Weather in Istanbul in May
May in Istanbul is mild enough that walking is the default. This is a city-break month more than a sea-holiday month.
In Turkey, this is how Istanbul actually wears May, not how a country centroid would. Compared with August and January, May sits in the middle of Istanbul's year.
- Average temp
- 18°C
13–22°C
- Rainfall
- 29 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 8.6 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Mild afternoons in Istanbul are the prize in May. You can eat outside on the good days. You still want something for the breeze.
This is walking weather. Shade is useful, not essential the way it is in the hot months. A long outdoor day is a reasonable plan.
Rain
Mixed skies in Istanbul in May. Dry days and wet days share the month. Outdoor plans need a backup, not a cancellation policy.
Pack a shell you will actually carry. The monthly table is the place for totals. This is the feel: usable, interrupted.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Sun protection
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Istanbul
Dates are a starting point for May.
Travel guides for Istanbul
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Istanbul
TemperatureRainfall
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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.
