Best Time to Visit Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye
Istanbul is at its sunniest and driest in May–September.
The best time to visit Istanbul for sunny, dry weather is May–September — 5 months of the year fit our sunny profiles at this specific location. The drier stretch runs through February–September; the wetter half falls in October–January. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 6.3°C / 43.3°F in January to 23.7°C / 74.7°F in July, with rainfall from 25 mm / 1 in (July) to 111 mm / 4.4 in (December). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Istanbul's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 16.9°C62.4°F | 37 mm1.5″ | Sunny & Mild |
| June | 21.4°C70.5°F | 31 mm1.2″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| July | 23.7°C74.7°F | 25 mm1″ | Sunny & Warm |
| August | 23.7°C74.7°F | 33 mm1.3″ | Sunny & Warm |
| September | 20.3°C68.5°F | 41 mm1.6″ | Sunny & Mild |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
The best time to visit Istanbul for sunny, dry weather is May, June, July, August, September. At the city itself, the warmest month is July averaging 23.7°C / 74.7°F, and the driest is July with about 25 mm / 1 in of rain. These are point-value climate normals sampled at Istanbul's coordinates.
When is the rainy season in Istanbul?
The rainy season at Istanbul, Istanbul runs through October–January, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 65 mm / 2.6 in. The wettest single month is December (111 mm / 4.4 in).
What is the driest month in Istanbul?
The driest month in Istanbul is July, averaging about 25 mm / 1 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 23.7°C / 74.7°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Istanbul?
The least comfortable months for travel to Istanbul — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, November, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 111 mm / 4.4 in in December, and the coldest month averages 6.3°C / 43.3°F.
Is Istanbul climate different from Türkiye overall?
Yes, usually. Our Istanbul figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Türkiye figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Istanbul specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.