Istanbul weather at a glance
Hottest
July · 29°C
Coldest
January · 3°C
Wettest
December · 122 mm
Best season
May, June, September, October
When is the best time to visit Istanbul
Istanbul has a mediterranean (humid subtropical transition) climate. In summer (Jun–Aug) the average high is around 28°C, while in winter (Dec–Feb) it sits near 10°C by day and 4°C at night. The hottest month is July (29°C) and the coldest is January (3°C).
The best time to visit is May, June, September, October, when conditions are most comfortable for sightseeing and walking around. January, February, July, August can be less comfortable — keep that in mind when planning.
Istanbul temperatures & rainfall by month
Long-term monthly averages (climate normals).
| Month | High | Low | Daily range | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9° | 3° | 105 mm | |
| Feb | 10° | 3° | 78 mm | |
| Mar | 12° | 5° | 71 mm | |
| Apr | 17° | 8° | 46 mm | |
| May | 21° | 13° | 35 mm | |
| Jun● | 26° | 17° | 36 mm | |
| Jul | 29° | 20° | 31 mm | |
| Aug | 29° | 21° | 40 mm | |
| Sep | 25° | 17° | 58 mm | |
| Oct | 20° | 13° | 81 mm | |
| Nov | 16° | 9° | 102 mm | |
| Dec | 11° | 5° | 122 mm |
Seasons in Istanbul
Spring
17° / 9°
mild
Rain: ~51 mm/mo
Summer
28° / 19°
warm
Rain: ~36 mm/mo
Autumn
20° / 13°
mild
Rain: ~80 mm/mo
Winter
10° / 4°
cool
Rain: ~102 mm/mo
When to visit Istanbul
✓ Best months
May, June, September, October
~ Less comfortable
January, February, July, August
What to pack
- A warm jacket and layers — winter mornings and evenings are chilly.
- A rain jacket or a compact umbrella — rain is frequent.
- Comfortable walking shoes — you'll be on your feet around the centre.