What is the weather like in Istanbul in May?

Expect temperatures between 13°C and 21°C with 17% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Istanbul in May?

Istanbul in May scores 67/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Very good conditions overall.

Who should visit Istanbul in May?

May in Istanbul is ideal for: Families with children, Outdoor enthusiasts, Photographers, Cultural tourists, Honeymoon couples.

Istanbul Weather in May | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

21°C

Hottest around day 31

Avg Low

13°C

Coolest around day 1

Rainy Days

0days

17% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Spring season

Sea Temperature in May

Sea of Marmara(Marmara Denizi)

14.8°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 May a Good Time to Visit Istanbul?

👍Very good conditions overall(67/100)

Short Answer

Istanbul in May features 14.8°C seas - too cold for swimming but stunning for coastal walks. Air temperatures average 21°C with 17% rain probability.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Ideal temperature range

21°C - perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities

Cold sea - swimming challenging

14.8°C sea temperature - Refreshing Tonic

Health precautions needed

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

Plenty of sunshine

11.7h of sunshine daily

Calm, family-friendly seas

0.26m wave height - Lake-like

Good For

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Families with children
Comfortable 21°C temperatures and low 17% rain risk
🥾
Outdoor enthusiasts
Ideal hiking conditions: 21°C, 17% rain chance
📸
Photographers
11.7h sunshine, 54% clear skies for golden hour shots
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score 98/100 with romantic weather conditions

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 14.8°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
75% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Istanbul in May averages 21°C with 17% precipitation probability."

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Istanbul in May

What are the temperatures in Istanbul in May?

Daytime highs average 21°C, nights drop to 13°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Istanbul in May?

Expect around 0 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Istanbul in May?

Comfortable casual wear with a light jacket for evenings.

Is May peak season in Istanbul?

This is typically peak season with higher prices. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Istanbul Weather in May