Season guide · Cappadocia · Turkey
Cappadocia in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ludovic Courtès, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Blossom and green valleys, with mild days and cold mornings; showers are possible and balloon season is in full swing by April. Expect highs up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F), with about 27 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- -1°C (30°F) to 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 27
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 11°C (52°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 8 | 11.8 h | 2/5 |
| April | 17°C (63°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 9 | 13.2 h | 4/5 |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 10 | 14.3 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 17°C (63°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 27 of the year's roughly 72 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
Good choices for spring
Historic site · Derinkuyu
Derinkuyu Underground City
The deepest of Cappadocia's underground cities reaches about 85 metres below ground, with several levels open to visitors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Historic site · Kaymaklı
Kaymaklı Underground City
If you can only see one underground city, Kaymaklı is a little easier going for children and older visitors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Experience · Avanos
Avanos pottery workshops
Potters in Avanos still shape red Kızılırmak river clay on kick wheels, continuing a tradition that goes back to the Hittites.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Art
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
Day trips in spring
- Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — A canyon around 14 km long carved by the Melendiz River, with rock-cut churches in its walls and a shady riverside path; the popular section runs from Ihlara village to Belisırma.
- Soğanlı Valley (About 1 hour by car) — Two quiet valleys south of Mustafapaşa with Byzantine rock churches, including the Church of St Barbara and the domed Kubbeli Church, plus a small village known for handmade dolls.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Cappadocia?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Blossom and green valleys, with mild days and cold mornings; showers are possible and balloon season is in full swing by April.
+What is the weather like in Cappadocia in spring?
Highs of up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F), with about 27 rainy days over the season.