Weather in Istanbul in December
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn commission from other retail partners. Links below are affiliate links.
Book now, pay at pickup — compare Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and 800+ rental companies for December in Istanbul.
Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youIn December, Istanbul sees average highs of 12.9°C (55.2°F) and lows of 7.9°C. Conditions are cool and moderately rainy (10 rainy days), with roughly 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. This is peak season for good reason — conditions are close to ideal. For the complete picture, see the best time to visit Istanbul — every month compared. Once you know when to go, find your Istanbul packing list at 247PackingList.
Get ready for Istanbul in December
Search flights to Istanbul
Compare 100+ airlines for December — one search, best price.
Search Flights →Travel clothing layers
Pack layers — temperatures can vary significantly between day and night.
Check Price →What to pack for Istanbul in December
- Warm layers
- Light jacket or fleece
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light waterproof layer
Compare all months in Istanbul
| Month | High | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0°C | 94.4mm | 10/10 |
| February | 10.2°C | 82.4mm | 10/10 |
| March | 11.0°C | 82.1mm | 10/10 |
| April | 15.5°C | 78.5mm | 10/10 |
| May | 21.0°C | 55.5mm | 10/10 |
| June | 25.1°C | 58.4mm | 10/10 |
| July | 29.4°C | 20.1mm | 10/10 |
| August | 30.0°C | 16.1mm | 10/10 |
| September | 25.9°C | 40.8mm | 10/10 |
| October | 20.9°C | 47.5mm | 10/10 |
| November | 16.6°C | 103.4mm | 9/10 |
| December | 12.9°C | 68.6mm | 10/10 |
Full month-by-month guide: best time to visit Istanbul →
For facts about Turkey — currency, language and dialling code — see our Turkey country guide at 247CountryInfo. Travellers also find it useful to keep a Istanbul travel guide to hand. Check clothing sizes in Turkey before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
December rates 10/10 for visiting Istanbul — excellent time to visit. Expect average highs of 12.9°C, 68.6mm of rain across the month and about 5.6 hours of daily sunshine.
What is the temperature in Istanbul in December?
In December, Istanbul has average highs of 12.9°C (55.2°F) and average lows of 7.9°C (46.2°F).
Does it rain in Istanbul in December?
Some rain is likely. Istanbul averages 68.6mm across about 10 rainy days in December, so a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
What should I wear in Istanbul in December?
For Istanbul in December (12.9°C highs / 7.9°C lows), pack warm layers plus light jacket or fleece, comfortable walking shoes, light waterproof layer.
More essentials for Istanbul in December
Packing cubes
Keep the bag organised whatever the weather — compression cubes for every size.
Check Price →Travel first aid kit
Compact TSA-friendly kit for peace of mind wherever you travel.
Check Price →Last updated:
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.