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Best time to visit Istanbul: month by month
Short answer
The best times are April–May and September–October, with highs of about 16–25°C (16°C in April, 21°C in May, 25°C in September, 20°C in October) and fewer rainy days than in winter. July and August are hot (about 30°C), humid and crowded, while winter is cold, grey and wet but cheaper.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10°C | 5°C | 11 | low |
| Feb | 10°C | 4°C | 10 | low |
| Mar | 10°C | 4°C | 14 | medium |
| Apr | 16°C | 8°C | 13 | high |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 9 | high |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 9 | high |
| Jul | 30°C | 21°C | 3 | very high |
| Aug | 30°C | 22°C | 4 | very high |
| Sep | 25°C | 18°C | 6 | high |
| Oct | 20°C | 14°C | 6 | high |
| Nov | 17°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Dec | 13°C | 8°C | 11 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
March is still cool (about 10°C) and often wet, with about 14 rainy days. April warms to about 16°C, with tulips in Emirgan Park and Gülhane, and May reaches about 21°C: the nicest time for walking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June averages about 25°C, July and August about 30°C, with only 3–4 rainy days. It is the busiest season, with long queues at Hagia Sophia and Topkapı; Bosphorus breezes help in the evening.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 25°C) and October (about 20°C) are warm and dry, with about 6 rainy days, and crowds thin after mid-September. November cools to about 17°C and the rain returns.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 10–13°C, lows around 4–8°C and 10–11 rainy days a month, with occasional snow. Monuments are much quieter and hotels cheaper.
Events worth planning around
- Istanbul Tulip Festival, April (Emirgan Park, Gülhane and other parks)
- Istanbul Film Festival, April
- Istanbul Music Festival, June
- Istanbul Jazz Festival, July
- Ramadan and the Eid holiday that follows, dates moving about 11 days earlier each year
When to avoid
July and August are the hottest and most crowded months, with the longest queues at the main monuments. The start and end of the Eid holidays bring heavy domestic travel and higher prices, so check the dates before booking.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Istanbul?
May or late September to October, with highs around 20–25°C and fewer crowds than in summer. April is lovely for the tulips.
Is it a good idea to visit Istanbul during Ramadan?
Yes. Sights stay open and evenings are festive, especially around Sultanahmet at iftar. Some lokantas close early, and the Eid holiday at the end is very busy.
Is Istanbul worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you do not mind rain and highs of about 10–13°C. Queues are shorter and hotels cheaper.