When it comes to climate diversity, Turkey is one of the countries that has a lot to say. Due to its geographical location and size, this country has everything from warm beaches to cold, towering mountains.
The areas near the coast are generally warmer, so if you are a cold-weather lover, you should travel more to the inland cities of Turkey, especially in winter. The climate of the central and eastern cities of Turkey is very cold, especially in winter. Turkey is divided into 6 regions: Marmara, Black Sea Coast, Eastern Anatolia, Central Anatolia, Mediterranean and Aegean, and each of these regions has its own specific climate characteristics.
The average temperature in Turkey can range from 38°F (3°C) in winter to 95°F (35°C) in summer, depending on the region. In many cold regions, snow can start as early as November and can last through March. The eastern parts can see average winter precipitation ranging from 15 to 49 inches annually, increasing snow levels.
Now that you have a general idea about the weather in Turkey in winter and summer, stay with us in the rest of this article. We are going to examine the coldest cities in Turkey and get acquainted with the average temperature and the coldest place in each city in Turkey.
Summary table of what you will read in this article👇
| City | Average Winter Temperature (°F) | Record Low (°F) | Annual Snowfall (inches) | Coldest Place | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erzurum | 18°F to 30°F | -22°F | 60 inches | Erzurum Palandöken (ski area) | Palandöken Ski Resort, Erzurum Castle |
| Kars | 16°F to 28°F | -30°F | 40 inches | Sarıkamış (nearby mountain) | Ani Ancient City, Kars Fortress |
| Ağrı | 20°F to 32°F | -23°F | 30 inches | Mount Ararat | Mount Ararat, Ishak Pasha Palace |
| Bingöl | 19°F to 34°F | -28°F | 35 inches | Bingöl Mount Kütüku (peak area) | Bingöl Ski Resort, Küpkıran Waterfall |
| Van | 23°F to 36°F | -10°F | 20 inches | Van Castle (hilltop area) | Lake Van, Akdamar Island |
| Sivas | 15°F to 30°F | -30°F | 36 inches | Sivas Castle | Sivas Castle, Divrigi Great Mosque |
| Erzincan | 21°F to 34°F | -22°F | 53 inches | Erzincan Ski Resort | Erzincan Ski Resort, Tunceli Valley |
| Bolu | 22°F to 37°F | -18°F | 25 inches | Abant Lake | Abant Lake, Kartalkaya Ski Resort |
| Aksaray | 17°F to 32°F | -25°F | 30 inches | Ihlara Valley | Ihlara Valley, Sultanhanı Caravanserai |
| Kütahya | 18°F to 34°F | -17°F | 25 inches | Kütahya Castle | Kütahya Castle, Frig Valley |
1.Erzurum – the Coldest City in Turkey
Erzurum is the coldest place in Turkey, located in the east of the country. Due to its geographical location, it experiences severe cold in winter. Although the average temperature in the winter in this city is about -8 to -1 degrees Celsius, the coldest temperature recorded in Erzurum is -30 degrees!
In addition to the extreme cold that the residents of this city experience, there is also a lot of snow in this city. About 152 centimeters of snow falls annually, which makes winter sports enthusiasts such as skiing flock to this city every year in the winter season. In addition to the best places for skiing such as Palandöken Ski Resort, this city also has historical sights such as Erzurum Castle, which are worth visiting and you can go and take souvenir photos.
2.Kars – the Coldest City in Northeastern Turkey
Another of the coldest places in Turkey to visit in winter is Kars. The city has many attractions such as Ani Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can also visit Kars Castle and witness a magnificent snowy landscape. The city has an average temperature of -2 to -9 degrees Celsius and the annual snowfall in this city is 102 cm.
3.Ağrı
Where the Ararat Mountains are located and due to its high altitude it has become one of the coldest places in Turkey is the city of Ağrı. This city is also one of the eastern cities of Turkey, where the annual snowfall is about 76 cm and the average temperature is between 0 and -6 degrees Celsius. Ağrı is one of the cities that attracts winter sports lovers and due to the presence of the Ararat Mountains, ice and snow climbing and skiing are among the best activities that you can do in this city.
4.Bingöl with its Pristine Nature
Bingöl is another city that anyone who loves winter should come and see this city up close. The temperature in Bingöl in winter has reached -33 degrees, but the average temperature is between +1 and -7 degrees Celsius, so don’t worry, you can go for a walk in the open air, but like any other cold city in Turkey, you should have appropriate and warm clothing so as not to have any problems.
You can go to Küpkıran Waterfall and see and enjoy the beautiful scenes that are created in these waterfalls in the winter frost, or if you want to join the group of people who do winter sports, you can go to Bingöl Ski Resort, which is one of the most famous places to see in Bingöl and you can do skiing and snowboarding there.
5.Van – A Mountaineer’s Paradise
Van is one of the popular destinations in Turkey, which is among the coldest cities in the country. Among the coldest cities in Turkey, Van is the most popular tourist destination both in winter and summer. There are many attractions in Van that you can see. The best of them that are worth visiting are the Van River and Akdamar Island. The Van River is very attractive due to its wonderful and natural scenery, where you can go for winter sports, and Akdamar Island is also a good option for winter mountaineers.
6.Sivas – the Coldest Place in Central Turkey
Sivas is another of the coldest cities in Turkey, located in the center of the country. Due to its altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level, Sivas experiences cold weather throughout most of the year, which is at its peak in winter, meaning that winter is the coldest season in the city. The average temperature of -1 to -9 degrees Celsius throughout the year places Sivas among the coldest places in Turkey. Sivas Castle and Divriği Great Mosque are among the best places to visit during your visit to Sivas.
7.Erzincan – Beautiful Nature
Another cold city in Turkey that welcomes you with snow and cold and is located in the east of the country is Erzincan. This beautiful city has special places to see, including Erzincan Ski Resort and Tunceli Valley. Both of these places are great destinations for winter sports lovers and have great views for photography. Erzincan is generally a city with a lot of snowfall, with about 135 cm of precipitation throughout the year and the average temperature in this city is -6 to +1 degrees Celsius.
8.Bolu is the most famous winter destination in Turkey
Bolu is one of the most famous places that turns into a paradise with wonderful views in the winter. Tourists who travel to Turkey in winter are undoubtedly one of their destinations. This beautiful city has attractions such as Abant Lake and Kartalkaya Ski Resort that you can visit and understand why this city is so popular among tourists who come to Turkey. The average temperature of Bolu during winter is between -6 and +3 degrees Celsius, but the rainfall in this city is slightly less than other cold cities in Turkey and is about 64 cm.
9.Aksaray
Another of the coldest cities in Turkey that is worth visiting in winter is Aksaray. This beautiful city usually experiences temperatures between 0 and -8 degrees and sees an annual snowfall of 76 cm. You can also visit Ihlara Valley while visiting this city and participating in winter sports activities to get acquainted with the most popular sightseeing place in Aksaray, which is a natural sightseeing attraction. Sultanhanı Caravanserai is also another attraction in Aksaray that you can enjoy visiting in winter. This place is one of the historical places in Turkey and by visiting this place, you can get acquainted with the rich culture and history of the Turk
10.Kutahya
Another cold place in Turkey that you can visit and be sure that you will not regret it is going to Kutahya. This beautiful city has 64 cm of snowfall throughout the year and the average temperature in this city in winter reaches +1 to -8 degrees Celsius. Kütahya Castle and Frig Valley are among the places of interest that you can see in the city of Kutahya in winter and take photos that everyone who sees will ask you about the place where this photo was taken.
Conclusion
Many tourists visit Turkey every year to visit the country’s diverse historical, natural and recreational attractions. Now why is it important to know the coldest cities in Turkey? In addition to their special climate and attracting cold lovers from all over the world, these cities also have countless attractions. You can also take advantage of the winter sports that are held in these cities to maximize the pleasure of traveling to Turkey in winter.
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