December in Istanbul averages highs of 12 °C (53 °F) and lows of 6 °C (43 °F), with about 11 rainy days and 9 h 14 min of daylight.
December weather in Istanbul at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
Tough month: cold and wet. December is usually low season in Istanbul: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
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.
Holidays and events in December 2026
No public holidays fall in December 2026 in Türkiye, so opening hours should be normal.
Things to do in Istanbul in December
With frequent rain in December, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Hagia Sophia — dress modestly, closed to visitors at prayer times indoors
- Topkapı Palace — plus the Harem indoors
- Blue Mosque — free indoors
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar — closed on Sundays indoors
- Bosphorus ferry — public ferries cost little outdoors
- Galata Tower and Karaköy — sunset views outdoors
Where to stay: Sultanahmet for the big sights; Karaköy or Galata for food and nightlife; Kadıköy for the Asian side.
What to pack for Istanbul in December
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 6 °C (43 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 11 days this month see real rain.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for mosques and temples.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Istanbul costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €40–115 | €130–300 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Istanbul: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 14° / 7° | 6 | Mixed weather |
| Santorini | 15° / 12° | 6 | Mixed weather |
| Dubrovnik | 13° / 6° | 11 | Tough month |
Plan your Istanbul trip
- 3 Days in Istanbul Itinerary: First-Timer's Plan for 2026
- Is Istanbul Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide for 2026
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 12 °C (53 °F) and about 11 rainy days. December is usually low season in Istanbul: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are October.
How warm is Istanbul in December?
Average highs are 12 °C (53 °F) and lows 6 °C (43 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in December?
Expect about 11 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 90 mm in total. It is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Istanbul.
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.