Istanbul · WinterMonth summary
Istanbul weather in December
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
7°C – 12°C
🌧 Rainy days
42% of days
☀️ Sunshine
6.8h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (9.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Istanbul in December?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: Istanbul in December: 42% rain, 6.8h of sunshine. Better to wait for July.
By trip type
Istanbul in December by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in December
🎯 Winter dishes and comfort food specialities in local restaurants In December, Istanbul sees 12°C during the day with 6.8h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 42% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | 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
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In December, Istanbul averages 12°C, 42% rainy days and 6.8h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
December vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 9.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +17°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -30%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +6.9h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Istanbul in December
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
December is not recommended for Istanbul (score 4.4/10). With 42% rainy days and 6.8h of sunshine, consider July (9.3/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Istanbul in December?
It's cool with 12°C daytime and 7°C at night. 6.8h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities and tours in Istanbul
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