Istanbul, where East meets West
Istanbul, one of the most amazing cities in the world. It's a buzzing city and a mix of European and Asian, like a summer day in Madrid with a touch of Bangkok.
March in Istanbul brings low temperatures around 12°C (54°F) during the day, dropping to 7°C (45°F) at night, with quite a bit of rainfall expected, averaging around 76 mm (3 in) for the month.
If you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures, May, June, July, August, September and October typically offer the best circumstances. If you're seeking pleasant, dry and sunny weather somewhere else in the world, our weather planner can help you explore other options.
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Istanbul - and find the best time to visit.
50-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Istanbul typically rise from around 11°C (52°F) at the start of March to approximately 14°C (57°F) by the end. Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 4°C (39°F) to 8°C (46°F).
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Browse day-by-day weather records for Istanbul spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Our historical data for Istanbul spans 1980 to 2026, revealing these weather extremes.
Find out more about the weather in Turkey and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Turkey in March →
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).
The weather can swing between comfortable and chilly in March, so flexibility is key. Pack a variety of tops, at least one warm layer, and both shorts and long pants. This gives you options no matter what the day brings. Wet weather is likely, so pack waterproof gear for multiple rainy days. With water temperatures around 8°C (46°F), the water is quite cold for swimming. You can skip the swimwear unless you're particularly tough. Bring sunglasses since you'll have some sunny periods throughout the month
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Water Temp
See the full Istanbul climate overview or explore weather in Turkey.
Where to go in March - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
Istanbul, where East meets West
Istanbul, one of the most amazing cities in the world. It's a buzzing city and a mix of European and Asian, like a summer day in Madrid with a touch of Bangkok.
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