Month guide · Istanbul · Turkey
Istanbul in October
What October is really like in Istanbul: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Istanbul. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Mild days and clear autumn light over the Bosphorus; rain becomes more frequent towards the end of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea temperature
- 19°C (66°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Istanbul: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with September (25°C (77°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 15°C (59°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:15
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:24
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea
- 19°C (66°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm seas and settled weather in September and October, turning cooler and wetter in November when crowds thin and prices drop.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- Republic Day — flags and celebrations (29 October)
- Akbank Jazz Festival (usually October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Gallery · Karaköy
Istanbul Modern
Turkey's leading modern and contemporary art museum moved in 2023 into a building by Renzo Piano on the Karaköy waterfront.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Views
Park · Sultanahmet
Gülhane Park
Walk through it after Topkapı to Seraglio Point and the tea terraces overlooking the Bosphorus.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Viewpoint · Eyüp
Pierre Loti Hill and Eyüp
Above the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Turkey, a cable car climbs to a hilltop café named after the French novelist Pierre Loti.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- History
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Religious site · Sultanahmet
Hagia Sophia
Women need a headscarf and everyone needs covered shoulders and knees; the visitor route can close around prayer times, especially Friday midday.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 14°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Istanbul?
One of the best months to visit Istanbul, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April–June and September. Compare every month.
Istanbul in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Istanbul?
It is one of the best months to visit Istanbul. Mild days and clear autumn light over the Bosphorus; rain becomes more frequent towards the end of the month.
+How warm is Istanbul in October?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in October?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.