✈️ Turkey in winter: 10 trip ideas and what to book in advance

Turkey is usually booked for summer. In winter the country looks different: half the properties sit empty, snow falls on Cappadocia, ski season starts in the mountains, and thermal springs run year-round.

A winter trip rests on three things: train tickets, museum tickets, and weather. Turkey's official museum portal sells tickets to Ephesus and Hierapolis-Pamukkale, and the Müzekart opens access to more than 350 museums and sites (as of 09/2026, muze.gov.tr). In winter you spend noticeably less time in lines.

Below are ten winter travel options, from a train across Anatolia to hot springs. For each we give a route, tickets, and what to check in advance.

Winter evening in Cappadocia: town under snow and a rock formation

1. Doğu Express: a train through winter Anatolia

💡 In short:

The tourist version of the train runs from December through March and makes long stops in Erzurum and Sivas (per TCDD Taşımacılık, 09/2026).
The journey takes about a day, so book a sleeper berth a couple of weeks ahead.

Red and white Dogu Express train at Kars station

Turkey's strongest winter route, the Doğu Express, runs between Ankara and Kars across the snow-covered Anatolian plateau.

The journey takes about a day, so sleeper cars sell out first. Book a berth a couple of weeks ahead. The tourist train with stops in Erzurum and Sivas runs only from December through March: you step onto the platform, walk around the city, and return to your car.

The catch: a full day on the train. Without a sleeper berth the trip turns into an endurance test.

2. Golf in Belek while European courses are closed

While courses in Europe sit under snow, Belek keeps mild temperatures and playable conditions. The region is considered one of Europe's best golf zones, with more than a dozen championship-level courses.

Belek square with BELEK sign and fountain

Pick a morning tee time: a round takes four hours, and you'll be back by lunch. In the cold months Belek is noticeably calmer than in July.

Who it's for: golfers who don't want to lose their season in winter.

3. Winter hiking: Lycia and the Kaçkar Mountains

In Lycia you walk along the sea without the summer heat. The Kaçkar Mountains in the northeast demand gear and experience, but winter gives you long views across the ridges.

Snow-covered Kackar Mountains and frozen lake in winter

Farther west, around Mount Nemrut, snow settles on the peaks and opens up classic panoramas. For that kind of walk you need trekking boots and a warm layer.

Who it's for: for easy walks choose Lycia, for climbs and altitude choose the Kaçkar.

4. Alpine skiing: Uludağ, Erciyes, and Palandöken

In winter people ski in Turkey, and three resorts cover different needs. Uludağ near Bursa is considered the largest in the country. Erciyes near Kayseri offers modern lifts and a view of the volcano. Palandöken near Erzurum is ranked among the snowiest areas.

Snowy forest and pavilions in Uludag National Park

Check snow depth before you leave on the resorts' official pages. If there is little snow, choose a slope that is higher and faces north.

Who it's for: those trying Turkey in winter for the first time and wanting to combine mountains with the city.

5. Thermal springs: Pamukkale, Yalova and Afyon

Turkey's hot springs operate in January too, so bathing solves the problem of warming up after walks. In Pamukkale the white travertine terraces are joined by warm baths, Yalova is an hour and a half from Istanbul, and Afyon has grown into a city of thermal hotels.

White travertine terraces of Pamukkale with blue water

You can reach Yalova from Istanbul by bus or car and return by evening. In Afyon the baths are built into hotels, so it is more convenient to stay overnight there than to come for a day.

6. Istanbul in winter: Hagia Sophia Mosque and Topkapi

In winter the tourist groups leave Istanbul. You can see Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar more calmly than in July, and the city hosts more cultural events and festivals.

Hagia Sophia with minarets and dome in Istanbul

For museums, take an early morning slot, this way you save time at the ticket offices.

The catch: in winter the city is damp and windy, so bring waterproof shoes and a jacket.

7. Mevlana Festival and Ottoman towns

Every December Konya hosts the Mevlana Festival. The centerpiece of the program, the whirling dervish ceremonies, takes place in the second half of the month, and tickets for the main performances sell out in advance.

Whirling Mevlevi dervishes performing sema on stage

You will find Ottoman heritage in other cities too. Safranbolu has preserved wooden houses and old quarters, and Gaziantep adds a strong food scene to the route.

Who it's for: those who want events in winter, not beaches.

8. Cappadocia in snow and a balloon flight

Snow covers the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and completely changes the look of the region. Hot air balloon flights start at dawn, and in winter there are fewer people in the basket than in summer.

Hot air balloon over snowy Cappadocia rock formations

Book your flight for the first days of the trip: in strong wind the departure is canceled, and you still have a backup attempt.

The catch: the weather changes quickly, so you need a free day in your plan.

9. Winter cuisine: salep, chestnuts and hot soups

Turkish cuisine in winter is all about warming up. It starts with salep, a hot drink made from orchid root with cinnamon. Then comes işkembe çorbası, a thick tripe soup that people order after long walks. Roasted chestnuts round out the list: in Istanbul they are sold on every corner.

Try these dishes in ordinary eateries, not only in places aimed at tourists. The portions are the same, and the line is shorter.

10. Ancient cities without tourists

In winter you can see Turkey's ancient sites with almost no one around. In Ephesus you can stand calmly by the Library of Celsus and the ancient theater. Göbekli Tepe, the world's oldest known temple complex, is open in the cold months too. Hierapolis in Pamukkale combines Roman ruins with hot springs. Troy and Aphrodisias add to the list the city from the Iliad and one of the best-preserved ancient zones in Asia Minor.

Ancient amphitheater, ruins and snow-covered mountains

© faktor1komma5 /by Claus P. Heibel from Didim/Aydın, Türkiye · CC BYPhoto: faktor1komma5 /by Claus P. Heibel from Didim/Aydın, Türkiye, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Turkey in winter?

December works for the Mevlana Festival in Konya and the first snowy days in Cappadocia. January and February are better for skiing at Uludağ and Palandöken. In Lycia the mild weather lasts all winter, so hiking and thermal springs are accessible in any month.

Can you see Ephesus and Pamukkale without lines in winter?

Yes, in winter the lines at ticket offices and main sites are short or nonexistent. Take a morning slot: daylight hours are short in December, and sites operate on a seasonal schedule.

Do trains run through Anatolia in winter?

Yes. The regular Doğu Express runs between Ankara and Kars year-round, while the tourist train with long stops in Erzurum and Sivas operates only from December to March (according to the official carrier TCDD, 09/2026). Sleeping berths sell out in advance, so it's better to lock in your date early.

Where to ski in Turkey?

The three main destinations are Uludağ near Bursa, Erciyes near Kayseri, and Palandöken near Erzurum.

What to bring to Istanbul in winter?

Bring waterproof shoes, a warm jacket, and an umbrella: the city is damp and windy. Plan one museum or palace for the morning, and leave a second site for the evening.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're on a short trip: go for Istanbul and the thermal baths in Yalova. If you want memorable experiences: plan a Doğu Express trip or a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia. If you're going for skiing: look at Uludağ, Erciyes, and Palandöken.

Book museum tickets, Ephesus, and Pamukkale in advance on the Turkey museum tickets page (as of 09/2026).

Trains, snow and thermal baths: 10 ideas for a winter trip to Turkey