–10°C), humid summers (24–30°C). Rain throughout autumn and winter. Snow happens but rarely sticks. Bring a waterproof coat for autumn through spring; light layers for summer.

Ankara and central Anatolia. Continental climate. Cold dry winters (–5 to +5°C), hot dry summers (20–32°C). Snow several times a winter, sometimes heavy. Bring serious winter gear — thermal layers, a real winter coat, gloves, hat. Summer wardrobe is light cotton.

İzmir and the Aegean coast. Mediterranean. Mild winters (5–12°C), hot summers (25–34°C). Less rain than Istanbul, more than Ankara. Lightweight clothing dominates the year.

Antalya and the Mediterranean coast. Hot, sunny, dry. Winters are 10–18°C; summers reach 35°C+ with humidity. Sun protection year-round.

Eastern Anatolia (Erzurum, Kars, Van). Long, severe winters. Erzurum sits at about 1,950 m elevation and winter temperatures regularly drop below –20°C. Snow lies on the ground from November to April. Bring genuine cold-weather gear — the cheap winter coat from Istanbul won't cut it.

Black Sea coast (Trabzon, Rize, Samsun). Cool, very wet. Rain is the constant. Mild summers (20–25°C), mild winters (5–10°C). A reliable waterproof and a backup waterproof are useful.

Southeastern Anatolia (Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır). Hot, dry, harsh. Summers 35–45°C; winters mild (3–10°C). Drink water and avoid mid-day sun in summer.