Istanbul Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

In Istanbul, temperatures differ significantly between summer and winter months. On average, daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 29°C (84°F) in August to a chilly 10°C (50°F) in February.

Nighttime temperatures range from 22°C (72°F) in August to 5°C (41°F) in February.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

On average, Istanbul receives a reasonable amount of rainfall, with an annual precipitation of 730 mm (29 in). The seasons in Istanbul bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, December, receives high rainfall, with an average of 103 mm (4.1 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 17 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, August, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 24 mm (0.9 in) over 5 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year. For more details, please visit our Istanbul Precipitation page.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow

The average number of days each month with precipitation

In Istanbul, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 10.6 hours in July. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. December sees a soft sun for only 2.0 hours per average day.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

Daily percentage of sunshine

The mean water temperature over the year ranges from 8°C (46°F) in February to 25°C (77°F) in July.

Water temperature over the year