What is the weather like in Istanbul in December?

Expect temperatures between 6°C and 11°C with 29% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Istanbul in December?

Istanbul in December scores 63/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs.

Who should visit Istanbul in December?

December in Istanbul is ideal for: Cultural tourists, Business travelers.

Istanbul Weather in December | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

11°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

6°C

Coolest around day 21

Rainy Days

26days

29% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in December

Sea of Marmara(Marmara Denizi)

12.5°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Sea of Marmara

Marmara Denizi

Istanbul coastline

Essential Travel Info for Istanbul

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

TRY

₺ Turkish lira

Language

Turkish

Driving

Right side

Connect

For general information on SIM cards, Wi...

Safety

Travel Precautions

GPI: 2.785

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Istanbul

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Major Hub

100/ 100

Traffic Index

Extremely busy airport

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Jun

Low

Jan

Monthly Traffic Distribution

659

Jan

679

Feb

671

Mar

743

Apr

761

May

1272

Jun

1262

Jul

1085

Aug

1144

Sep

1160

Oct

1029

Nov

748

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Ankara Esenboğa (ESB)

İzmir Adnan Menderes (ADB)

Antalya (AYT)

Adana Çukurova (COV)

Dubai (DXB)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

7 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Türkiye (Turkey).Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Türkiye (Turkey). Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Türkiye (Turkey).

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Türkiye (Turkey).Rabies is also present in some terrestrial wildlife species.If rabies exposures occur while in Türkiye (Turkey), rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

+1 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is December a Good Time to Visit Istanbul?

👌Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs(63/100)

Short Answer

Istanbul in December features 12.5°C seas - too cold for swimming but stunning for coastal walks. Air temperatures average 11°C with 29% rain probability.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Very high humidity

80% average humidity

Cold sea - swimming challenging

12.5°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

Shoulder season - balanced conditions

59% of peak - good value with moderate crowds

Exceptional dining scene

73 Michelin-listed restaurants

Good For

🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 12.5°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
80% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Istanbul in December averages 11°C with 29% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Istanbul in December

What are the temperatures in Istanbul in December?

Daytime highs average 11°C, nights drop to 6°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Istanbul in December?

Expect around 26 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Istanbul in December?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is December peak season in Istanbul?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Istanbul Weather in December