Verdict: Good month
Istanbul Weather in December
December is mild-to-cool in Istanbul, topping out near 13°C (55°F) — comfortable with a layer on. Expect showers on roughly 12 days of the month — rarely trip-ruining, worth planning around. Overall, December is a solid month to visit Istanbul.
Average high
13°C / 55°F
Average low
7°C / 45°F
Rain days
~12
Precipitation
80 mm
What to pack for Istanbul in December
- Layers — t-shirts under a light jacket or sweater
- Rain gear is non-negotiable — expect rain on roughly 12 days
- Comfortable walking shoes — every guide on this site assumes you'll use them
December against the rest of the year
Warmest in Istanbul: Aug (30°C / 86°F) · Coolest: Jan (10°C / 50°F) · Wettest: Mar (~13 rain days)
10°
4°
Jan
11°
4°
Feb
12°
5°
Mar
17°
9°
Apr
21°
12°
May
26°
18°
Jun
29°
21°
Jul
30°
21°
Aug
26°
18°
Sep
21°
14°
Oct
16°
10°
Nov
13°
7°
Dec
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)