Best time to visit Istanbul
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Istanbul
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you.
- 1
Istanbul to Gallipoli Full Day Tour with Lunch and Transfers - 2
Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets - 3
Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience - 4
ISTANBUL Full-Day PRIVATE Guided Tour; For the Top Historic Sites - 5
Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour - 6
ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City Tour - 7
Istanbul Private Transfer - IST Airport, Cruise Ports and Hotels - 8
Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets - 9
Istanbul Highlights Private Tour with skip line ticket options - 10
Half Day Private Istanbul Tour - 11
Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry - 12
Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks - 13
Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option - 14
Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side - (Morning or Afternoon) - 15
Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience Istanbul - 16
Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Tour – Asian Side Stop & Exploration - 17
Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table - 18
Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Live Guide & Asian Side Stop - 19
Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises - 20
Istanbul Highlights: Small-Group Tour with a Local Expert - 21
Istanbul E-pass: Top Istanbul Attractions with Skip The Ticket Line - 22
Istanbul Sunset Cruise Experience on Luxury Yacht -Local guide - 23
Sunset or Daytime Istanbul Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks - 24
Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Experience on Luxury Yacht - 25
Istanbul Two Continents Tour By Bus And Bosphorus Cruise - 26
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience - 27
Istanbul Princess Island Tour Include Lunch and Island Car Trip - 28
2 Day All Inclusive Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Optional Balloon Flight - 29
Taste of Istanbul: Local Food and Culture Tour - 30
Private Basilica Cistern Skip-the Line Ticket Entry
Last refreshed 2026-05-25.
Similar climatesLyon88% · Siena87% · Bordeaux87%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Istanbul (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Istanbul's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4–10 | 6 | 12 | 149 | 12.4 | 72% | 24 | 130 | 1 | Quiet | 5 |
| Feb | 4–11 | 7 | 10 | 128 | 12.8 | 70% | 23 | 150 | 2 | Quiet | 5 |
| Mar | 5–12 | 8 | 13 | 169 | 13.0 | 70% | 22 | 168 | 3 | Quiet | 5 |
| Apr | 9–17 | 14 | 10 | 120 | 12.0 | 65% | 22 | 211 | 5 | Quiet | 7 |
| May | 12–21 | 20 | 9 | 96 | 10.7 | 62% | 21 | 267 | 6 | Quiet | 8 |
| Jun | 18–26 | 26 | 9 | 92 | 10.2 | 61% | 21 | 290 | 8 | Quiet | 9 |
| Jul | 21–29 | 30 | 4 | 52 | 13.0 | 53% | 24 | 314 | 8 | Quiet | 8 |
| Aug | 21–30 | 31 | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 54% | 24 | 293 | 7 | Peak | 7 |
| Sep | 18–26 | 25 | 7 | 77 | 11.0 | 56% | 22 | 248 | 5 | Busy | 9 |
| Oct | 14–21 | 20 | 6 | 80 | 13.3 | 64% | 21 | 201 | 3 | Moderate | 9 |
| Nov | 10–16 | 14 | 9 | 94 | 10.4 | 68% | 23 | 157 | 2 | Peak | 7 |
| Dec | 7–13 | 10 | 12 | 149 | 12.4 | 75% | 21 | 127 | 1 | Moderate | 5 |
UV Index in Istanbul by Month
UV index in Istanbul peaks at 8 (very high) in July, dropping to 1 (low) in January. July reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
September
9/1018–26°C · 7 rain days (77h) · 248 sun hours · 56% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
October
9/1014–21°C (feels 20°C) · 6 rain days (80h) · 201 sun hours · 64% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 3 (moderate)
June
9/1018–26°C · 9 rain days (92h) · 290 sun hours · 61% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
5/104–10°C (feels 6°C) · 12 rain days (149h) · 130 sun hours · 72% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
February
5/104–11°C (feels 7°C) · 10 rain days (128h) · 150 sun hours · 70% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
March
5/105–12°C (feels 8°C) · 13 rain days (169h) · 168 sun hours · 70% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
April
7/109–17°C (feels 14°C) · 10 rain days (120h) · 211 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
May
8/1012–21°C (feels 20°C) · 9 rain days (96h) · 267 sun hours · 62% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
July
8/1021–29°C · 4 rain days (52h) · 314 sun hours · 53% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high)
August
7/1021–30°C · 4 rain days (42h) · 293 sun hours · 54% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
November
7/1010–16°C (feels 14°C) · 9 rain days (94h) · 157 sun hours · 68% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 2 (low)
December
5/107–13°C (feels 10°C) · 12 rain days (149h) · 127 sun hours · 75% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 1 (low)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Istanbul
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
September is the highest-scoring month (9/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 18–26°C (7 rainy days). The top three months by score are September, October, June.
What is the worst time to visit Istanbul?
January is the lowest-scoring month (5/10). Typical conditions: 4–10°C (12 rainy days).
Is Istanbul too hot in summer?
2 months (July, August) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Istanbul?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in January and peaks in August. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Istanbul have good weather but fewer tourists?
June (climate 9/10, crowd index 4) and October (climate 9/10, crowd index 47) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Istanbul by month?
UV peaks at 8 (very high) in July and is lowest in January at 1 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 3, Apr 5, May 6, Jun 8, Jul 8, Aug 7, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 2, Dec 1. July reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Istanbul in July?
July is the peak UV month in Istanbul, with a daily-peak UV index of 8 (very high). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Istanbul on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. June is the worst case: typical days average UV 8 (high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 9 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: March, April, May, June, August, September. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Istanbul bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 12 months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The worst month is January with a typical-day mean of 33 µg/m³ (unhealthy); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 61 µg/m³ (hazardous) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.