Even though January is the off-season, the city is still beautiful! Even when it’s raining. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what the weather is like in Istanbul in January, as well as what you can do while you are there. We’ll give you detailed information on the temperature, what to expect weather-wise, what to pack, and so much more.
Istanbul is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This beautiful city is famous for many things, like the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Dolmabahçe Palace.
The city of Istanbul is possible to visit year-round, so long as you pack appropriately for the strong winds and low temperatures.
Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!
What Istanbul Weather Looks Like In January
If you’re a winter or cold-weather person, then January is a good time to visit Istanbul. If you hate the cold, this is not the ideal month for you; you should consider going when the sunny days return.
This is because the weather will be roughly 6 to 9°C Celsius at its highest and around 3°C Celsius at its lowest, making January the coldest month of the year to visit Istanbul.
Since the temperature is positively freezing, ensure you’re always bundled up properly with warm clothes and footwear! Still, even though Istanbul is cold at the beginning of the year, it’s definitely not one of the coldest places to live.
What Kind Of Climate Should You Expect In January In Istanbul?
Rain
Cold weather varies from one place to another, since every country has its own climate. If you plan to visit Istanbul in January, be prepared to get a little wet, as the chance of rain is high. January is typically the wettest month of the year, with about two weeks of nonstop rain and cold winds.
It also goes without saying that it’ll be pretty cloudy over there, so make sure you’re prepared for only a few hours of sunlight daily.
Snow
Additionally, snow is possible in Istanbul in January, though it isn’t guaranteed. While the snowfall won’t be as heavy as in the North American winter months, this city does experience a fair amount of snow in December and at the beginning of January.
Therefore, make sure you take warm, waterproof clothing with you. There’s nothing worse than trying to see the sights of the city only to be completely drenched and soaked to the skin.
Still, if doing stuff outdoors is not your cup of tea, don’t worry, because there are a lot of fantastic indoor museums and palaces to explore.
Statistics And Averages For January Weather In Istanbul
If our colorful descriptions haven’t been invaluable so far, then maybe these statistics will give you a clearer idea of what the weather looks like in January in Istanbul.
Let’s take a closer look at January temperatures:
Average January Temperature In Istanbul
- Average overall temperature: 6 to 7.2°C or 43-46°F
- Average high temperature during the day: roughly 8°C or 46°F
- Average low daytime temperatures: 4°C or 39°F
- The average temperature during the night is 6.6°C or 44°F
Average Rain In January
Istanbul gets roughly 70–100 mm of rain in January, typically spread over about 8–14 days.
Average Amount Of Sun In January
If you need sunlight to have a good day, Istanbul in January might not be the best place for you because it gets only about 3-4 hours of sunshine per day.
Average Amount Of Snow In January
Istanbul gets around 3 or 4 days of snow in January, with levels reaching only around 24mm. Snow is usually sporadic in winter, and January is often one of the snowier months.
What To Pack For Istanbul In January
So, what do you need to pack for Istanbul in January? Istanbul can be pretty chilly and sometimes snowy in January, so it’s key to pack items that can handle a range of winter weather conditions.
Here are 7 things that we recommend you pack:
- Cold Winter Coat: A sturdy and warm winter coat is a must to tackle the cold and potentially wet weather
- Accessories: include gloves, a warm hat, and a scarf to keep you snug
- Footwear: opt for boots, ideally ones that are comfortable for walking and can handle potential wet or snowy conditions. Rubber boots would be your best bet.
- Clothing Layers: consider packing warm sweaters, jeans, and optional, ly leggings for additional warmth
- Travel Umbrella: to avoid being trapped indoors, packing an umbrella is a good idea to keep that pesky rain off you
- Smart attire is advisable if you’re planning to visit any upscale venues.
- Additional Considerations: Depending on your tolerance to cold, you might also consider packing thermal underwear
Brands We Use And Trust
Things To Do In Istanbul In January
Since the weather in January isn’t ideal for outdoor activities or walking tours, here are some things you can do indoors.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
One of Istanbul’s major tourist attractions is the Hagia Sophia Mosque (formerly a museum). This Mosque is one of Turkey’s most notable places to visit and has stood the test of time through renovations, historical events, and even war. UNESCO has also designated it as a World Heritage site.
This place is both a mosque and a cultural site.
As of January 15th, 2024, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has introduced a distinct policy for tourists and worshippers. If you’re visiting for cultural exploration, there’s now a 25 euro entry fee. This ticket grants you access to the gallery floor, where you can admire the sanctuary’s stunning Ottoman and Byzantine features, including the historic mosaics.
This new policy is all about balancing the preservation of this iconic site and enhancing the visitor experience, while ensuring that daily worship remains undisturbed.
Handy QR codes offer insights in 23 languages, making your visit both informative and enjoyable. For the latest updates and details, it’s a good idea to check out their official website.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is another excellent place to visit because it doesn’t involve going outside! This cistern is located below the city and is only a short walk away from the Hagia Sophia Mosque. It was built in the 6th century and has two columns carved with Medusa’s faces.
Galata Tower
Another popular must-visit is the Galata Tower. This tower is widely known for being an exhibition space in modern-day Turkey. However, historically, this tower was built as a watchtower. It has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history.
Drink Turkish Coffee – Or Tea
In Istanbul, Turkish coffee is traditionally enjoyed sweet and very strong, made by finely grinding fresh Arabica beans; you’ll find coffee houses all over the city.
If coffee isn’t for you, then consider a cup of tea (çay). Tea in Turkey holds a significant place in Turkish daily life, being consumed 4 to 8 times a day by a large portion of the population, often served hot in tulip-shaped glasses. Tea comes in many flavor options, such as apple, so even kids will enjoy it.
Visit A Turkish Bath
Visiting a Turkish Bath, or “Hamam,” in Istanbul offers a cultural and relaxing experience, where you can enjoy a public steam bath that originated in Ottoman culture.
A traditional Turkish bath encompasses several rooms with varying temperatures, including an undressing room, a cold room, a warm room, and a hot room, guiding the visitor through a progressive, purifying journey. You might initially find the experience daunting due to unfamiliar customs, but following these guidelines will ensure a genuinely enjoyable and immersive experience.
Where To Stay In Istanbul In January
When it comes to finding a place to stay in Istanbul, there are many excellent options. In this section, we’ll look at a list of places to stay and areas worth checking out.
Here is a list of hotels that we approvingly suggest checking out for travel in January!
The Four Seasons At The Bosphorus
The Four Seasons is situated along the Bosphorus, making it the perfect place to wake up during those gloomy January mornings in Istanbul! This hotel is widely known for its beautifully furnished rooms and Turkish architecture. If you’re a history buff, you’d be interested to know that the building that this hotel is in is actually a 19th-century Ottoman Empire palace that was carefully restored!
The hotel offers visitors a variety of suites to choose from, a Bosphorus Strait tour, and a guided tour of European and Asian cuisine. It’s worth noting that The Four Seasons is a luxury hotel option, but if you’re in the mood to spend a little extra, you won’t be disappointed!
.Sultanahmet Palace
.Basilissis Hotel
Aside from this hotel’s fantastic location, you will eat a ton of delicious food and have an extremely comfortable stay. Overall, it’s a must-visit!
.Here Are Some Areas Worth Checking Out:
Best Area For Sightseeing
The best area to go sightseeing in January is Sultanahmet. This area was also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, thanks to its numerous ancient and architectural sites.
As we said before, if you’re a history buff or someone interested in visiting a bunch of beautifully preserved buildings, then this area is definitely worth it. You can see the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and, best of all, the Grand Bazaar. You’ll be able to find a wide variety of hotels and Airbnbs in the area, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops.
Best Area For Nightlife
The best area to visit if you enjoy a good night out is Taksim. This area is littered with sars and nightclubs across a wide vrangeof price rpoints
While there isn’t necessarily a specific nightlife district in Istanbul, we love Taksim because it’s a great area to bar-hop without losing your friend group! Since January is chilly and rainy, you might not want to spend too much time walking around outside trying to find a great bar. Therefore, you should head to Taksim and Istiklal Street.
Best Area For Beautiful Views
A trip to Turkey isn’t complete without great views of the city. If you want to make your Instagram followers jealous, we urge you to check out Galata and Karaköy.
In Karaköy, you’ll get a fantastic view of the Golden Horn waterway and the Bosphorus Strait. In Galata, you can get a panoramic view of the city from various rooftop bars and restaurants.
Best Area For Food
Aside from historical monuments and sightseeing, Istanbul is widely known for its food! Kabataş is the best area to visit if you’re a foodie.
This area caters to anyone with any amount of money to spend. From tiny street food stalls to upmarket, fine-dining restaurants, you definitely won’t go hungry here. Some restaurants that we know you’ll love visiting include Tarihi Karadeniz Pide ve Döner Salonu, Afiyet Lokantası, and Hayri Usta.
Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
Finally, Is It Worth Visiting Istanbul In January
The short answer is a resounding yes!
While the weather is cold and can be wet, the upside is that fewer tourists are about because it is off-season. This means that popular tourist spots won’t be very crowded, and hotels and other accommodations will be significantly cheaper than during peak season.
Additionally, public transportation is easy to find, and you can use buses, cabs, and trains in the area. As we mentioned before, traveling to Turkey after the Christmas holiday rush is an excellent idea because flights are much more affordable, especially if you book well ahead of time!
Having said that, if you’re a traveler on a strict budget or coming from a faraway country, we recommend visiting Istanbul when the weather is much nicer, as you will enjoy it more.
This is because you need a slightly bigger budget to afford more comfortable means of transportation, like private cabs. Additionally, if you’re a student traveler or someone coming from far away for a very short trip, you don’t want to spend most of your time sitting in your Airbnb or hotel waiting for the rain to stop.
Walking around a city on rainy days with damp clothing is no one’s idea of fun (unless it’s yours, of course), so we recommend visiting Istanbul with a rain jacket and a good travel umbrella.
Final verdict: if you’ve got the budget for it and enough days to spare on a trip in cold, rainy weather, then we recommend visiting Istanbul in January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there snow in Istanbul in January?
Yes, there are minor amounts of snow in January. It typically snows for about three or four days in total in January in Istanbul.
Is Istanbul sunny in January?
Unfortunately, it is. The weather is generally quite cold and gloomy in January, with an average of 3 hours of sunlight per day.
Wrap Up On Going To Istanbul This January
Istanbul is a great place to visit, and we think it should be on many travelers’ bucket lists. This city has a lot to experience: so many places to see, great food, and weather that varies by season.
While some might argue that January’s weather is nothing to write home about, we’d say that the city’s beauty is enough to counter the grey, gloomy skies! Even if you don’t visit Istanbul at this time of year, make sure you see it at some point in your life.
I have a winter coat that I use in Australia, will that be warm enuf
When I moved to Europe from Australia my winter coat there was not warm enough for a winter in Zadar, and Istanbul gets ICY COLD then, so maybe not depending on how thick it is.