Month guide · Cappadocia · Turkey
Cappadocia in May
What May 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
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Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Cappadocia. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14.3 hours of daylight. Warm days and green valleys, with afternoon showers possible; excellent for hiking and balloons.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Cappadocia: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with April (17°C (63°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:28
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:45
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
Spring (March–May). Blossom and green valleys, with mild days and cold mornings; showers are possible and balloon season is in full swing by April.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is September at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in September). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Cappadocia, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Ürgüp
Wine tasting in Ürgüp
Try an Emir white; it is rarely exported and is the region's signature grape.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Couples
- Rainy day
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
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 8°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Cappadocia?
One of the best months to visit Cappadocia. The other best months are April, June and September–October. Compare every month.
Cappadocia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Cappadocia?
It is one of the best months to visit Cappadocia. Warm days and green valleys, with afternoon showers possible; excellent for hiking and balloons.
+How warm is Cappadocia in May?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cappadocia in May?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.