Turkey
Things to do in Istanbul
Food tours, hot air balloon rides and private tours and more, with the best month for each. Istanbul is most comfortable for sightseeing in May to September.
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Food tours
- Hot air balloon rides
- Private tours
- Walking tours
- Boat tours
- Cooking classes
- Zipline tours
- Sunset cruises
Popular tours in Istanbul
Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul TourFrom $90View 
Istanbul Shore Excursion : Best Seller Private Istanbul TourFrom $78View 
WONDERS of ISTANBUL : Full Day Private Guided City TourFrom $75View 
ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City TourFrom $85View 
Private Guided Istanbul Day TourFrom $95View 
Private Istanbul Day TourFrom $95View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to book in Istanbul
Istanbul month by month
Istanbul weather by month
Averages for Kireçburnu, 1991–2020. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 48 (9) | 49 (9) | 54 (12) | 61 (16) | 70 (21) | 78 (26) | 82 (28) | 83 (28) | 76 (25) | 68 (20) | 59 (15) | 51 (11) |
| Low °F (°C) | 38 (4) | 38 (4) | 41 (5) | 47 (8) | 55 (13) | 63 (17) | 69 (20) | 70 (21) | 63 (17) | 56 (14) | 49 (9) | 42 (6) |
| Rainy days | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 18 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:00 pm | 6:38 pm | 7:10 pm | 7:43 pm | 8:15 pm | 8:38 pm | 8:35 pm | 8:04 pm | 7:14 pm | 6:24 pm | 5:46 pm | 5:37 pm |
Questions
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
For walking around and sightseeing, May to September. August is the warmest month at about 83°F (28°C), and January the coolest at about 48°F (9°C).
What is the rainiest month in Istanbul?
December, with about 18 rainy days. Book outdoor tours early in your stay that month, so there's room to move them.