Sivas is a historic city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, renowned for its magnificent Seljuk-era architecture and its pivotal role in Turkish national history. Home to the Sivas Congress of 1919 — a critical event in the founding of the Turkish Republic — the city preserves some of the finest medieval Islamic monuments in Anatolia. The Buruciye, Çifte Minareli, Gök, and Şifaiye madrasas cluster in the city centre, while Divriği's UNESCO-listed Great Mosque lies within the province. At 1,285 metres elevation on the Central Anatolian plateau, Sivas offers an authentic, crowd-free alternative to Turkey's tourist-heavy western cities.
Sivas has a semi-arid continental climate driven by its position at 1,285 metres elevation on the Central Anatolian plateau. Summers are hot and dry (July–August peak 32°C) with very low humidity, making the heat bearable. Winters are cold and snowy (December–February averages -7°C at night) with snowfall common from November through March. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures of 15–26°C, clear skies, and dramatically fewer tourists than coastal Turkish destinations.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
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Spring (March–May), Summer (June–August), Autumn (September–November), Winter (December–February)
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
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- Month
- Jan
- Level
- Very Low
- Note
- Almost no tourists; city life continues normally
- Month
- Feb
- Level
- Very Low
- Month
- Mar
- Level
- Low
- Month
- Apr
- Level
- Low
- Month
- May
- Level
- Moderate
- Note
- School groups begin visiting madrasas
- Month
- Jun
- Level
- Moderate
- Month
- Jul
- Level
- High
- Note
- Peak domestic tourism; Kangal spas crowded
- Month
- Aug
- Level
- High
- Note
- Busiest month; school holidays
- Month
- Sep
- Level
- Moderate
- Note
- Crowds drop after September 1
- Month
- Oct
- Level
- Low
- Month
- Nov
- Level
- Very Low
- Month
- Dec
- Level
- Very Low
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Sivas Kültür Festivali (Culture Festival)
Annual festival celebrating Central Anatolian music, traditional crafts, and folklore. Folk dance performances, outdoor concerts, and market stalls. Check Sivas Belediyesi website for exact dates.
Nevruz (Persian New Year / Spring Festival)
Celebrated across Turkey and Central Asia; local events in parks and public spaces.
Sivas Yarı Maratonu (Half Marathon)
Annual running event through the city centre, passing historic monuments.