What May feels like in Istanbul
Late spring arrives in Istanbul with May. The middle of the day is pleasantly mild. There is little difference between day and night: nights stay mild, and evenings feel much like the afternoon. The air is fairly humid, though at these temperatures it rarely feels oppressive.
Rain in Istanbul in May
Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 4. A rainy day brings about 6.1 mm (0.2 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. The yearly figure is similar, around 7 mm per wet day.
Daylight and sunshine in May
On 15 May the sun rises at about 5:47 am and sets around 8:13 pm local time, giving 14 h 27 min of daylight. Days are getting longer: 1 h 11 min more daylight than in mid-April. Measured sunshine covers about 84% of the daylight — skies are mostly clear.
How May compares to the rest of the year
In Istanbul's temperature order, May sits as the 5th warmest month. Against April, the average high is 4.9°C (8.8°F) higher, with 3 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into June. By June, typical highs are 25.9°C (78.6°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — good conditions for sitting outside.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting Istanbul in May
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Istanbul in May?
It feels mild: typical highs are 21°C (69.8°F), with lows near 13.5°C (56.3°F).
Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in May?
Only moderately: roughly 7 wet days and 43 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Istanbul in May?
Based on the averages: sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is May or June better for visiting Istanbul?
June scores better on our climate ranking (#3 of 12 vs #4), rated Great against Great. June is warmer.