Turkey in May
Warm across the whole country at once, with the coast just opening.
Is May a good time to visit Turkey?
May is one of the busiest months in Turkey, averaging 80/100. If your dates can move, January is far quieter.
What closes and what fills up in May
- Labour Day (1 May)
- Youth Day (19 May)
How May compares across the year
Book things to do
Turkey: tours and tickets in Istanbul, from our booking partner.

Istanbul Free Tour

Civitatis Travel Insurance
from€10
Free cancellationBosphorus Night Cruise + Dinner & Show
from€30
Free cancellationTopkapi Palace Tickets + Audio Guide
from€59
Free cancellationIstanbul Mosque Tour
from€25
Free cancellationGolden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise
from€20
Affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a crowd score or the order of our recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good month to visit Turkey?
May is one of the busiest months in Turkey, averaging 80/100. If your dates can move, January is far quieter.
How busy is Turkey in May?
Averaged across the destinations we track, Turkey sits near 80/100 in May. The calmest of them is Istanbul.
What is the weather like in Turkey in May?
Expect average highs near 22°C and lows near 13°C, with roughly 6 wet days — though Turkey varies by region.