Month guide · Cappadocia · Turkey
Cappadocia in December
What December is really like in Cappadocia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Edgardo W. Olivera, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of -3°C (27°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 9.5 hours of daylight. Cold with a chance of snow; New Year brings a short spike in domestic visitors.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / -3°C (27°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 9.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Cappadocia: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -3°C (27°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (12°C (54°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:52
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:21
- Daylight
- About 9.5 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and often snowy, with beautiful white landscapes, low prices and more frequent balloon cancellations.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is September at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in September). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- New Year's Eve celebrations in cave hotels
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Göreme
Hot-air balloon flight
Dozens of balloons launch from the valleys around Göreme at dawn on calm mornings, drifting over fairy chimneys, vineyards and rock churches for about an hour, often climbing high enough to see Mount Erciyes.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours including pickup
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Historic site · Göreme
Göreme Open-Air Museum
Arrive at opening time before tour buses, and don't miss the Tokalı Church below the entrance, which many visitors skip.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Architecture
Castle · Uçhisar
Uçhisar Castle
A towering rock pinnacle honeycombed with tunnels and rooms, once a refuge and lookout over the whole region.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · Çavuşin
Paşabağ (Monks Valley)
Combine it with Zelve and Devrent Valley on the same half-day loop.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near -3°C and 8 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Cappadocia?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Cappadocia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Cappadocia?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold with a chance of snow; New Year brings a short spike in domestic visitors.
+How warm is Cappadocia in December?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cappadocia in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.