Istanbul Weather in February 2027: Temps, Snow, Ramadan

Istanbul in February: The Short Answer

February is still winter in Istanbul. Days average about 9-10°C, nights 3-4°C, and rain falls on roughly 12 to 15 days, a little less often than in January. Snow is possible, and some of the city's heaviest snowfalls have come in February, but in most years it is limited to a few days. The sea is at its coldest, about 8-9°C. Days lengthen quickly: sunset moves from about 6:20 pm on 1 February to 6:53 pm on the 28th.

In 2027, February also brings the start of Ramadan, expected around 8 February (the exact date depends on the moon sighting). That changes the rhythm of the city in a way many visitors from the Gulf will enjoy: quiet days, then busy, festive evenings around the mosques. The live seven-day forecast at the top of this page comes from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway) and refreshes every two hours; use it for your travel days and the averages below for planning.

February in Numbers

These are long-term averages for the city, rounded and shown as ranges because Istanbul's weather stations differ: the Black Sea end of the Bosphorus is colder and windier than the Marmara shore.

Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year. Across February the evening gains more than half an hour of light, which makes the second half of the month noticeably easier for sightseeing.

How February Weather Behaves

February alternates between two patterns. Northerly winds (poyraz) bring cold, bright days and, when the air is cold enough, snow showers off the Black Sea. South-westerly winds (lodos) bring mild, grey and sometimes stormy days, with gusts strong enough to delay or cancel some ferry crossings for a few hours.

Snow in the city tends to come in short, intense episodes. The northern districts and hills get more than the old city and the Marmara shore, and snow rarely lies for long in Sultanahmet. On the days it does fall heavily, traffic slows sharply and some flights and ferries are affected, so keep a buffer before an international flight.

Comparing February With January and March

January is slightly colder and wetter; see the January weather guide. March is milder and, in 2027, includes the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr; see the March weather guide.

Ramadan 2027 in Istanbul

Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February and end around 9 March, with Eid al-Fitr expected on about 9 or 10 March. These dates are astronomical estimates; the exact start depends on the moon sighting and the announcement by Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), which may differ by a day from Gulf countries.

What the city is like during Ramadan:

• Daytime is normal for visitors. Restaurants, cafés, museums and shops stay open, and nobody expects non-fasting visitors to hide food. Some traditional restaurants in conservative districts close at lunchtime or open only for iftar.
• Iftar is the event of the day. In February 2027, iftar falls at sunset, roughly 6:30 pm early in the month and close to 6:55 pm by the end of February. Restaurants fill up an hour beforehand, and many offer a fixed iftar menu; book for weekends.
• Sultanahmet and Eyüp come alive in the evening. The squares around the Blue Mosque and Eyüp Sultan Mosque often host Ramadan stalls, food and cultural events, and many people break the fast together outdoors when the weather allows. Municipal iftar tents and public iftar tables have been set up in various districts in past years; check local announcements.
• Mahya lights. Illuminated messages strung between the minarets of the great mosques, a tradition unique to Ottoman cities, are one of the most beautiful sights of Ramadan nights.
• Ramadan pide. Bakeries sell the round, sesame-topped Ramadan bread only during this month, and queues form before iftar.
• Suhoor and the drummer. In many neighbourhoods a drummer still walks the streets before dawn to wake people for suhoor; the fast in February 2027 lasts roughly 12 hours.

Traffic is heaviest in the hour before iftar, as everyone heads home or to a restaurant. Avoid booking an airport run between about 5 and 7 pm, or allow extra time.

What to Wear in February

• A warm, water-resistant coat with a hood, or a coat plus a compact umbrella.
• Layers: long-sleeved base layers and a sweater or fleece for heated interiors.
• Waterproof shoes with grip for wet stone streets and occasional slush.
• Hat, scarf and gloves, especially for evenings out after iftar and for ferry rides.
• Modest clothing for mosques: women need a headscarf inside mosques; shoulders and knees should be covered for everyone. Mosques are especially busy at the evening and tarawih prayers in Ramadan.

Things to Do in February

Dry days: Sultanahmet, Topkapı Palace (check winter hours), a public ferry across the Bosphorus, Süleymaniye and the Golden Horn. Start early: the best light is between about 9:30 am and 4 pm.

Rainy days: Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays) and the Spice Bazaar, a historic hammam, and the big malls. See the Turkey museums guide for more.

Food: salep and boza are still in season, and anchovy (hamsi) is on many menus. For halal restaurants and iftar options, see the Istanbul halal food guide.

Snow Trips: Uludağ, Kartepe and Sapanca

February is, with January, the most reliable month for snow on the mountains. Uludağ, about three hours from Istanbul above Bursa, is the country's best-known ski resort; our Uludağ ski guide covers runs, lift passes and the route. Kartepe, above Sapanca, is closer, and the lake and forests of Sapanca and Maşukiye make a quiet winter break; see the Sapanca and Maşukiye guide.

If you drive, rent a car with winter tyres from our Istanbul car rental page and ask for chains: Turkey's winter-tyre rules for commercial and passenger-carrying vehicles run from 15 November to 15 April, and chains can be required on the Uludağ road on heavy-snow days. If you would rather not drive on snow, a pre-booked transfer with an experienced driver is the simpler choice, and it also helps on the airport run in bad weather.

Common February Mistakes

• Assuming spring has started. Late-February warm spells are often followed by cold and snow.
• Leaving iftar bookings late. Popular restaurants fill up during Ramadan, especially at weekends.
• Travelling across the city just before iftar. Traffic is at its worst then.
• No buffer before a flight on a snowy week. Leave a spare half-day.

FAQ

Is February a good time to visit Istanbul?

Yes, if you like quiet sights, lower prices and winter atmosphere, and in 2027 for the first weeks of Ramadan. It is still cold and often wet.

How cold is Istanbul in February?

Average highs are about 9-10°C and lows 3-4°C. Cold spells can bring frost and snow.

When does Ramadan start in 2027?

It is expected to start around 8 February 2027 and last until around 9 March, depending on the moon sighting.

Are restaurants open during Ramadan in Istanbul?

Yes. Most restaurants and cafés stay open during the day, and many offer special iftar menus in the evening.

Does it snow in Istanbul in February?

It can, and some of the heaviest snowfalls have come in February, but most years see only a few snowy days in the city.

How accurate is the forecast on this page?

It is an automatic model forecast from MET Norway, refreshed every two hours. The first two or three days are the most reliable; for official warnings, check the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM).

Related Articles

• Istanbul weather in January
• Istanbul weather in March
• Istanbul weather month by month
• Halal tourism in Turkey

Sources

• Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM): provincial statistics
• Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway)
• Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet): prayer times
• Go Türkiye official tourism portal
• Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure: winter tyres

Istanbul weather by month: October · November · December · January · February · March