Month guide · Istanbul · Turkey
Istanbul in July
What July is really like in Istanbul: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Adli Wahid, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
July is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 14.8 hours of daylight. The hottest, most humid month; sightsee early, rest at midday and spend evenings by the water.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 14.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in July
July is the 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 2 of its 31 days. Compared with June (27°C (81°F)), July is warmer; by August highs stay near 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 05:45
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 20:35
- Daylight
- About 14.8 hours
- Sea
- 24°C (75°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, July rates 5 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: July is one of the pricier months.
Events in July
- Istanbul Jazz Festival (usually July)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Market · Beyazıt
Grand Bazaar
Enter through the Beyazıt or Nuruosmaniye gates, browse first and compare prices, and haggle politely; the hans on the outer edge are quieter and more authentic.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Historic site · Sultanahmet
Basilica Cistern
This 6th-century underground reservoir held water for the Great Palace of Constantinople.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Kids
- Photo spot
Market · Eminönü
Spice Bazaar
Walk the outside lanes towards Tahtakale for everyday shopping, and buy Turkish coffee freshly ground from the long-established roasters nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- History
Palace · Beşiktaş
Dolmabahçe Palace
Completed in 1856 when the sultans moved out of Topkapı, Dolmabahçe mixes European baroque and Ottoman styles along 600 metres of Bosphorus waterfront.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Istanbul.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 21°C and 2 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July a good time to visit Istanbul?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Istanbul in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is July a good time to visit Istanbul?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The hottest, most humid month; sightsee early, rest at midday and spend evenings by the water.
+How warm is Istanbul in July?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in July?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.