Best Time to Visit Istanbul
Turkey · weather by month, temperature and rainfall
Weather-wise, May to July and September to October is the best time to visit Istanbul. August is the hottest month, with average highs of 30°C (85°F), while January is the coldest, with lows around 4°C (39°F). Rain is heaviest in January, at about 81 mm (3.2 in), and lightest in August, at 17 mm (0.7 in). January is the least comfortable month, mainly because of the cold.
Istanbul weather by month
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Humidity | Sun hrs/day | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C 48°F | 4°C 39°F | 81 mm | 13 | 83% | 2.7 | Poor 4.1 |
| February | 10°C 49°F | 4°C 40°F | 65 mm | 11 | 82% | 3.1 | Fair 5.3 |
| March | 12°C 53°F | 6°C 42°F | 57 mm | 11 | 79% | 4.4 | Good 6.5 |
| April | 16°C 61°F | 9°C 48°F | 42 mm | 7 | 76% | 5.9 | Excellent 8.7 |
| May | 21°C 70°F | 14°C 57°F | 38 mm | 7 | 74% | 7.1 | Excellent 10 |
| June | 26°C 79°F | 19°C 66°F | 38 mm | 8 | 70% | 9.7 | Excellent 10 |
| July | 29°C 84°F | 22°C 71°F | 23 mm | 4 | 66% | 12.1 | Excellent 9.3 |
| August | 30°C 85°F | 23°C 73°F | 17 mm | 3 | 66% | 10.8 | Excellent 9 |
| September | 26°C 78°F | 19°C 67°F | 51 mm | 8 | 68% | 7.4 | Excellent 10 |
| October | 20°C 68°F | 15°C 58°F | 64 mm | 8 | 76% | 5.2 | Excellent 9.9 |
| November | 16°C 60°F | 10°C 51°F | 64 mm | 10 | 80% | 3.5 | Good 7.8 |
| December | 11°C 52°F | 6°C 43°F | 78 mm | 12 | 83% | 2.9 | Fair 5.3 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
The best time to visit Istanbul is May to July and September to October, based on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sunshine.
What is the hottest month in Istanbul?
August is the hottest month in Istanbul, with an average high of 30°C (85°F).
What is the coldest month in Istanbul?
January is the coldest month in Istanbul, with an average low of 4°C (39°F).
What is the rainiest month in Istanbul?
January is the wettest month, with about 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain. August is the driest, with 17 mm (0.7 in).
Nearby destinations
- Bursa91 km · best April to June and September to October
- Izmir328 km · best April to May and October to November
- Ankara352 km · best April to June and September to October
- Bucharest445 km · best April and September to October
- Bodrum461 km · best April to June and September to November
- Konya463 km · best April to June and September to October
- Antalya481 km · best April to May and October to November
- Sofia502 km · best August to October
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