Forecast by:  | 11 Sep Fri | 12 Sep Sat | 13 Sep Sun | 14 Sep Mon | 15 Sep Tue | 16 Sep Wed | 17 Sep Thu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 29° 20° | 29° 19° | 26° 19° | 24° 18° | 25° 17° | 25° 18° | 25° 17° |
| Precipitation | 1% | 0% | 42% | 69% | 31% | 55% | 25% |
| Humidity | 66% | 65% | 71% | 68% | 60% | 60% | 72% |
| Wind | 27 km/h | 24 km/h | 30 km/h | 27 km/h | 31 km/h | 29 km/h | 15 km/h |
Best time to visit Istanbul
The best times to visit Istanbul are April to June and September to October, when conditions generally suit walking and sightseeing. June and September can bring intense thunderstorms and possible hail, while July and August are hot and humid; November to March is cooler, wetter and more changeable.
JanuaryTemp (°C)6°Rain (mm)42Sun Hours5Dry Days16
January is cloudy and wet, around 5-8°C, with occasional heavy sea-effect snow. Indoor museums suit the wintry weather.
FebruaryTemp (°C)8°Rain (mm)34Sun Hours6Dry Days14
February is rainy, around 5-8°C, and heavy sea-effect snow can accompany cold northerly weather. Indoor attractions suit unsettled days.
MarchTemp (°C)9°Rain (mm)33Sun Hours7Dry Days16
March is cool and changeable, around 6-10°C, with cloudy skies and rainy spells. Museums and shorter walks suit the conditions.
AprilTemp (°C)13°Rain (mm)23Sun Hours8Dry Days16
April is mild, around 9-14°C, with occasional showers and peak tulip colour in Istanbul’s parks. Walking and sightseeing fit between rainy spells.
MayTemp (°C)18°Rain (mm)29Sun Hours11Dry Days20
May is mild, around 14-19°C, with conditions suited to long walks and outdoor sightseeing. Evenings can feel cool, so a light layer is useful.
JuneTemp (°C)21°Rain (mm)29Sun Hours12Dry Days22
June is warm and humid, around 18-29°C, with intense thunderstorms and possible hail. A storm can cancel flights and wreck the trip.
JulyTemp (°C)25°Rain (mm)9Sun Hours12Dry Days24
July is hot and humid, around 21-28°C, with relatively dry summer weather and occasional heavy showers or severe storms. Plan sightseeing for morning or evening.
AugustTemp (°C)26°Rain (mm)8Sun Hours10Dry Days27
August is hot and humid, around 22-28°C, with relatively dry summer weather. Heavy showers and severe storms can occur, while midday sightseeing may feel uncomfortable.
SeptemberTemp (°C)21°Rain (mm)30Sun Hours9Dry Days20
September is mild, around 19-25°C, with intense thunderstorms and possible hail. A storm can cancel flights and wreck the trip.
OctoberTemp (°C)17°Rain (mm)40Sun Hours8Dry Days19
October is mild, around 15-20°C, with conditions suited to walking and sightseeing. Rainy spells can occur, so outdoor plans benefit from rain protection.
NovemberTemp (°C)13°Rain (mm)32Sun Hours6Dry Days19
November is cool and wet, around 11-15°C, with cloudy spells and frequent rain. Museums and indoor attractions suit the unsettled weather.
DecemberTemp (°C)9°Rain (mm)52Sun Hours5Dry Days18
December is chilly, cloudy and wet, around 7-10°C, with occasional snow. Short outdoor visits work well alongside Istanbul’s indoor sights.
Sources: audleytravel.com, en.wikivoyage.org
Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Cost: From 100 USD · ★ 5.0 (10,104 reviews)
Visit highlights of Istanbul with your private tour guide in 1, 2 or 3 days with a flexible itinerary. Day 1 - Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum, Sultanahmet Square, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar. Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (f
Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry
Cost: From 135 USD · Duration: 5.5 hours · ★ 5.0 (3,585 reviews)
Ready to taste the best food on both sides of Istanbul? Start with a delicious traditional Turkish breakfast in Europe in the heart of the historic Old City, before you sail across to Asia and explore the vibrant streets of Kadıköy. With your foodie guide, you’ll make 8 delicious stops during your walk with a variety of samples at each – enough to
İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table
Cost: From 30.2 USD · Duration: 3 hours · ★ 4.6 (3,190 reviews)
With the magical view of the Bosphorus, the historical silhouette of Istanbul, the sea and the unique beauty of the night, we are at your service with our private VIP tables to ensure that your guests have an unforgettable night by hosting our tours with definite departures every evening, in our floating restaurant. 3 hours of dinner cruise of the
Istanbul Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise Experience with Local Guide
Cost: From 35.47 USD · Duration: 2 hours · ★ 4.9 (2,461 reviews)
End your day with one of the world’s most breathtaking sunsets aboard a luxury Bosphorus yacht cruise. Sail along both the European and Asian shores, passing magnificent Ottoman palaces, Fortresses, and the iconic monuments. Relax with complimentary refreshments, including fresh fruits, nuts, traditional baklava, and homemade lemonade, while your l
Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks
Cost: From 47.29 USD · Duration: 2.5 hours · ★ 4.9 (2,384 reviews)
Your Most Personalised Bosphorus Cruise Experience in Istanbul. Experience Istanbul from an unusual point of view and take in the sunset from a 25-meters luxury yacht. Relax and enjoy the refreshments on board. Board our luxury yacht, SUNSET BOSPHORUS and you'll soon be heading out to sea in these 2-Hours and 30 min. shared sunset cruise on the Bos
Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise With Live guide & Snacks
Cost: From 37.83 USD · Duration: 2.2 hours · ★ 4.8 (2,156 reviews)
Get more out of your time in Istanbul by going on a sunset evening cruise and Daytime Cruise on the Bosphorus strait. As it's a small-group tour, relax and enjoy the personalized service of the onboard crew—including delicious onboard treats such as canapes, snacks. The trip is a great way to see famous sights without being stuck in large crowds. S
Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises
Cost: From 11.82 USD · Duration: 2 hours · ★ 4.9 (2,029 reviews)
Experience Istanbul's Beauty from the Bosphorus – Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises See Istanbul from a unique perspective on our modern, comfortable boat, perfectly timed for a breathtaking sunset or a scenic cruise at any time of the day. Relax and enjoy iconic landmarks along the Bosphorus while our friendly guides share fascinating stories. Iconi
Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option
Cost: From 59.12 USD · Duration: 1 hour · ★ 4.9 (1,901 reviews)
Gedikpasa Hamami offers a unique Turkish bath experience, steeped in 550 years of history which was built to a 2350 square-metre zone at old city part of Istanbul by the command of Gedik Ahmet Pasha in 1457 , having a breathtaking 16-meter-high cieling . Located just across from the iconic Grand Bazaar, this historic bath is not just a place for cl
Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Guide and Asian Side Stop
Cost: From 47.29 USD · Duration: 2.5 hours · ★ 4.9 (1,876 reviews)
Enjoy a memorable Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia with a knowledgeable multilingual guide, discovering Istanbul from a unique perspective on the water. This is a small-group cruise on a luxury yacht, offering a more personal, comfortable, and high-quality experience away from crowded boats. Stop on the Asian side in Beylerbeyi or Kanlıca a
Istanbul E-pass: Top Istanbul Attractions with Skip The Ticket Line
Cost: From 147.79 USD · ★ 4.8 (1,516 reviews)
Istanbul E-pass is a fully digital sightseeing pass that covers over 100 top Istanbul Attractions. Choose your E-pass 1,2,3,5 or 7 days and enjoy the contactless entry with your mobile pass without paying at the gate of attractions. Istanbul E-pass offers attractions in 3 different ways; - Walk-in Attractions: Show E-pass ID and get in. - Guided To
Brief
- Try Istanbul specialities including döner and other kebabs, meze, balik ekmek, Turkish breakfast, baklava, Turkish tea and coffee.
- Istanbul is hilly and heavily congested in popular districts. Allow extra time for road traffic, ferry connections and airport transfers, particularly around Sultanahmet, Taksim and the Bosphorus crossings.
Safety and health
- Political tensions remain elevated following new detentions in an investigation involving Istanbul’s opposition-run municipality. Avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings, especially near municipal buildings, courthouses and central squares, and follow police instructions (
turkishminute.com).
- Use sealed bottled water where possible, including at tourist sites and public fountains. Choose busy, reputable food establishments and wash fresh produce; carry basic treatment for possible stomach upset (
wikivoyage.org).
- Mosquito and tick-borne illnesses including leishmaniasis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever are mainly concerns during rural or outdoor travel. Use insect repellent, wear covering clothing and avoid contact with sick animals or bodily fluids (
cdc.gov).
- After heavy rain, avoid floodwater, mud and contaminated soil, and cover cuts or burns because of melioidosis risk (
Recent News
- September 2-5, 2026: A cargo ship sank after colliding with an empty oil tanker in the Sea of Marmara, about 18 nautical miles off Silivri. The wreck was located at a depth of about 710 metres, while all 10 crew members remained unaccounted for. The incident is offshore and west of the main tourist areas, but maritime activity and local access around Silivri may be affected (
arabnews.com |
apnews.com).
- September 3, 2026: Turkish police detained 12 people in a corruption investigation involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The development adds to ongoing political tensions in the city and could lead to demonstrations or temporary police restrictions around government and opposition-related sites (
