Weather in Istanbul

Istanbul has a mixed climate of Mediterranean, oceanic and humid subtropical. Because of the city’s vast size, microclimates can occur, meaning different parts of the city will have different levels of humidity, varying temperature levels and rainfall. Istanbul is a year-round destination.

Spring (March to May) sees temperatures climb steadily with the average high going from 11°C (52°F) in March to 20°C (68°F) in May. While temperature goes up, rainfall decreases as the season progresses. April and May are a good time to visit Istanbul.

Summer (June to August) is dry with long, hot days, meaning this is the best time to visit Istanbul. July and August are the driest months with three to four rainy days a month. Although the average high is around 28°C (82°F), there are days when temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F) so come prepared.

Autumn (September to November) starts off warm, so much so that many people consider September as summer instead of autumn. By November, the average high is dropped to 14°C (57°F) and rain starts to fall abundantly.

Winter (December to February) is rainy, making it colder than it seems. Temperatures can also drop to sub-zero at night and snow is possible.

Turkey is a secular country, but the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is widely observed, and many smaller establishments tend to close during the day, while sales of alcohol restricted.

	Weather (day)		Temp (max day)	Wind (mph)	Humidity Pressure Visibility
Sunday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	21 nne	0-20% 1003 mb good
Monday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	10 nne	0-20% 1003 mb good
Tuesday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	16 nne	0-20% 1003 mb good
Wednesday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	19 ne	0-20% 1003 mb good
Thursday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	20 n	0-20% 1003 mb good
Friday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	15 nne	0-20% 1003 mb good
Saturday	Sunny	Sunny skies	26 °C	18 ne	0-20% 1003 mb good

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Last updated: 2024-12-22 00:15:19
We update the weather data for from our weather partner every four hours. The time the last update was received is detailed here.

Actual Forecast Location: We have 830+ weather locations on the worldtravelguide.net website. Where no exact location is available we have used the nearest appropriate forecast point.

Symbols indicate the predominant weather for the day in question, calculated based on a weighting of different types of weather. So if a day is forecast to be sunny with the possibility of a brief shower, then we will see a sunny or partly cloudy symbol rather than a rain cloud.

The maximum temperature is the highest temperature forecast between dawn and dusk, and the minimum temperature is the lowest temperature expected from dusk on the day in question to dawn the next day. The temperature is in °C, or Celsius.

Wind speed and direction are the conditions expected at midday. Wind direction is based on a 16 point compass. W, SW, SSW, etc. The wind direction states where the wind originates. Wind speed is listed in MPH or miles per hour.

Humidity levels indicates how much water vapour the air contains compared to the maximum it could contain at that temperature. As a general guide:

0 to 30 is very low
31 to 50 is low
51 to 70 is moderate to low
71 to 80 is moderate
81 to 90 is moderate to high
91 to 100 is high

Pressure is measured in millibars (mb)

Visibility based on whether the human eye can see the following distances:

Very poor - less than 1km
Poor - between 1km and 4km
Moderate - between 4km and 10km
Good - between 10km and 20km
Very good - between 20km and 40km
Excellent - more than 40km

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Featured Hotels

Grand Hotel de Londres (Buyuk Londra Hotel)

With a history dating back to the heydays of the Orient Express, this establishment has seen many writers (Hemingway being one of them), artists and actors step through its doors. Though the hotel has had many rounds of renovations over the years, the 1900s atmosphere is still very much palpable and underlined by the dark wooden interior and velvet drapes. It's also within walking distance to Taksim square, and near to many theatres and restaurants.

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Right on the Bosphorus Strait's shoreline and partly housed in a former Ottoman palace, the Kempinski boasts some of the most opulent rooms in Istanbul. The waterfront pool terrace offers unparalleled Bosphorus views while the bar, restaurants and spa offer plenty of opportunity to swaddle yourself in luxury.

Side Hotel and Pension

In prime position, slap in the middle of Sultanahmet's historical quarter, this family-run hotel has long been a budget traveller institution. The simple rooms are spick-and-span and decently sized and the roof top terrace (where breakfast is served) has excellent views over the old city’s domes and minaret punctured skyline.

Sarı Konak

This family-run boutique hotel offers an old-world atmosphere trussed up with modern conveniences in an Ottoman-era mansion. The smallish rooms have polished wood floors and are classically styled while the rooftop cafe has views of both the Blue Mosque and the Sea of Marmara.

Ibrahim Pasha Hotel

Sleek design and ultra-friendly service make the Ibrahim Pasha stand out in the crowded Istanbul accommodation market. Little extras such as complimentary fruit in rooms and Molton Brown toiletries in bathrooms add a luxurious feel while staff go out of their way to help guests, creating a home-from-home vibe.

Hotel Empress Zoe

Quirky folk art touches, Central Asian textiles as bedspreads and the odd antique give the Empress Zoe’s rooms plenty of quirky appeal. Set within a row of Ottoman era mansions, with a lush garden and a rooftop terrace with views over Sultanahmet’s Byzantine period walls, this hotel brims with character.

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