Good time to go
Turkey in May: Weather, Crowds & What's On
What May is actually like in Turkey — average highs and lows, how much rain to expect, public holidays that fill trains and hotels, and verified places to go.
- Average high
- 21°C
- Average low
- 14°C
- Rainfall
- 46mm
Where this month sits in the year
The 5th warmest month of Turkey's year. The 7th wettest month, at 7% of the year's rain.
Public holidays in May
Domestic travel peaks around these dates — book earlier and expect busier sights.
- May 1 İşçi Bayramı · Labour Day
- May 19 Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı · Atatürk Commemoration & Youth Day
- May 27 Kurban Bayramı 1. Gün · Eid al-Adha First Day
- May 28 Kurban Bayramı 2. Gün · Eid al-Adha Second Day
- May 29 Kurban Bayramı 3. Gün · Eid al-Adha Third Day
- May 30 Kurban Bayramı 4. Gün · Eid al-Adha Fourth Day
- May 16 Kurban Bayramı 1. Gün · Eid al-Adha First Day (tentative date)
- May 17 Kurban Bayramı 2. Gün · Eid al-Adha Second Day (tentative date)
- May 18 Kurban Bayramı 3. Gün · Eid al-Adha Third Day (tentative date)
- May 19 Kurban Bayramı 4. Gün · Eid al-Adha Fourth Day (tentative date)
Planning a trip this month?
Email me this guide
Save this timing guide
Get a link to this page in your inbox, plus a short weekly brief on which destinations are entering their best window. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
Climate figures are 10-year averages for Istanbul, from NASA POWER; holidays from public calendars. Updated monthly.