Quick decision
When to visit Istanbul?
🌞 Best time overall
July
🌡️ Optimal temperature
70°F–84°F 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 °F | Max °F | Rainy days (%) | Precip. in/d | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌦️ January | 39°F | 50°F | 43% | 0.1in | 6.4h | 4.1/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 41°F | 50°F | 35% | 0.1in | 8.0h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 43°F | 55°F | 35% | 0.1in | 9.4h | 5.8/10 |
| ⛅ April | 48°F | 63°F | 29% | 0.1in | 11.6h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 55°F | 70°F | 30% | 0.1in | 12.6h | 7.8/10 |
| ☀️ June | 66°F | 79°F | 21% | 0.1in | 13.9h | 9.0/10 |
| ☀️ July | 70°F | 84°F | 12% | 0.0in | 13.7h | 9.3/10 |
| ☀️ August | 72°F | 86°F | 8% | 0.0in | 12.3h | 8.9/10 |
| ☀️ September | 66°F | 79°F | 23% | 0.1in | 11.3h | 8.5/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 57°F | 68°F | 21% | 0.1in | 9.4h | 7.5/10 |
| ⛅ November | 52°F | 61°F | 31% | 0.1in | 7.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ December | 45°F | 54°F | 42% | 0.1in | 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°F, 31% rainy days, 11.2h sunshine/day. Score: 6.9/10.
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Excellent time
Average 28°F, 14% rainy days, 13.3h sunshine/day. Score: 9.1/10.
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Good time
Average 21°F, 25% rainy days, 9.5h sunshine/day. Score: 7.7/10.
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Challenging climate
Average 11°F, 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.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
Find a flight to Istanbul
Compare flights from all airlines.
Search flights
Monthly weather
Detailed weather by month
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
July is ideal with 12% rainy days and 29°F.
January is the wettest month with 43% rainy days.
Yes, July is the best month with an average of 29°F.
In winter, the average score is 4.4/10. Difficult period — prefer the peak season.
Also explore
Destinations with similar climate
Weather rankings
Compare destinations by weather
Guides & comparisons