Spring
9 to 17 °C · about 10 rainy days a month
Highs rise from about 12 C in March to 22 C in May, with showers and bright spells. The sights fill up from April.
What to wear: Bring a light jacket and an extra layer for the ferry.
Istanbul
Best time to visit Istanbul
April to May and September to October.
April, May, September and October are the most comfortable months, with mild temperatures and fewer rainy days than winter. June to August is hot and the busiest, with the longest lines at Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and the Grand Bazaar. January and February are cold and have the most rainy days, though the queues are shorter.
- Best months: April to May and September to October
- Busiest months: June to August
Data checked on November 2, 2026
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.6 °C | 4.2 °C | 16.27 | · |
| February | 10.2 °C | 4.2 °C | 13.92 | · |
| March | 12.4 °C | 5.5 °C | 12.58 | · |
| April | 17.4 °C | 9.2 °C | 10.08 | Best |
| May | 22.3 °C | 13.6 °C | 7.52 | Best |
| June | 27.1 °C | 18 °C | 5.37 | Busy |
| July | 29.7 °C | 20.5 °C | 3.48 | Busy |
| August | 29.7 °C | 20.8 °C | 3.59 | Busy |
| September | 25.9 °C | 17.6 °C | 5.53 | Best |
| October | 20.6 °C | 13.7 °C | 9.48 | Best |
| November | 16.1 °C | 9.9 °C | 11.26 | · |
| December | 11.8 °C | 6.5 °C | 15.53 | · |
Climate averages: Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü.
Istanbul by season
Summer
20 to 29 °C · about 4 rainy days a month
Highs reach 27 to 30 C from June to August, and queues are at their longest.
What to wear: Wear light clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the mosques, plus a hat and sunglasses.
Autumn
14 to 21 °C · about 9 rainy days a month
Highs fall from 26 C in September to 16 C in November, and rain returns from October. Crowds ease.
What to wear: Bring a light waterproof and comfortable shoes for wet cobbles.
Winter
5 to 11 °C · about 15 rainy days a month
Highs are 10 to 12 C and lows near 4 C, with rain on roughly half the days. The sights are quiet.
What to wear: Bring a warm coat, a hat and waterproof shoes.
If it rains
Rain days are most frequent from November to March. Indoor sights still work: the Archaeological Museums, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and the Basilica Cistern. Keep the Bosphorus cruise and Galata Tower for a clear day.
If it is hot and sunny
July and August highs near 30 C feel hotter in the stone courtyards of Sultanahmet. Do the open-air sights, such as the Topkapı courtyards and the Hippodrome, early, and spend the middle of the day in the Grand Bazaar, the cistern or a museum. Carry water.