Weather in Istanbul in March
March in Istanbul is cool outdoor weather: usable if you dress for it, not a beach brief.
In Turkey, this is how Istanbul actually wears March, not how a country centroid would. Compared with August and January, March sits in the middle of Istanbul's year.
Pack for Istanbul in March, not for a brochure that was photographed in another season.
- Average temp
- 9°C
5–12°C
- Rainfall
- 66 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 5 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Cool days in Istanbul: a jumper you can take off, a shell in the bag. Walking is fine. Lingering outside without a layer is optimism.
Mornings and evenings are colder than the postcard. Pack for both, especially if you leave the built-up centre.
Rain
March is a wetter month in Istanbul. Showers are part of the deal, not a spoiled surprise.
Waterproof shoes matter more than a rain plan for a beach, especially if a beach is not why you came. Build indoor hours into the afternoon.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Istanbul
Dates are a starting point for March.
Travel guides for Istanbul
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Istanbul
TemperatureRainfall
Similar weather in March
Other destinations whose March averages sit close to this one.
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FAQs about Istanbul
Climate averages for Istanbul, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Istanbul is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
August is the hottest month, with an average around 25°C.
December is the wettest month, with about 101 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
