December 26 is generally a great time to visit Istanbul. While there is a slight chance of rain (23%), showers are usually brief. Expect comfortable 11°C weather. It's a great middle-ground for visiting Istanbul—enough activity to feel the pulse, but no overwhelming lines.
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Essential Travel Info for Istanbul
Currency
TRY
₺ Turkish lira
Language
Turkish
Driving
Right side
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Safety
Travel Precautions
GPI: 2.785
Istanbul Weather Forecast for December 26
"Mild & Comfortable. Expect average highs of 10.8°C. 23% chance of snow."
What to Wear in Istanbul in December
Based on historical data for December 26, Istanbul typically experiences temperatures between 6.1°C and 10.8°C. We recommend packing heavy coat, scarf, gloves to stay comfortable. Trends suggest it will stay mostly dry (23% rain probability), but checking the forecast before heading out is always wise.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Istanbul
Smart Suitcase
- Heavy Coat
- Scarf
- Gloves
Average High
10.8°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
6.1°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
9°C
❄️ Minor difference
Snow Chance
23%
Avg 1.6mm if it snows
Snowfall
0.1 cm
~23% chance
Pressure
1018.8 hPa
Medium volatility
Istanbul Weather Conditions & UV Index
Weather Confidence
30-year variance analysis
Based on 10 years of data
🎯 This date historically delivers consistent weather 89% of the time. Safe to plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 15 for extended outdoor time
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
7.1°C
Dry air
Heat Stress
Low
No heat warning
😐 Best outdoor time:
Any time during daylight hours
Marine Conditions
Marine Life
No special warnings. Enjoy the swim!
Swim Index
❄️ Cold Water Hazard
Travel & Logistics Insights
Local Calendar
Business Day
Standard hours in Turkey
Flight Traffic
Moderate
59/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Required
2 vaccines • View Details →
Landing Slots
~748
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Istanbul
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
08:28
☀️ Noon
13:05
🌇 Sunset
17:42
⏱️ Daylight
9h 13m
Wind Speed
21.5 km/h
Moderate wind
Sunshine
5.7 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
78%
Humid / Damp
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Istanbul
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
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Travel Health & Safety in Istanbul
Travel Comfort Index
Real-time tourism conditions
Weather Quality
☀️ Excellent
Tourist Crowds
🟡 Busy
Price Level
💰💰💰 Expensive
Health & Wellbeing
Meteo-Health Forecast
Moderate fluctuations. Some sensitivity possible.
Weather unlikely to affect joint pain.
Moderate fish activity expected.
Air quality is acceptable. Sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Regional Safety Profile
Seismic Activity
Moderate seismic activity. Occasional tremors possible.
"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA satellite data, Istanbul on December 26 averages 10.8°C with a 23% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 73/100."
— Source: 30YearWeather.com|Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)|View Methodology
Istanbul Weather History (2010–2024)
Temperature History
Hall of Fame
Records from last 10 years
Better Alternatives Nearby
Consider these dates within ±7 days
💡 Moving your event by a few days could significantly improve weather conditions
Compare Other Cities
Same date (December 26) in other destinations
🌍 Explore the same date in different destinations around the world
📍 Is Istanbul Worth Visiting on December 26?
Planning a trip to Istanbul on December 26? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year offers a bracing seasonal atmosphere averaging 10.8°C with a 23% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 748 landing slots available daily during this period, indicating peak tourist activity.
💉 Health Advisory: 7 vaccinations are recommended for Turkey, including COVID-19.
🌊 Coastal Conditions: Water temperature averages 11.6°C (polar plunge). Wave conditions are generally fun waves with heights around 0.66m.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest December 26 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 16.7°C in 2020, while the coldest dropped to -0.4°C in 2018.