Istanbul features a dynamic climate blending Mediterranean, oceanic, and subtropical influences. The city experiences hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters, with mild, pleasant springs and autumns in between. Seasonal shifts bring varying temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine, making Istanbul a year-round destination with distinct weather patterns for every traveller.
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.
Istanbul’s climate is classified as a mix of Mediterranean, oceanic, and humid subtropical, resulting in notable seasonal contrasts. The city enjoys four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers; cool, wet winters; and mild, comfortable springs and autumns. Average annual temperatures hover around 14–15°C, with summer highs reaching 28–30°C in July and August, and winter lows dipping to 5–6°C in January and February. While extreme temperatures are rare, humidity levels – often above 70% – can make both heat and cold feel more intense.
Rainfall is unevenly distributed throughout the year, peaking in late autumn and winter (especially November and December, with over 80–100 mm monthly) and dropping to its lowest in summer, particularly July and August. Snowfall occurs occasionally, mostly between December and March, but heavy accumulations are rare and short-lived. Istanbul receives about 2,200 hours of sunshine annually, with long, bright days in summer (up to 12 hours of sunshine) and short, cloudier days in winter. Winds are a constant feature, averaging 17 km/h, often providing a refreshing breeze, especially along the Bosphorus. Microclimates exist within the city, with coastal districts generally milder and more humid than inland areas.
Overall, Istanbul’s climate offers a blend of moderate temperatures, occasional rain or snow, and a healthy dose of sunshine, making it suitable for a range of activities year-round. However, travellers should be prepared for sudden weather changes and pack accordingly, especially in transitional seasons.
| Average climate data for Istanbul, Turkey | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 49 | 38 | 39 | 29 | 38 | 32 | 13 | 11 | 26 | 43 | 33 | 51 | 401 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 131 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 24 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 49 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 79 | 75 | 70 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 69 | 73 | 72 | 74 | 72 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 16 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 16 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 54 | 52 | 45 | 34 | 28 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 23 | 37 | 37 | 50 | 34 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Istanbul is during spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild (16–25°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and gardens are vibrant. These periods offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and cultural festivals, with fewer crowds compared to the summer peak.
The least favourable time to visit is winter (December–February), when Istanbul is at its coldest and wettest. Temperatures often range from 5°C to 11°C, with frequent rain, occasional snow, and limited sunshine. While the city is quieter and accommodation prices drop, outdoor exploration can be less comfortable.
Istanbul has a temperate climate with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. The city experiences all four seasons, with mild springs and autumns, and occasional snowfall in winter.
Yes, snowfall occurs in Istanbul, mainly between December and March. Snow is usually light and short-lived, but some winters can bring heavier snow, especially in higher or inland areas.
Average temperatures range from 5–6°C in the coldest months (January–February) to 28–30°C in the warmest months (July–August). Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures between 16–25°C.
The rainiest period is from October to December, with November and December seeing the highest rainfall. Summer months are much drier, especially July and August.
Yes, humidity is generally high year-round, often exceeding 70%. This can make summer heat feel more intense and winter cold feel sharper, so dress accordingly.
Istanbul enjoys about 2,200 hours of sunshine annually. Summers are sunniest, with up to 12 hours of sunshine per day, while winters are cloudier and have fewer daylight hours.
Pack layers for changing temperatures, a waterproof jacket and umbrella for rain, and comfortable shoes for walking. In summer, bring light clothing and sun protection; in winter, pack warm, windproof layers.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (27.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.1 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (23.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (5.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (24.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (7.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 15.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (51.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (11 mm). Over the whole year there are 401.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (14.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (3.7 days). Over the whole year there are 130.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (24.3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 49.4 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (3.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, May, August, September and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 7.5 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (78.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (67.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 71.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is August (20.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is May (14 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 17.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (53.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (12.6 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 33.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 11.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.2 h). Over the whole year there are 7.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.2.
