Kartalkaya in the Koroglu Mountains is another resort for those who like winter sports. It is one of the three best winter sports centers in Turkey. You will find quietness and sportive enthusiasm in Kartalkaya. Aladag meadows are the other attractive touristic sites in these mountains.

For beach and sightseeing holidays the recommended seasons are spring and autum; roughly from April to June and September to October.

The climate during these periods on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts is perfect for sunbathing when there are fewer crowds and the weather is hot but not annoying. Istanbul is also at its best during these days while Central Anatolia is cooler and perfectly suitable for sight seeing and touring.
The season for the ones who prefer a sunbathing and watersports holiday is from May to September. The best months are, of course July, August and September.

The water temperatures are the warmest during these months. The Mediterranean and South Aegean coasts, generously display all the opportunities for a perfect watersports holiday during this period.

If you would like to venture through the wonders of the Eastern Anatolia, it is advisable to do it in May, June, September and early October so that you may wander comfortably without being irritated by either cold or desert heat.

The Black Sea Region also offers you possibilities of sightseeing and naturel beauties which you would not like to miss.

The best season for swimming is from June to early September which are the hottest months in this region. If you are planning a visit in other months, be ready for rainfalls which are heavier during the winter season.

If you are planning a wintersports holiday, you will find here more than you expect. Forested mountains of heights between 2,000-2,500 meters, are the locations of many Turkish wintersports centers. Some of the most popular resorts are; Uludag, 36 km south of Bursa in the Marmara Region; Kartalkaya 50 km to Bolu; Saklikent located 50 km northwest of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast; Palandöken near Erzurum, Sarikamis near Kars, Erciyes near Kayseri in the Eastern Anatolian Region.

Early December and early March are best for winter holidays in Eastern Anatolia since the weather conditions are hard and troublesome in midwinter, and may cause some unpleasant surprises, like having all the roads closed because of heavy snowfalls.

Turkey is a big country of a varied topography and so it has many climatic zones. While in Eastern Anatolia you ski down the slopes, others ski on water along the Mediterranean coast.

The Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts display a typical Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures around 29C. The humidity is a little high during summer in these regions. Temperatures increase a few degrees when travelling from Izmir to the south, and water temperatures also become warmer. The swimming season is from June to September along the Marmara and North Aegean coasts, while it is from April to October on the South Aegea and Mediterranean coasts.

The Black Sea Region has a moderate climate; the summers are warm and winters are mild. In this region the rainfalls are heavier than in any other region. The swimming season in the Black Sea Region is from June to early September and the weather is not so dependable.

There is quite a difference between the coastal regions and the inland regions which are at higher altitudes. The climate reaches its extremes in Central and Eastern Anatolia with hot, dry summers when the temperatures may reach 42C, and cold, snowy winters. Spring and autumn are best for sightseeing and travelling. Anatolia shows all her beauties during this period.

For the air and water temperatures for months, please see the chart of "Average Air and Sea-Water Temperatures for Major Regions".

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