Isfahan has a continental steppe climate with hot, dry summers and cold, crisp winters. Summer highs often reach 35–39°C, while winter lows can dip below freezing. Rainfall is scarce year-round, peaking in spring and autumn. Sunshine is abundant, especially from May to September, making Isfahan a city of dramatic seasonal contrasts and clear skies.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Isfahan, located in central Iran at an elevation of about 1,575 metres, experiences four distinct seasons with significant temperature swings and very low annual rainfall. Summers (June–September) are long, hot, and extremely dry, with average highs of 35–39°C in July and August. Nights are cooler, around 19–22°C, and humidity is very low, often below 20%. Rain is almost nonexistent in summer, and sunshine is at its peak with 12–14 hours of daylight and up to 14 hours of sun per day. The city is known for its clear blue skies, but the intense sun and high UV index make sun protection essential. Winds are generally light, though occasional gusts can bring dust, especially in spring and autumn.
Winters (December–February) are cold and dry, with average highs of 9–13°C and lows frequently dipping below 0°C. Snow is rare but possible, and frost is common at night. Most annual precipitation falls in late autumn and spring, with April being the wettest month (up to 18 mm), but overall rainfall is very low – around 110–125 mm per year. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures between 16–28°C, cool nights, and occasional showers. These seasons bring blooming gardens or golden foliage, and are the best times for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Relative humidity is highest in winter (up to 60%) and lowest in summer (as low as 13%). The Zayandeh Rud River, which runs through the city, remains a vital source of greenery in this otherwise arid environment.
| Average climate data for Isfahan, Iran | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 28 | 34 | 37 | 35 | 31 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 37 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -1 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 112 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 23 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 59 | 51 | 42 | 40 | 33 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 37 | 47 | 56 | 39 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
The best time to visit Isfahan is from March to May and September to early November, when temperatures are mild (16–28°C), gardens are in bloom or trees are golden, and rainfall is minimal. These periods offer comfortable conditions for sightseeing, outdoor dining, and exploring the city’s historic sites, with vibrant local festivals in spring.
The least favourable time to visit is from June to August, when extreme heat (often above 35°C) and intense sun can make midday sightseeing uncomfortable. Winter (December–February) can also be less appealing due to chilly nights, frost, and occasional rain, though the city is quieter and prices are lower.
Isfahan has hot, dry summers (highs 35–39°C) and cold, crisp winters (highs 9–13°C, lows below 0°C). Rain is scarce, peaking in spring and autumn, and sunshine is abundant most of the year.
Snow is rare in Isfahan, but frost is common in winter. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and the city may see a few snowy days each year, usually melting quickly.
May to August are the sunniest months, with up to 14 hours of sunshine daily. Even in winter, Isfahan enjoys several hours of sun per day, making it a bright destination most of the year.
Isfahan receives only 110–125 mm of rain annually, with most falling in spring and autumn. Summer is almost rain-free, and winter rain is light but can bring occasional frost or snow.
Pack light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer, layers and a rain jacket for spring and autumn, and a warm coat for winter evenings. Comfortable shoes are useful year-round, especially for exploring the city.
Winds are generally light, but occasional gusts can bring dust, especially in spring and autumn. The city’s high elevation can make winter winds feel colder, so a windproof jacket is useful then.
Isfahan is least crowded in winter (December–February) and peak summer (June–August). These periods offer quieter streets and attractions, but weather may be less comfortable for outdoor sightseeing.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (36.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 23 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (21.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-2.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 9.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (19.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 112.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 23.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (3.1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 8 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (59.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (23.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 38.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 12). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 8.1.
