April to June and September to October are the best months. The weather is mild, the valleys are green or gold, and balloon flights run almost every morning. July and August are hot and crowded; many travellers spend the afternoons in their cool cave hotel and only go out at dawn and dusk.
Winter (December to February) is the surprise season. Snow on the fairy chimneys is otherworldly, prices drop sharply, and balloons still fly when the weather is clear. Pack warm — overnight temperatures regularly fall below freezing and Uçhisar's open clifftop position makes it windier than Göreme below.