Istanbul: When to Go

The best times of year to visit Istanbul are from April to June and September to October, roughly the months of spring and autumn respectively. During these months, temperatures are in the consistently mild range of 16-25°C (61-77°F) and the humidity is not too bad, plus the crowds aren't as big a nuisance as in the summer months. The wintery months from November to February have the highest rainfall (80-100mm/30-40in per month), and it's when spirits are most likely to be dampened.

Weather

Turkey has seven climatic regions. İstanbul is situated in the Marmara region, which includes eastern Thrace and Edirne. It's a countryside of rolling steppeland and low hills with an average yearly rainfall of 668mm (26.3in). Rainfall is highest (between 80mm/3.1in and 100mm/3.9in per month) from November to February; July and August have the least rainfall. Humidity follows the same pattern, with the lowest humidity (under 30%) in July, August and September, and the highest (over 60%) - a bone-chilling damp - in December and January.

Temperatures in July and August peak at around 30°C (86°F), with lows around 20°C (68°F). In December and January, temperatures fall as low as 2°C (36°F) and even below: bring a carrot for Frosty. Daily highs reach about 9°C (48°F). April, May, September and October are the best times to visit, with daytime highs usually around 16°C to 25°C (61°F to 77°F), and lows from around 9°C to 18°C (48°F to 64°F).

Temperature (average ° C)

Humidity (average %)

Rainfall (average mm)

Sunshine (average hrs per day)