Weather
August is midsummer in Turkey and there's no other way to put it: the weather is hot. At the lower end of the scale, average July temperatures in Istanbul and Cappadocia are 82°F (28°C), whereas almost every other popular destination soars above 86°F (30°C). Coastal cities, such as Bodrum, Izmir, and Antalya, tend to be hottest, but at least you'll be close to the sea for a cooling swim. Turkey is generally very dry in August so the heat is dry rather than humid, which many people find more comfortable.
Crowds & Costs
It may seem like the whole of Europe has flocked to the Turkish coast in August, so you shouldn't expect isolated beaches all to yourself or low prices. But the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are popular for a reason: the name Turkey is linguistically related to the word turquoise, and you'll see why at many of the beaches.
On the other hand, cities like Istanbul and Ankara are less busy in August, and the popular town of Cappadocia is also quite comfortable. If you book ahead you might be able to find some deals on accommodation. You're much less likely to have to queue to enter popular cultural and historic attractions in these places in August, too.
Where to Go
If you're looking for some of the most diverse and interesting cultural and historic sites in Europe, head to Istanbul in August. You might get a bit hot walking around in the daytime, but there's always the Grand Bazaar and a huge variety of Turkish coffee shops to duck into to get out of the heat.
Otherwise, look no further than the west and southwest coasts. The cities along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts--Izmir, Bodrum, and Antalya--are good jumping-off points for days at the beach. If you like the idea of sailing adventures in the Aegean, the port city of Fethiye, on the Turquoise Coast, is the place to go.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Beach activities and sailing (whether day trips or overnight) are great August activities along the west and southwest coasts. In Istanbul, check out the ancient cultural sites in the early morning or late afternoon and spend the heat of the day on a Bosphorus Strait or Princes' Island cruise. If you're combining a beach vacation with some cultural time, head to Selcuk/Ephesus, which are near the coast but not quite on it. Just make sure to avoid the heat of the day in Ephesus because there's practically no shade there.
Events in August
Turkish Victory Day, August 31st. This public holiday commemorates a military victory over Greece in 1922. It's celebrated across the country but to check out the military events, Ankara and Istanbul are the places to be.
Ashura, held in August, is an Islamic religious festival that commemorates both when Noah's Ark landed on Mt. Cudi and the day Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, died. It's an especially important day for Shiia Muslims so parades and gatherings for the festival are especially prominent in parts of the country where Shiia Muslims have a strong presence, such as the eastern city of Kars.
International Troya Folk Dance Festival, end of August. This festival in Canakkale puts on folk dances, plays, music, and cultural events, and more, from Turkey and around the world.
Traveling to Turkey in August? Check out these great itineraries
Cappadocia & Southeastern Turkey - 8 Days. Highlights of this incredible 8-day trip include the mosaics of Gaziantep, the sunken city of Halfeti, the archaeological wonders of Sanlıurfa, and the UNESCO-listed Mount Nemrut.
Wonders of Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus - 9 Days. Experience some of Turkey's greatest natural and cultural attractions in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, and Ephesus.
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