Turkey (Istanbul)

Turkey (Istanbul) – What you should know

Istanbul is the only metropolis in the world that lies on two continents — and the climate combines Mediterranean and continental influences in a characteristic way. Summer (June to September) is warm and predominantly dry, with temperatures typically of 26–29°C; the Bosphorus provides cooling sea breezes that make the heat in the city more bearable than in the interior. Winter, however, surprises many visitors: it rains frequently, and snow is quite possible in January and February.

The best travel time for Istanbul is May/June and September/October: temperatures between 18°C and 26°C, little rain, and the famous sights — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace — can be explored without high-summer crowds. In April the city literally blooms: the Istanbul Tulip Festival transforms parks and squares into a sea of colour, as the tulip historically originated in the Ottoman Empire.

A characteristic climate phenomenon is the Poyraz — a powerful north-easterly wind that sweeps from the Black Sea across the Bosphorus and particularly in winter pushes the perceived temperature well below the measured value. On Poyraz days, Istanbul can feel like minus five degrees with an air temperature of 5°C. In summer, the same wind brings welcome cooling and clear views of the skyline of both continents.