Best time to visit Istanbul: based on my experience.
In this post I want to talk about a topic that comes up often in the comments from my readers, and it’s the weather.
I have visited Istanbul numerous times during different months and experienced different weather there. I went through my records to find the exact dates of my trips, so that the information I share below is accurate and true.
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Now, before we start: I haven’t visited Istanbul during all twelve months of the year, so I am going to share here my experience based on the months I went to the city. Secondly, weather varies day by day, and it doesn’t mean that if I had it bad in December, it’s going to be the same with you. Frankly, weather is a tricky subject, so I always recommend checking it (thankfully, Google can help here) a day or two before the trip: this way you can pack accordingly. What I am trying to do with this post is to help you choose the best season and time to visit Istanbul.
NB: If you wonder whether Istanbul is safe, click here to read about my personal experience in the city.
Visiting Istanbul in spring
Spring is by far my favorite time for visiting Istanbul: the weather is nice and everything is blooming. I have been there once at the end of April and a couple of times in May. When it comes to May, I have visited Istanbul during the first, second and third weeks of the month.
Unfortunately, March has never been on my radar, so I can’t say anything about it.
What about the weather in Istanbul in April and May? Frankly, because of my, maybe, ignorance, I expected May to be hot. I thought it would be scorching and was wary of visiting it in May, but I had a business trip so I had no option. To my surprise, the weather was perfect, just like the other two times I went there. Every day it was sunny and warm with light wind. The temperatures were around 21-24 degrees Celsius. The same is true about the end of April, but I would expect colder weather closer to the beginning of the month, maybe around 13-16.
Clothes to wear in spring. During my visits in April and May I wore light clothes. Sometimes I had blouses with longer sleeves on, sometimes T-shirts, with light jacket from time to time. When it comes to the lower part, I wore mostly capri and cropped pants. But there is a very important thing to keep in mind: if you intend to walk close to the water or take a tour of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, have something to cover yourself, like a jacket or a pashmina. The reason is simple: it is colder at the water and much windier.
But then again, if you visit Istanbul in March or at the beginning of April, have something thicker, like jackets and pants, maybe, even coats.
Do I recommend going to Istanbul in spring? Yes, absolutely!
Visiting Istanbul in summer
I have never been to Istanbul in summer and I don’t plan to ever go there in summer. The reason is simple: it may be too hot and I would expect temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. Now, this doesn’t mean that it’s so hot every day, there may well be days with comfortable temperatures below 30, but there is no way to know it in advance. I prefer spring and autumn to summer. And summer is the time when my compatriots go to the Mediterranean coast of Turkey to Antalya, Kemer, Bodrum, etc.
Do I recommend going to Istanbul in summer? Not really. If you must go there in summer, choose the beginning of June.
More on Istanbul:
Visiting Istanbul in autumn
When it comes to autumn, I have been to Istanbul twice during this season: once at the end of September and once in the second week of November. As you have probably guessed already, the weather was different 🙂
I haven’t been to Istanbul in October, but I would expect the weather to be mostly close to that one at the end of September, getting colder by the end of the month.
What about the weather in Istanbul in September and November? September was perfect! The weather was just like in May: around 22-25 degrees every day, sunny and warm with light wind. Just remember that at the beginning of September the temperature may be closer to 30-32 degrees.
The beginning of November was surprisingly warm and sunny, a bit windy, around 16-18 degrees. It didn’t rain when I was there, but you might not be so lucky. And expect lower temperatures closer to the end of the month.
Clothes to wear in autumn. In September I wore pretty much the same clothes as in May: blouses with longer sleeves and T-shirts, capri and cropped pants, with light jacket from time to time.
When it comes to the beginning of November, thick tights with a dress or pants, light jackets or woolen cardigans were my choice. Of course, closer to the end of the month you will need thicker jackets or, maybe, even a coat.
When it comes to walks close to the water, the same rule applies: have something thicker than you would wear inside the city to put on.
Do I recommend going to Istanbul in autumn? Yes, absolutely!
Visiting Istanbul in winter
When it comes to winter, I was in Istanbul on 25-28 December 2010, right after the Catholic Christmas. Actually, this was my very first visit to the city: it was a corporate trip organised by the company I worked at (so far, the best corporate trip I have ever had!). Luckily, the company paid for everything including guides and restaurants, so we didn’t have to wait in queues, though I doubt there were any.
What about the weather in Istanbul in December? Well, it was far from being perfect. It was gloomy, cloudy, rainy and windy. I don’t remember even one day that was sunny.
Clothes to wear in winter. We had only light coats on us, and I can sincerely say there were moments when we wished we had something thicker 🙂 So, pack thicker and warmer clothes with you, like sweaters, pants, and coats. And don’t forget about caps and scarfs!
Do I recommend going to Istanbul in winter? Not really. Maybe, the beginning of December and end of February will be more suitable for a trip.
Best time to visit Istanbul
So, now, after reading that I praise both spring and autumn, you should have a legitimate question: ‘What is the best time to visit Istanbul then?’ Actually, I have a very exact date for you: it is the third week of April. It is the time I would choose myself for my next trip.
Why is it April? First of all, the weather is nice: not too hot, not too cold. Secondly, the tourist season isn’t in the full swing yet, though I would expect crowds. Thirdly – the most important reason, actually! – it is the time for the tulip festival, which usually takes place in April every year. Like I said before, I went to Istanbul in April, but it was the last week of the month, so I didn’t get to see the tulips at their best, but if you come a week earlier, around the 16th or 18th, you will have a great time in the city. But, like I said before, weather varies, and the temperatures are different every year.
Do you have a different experience? Maybe, you had a blast in summer or winter in Istanbul? Share it in the comments!
Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the good work.
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Carry on the great work!