When to go · Istanbul
Istanbul, month by month
The best months for Istanbul: May, Sep, Oct.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedCold and damp; fewer visitors.9 °C (48 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 15 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryMixedCold; short days.10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 13 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGoodCool; tulip season starts.12 °C (54 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodMild; tulips, but Easter crowds.17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatWarm; long days; crowds building.22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedHot; Bayram dates may move here.27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 5 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedHot and humid; peak crowds.29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 3 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustMixedHot; markets quiet in the afternoon.29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 3 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatWarm; best light.25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 5 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGreatBest month for walking; 29 Oct holiday.20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGoodCool; fewer crowds.15 °C (59 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedCold and wet; some sights close early.11 °C (52 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Istanbul, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Sep: Great
Daytime high
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Sep: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Night low
May: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Sep: 18 °C (64 °F)64 °F (18 °C)
Rain days
May: 7
Sep: 5 (better)
Crowds
May: High
Sep: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Sep: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Sep: 0
May: Warm; long days; crowds building.
September: Warm; best light.
Istanbul: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.