Best time to visit Istanbul

Istanbul in January demonstrates the days at their shortest and the temperatures at their coldest, which makes the hit of the winter a reasonably cheesy time to visit the city. The average temperatures are cold in the middle of the day, and they are even cooler overnight. January brings gloomy weather, at least four snow days, and half of the month of rain. Downpours are ultimately longstanding, however, not that hefty. After all, if you chose January to be your right time for a trip to Istanbul, make sure you pack warm clothes like sweaters, coat, scarf, hat, and gloves along with waterproof boots and warm socks. Fair heat breaks no bones!

Like January, February in Istanbul offers cold throughout a day and freezing cold at night. You'll face slightly fewer downpours, still, it will be quite wet for most of the time. As the spring approaches, the days are getting longer by the end of February with around seven sunshine hours. This month sees mostly foggy mornings and approximately five snow days each year. Temperatures in February usually drop below zero, and you might witness few inches of snow on the ground. Being challenging to forecast, the lake-effect snow from the Black Sea is not uncommon throughout this month. To ease you a packing process to Istanbul in February, the main thing will be about stocking up with clothes for cold weather such as warm and waterproof coat and shoes as well as a favorite hat, scarf, and gloves to protect you from the freezing cold and wind.

Even though it can be cold and wet outside in March, temperatures in Istanbul gradually rise during this period. The days are longer and brighter as the spring kicks off, and the closer to the end of the month we move, and warmer and drier it gets. The skies are mostly cloudy, and rainfalls still can occur in March. However, the snow can hardly ever happen in Istanbul throughout a month, as the temperatures rarely drop below freezing. During your visit to Istanbul in March, you will probably need a raingear along with warm waterproof boots. The good news is that you are unlikely to have to wrap yourself up a lot. However, it won't be enough to pack your favorite warm hoody along with a scarf and a hat.

The days get longer and warmer as April digs in, with the city being at its prettiest while swimming in these stunning flowers blooming. However, Istanbul can also be a bit windy and wet throughout April. Typically, the temperatures are pleasant and mild during the day and dropping as the sun goes down. Infrequent showers are expected for several times in the month. Moreover, the sun is too low in April, accompanied by haze. That's the reason why Istanbul suffers from the lack of bright sunshine in April. A pair of waterproof shoes and a light rain poncho will be your right companions and will protect you from getting wet. Another advice is to bring a warm sweatshirt with you for a comforting evening.

Summery May is here to welcome you with relatively dry weather and gradually rising temperatures of Istanbul. Although the bright sunshine is absent throughout a month, a decrease in rainfall will definitely cheer you up, and you might even have a rare chance to sunbathe. Even though the morning can be a little foggy and periodic downpours might also happen, they will hardly affect your trip being sharp and short. May is high time to pack sunglasses for your trip to Istanbul, not to mention sunscreen and light clothing. However, a few layers to shed yourself won't hurt. And it is obviously a bliss to have a warm jumper for cooler evenings.

As the start of summer, June brings hotter, drier, and, of course, longer days to Istanbul. The rainfall is occasional and short-lived throughout a month, which makes it a fantastic time to visit the city. The days are mostly bright and full of sunshine Afternoons can be rather hot, and the nights are mild. The air temperatures are rising day after day, and the sea temperatures also begin to increase. As the weather reminds more cloud nine, all you'll need to pack summery breathable clothes in light colors along with a hat to keep the sun off your face. Comfortable shoes or sandals will be a good idea for both men and women.

Taking its position in the middle of the summer, July announces the long days of sweltering heat and clear skies in Istanbul. The sea is warm enough to swim, and the sun is pleasant enough to sunbathe. It is humid and dry for most of the time. However, the word drought isn't entirely suitable for Istanbul. Even though the chance of rain is low, the occasional sharp showers might sometimes happen, especially in the northern parts of the city. The overnight temperatures remain pleasant for the night walk. Just two words: lightweight clothes. This is what you need the most during your trip to Istanbul in July. Another good idea will be to pack comfortable sandals along with sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Relatively warm at night, extremely hot throughout the day—that's how the August in Istanbul can be characterized in few words. The weather is sunny and dry. The temperature never drops during this time, and you'll have a lot of sunshine hours mixed with pleasant cool breezes to cheer you up during your trip. The probability of rain is the lowest throughout the month. However, the northern regions can be much wetter. While packing for a trip to Istanbul in August, check if you took breathable, lightweight clothes and a pair of comfortable sandals or shoes. Other essentials are a pair of sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to cover you from the sun.

September puts an end to the summer in Istanbul. At the start of the month, the weather remains hot and dry, but the closer it moves to October, the more rapidly temperatures drop. The chance of the rainfall, along with the cold fall breeze, is high, so it feels much more refreshing. But even though the days are getting shorter, you will still are in for a great deal of sunshine. You can fully enjoy the pleasant temperatures throughout a day, but you'd better carry a light jumper overnight. Packing light raingear, along with the summer essentials like light clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat, will be your best option. Comfortable sandals or shoes are more than desirable.

Even though the weather in Istanbul can be generally warm and pleasant throughout October, mind that the fall has come, so the temperatures can fall dramatically at any moment by the end of the month. This is when the heavy ongoing rainfall arrives in Istanbul, accompanied by significant humidity. In October, the days get considerably shorter, and the temperatures at night might be much cooler. So if you are planning to visit Istanbul in October, don't forget to throw warm clothes into your suitcase. It's also a good idea to have rain gear and waterproof shoes with you.

Marking the end of the fall in Istanbul, November demonstrates much colder and wetter weather. The start of the month boasts with warmth and sunny days. However, the days get much shorter, and the temperature drops to the low by the end of the month. The closer it gets to winter, the more the level of precipitation increases. And most of the time, the showers are prolonged and hefty. It is slightly warmer in the south of the city, but cooler and wetter in the northern parts. It's never a bad option to dress in layers if you chose November for a trip to Istanbul. Waterproof poncho and shoes will also be your friends if you'll let them.

December usually brings shorter days and high humidity to Istanbul. Moreover, the beginning of winter is inseparable with cold and foggy weather. The parts of the city which are further from the sea experience see a more substantial drop in temperature overnight. Generally, it's not a big surprise if the temperatures fall below freezing, and a few inches of snow will appear on the ground. Along with the rare snow, expect about half of a month of rainfall, which is usually sprinkling but longstanding. During your trip to Istanbul in December, you will obviously need a pair of waterproof shoes as well as a warm raincoat. Wrapping up in layers doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. Pack a hat, scarf, and gloves to feel comfortable.