Best time to visit
Istanbul

advice you can trust

 

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Istanbul -
The best and worst
times to visit

Insights you need to know

Best times

September and October

Except for early September, you will enjoy pleasant temperatures. Most days will be sunny. And summer tourist crowds have dwindled.

Second best: April and May

It's spring time. Except for early April, temperatures are comfortable. and rainfall is modest. It can be a little nippy in early April, but it's Tulip Time.

Least desirable times

November to March

The cold weather, frequent rains, and short daylight sightseeing hours will hamper your outdoor activities and photographs. January and February are the two most undesirable months.

Second worst: July to August

Although these months have the least rain, their high heat and humidity will curb your outdoor sightseeing enjoyment.

Myth buster

Tulip Time

Holland is not the birthplace of tulips, as many people believe. They were brought from Turkey (where they were already popular) to the Netherlands in the early 1600s. Today, Istanbul celebrates Tulip Tme in the spring just as fervently as do the Dutch.


Know when to go
and not go to other
travel destinations

Click More best and least desirable times

Learn my other
Turkey tips & insights

In Istanbul

Basilica Cistern
Blue Mosque
Dolmabahce Palace
Grand Bazaar
Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace

In other Turkey areas

Antalya
Bodrum
Cappadocia
Divrigi
Ephesus Ruins
Hierapolis
Mount Ararat
Nemrut Dagi
Pamukkale
Pergamon Acropolis
Ruins of Troy

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Turkey Wonders - Top 10 rankings

Istanbul photo by Np & Djjewell - CC BY 2.0

Turkish Culture and Tourist Office

 

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