Istanbul, TurkeyQuick decision
When to visit Istanbul?
🌞 Best time overall
July
🌡️ Optimal temperature
21°C–29°C in July
🌧 Least rain
12% rainy days in July
🌧 Wettest month
January (43%)
📅 Best score
9.3/10
By trip type
Best time by type of trip
Culture & MosquesApril-May or September — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi without the heat.
Grand Bazaar & BosphorusMay or September — shopping, Bosphorus cruise, Kadıköy markets.
Tulip FestivalApril — millions of tulips in Istanbul's parks.
FamilyJune or September — cruises, Miniaturk, aquarium.
Food & DiningYear-round — meze, kebabs, baklava, and a world-class restaurant scene.
Monthly climate data
Istanbul weather month by month
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rainy days (%) | Precip. mm/d | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌦️ January | 4°C | 10°C | 43% | 3.4 | 6.4h | 4.1/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 5°C | 10°C | 35% | 2.5 | 8.0h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 6°C | 13°C | 35% | 2.3 | 9.4h | 5.8/10 |
| ⛅ April | 9°C | 17°C | 29% | 1.7 | 11.6h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 13°C | 21°C | 30% | 1.9 | 12.6h | 7.8/10 |
| ☀️ June | 19°C | 26°C | 21% | 1.3 | 13.9h | 9.0/10 |
| ☀️ July | 21°C | 29°C | 12% | 0.7 | 13.7h | 9.3/10 |
| ☀️ August | 22°C | 30°C | 8% | 0.5 | 12.3h | 8.9/10 |
| ☀️ September | 19°C | 26°C | 23% | 1.5 | 11.3h | 8.5/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 14°C | 20°C | 21% | 1.8 | 9.4h | 7.5/10 |
| ⛅ November | 11°C | 16°C | 31% | 2.9 | 7.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ December | 7°C | 12°C | 42% | 3.1 | 6.8h | 4.4/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years
Seasonal breakdown
What to expect each season
🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Acceptable
Average 17°C, 31% rainy days, 11.2h sunshine/day. Score: 6.9/10.
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Excellent time
Average 28°C, 14% rainy days, 13.3h sunshine/day. Score: 9.1/10.
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Good time
Average 21°C, 25% rainy days, 9.5h sunshine/day. Score: 7.7/10.
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Challenging climate
Average 11°C, 40% rainy days, 7.1h sunshine/day. Score: 4.4/10.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Istanbul
Check availability during the recommended period
Tip : April, May offer a good weather/price balance — decent score with fewer crowds.
Search on Hotels.comActivities & tours
Activities and tours in Istanbul
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
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Flights
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Monthly weather
Detailed weather by month
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
July is ideal with 12% rainy days and 29°C.
January is the wettest month with 43% rainy days.
Yes, July is the best month with an average of 29°C.
In winter, the average score is 4.4/10. Difficult period — prefer the peak season.
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