Istanbul is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Having a history of 2700 years, Istanbul carries the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. One of the most frequently asked questions by those who want to visit the city is when is the best time to visit Istanbul. We will try to find the answer to this question in this article.
I have been a private tour guide in Istanbul for about 15 years. For this reason, I have the chance to observe what tourists visiting Istanbul are pleased with. In this way, I can answer many questions about Istanbul based on my experience.
First of all, I should point out that the best time to visit Istanbul is a very subjective matter. As an insider, I can say that there is no definitive answer to this. However, I can help you make your decision by sharing what you can do in Istanbul in which season.
Of course, the most decisive things will be the weather and activities in Istanbul. In some seasons, the weather is nice and there are many festivals in the city. On the other hand, it should be added that the city is very crowded when the weather is nice and all activities can be done. Of course, hotels and flights are also expensive on these dates.
For this reason, the tourist season is not the right time for those who do not like crowds or who are looking for a budget holiday. So what is the best time for you to visit Istanbul? Let’s talk about the pros and cons of all this now.
Best Time to Visit Istanbul in 2024
We will examine the best time to visit Istanbul in 2024 under 4 headings. Spring, summer, autumn and winter periods have their own pros and cons. I will share with you all I know about this.
I hope that the information I will share in this blog post will give you practical information about your visit to Istanbul. Let’s start by hoping these insider tips will be useful to you.
1. Spring
If you visit Istanbul in the spring, you will encounter a weather that inspires travelers. In the spring, Judas trees bloom in Istanbul and all the hills turn purple.
Purple, a royal color in the Roman and Byzantine periods, adds a beauty to the city that cannot be seen in any other season. In this way, you can take great pictures when you go on a Bosphorus cruise.
In addition, there is a Tulip festival in Istanbul during the 1-month period covering the end of March and the beginning of April. In this way, various concerts and events take place. Tulip (Lale) has been one of the symbols of Istanbul since the 1600s. Gardens of all museums and parks will be colorful for a month thanks to tulips.
How is the Weather in Istanbul in Spring?
Winters are very cold in Istanbul. Like March and April, the weather begins to warm slowly, but is still cool. For this reason, I recommend that you wear a jacket.
Also, some days in March, April and May are rainy. For this reason, do not forget to bring your raincoat while preparing your luggage.
After the beginning of June, the air temperature in Istanbul will rise above 20 degrees and you can wear t-shirts. However, the sweltering heat of July and August would not have started yet. For this reason, June is one of the best times to visit Istanbul.
Is Spring the Best Time to Visit Istanbul?
If you want to explore Istanbul when the weather is mild and the flowers are blooming, yes, spring is the best time to visit Istanbul. However, be prepared to meet the crowds, as many people will prefer this season to come to Istanbul.
Istanbul’s tourist season starts at the end of March and hotel prices are at their highest during April, May and June. In July and August, the crowd moves to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Because the temperature in Istanbul rises above 30 degrees and humidity is uncomfortable.
The most popular tourism season in Istanbul along with spring is autumn. With the temperature decreasing after the end of August, tourists will return to Istanbul again. It will remain crowded until the winter cold starts in the end of November.
2. Summer
June is the best month for those who will visit Istanbul in the summer. Because there is no heat and high humidity that make walking tours difficult.
There is high humidity in July and August. It is difficult to stay indoors without air conditioning, and the sun is uncomfortable outdoors.
Many Istanbulites have summer houses on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. When the heat of July and August begins, they go on holiday to Assos, Ayvalik, Bodrum, Fethiye and Marmaris.
Since the tourist season that started in the spring will be still going on, the hotel prices will be equally expensive. However, you cannot spend as much quality time as in spring and autumn due to hot weather.
For this reason, July and August are not the ideal time to visit Istanbul, when the temperature is at its highest. During this period, you may consider going to Bodrum, Oludeniz, Marmaris or Antalya on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. These places are among the best holiday destinations in Turkey.
3. Autumn
Autumn is a good time to visit Istanbul. The weather is suitable for walking, just like in the spring, and there is a lot of activity in the city. In autumn, many international fairs, concerts and festivals take place in Istanbul.
In September, Istanbulites return to the city from their summer homes. The opening of the schools creates excitement among the locals and the shopping activity increases in the city. Autumn is the best time to visit Istanbul for shopping as it is when there are the most alternatives.
The weather in September and October is perfect for tourism activities. From the beginning of November, the weather starts to cool. But it doesn’t get too cold until December.
Is Autumn the Best Time to Visit Istanbul?
If you find autumn nostalgic and romantic, yes, autumn is the best time to visit Istanbul. Autumn, like spring, is Istanbul’s tourist season and is the perfect time to visit the city.
The 3-month period from the beginning of September to the end of November is the golden season of Istanbul tourism. Autumn is the right time to take part in cultural tours and shop in Istanbul.
4. Winter
In winter, the air temperature in Istanbul varies between 1 and 12 degrees. However, some winters are mild. It snows in Istanbul a few times a year at most and the snow does not stay on the ground for more than a few days.
Winter months are the right time for some types of tourists to visit Istanbul. For example, if you don’t like crowds and don’t want to wait in line at museum entrances, winter is the right time for you.
Since the hotels and restaurants in Istanbul cannot do much in the winter, they welcome you with open arms. Hotel prices are the lowest and they are all open in winter.
Most of the hotels and restaurants are closed on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts when the tourism season ends. However, all restaurants, hotels and shops in Istanbul remain open in winter. This allows you to do all you want much cheaper.
Conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, the best time to visit Istanbul is up to you. In the spring, flowers and good weather will help you maintain a good mood. In autumn, the weather is a bit gloomy, but very romantic. Spring and autumn are also the best times to go on a Bosphorus tour as in the picture above.
The least suitable times to visit Istanbul are summer and winter. However, you can cool off by going to the beaches near Istanbul in summer. In winter, you can still visit Istanbul with pleasure by spending more time indoors.
If you liked this article, you may also want to read the article called weather in Istanbul all year round. The information in these two articles is complementary to each other.
Best Time to Visit Istanbul in 2024 by Serhat Engul
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