March (Mart) is the first month of spring in Turkey. It is still rainy many days in much of the country, perhaps with some snow, though there may be some good periods on the south Aegean and Mediterranean coasts with weather averaging 13°C (55.4°F).
Where to Travel in March?
Most hotels and tourists traveling to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are preparing for the summer period at this time. It makes it the perfect time to travel to Istanbul and Cappadocia in March because boutique hotel rooms are more easily available, lower prices, and smaller crowds, with shorter lines to get into major attractions.
Popular Activities in March
March is the perfect time for visiting the tourist and historical spots in Turkey, with a minimal number of tourists and warm weather. Also, hotel and attractions prices will be affordable during this time. Popular activities during March include:
- Visiting Cappadocia and witnessing the amazing fairy cliffs, riding hot air balloons, staying at authentic cave hotels, and visiting underground cities.
- Enjoying the vacant sceneries of Turkey.
- Taking walks in lively Aegean and Mediterranean cities, famous for their beauty.
- Going on tours of historical sites such as Ephesus, ruins of Side, Ancient city of Aspendos, Olimpos and more.
- Hiking
Common Events, Festivals, and Holidays in March
With the arrival of spring in Turkey, flowers start blooming, and the weather gets warmer. As a result, there are many festivals to celebrate during March.
Istanbul Dancing Festival, with vibrant sceneries, is a popular festival to attend. Also, the Istanbul Tulip Festival may get underway if the flowers bloom by mid-to-late March.
Ramadan, the one-month fasting period for Muslims, is also in March in 2024 and 2025. Starting on March 11th in 2024 and March 1st in 2025.
Dolphins!
Toward the end of March, if the weather is moderate, you may be able to see the dolphins leaping and cavorting in the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus as they pass through Istanbul on their annual migration to the Black Sea.
Percentage of Tourists in Turkey in March
While the number of tourists starts to rise with the warmer weather, few people are visiting Turkey, leaving the country to a lucky few.
While you can still find many activities and festivals during March, it can still be a bit early for hitting beaches or nightlife. However, it is the perfect time to enjoy Turkey's serene beauty.
What to Know Before Traveling to Turkey in March
March is the perfect time to visit popular tourist spots with no crowds and affordable prices compared to the high season in summer. Remember to dress well since the weather can still be cold, averaging 13°C (55.4°F) in coastal cities and single digits in inland cities.
For example, in Istanbul, there may be some wet snow, rain, or bright sunny days when the air may be brisk, but the sun is warm, and everyone heads outdoors for a stroll. While it’s still cold and snowy in the East, with some mountain passes closed.
Visit Turkey in March!
With warmer weather and affordable prices, March can be the perfect time to visit Turkey. Also, there are no crowds since most tourists are waiting for summer.
You can take advantage of this time to visit the popular spots in Turkey without any turmoil of the masses.
—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Can Turan
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