Diyarbakir Weather in May

May weather in Diyarbakir

May feels warm and sunny, with afternoons reaching 27°C and cooler evenings near 13°C. Rain falls on about eight days, so a shower can interrupt a day out, but it's still a good month for walking around the old city. You can explore Diyarbakir's long basalt walls and the lanes of Sur without June's fierce heat. A picnic or a slow stop for tea in a courtyard also works well.

Avoid long, exposed walks in the middle of a sunny afternoon if you find heat tiring. The walls offer little shade.

Events and crowds

May is usually a calmer time to visit than the busy summer months, and prices are often lower than in peak summer. It's part of the spring shoulder season, though, so don't expect the quietest possible stay. May 1 is Labour Day, and May 19 is a national holiday marking Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. Public events may affect opening hours or bring local crowds.

If you hate crowds, visit the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir on an ordinary weekday rather than around the holiday dates.

Tips for Diyarbakir in May

May is one of Diyarbakir's best months for combining sightseeing with time outdoors. The city gets long daylight, and the weather suits a stroll from Sur toward the Hevsel Gardens. Keep a flexible plan for the eight rainy days; the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum makes a useful indoor stop.

For a local food break, try ciğer kebabı, a well-known liver kebab in Diyarbakir. It's especially welcome after walking the old city, when you can take a longer break out of the sun.