May 17 is generally a great time to visit Istanbul. While there is a slight chance of rain (17%), showers are usually brief. Expect comfortable 22°C weather. You'll find plenty of company in Istanbul this month as tourism activity remains quite robust.
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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 May 17
"Mild & Comfortable. Expect average highs of 21.7°C. 17% chance of rain."
What to Wear in Istanbul in May
Based on historical data for May 17, Istanbul typically experiences temperatures between 13.8°C and 21.7°C. We recommend packing light jacket, long pants to stay comfortable. Trends suggest it will stay mostly dry (17% rain probability), but checking the forecast before heading out is always wise.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Istanbul
Smart Suitcase
- Light Jacket
- Long Pants
Average High
21.7°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
13.8°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
22°C
☀️ Feels accurate
Rain Chance
17%
Avg 0.6mm if it rains
Cloud Cover
47%
Overcast
Pressure
1014.2 hPa
Medium volatility
Istanbul Weather Conditions & UV Index
Weather Confidence
30-year variance analysis
Based on 10 years of data
✓ Weather is generally predictable, but pack for minor variations. A light backup layer is recommended.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 30 recommended
05:00 - 10:00
16:00 - 20:00
Type I-II
🔴 14 min to burn
Type III-IV
🟡 21 min to burn
Type V-VI
🟢 35 min to burn
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
16.9°C
Noticeable
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
Busy
60/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Required
2 vaccines • View Details →
Landing Slots
~761
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Istanbul
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
05:46
☀️ Noon
13:01
🌇 Sunset
20:17
⏱️ Daylight
14h 31m
Wind Speed
17.6 km/h
Gentle breeze
Sunshine
11.8 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
74%
Humid / Damp
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Istanbul
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
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Add your home location in settings to see airport details.
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 May 17 averages 21.7°C with a 17% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 98/100."
— 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
May 10
19.3°C • 15% rain
Score
100
May 11
19.6°C • 15% rain
Score
100
May 12
20.2°C • 11% rain
Score
100
💡 Moving your event by a few days could significantly improve weather conditions
Compare Other Cities
Same date (May 17) in other destinations
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📍 Is Istanbul Worth Visiting on May 17?
Planning a trip to Istanbul on May 17? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year is characterized by pleasant mild weather averaging 21.7°C with a 17% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 761 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 15°C (polar plunge). Wave conditions are generally lake-like with heights around 0.27m.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest May 17 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 30.8°C in 2020, while the coldest dropped to 11.6°C in 2024.