Best time to visit · Istanbul · Turkey
The best time to visit Istanbul
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
The best times to visit Istanbul are April to early June and September to October, when days are warm but not humid, tulips or autumn light fill the parks and ferries are a pleasure. July and August are hot, humid and busy; winter is cold and wet but the quietest and lowest-priced season for the monuments.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 9°C (48°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Istanbul has a temperate climate with hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters. Spring and autumn are mild, sea breezes temper the summer heat on the Bosphorus, and winters bring frequent rain and occasional snow.
March–May
Spring
Mild and increasingly sunny, with the Tulip Festival in April; the most comfortable season for walking the hills, though Easter and May holidays bring crowds.
June–August
Summer
Hot, humid and the busiest season, with long evenings on rooftops and ferries, Black Sea beaches open and the highest hotel prices.
September–November
Autumn
Warm seas and settled weather in September and October, turning cooler and wetter in November when crowds thin and prices drop.
December–February
Winter
Cold, wet and windy with occasional snow, but quiet monuments, low prices and cosy evenings in meyhanes and hammams.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C | 4°C | 12 | 9°C | 9.5 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 10°C | 4°C | 10 | 8°C | 10.6 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 12°C | 5°C | 9 | 9°C | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 17°C | 9°C | 7 | 11°C | 13.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 22°C | 13°C | 5 | 16°C | 14.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 27°C | 18°C | 4 | 21°C | 15.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| July | 29°C | 21°C | 2 | 24°C | 14.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 29°C | 21°C | 3 | 25°C | 13.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 25°C | 18°C | 5 | 23°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 20°C | 14°C | 8 | 19°C | 11 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 15°C | 9°C | 9 | 15°C | 9.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 11°C | 6°C | 12 | 12°C | 9.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | New Year's Eve fireworks over the Bosphorus (31 December–1 January) |
| April | Istanbul Tulip Festival — millions of tulips in Emirgan and Gülhane parks (usually April); Istanbul Film Festival (usually April) |
| May | Conquest of Istanbul anniversary celebrations (29 May) |
| June | Istanbul Music Festival — classical concerts (usually June) |
| July | Istanbul Jazz Festival (usually July) |
| October | Republic Day — flags and celebrations (29 October); Akbank Jazz Festival (usually October) |
| November | Istanbul Marathon — crosses from Asia to Europe over the Bosphorus (usually early November); Atatürk Memorial Day — a minute's silence at 9:05am (10 November) |
| December | New Year's Eve celebrations at Taksim and along the Bosphorus (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Istanbul?
The best times to visit Istanbul are April to early June and September to October, when days are warm but not humid, tulips or autumn light fill the parks and ferries are a pleasure. July and August are hot, humid and busy; winter is cold and wet but the quietest and lowest-priced season for the monuments.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Istanbul?
Usually in January–February. Cold, wet and windy, with occasional snow; the quietest month at the monuments and the lowest hotel rates outside New Year.
+What is the rainiest month in Istanbul?
January, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Istanbul get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).