Month guide · Istanbul · Turkey
Istanbul in August
What August is really like in Istanbul: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 13.8 hours of daylight. Hot and busy, with many visitors from the Gulf and Europe; the sea is warmest for swimming at Kilyos or the islands.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Istanbul: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with July (29°C (84°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:14
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:03
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Summer (June–August). Hot, humid and the busiest season, with long evenings on rooftops and ferries, Black Sea beaches open and the highest hotel prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Istanbul, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Neighbourhood · Balat
Balat and Fener walk
A walk through these Golden Horn quarters passes rows of painted houses, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Bulgarian St Stephen Church, built from prefabricated cast-iron panels in 1898, and the red-brick Phanar Greek Orthodox College on the hill above.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
.jpg){kind=link}
Market · Kadıköy
Kadıköy market streets
Come hungry at lunchtime, try pickle juice and stuffed mussels, then walk 15 minutes to the Moda seafront for tea.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Religious site · Eminönü
Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Raised above a row of shops near the Spice Bazaar, this small mosque by Mimar Sinan is covered inside and out with some of the finest 16th-century İznik tiles in the city, in tulip, carnation and geometric designs.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Museum · Beyoğlu
Pera Museum
Pair it with a walk down to the Tünel end of Istiklal and a drink in the Asmalımescit lanes.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Istanbul.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 21°C and 3 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Istanbul?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Istanbul in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Istanbul?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and busy, with many visitors from the Gulf and Europe; the sea is warmest for swimming at Kilyos or the islands.
+How warm is Istanbul in August?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in August?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.