Season guide · Istanbul · Turkey
Istanbul in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
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. Expect highs up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 21 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 21
- Sea
- 9°C (48°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 12°C (54°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 9 | 11.8 h | 2/5 |
| April | 17°C (63°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 7 | 13.3 h | 4/5 |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 | 14.5 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 17°C (63°F) against a yearly 19°C (66°F), and 21 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 spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Istanbul Tulip Festival — millions of tulips in Emirgan and Gülhane parks (usually April)
- April: Istanbul Film Festival (usually April)
- May: Conquest of Istanbul anniversary celebrations (29 May)
Make the most of the weather
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
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Religious site · Süleymaniye
Süleymaniye Mosque
Go late afternoon for the view from the terrace, then eat beans and rice at the lokantas on the street beside the mosque.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Views
Viewpoint · Galata
Galata Tower
The Genoese built this stone tower in 1348 as part of the walls of their Galata colony.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Iconic
- History
- Couples
- Photo spot
Experience · Eminönü
Bosphorus by ferry
Sit on the open upper deck on the left side heading north for the European shore, and buy tea and simit from the onboard vendors.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
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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
Day trips in spring
- Princes' Islands (Büyükada) (About 1.5–2 hours by public ferry) — A chain of islands in the Sea of Marmara where private cars are not allowed.
- Bursa (About 2.5–3 hours each way) — The first Ottoman capital has the Green Mosque and Green Tomb, the multi-domed Ulu Cami, the Koza Han silk market and old thermal baths.
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 spring a good time to visit Istanbul?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. 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.
+What is the weather like in Istanbul in spring?
Highs of up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 21 rainy days over the season.