Season guide · Istanbul · Turkey
Istanbul in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Cold, wet and windy with occasional snow, but quiet monuments, low prices and cosy evenings in meyhanes and hammams. Expect highs up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 34 rainy days across December–February.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 4°C (39°F) to 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 34
- Sea
- 8°C (46°F) to 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 12 | 9.5 h | 1/5 |
| February | 10°C (50°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 10 | 10.6 h | 1/5 |
| December | 11°C (52°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 12 | 9.2 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 10°C (50°F) against a yearly 19°C (66°F), and 34 of the year's roughly 86 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 1/5 and hotel prices 1/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: New Year's Eve fireworks over the Bosphorus (31 December–1 January)
- December: New Year's Eve celebrations at Taksim and along the Bosphorus (31 December)
Good choices for winter
Historic site · Sultanahmet
Basilica Cistern
Visit first thing in the morning or late in the day; the stone walkway is slippery when damp, so wear shoes with grip.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Kids
- Photo spot
Market · Beyazıt
Grand Bazaar
One of the oldest covered markets in the world, the Kapalıçarşı began trading in the 1460s and now has around 60 vaulted streets of jewellers, carpet dealers, leather shops, lamp makers and tea sellers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Palace · Beşiktaş
Dolmabahçe Palace
Combine it with lunch in Beşiktaş and a ferry back to Eminönü or across to Kadıköy from the nearby Beşiktaş pier.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Beyoğlu
Pera Museum
A private museum in a restored 19th-century building off Istiklal Avenue, best known for Osman Hamdi Bey's painting The Tortoise Trainer, Orientalist art, Kütahya tiles and a collection of Anatolian weights and measures.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
_-_611.jpg){kind=link}
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
Day trips in winter
- 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.
- Şile (About 1.5–2 hours by bus) — A small Black Sea town with a hilltop lighthouse, a ruined Genoese castle on an islet and long sandy beaches.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Istanbul?
It is a trade-off: Cold, wet and windy with occasional snow, but quiet monuments, low prices and cosy evenings in meyhanes and hammams. The best months overall are April–June and September–October.
+What is the weather like in Istanbul in winter?
Highs of up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 34 rainy days over the season.