Early winter · Weather & things to do
Istanbul in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 3.2 in (82 mm) falling in Istanbul, alongside highs near 50°F (10°C) and lows of 42°F (6°C).
With a comfort score of 57/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 50°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 42°F (6°C)
- Rain
- 3.2 in (82 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 74%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 04 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 50°F (10°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights cool to an average low of 42°F (6°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.2 in (82 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 04 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 9.0 in (229 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 04 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 75/100 in November to 57/100.
- Our Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 50°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.2 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Istanbul in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, with six minarets and blue İznik tiles inside.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Sinan's hilltop masterpiece with Golden Horn views from the garden.
Bosphorus Ferry
Public ferry cruise up the strait past palaces and wooden mansions.
Karaköy Güllüoğlu
Baklava house run by the same family for generations.
Çiya Sofrası
Kadıköy restaurant reviving regional Anatolian dishes rarely found elsewhere.
Nearby in December
- Selçuk in December~228 mi · highs 57°F, 4.6 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Istanbul in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 57/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 50°F (10°C) and 3.2 in (82 mm) of rain. Our Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Istanbul in December?
Average highs are 50°F (10°C) and average lows 42°F (6°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in December?
Some: about 3.2 in (82 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 24.6 in (624 mm).
What should I pack for Istanbul in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 50°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.2 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Istanbul
Planning Istanbul in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.