Best Time to Visit Istanbul
Istanbul is best visited All year, when conditions are at their most settled.
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Average daily high and low temperatures (°C/°F). Bars show the daily range each month.
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| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun/day | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January Best | 10.0°C | 4.8°C | 94.4mm | 5.7h | 12 | 10/10 |
| February Best | 10.2°C | 4.3°C | 82.4mm | 7.1h | 10 | 10/10 |
| March Best | 11.0°C | 4.9°C | 82.1mm | 7.1h | 13 | 10/10 |
| April Best | 15.5°C | 8.2°C | 78.5mm | 9.3h | 12 | 10/10 |
| May Best | 21.0°C | 12.9°C | 55.5mm | 11.6h | 8 | 10/10 |
| June Best | 25.1°C | 17.8°C | 58.4mm | 12.7h | 9 | 10/10 |
| July Best | 29.4°C | 21.1°C | 20.1mm | 13.6h | 2 | 10/10 |
| August Best | 30.0°C | 22.1°C | 16.1mm | 12.6h | 3 | 10/10 |
| September Best | 25.9°C | 18.7°C | 40.8mm | 11.2h | 5 | 10/10 |
| October Best | 20.9°C | 14.7°C | 47.5mm | 8.5h | 6 | 10/10 |
| November Best | 16.6°C | 10.8°C | 103.4mm | 7.0h | 9 | 9/10 |
| December Best | 12.9°C | 7.9°C | 68.6mm | 5.6h | 10 | 10/10 |
Istanbul Climate
Istanbul has a mediterranean climate — hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Check the annual climate overview for Istanbul for the full year picture.
Counting down to your trip? Use our holiday countdown timer at LeftToTime to track the days. Owners often keep a Istanbul travel guide to hand for planning on the go. Check clothing sizes in Turkey at 247Sizing before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Istanbul?
The best month to visit Istanbul is January, when temperatures average 10.0°C and conditions score 10/10 for comfort.
What is the weather like in Istanbul in January?
January in Istanbul is cold, with average highs of 10.0°C and lows of 4.8°C. It is fairly wet (12 rainy days on average), with roughly 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. This is peak season for good reason — conditions are close to ideal.
When is rainy season in Istanbul?
Istanbul does not have a distinct rainy season — rainfall is spread relatively evenly through the year.
Is Istanbul good to visit in winter?
Yes — winter (December, January, February) averages 10.0°C highs with a 10/10 comfort rating, making it a solid time to visit.
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Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.