Turkey Weather in March

Season: Spring

In short: Cool, frequent strong winds and rain 

Turkey has a cool and windy weather in March. But in different regions, the climate differs to some extent. The climate is moderate in the northern region; for example, Istanbul’s monthly average temperature is 5–12°C (41–53.6°F). And the southern and southwestern regions experience relatively high temperatures, particularly in the coastal cities like Antalya, where the average maximum daytime temperature is almost 20°C (68°F). Moreover, the central and eastern regions are the coolest, with some cities still dipping below 0°C (32°F). The average monthly precipitation in March is 64mm, with the majority of it falling in the southern coastal regions. With 12 rainy days, you may experience frequent rain during this period.

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

The warmest cities in Turkey in March

Adana: 8-19°C (46.4-66.2°F); Antalya: 8-18°C (46.4-64.4°F); Muğla: 9-19°C (48.2-66.2°F)

The coldest cities in Turkey in March

Erzurum: -7-2°C (19.4-35.6°F); Van: -3-6°C (26.6-42.8°F); Nevşehir: -1-13°C (30.2-55.4°F)

Packing List for Turkey Trip in March

Although spring has arrived, a thick coat is still highly recommended in March due to big temperature differences and strong winds. A long tweed coat, an outdoor jacket, a fleece suede jacket, or a thin down jacket are good options. And it is advised to wear hoodie, thin sweater, and long sleeve shirt for the inner layer. Your tops will look great with jeans or windproof pants. To have a less exhausted trip, a pair of cozy shoes are needed. Additionally, since many hotels do not provide slippers, please remember to bring your own. And you need to prepare an umbrella or a raincoat to deal with rainy days. Sunscreen is a basic for anyone traveling to southern and southwestern Turkey.

Top Destinations to Visit in Turkey in March

Tourism Rate: 
March is not a bad time to travel to Turkey because temperatures gradually rise. And there won’t be an excessive number of visitors at this time, so you can better appreciate historical sites and experience the local ways of life. Here are suggested destinations for you: 

1. Pamukkale

Go to Pamukkale in March to witness the enchanted white wonderland before it becomes overly crowded in peak season. You can visit spectacular white terraces and blue pools here, which are formed by the flowing deposits of spring water rich in carbonate minerals. For photo shootings, stretching poses seem better. And remember to choose a bright swimsuit for yourself to enjoy the hot spring bath. Above the cotton-like castle, you can visit the Hierapolis Ancient City. Ancient cemeteries, great baths, markets, arches, amphitheatres, the Hierapolis Museum and ancient hot springs are scattered from north to south. Especially, the elaborate architectural carvings and the grand scale of the theater will give you a perfect visual experience. 
Tips: 1. Travertines must be entered barefoot, so you will feel tingling and a pair of clean white socks can help you solve it. 2. You’d better also bring a towel since there are no bathing rooms here.

Pamukkale in March

2. Safranbolu

March in Safranbolu is relatively mild, so it is an ideal time for city sightseeing. More than 800 wooden houses with white walls and red roofs can be seen when strolling through the old town - Carsi. These houses were constructed during the Ottoman Empire (1299-1923) and are still well preserved today. Additionally, architectures like the Kazda Ghuri Mosque, Koprulu Mosque and Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque are ready for your visit. And nearby Arasta Bazaar offers a wealth of local crafts. The cuisine of Safranbolu is also not to be missed, with local saffron desserts and Kuyu kebab. Last but not least, make sure to take a Turkish bath at the Cinci Bathhouse. Afterward, your body will feel incredibly relaxed and even have a smell of coffee! 

Travel Tips for Your Turkey Trip in March

Ramadan, which will fall from March 1st - March 29th in 2025 holds particular significance in Turkey. During this time, all Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset. Although this rule has little impact on visitors, it is still important for you to avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public. If requested, you can eat in the hotel or restaurant in operation. It is also impolite to act intimately on the street during this period. Additionally, food served at Ramadan is worth trying, including Dates, Gullac(dairy dessert), Guvec(small piece of beef and potatoes) and Bacons.

Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Istanbul

Eid al-Fitr is another important events in March or April, and it marks the end of Ramadan. Children will wear new clothes, and they share sweets from home to home to celebrate this day. Generally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for three days in Islam countries, but Turkey often extend this holiday. In 2025, Eid al-Fitr will begin from March 31st, and it will be one of the longest holidays in Turkey. During this period, all forms of accommodation and transport are in high demand. It means that you will cost more for the trip and need to make reservations in advance. 

March Weather of Major Turkey Destinations

City	Temp.	Rainfall (mm)	Humi- dity(%)	Sunrise/ Sunset
Istanbul	5-12°C (41 - 53.6°F)	66	73	06:49-07:39 / 18:54-19:27
Ephesus	9-16°C (48.2 - 60.8°F)	69	68	06:58-07:42 / 19:03-19:32
Antalya	8-18°C (46.4 - 64.4°F)	98	65	06:45-07:27 / 18:50-19:18
Cappadocia	-1-13°C (30.2 - 55.4°F)	47	64	06:27-07:13 / 18:33-19:02
Pamukkale	7-17°C (44.6 - 62.6°F)	60	56	06:51-07:35 / 18:56-19:25
Canakkale	5-15°C (41 - 59°F)	55	74	07:00-07:48 / 19:05-19:37
Fethiye	5-15°C (41 - 59°F)	72	67	06:48-07:36 / 18:53-19:25
Konya	0-13°C (32 - 55.4°F)	29	63	06:37-07:22 / 18:43-19:11
Pergamon	6-16°C (42.8 - 60.8°F)	53	64	06:58-07:44 / 19:03-19:33
Ankara	0-12°C (32 - 53.6°F)	45	64	06:35-07:22 / 18:39-19:11
Trabzon	6-12°C (42.8 - 53.6°F)	64	74	06:07-06:56 / 18:11-18:44