November in Istanbul averages highs of 16 °C (61 °F) and lows of 10 °C (50 °F), with about 7 rainy days and 9 h 49 min of daylight.
November weather in Istanbul at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is November a good time to visit Istanbul?
Mixed weather: cool and some rain. November is usually shoulder season in Istanbul: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
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 November 2026
No public holidays fall in November 2026 in Türkiye, so opening hours should be normal.
Things to do in Istanbul in November
November's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Bosphorus ferry — public ferries cost little outdoors
- Galata Tower and Karaköy — sunset views outdoors
- 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
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 November
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 16 °C (61 °F), nights near 10 °C (50 °F).
- 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. November is usually shoulder season in Istanbul: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
November in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 19° / 11° | 6 | Good time to go |
| Santorini | 19° / 15° | 3 | Great time to go |
| Dubrovnik | 17° / 10° | 12 | 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 November a good time to visit Istanbul?
By the numbers, November is a mixed month: cool and some rain, with average highs of 16 °C (61 °F) and about 7 rainy days. November is usually shoulder season in Istanbul: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are October.
How warm is Istanbul in November?
Average highs are 16 °C (61 °F) and lows 10 °C (50 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in November?
Expect about 7 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 84 mm in total. It is the 5th 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.