Weather in Istanbul

Istanbul has a mixed climate of Mediterranean, oceanic and humid subtropical. Because of the city’s vast size, microclimates can occur, meaning different parts of the city will have different levels of humidity, varying temperature levels and rainfall. Istanbul is a year-round destination.

Spring (March to May) sees temperatures climb steadily with the average high going from 11°C (52°F) in March to 20°C (68°F) in May. While temperature goes up, rainfall decreases as the season progresses. April and May are a good time to visit Istanbul.

Summer (June to August) is dry with long, hot days, meaning this is the best time to visit Istanbul. July and August are the driest months with three to four rainy days a month. Although the average high is around 28°C (82°F), there are days when temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F) so come prepared.

Autumn (September to November) starts off warm, so much so that many people consider September as summer instead of autumn. By November, the average high is dropped to 14°C (57°F) and rain starts to fall abundantly.

Winter (December to February) is rainy, making it colder than it seems. Temperatures can also drop to sub-zero at night and snow is possible.

Turkey is a secular country, but the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is widely observed, and many smaller establishments tend to close during the day, while sales of alcohol restricted.