Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit Istanbul
By measured weather comfort, the top months for Istanbul are October, September, June — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is April, May, June, September, October. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at Istanbul (39 m elevation).
Month by month
Istanbul weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C / 50°F | 10.2 | 28 | |
| February | 10.7°C / 51°F | 7.7 | 33 | |
| March | 11.5°C / 53°F | 10.3 | 35 | |
| April | 16.3°C / 61°F | 8.8 | 63 | |
| May | 20.8°C / 69°F | 8.5 | 81 | |
| June | 25.9°C / 79°F | 6.3 | 83 | Best |
| July | 29.7°C / 85°F | 2.7 | 72 | Shoulder |
| August | 30°C / 86°F | 2.5 | 70 | Shoulder |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 5.8 | 84 | Best |
| October | 20.9°C / 70°F | 5 | 88 | Best |
| November | 16.2°C / 61°F | 7.3 | 64 | |
| December | 12.6°C / 55°F | 9.5 | 42 |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
FAQ
Istanbul timing questions
What is the best month to visit Istanbul?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are October, September, and June, with October scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is April, May, June, September, and October, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in Istanbul?
August, with an average daily high of 30°C (86°F).
What is the rainiest month in Istanbul?
March, averaging 10.3 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in Istanbul?
July and August — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.