Istanbul in May
Beautiful, but busier
The short answer
May is one of the best months to visit Istanbul.
Rooftop weather without August heat.
8/10 overall13–22°CHigh crowds$$$ (High)
Weather8/10
Crowds5/10
Prices5/10
Events6/10
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 13–22°C
- Warm and dry, long comfortable evenings
- Crowds
- High
- Crowds and prices have risen steadily since March
- Prices
- $$$ (High)
- High-season rates arrive before summer does
+Warm, dry and one of the most pleasant months to be outside all day.
–Noticeably busier and pricier than March.
My tip for May
Book Old City sights for early morning; the queues build by mid-morning in May.
- Rooftops
- Bosphorus
- Old City
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
3rd of 12 overall in Istanbul, 2nd for weather, 9th for space, 9th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for IstanbulNot set on May?
Even stronger months in Istanbul
Ready to book May in Istanbul?
Warm, dry and one of the most pleasant months to be outside all day.
Find hotels in IstanbulAffiliate link