Average highs in Istanbul run from 9 °C (48 °F) in January to 29 °C (84 °F) in August. By the numbers, the best months to go are October.
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Pick a month
Istanbul climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 48°F | 4°C / 38°F | 11 | 109 mm | 9 h 32 min |
| February | 11°C / 51°F | 4°C / 40°F | 9 | 77 mm | 10 h 34 min |
| March | 12°C / 54°F | 5°C / 42°F | 9 | 77 mm | 11 h 49 min |
| April | 17°C / 62°F | 8°C / 47°F | 7 | 56 mm | 13 h 15 min |
| May | 21°C / 70°F | 13°C / 56°F | 7 | 57 mm | 14 h 27 min |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 65°F | 6 | 51 mm | 15 h 06 min |
| July | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 69°F | 3 | 31 mm | 14 h 50 min |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 22°C / 71°F | 2 | 20 mm | 13 h 48 min |
| September | 26°C / 78°F | 18°C / 65°F | 6 | 48 mm | 12 h 24 min |
| October | 20°C / 68°F | 14°C / 57°F | 5 | 55 mm | 11 h 01 min |
| November | 16°C / 61°F | 10°C / 50°F | 7 | 84 mm | 9 h 49 min |
| December | 12°C / 53°F | 6°C / 43°F | 11 | 90 mm | 9 h 14 min |
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Good to know
- Typical daily budget: €40–115 (budget) to €130–300 (mid-range) per person, excluding flights.
- Usually high season: April, May, June, September, October.
- Where to stay: Sultanahmet for the big sights; Karaköy or Galata for food and nightlife; Kadıköy for the Asian side.
Plan your Istanbul trip
- 3 Days in Istanbul Itinerary: First-Timer's Plan for 2026
- Is Istanbul Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide for 2026
Nearby cities
Athens weather · Santorini weather · Dubrovnik weather · Budapest weather
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Istanbul?
By weather alone, October score best: comfortable temperatures and few rainy days. Peak season is usually April, May, June, September, October, when rooms cost more.
What is the warmest month in Istanbul?
August, with average highs of 29 °C (84 °F).
What is the rainiest month in Istanbul?
January, with about 11 rainy days.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.