Istanbul weather in January (Marmara Region, Turkey)
Looking to travel to Istanbul in January? Here's what the weather might have in store during this month.
In January, Istanbul typically experiences low temperatures and moderate rainfall. January falls within the winter season. Throughout the daytime, temperatures often hover around 10°C. However, as the sun sets and evening approaches, there's a noticeable cool-down, with temperatures gently dropping to a more temperate 5°C. This month often claims the chilliest averages of the year.
Istanbul in January usually receives moderate rainfall, averaging around 89 mm for the month. Delving into the climate records from the past 30 years, one can predict that nearly 18 days of the month will see rainfall.
The city usually sees around 68 hours of sunlight, indicating fewer sunny days.
If you're looking for dry conditions and comfortable temperatures, January may not be the ideal month to visit Istanbul. May, June, July, August, September and October generally stand out with the best circumstances. While January, February and December tend to showcase less optimal conditions.
For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Istanbul climate page with graphs.
Istanbul, monthly averages in January
Min Temperature
5°C
Max Temperature
10°C
Water Temperature
9°C
Chance of Rain
60%
Precipitation
89 mm
Rainy days
18 days
Sunshine
68 hours
Percentage Sunshine
22%
Where to go in Turkey in January
Find out more about the weather in Turkey in January and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
So, what should you wear in Istanbul in January?
Wear a base layer in cold weather; this is the #1 thing you can do to increase your overall body temperature. With a water temperature of around 9°C there is no need to bring your swimwear.What To Do
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do in January.
Interested in more climate information?
Weather and Climate provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Istanbul.
Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to Turkey? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in Turkey. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
