Ruin Hop the Coast While it's Quiet

The peak months for tourism in Turkey are July and August, but if you want to avoid the crowds at the country's most popular archaeological sites, come here in the winter. You'll need to pack warm clothing, but even in the dead of winter, Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines enjoy plenty of sunny days.

Since the coast only has a mild winter, snow will not be an issue. However, you must be prepared for the rain, so don't forget your umbrella. Larger towns and cities like Fethiye and Antalya, as well as towns where the tourism focus is on archaeological attractions, like Selçuk, offer a wide variety of lodging all year round. From November through March, most hotels drastically reduce their room prices, making a winter stay more affordable. If you want to visit Ephesus, Aspendos, and Pamukkale without having to deal with tour bus crowds, now is the time to do it. You might even be lucky enough to be the only visitor at some of the most well-known ancient Lycian sites in the Mediterranean, such as Xanthos and Tlos.