Weather in Istanbul in March

How March compares

March is the 9th warmest month of the year in Istanbul and ranks 127th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within Turkey it is 18th of 18 (Turkey in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Istanbul is 0.5°C warmer by day and 2.3°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Istanbul peaks at 11.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 15.8°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 5.6°C; one night in ten drops to 1.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 22.1°C (2001-03-26) and the coldest night -4.0°C (1993-03-09).

Rain in March

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 72 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 1998 with 135 mm, the driest 1991 with 29 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 7.8°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 6.7°C to 8.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:16 and sets about 19:10 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 59%.

Is March a good time to visit Istanbul?

March 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.

Expect coat weather, not a head start on summer

Istanbul in March is only 0.5°C warmer by day than London, so the journey does not buy you much extra warmth. A coat, jumper and layers you can adjust are more useful than a suitcase built around light spring clothes. The warmer days reach around 16°C or more, which can make outdoor time comfortable, but that is not the everyday expectation. At the colder end, nights can fall to around 2°C or below. Keep a warm layer for evenings rather than assuming daytime clothing will be enough after dark. March suits travellers who prefer walking in cool conditions and can accept a chilly start or finish to the day.

Keep outdoor plans flexible and leave swimming out

Rain is a practical drawback rather than a reason to rule March out. With about 10 rainy days, waterproof footwear and a rainproof outer layer will earn their place in your bag. Avoid making every day depend on long uninterrupted stretches outdoors; leave room to switch plans when it turns wet. There is about 4.8 hours of sunshine within 11.7 hours of daylight, so daylight gives you more scope for exploring than the sunshine figure alone might suggest. The sea averages around 8°C and is firmly cold, not inviting for a casual holiday swim. This is a month for flexible city days, not a beach-led trip.