Season guide · Istanbul · Turkey
Istanbul in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Starliner, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Warm seas and settled weather in September and October, turning cooler and wetter in November when crowds thin and prices drop. Expect highs up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 22 rainy days across September–November. September–October are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 9°C (48°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 25°C (77°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 5 | 12.4 h | 4/5 |
| October | 20°C (68°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 8 | 11 h | 4/5 |
| November | 15°C (59°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 9 | 9.8 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 20°C (68°F) against a yearly 19°C (66°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 86 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- October: Republic Day — flags and celebrations (29 October)
- October: Akbank Jazz Festival (usually October)
- November: Istanbul Marathon — crosses from Asia to Europe over the Bosphorus (usually early November)
- November: Atatürk Memorial Day — a minute's silence at 9:05am (10 November)
Make the most of the weather
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Landmark · Üsküdar
Maiden's Tower
This small tower on an islet off Üsküdar has served as a lighthouse, quarantine station and watchtower, and reopened as a museum after a restoration completed in 2023.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
- History
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Gallery · Karaköy
Istanbul Modern
Leave time for the rooftop terrace, then walk along the Galataport waterfront towards Tophane.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Views
Park · Sultanahmet
Gülhane Park
Once the outer garden of Topkapı Palace, Gülhane is a shady, free park sloping down towards Seraglio Point, with plane trees, tea stalls and a view over the Bosphorus at its far end.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Viewpoint · Eyüp
Pierre Loti Hill and Eyüp
Visit Eyüp Sultan Mosque first, ride the cable car up and walk back down through the cemetery in the late afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- History
Palace · Sultanahmet
Topkapı Palace
The Ottoman sultans ruled from Topkapı for about 400 years.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Day trips in autumn
- Edirne (About 2.5–3 hours each way by bus) — Close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders, Edirne was an Ottoman capital before Istanbul.
- Anadolu Kavağı and Yoros Castle (About 1.5 hours by ferry from Eminönü) — The full-length Bosphorus ferry ends at the fishing village of Anadolu Kavağı near the Black Sea entrance.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Istanbul?
Yes: September–October are among the best months. Warm seas and settled weather in September and October, turning cooler and wetter in November when crowds thin and prices drop.
+What is the weather like in Istanbul in autumn?
Highs of up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.