Weather in Istanbul in February

How February compares

February is the 11th warmest month of the year in Istanbul and ranks 124th of 134 destinations we compare for February - see where else is hot in February. Within Turkey it is 18th of 18 (Turkey in February). Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, Istanbul is 0.9°C warmer by day and 2.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in February

The typical February day in Istanbul peaks at 8.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 13.7°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 4.1°C; one night in ten drops to 0.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 18.8°C (2004-02-27) and the coldest night -6.8°C (2008-02-19).

Rain in February

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 71 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 2003 with 138 mm, the driest 2014 with 13 mm. Humidity averages 78%.

Sea temperature in February

The sea averages 7.3°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 6.3°C to 8.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:00 and sets about 18:37 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 64%.

Is February a good time to visit Istanbul?

February is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Istanbul on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Only slightly warmer than London

Istanbul's average daytime high is just 0.9°C above London's in February, so warmth is not a strong reason to make the trip. Pack a warm coat, layers and something to cover your hands for evenings. There can be milder spells: the warmest 10% of days reach 14°C or more, which could make time outdoors more comfortable. The catch is that the coldest 10% of nights fall to around 0°C or below. Treat any mild afternoon as a bonus rather than the basis of your packing. This month suits travellers who are comfortable exploring in winter clothes and keeping evening plans flexible.

Plan around rain and limited sunshine

Rain is a practical consideration rather than a reason to rule February out. About 11 rainy days means you should leave room to move outdoor plans around, without assuming the whole trip will be wet. A waterproof outer layer and shoes that cope with wet pavements are more useful than packing only for dry cold. There are about 3.7 hours of sunshine within 10.4 hours of daylight, so daylight does not necessarily mean clear skies. Use brighter spells for longer walks and keep indoor options for damp periods. February works best if you can adapt each day rather than depend on a fixed outdoor schedule.