City, Turkey
Istanbul weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Istanbul
April–May and September–October are mild and dry; July–August is hot and crowded; winters are damp and grey, with some snow. Ramadan and Kurban Bayram change opening hours.
Istanbul weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan8°79 mm
- Feb9°68 mm
- Mar12°53 mm
- Apr16°42 mm
- May21°35 mm
- Jun26°36 mm
- Jul29°20 mm
- Aug29°22 mm
- Sep25°54 mm
- Oct20°70 mm
- Nov15°63 mm
- Dec10°82 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C47°F | 4°C38°F | 79 mm | 83% | Cold |
| February | 9°C49°F | 4°C39°F | 68 mm | 82% | Cold |
| March | 12°C53°F | 6°C42°F | 53 mm | 79% | Cool |
| April | 16°C60°F | 9°C47°F | 42 mm | 76% | Cool |
| May | 21°C70°F | 14°C57°F | 35 mm | 74% | Pleasant |
| June | 26°C79°F | 19°C66°F | 36 mm | 69% | Pleasant |
| July | 29°C84°F | 22°C71°F | 20 mm | 66% | Pleasant |
| August | 29°C84°F | 22°C72°F | 22 mm | 66% | Pleasant |
| September | 25°C77°F | 19°C66°F | 54 mm | 68% | Pleasant |
| October | 20°C68°F | 14°C58°F | 70 mm | 76% | Pleasant |
| November | 15°C59°F | 10°C50°F | 63 mm | 80% | Cool |
| December | 10°C50°F | 6°C42°F | 82 mm | 82% | Cold |
Best months across Turkey
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Aug (29°C) |
| Antalya | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (38°C) |
| Cappadocia | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Aug (32°C) |
| Bodrum | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (32°C) |
| Fethiye | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (37°C) |
| Alanya | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (33°C) |
| Izmir | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (34°C) |
| Kaş | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (30°C) |
| Ölüdeniz | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (35°C) |
| Marmaris | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (37°C) |
| Pamukkale | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (38°C) |
| Ankara | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (32°C) |
| Kuşadası | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (39°C) |
| Side | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (37°C) |
| Çeşme | May–Jul, Sep | Aug (30°C) |
| Kemer | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (35°C) |
| Kalkan | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (37°C) |
| Dalyan | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (40°C) |
| Trabzon | Jun–Sep | Aug (27°C) |
| Bursa | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Aug (33°C) |
| Belek | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Aug (37°C) |
| Didim | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (38°C) |
| Selçuk | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Jul (39°C) |
| Gaziantep | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | Jul (37°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Istanbul?
Apr–May, Sep–Oct. April–May and September–October are mild and dry; July–August is hot and crowded; winters are damp and grey, with some snow. Ramadan and Kurban Bayram change opening hours.
When is the rainy season in Istanbul?
Rain peaks in December with about 82 mm. No month averages 150 mm or more.
What is the hottest month in Istanbul?
August, with average highs of 29°C (84°F).
How cold does Istanbul get?
The coolest nights are in January, averaging 4°C (38°F).
More about Istanbul
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Sources
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.