Istanbul Weather in November 2026: Temps, Rain, What to Wear

Istanbul in November: The Short Answer

November is Istanbul's transition from autumn to winter. Expect days of about 15°C (closer to 17°C in the first week and 13°C in the last), nights around 9°C, and rain on roughly 11 to 13 days of the month, usually as showers rather than all-day downpours. The sea cools from about 16°C to 14°C, so swimming is over. Days are short: the sun sets around 6 pm on 1 November and about 5:40 pm by the 30th.

It is a good month for museums, food, the Bosphorus by ferry and quieter streets, as long as you pack a proper jacket and keep a flexible plan. 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 the days of your trip and the averages below for planning.

November in Numbers

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

Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year, so there is no clock change in late October or November. That is why mornings stay dark until after 7:30 while sunsets come earlier every week.

How the Month Changes, Week by Week

The first week often still feels like late October, with mild sunny spells and comfortable afternoons on the Bosphorus shore. This is the best window in November for the Princes' Islands, Emirgan and Bebek walks, or a ferry ride up the Bosphorus.

From mid-month the pattern shifts. Northerly winds, which Istanbul calls poyraz, bring sharper evenings, and rain arrives in longer spells. The last ten days feel like early winter: grey mornings, highs in the low teens and a chill by the water that makes the thermometer feel two or three degrees lower than it reads.

Two winds are worth knowing. Poyraz, from the north-east, is cold and dry and clears the sky. Lodos, from the south-west, is mild but gusty, raises waves on the Marmara and can delay or cancel some ferry crossings for a few hours. If you have an island trip planned, check the forecast the evening before.

Comparing November With October and December

If you can choose, October is the gentler month; our October weather guide covers it in detail. December is colder and wetter but has the New Year atmosphere, covered in the December weather guide. November sits between them: calmer than autumn's busy weeks and before the New Year rush.

What to Wear in November

Think in layers and plan for wet pavements.

• Base: long-sleeved tops or light knitwear for the day.
• Mid layer: a fleece, cardigan or sweater for evenings and windy ferry decks.
• Outer layer: a water-resistant jacket or light coat. By the last week a warmer coat is worth it, especially if you are out after dark.
• Shoes: closed, comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Istanbul's hills, stairs and old stone streets get slippery after rain.
• Extras: a compact umbrella, a scarf, and for children a hat and gloves for evening outings.

Visitors arriving from the Gulf, where November afternoons are still around 30°C, often underestimate the evening chill by the water. Pack one warmer piece than you think you need.

Things to Do on Dry Days

Use the mornings. With sunset before 6 pm, a day that starts at 10:30 loses its best light. A practical order:

1. Sultanahmet early: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome before the tour groups arrive, then Topkapı Palace. Check current winter opening hours, which are usually shorter than in summer.
2. A ferry instead of a tour boat: the public ferries between Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Üsküdar and Kadıköy cost a fraction of a cruise and still give you the Bosphorus views. Sit inside on cold days.
3. Bosphorus walks: Ortaköy to Bebek, or Üsküdar to Kuzguncuk on the Asian side, are pleasant in cool, clear weather.
4. Viewpoints at golden hour: Pierre Loti Hill above the Golden Horn or Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side, timed for about an hour before sunset.

Things to Do on Rainy Days

November rain rarely stops a trip if you keep an indoor list ready:

• Museums: Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and the Basilica Cistern are all close to each other in the old city. The Rahmi M. Koç Museum on the Golden Horn is a good choice for families with children who like trains, cars and ships.
• Covered markets: the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays) and the Spice Bazaar.
• A historic hammam: Çemberlitaş, Cağaloğlu or Kılıç Ali Paşa. A hot hammam on a cold wet afternoon is one of the best things to do in the city in this season.
• Malls: İstinye Park, Zorlu Center and Emaar Square Mall have restaurants, cinemas and children's areas under one roof.

Seasonal Food and Drink

November is when Istanbul's winter street food appears. Roasted chestnut carts return to İstiklal Avenue and Eminönü, and two old winter drinks come back: salep, a hot milky drink thickened with orchid-root flour, and boza, a thick fermented millet drink served with cinnamon and roasted chickpeas. The Vefa Bozacısı shop near the Süleymaniye Mosque has served boza since 1876.

Black Sea fish dominates the menus: bonito (palamut) in autumn, and anchovy (hamsi) as the weather turns colder. Fish is halal by nature, which makes a fish restaurant an easy choice for Muslim visitors. Our Istanbul halal food guide lists where to eat.

Dates to Know in November

• 10 November: the anniversary of Atatürk's death. At 9:05 am sirens sound and the country observes a minute of silence; traffic and pedestrians stop briefly. Expect commemorations, particularly around Dolmabahçe Palace, where he died.
• Istanbul Marathon: usually held on a Sunday in early November, with a course that crosses the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge from Asia to Europe. Several main roads close in the morning, so check the official date and plan airport transfers around it.

November has no major public holiday, and outside conferences and events it is generally a quieter, cheaper month for hotels and flights than summer or the New Year weeks.

Getting Around and Day Trips

Wet weather and short days make the airport run worth planning. Istanbul Airport is roughly 40-50 km from the old city and Sabiha Gökçen about the same on the Asian side, and the evening rush between about 5 and 8 pm is slow in rain. A pre-booked airport transfer means a driver waiting at arrivals with room for luggage and child seats.

For day trips, a rental car gives you more flexibility than in the city itself, where traffic and parking are hard work. Good November options:

• Sapanca and Maşukiye, about two hours east, for lake views, forest and the last autumn colours in early November. See the Sapanca and Maşukiye guide.
• Yalova's thermal springs, where a hot mineral pool is especially welcome in cool weather. See the Yalova thermal guide.
• Bursa, the old Ottoman capital, about two and a half to three hours by road. Uludağ above it usually only opens for skiing from mid-December, depending on snow.

Compare options on our Istanbul car rental page. If you drive out of the city late in the month, ask the rental company about winter tyres: they grip much better once temperatures drop below about 7°C, and Turkey's winter-tyre rules for commercial and passenger-carrying vehicles start on 15 November.

Common November Mistakes

• Packing for the daytime number only. 15°C in the sun feels very different from 9°C on a windy ferry deck at 7 pm.
• Starting late. With early sunsets, the best outdoor hours are 9 am to 3 pm.
• Booking the islands for the last week without a backup. Lodos winds can disrupt crossings; keep a flexible day.
• Cancelling because of a forecast shower. Most November rain comes in spells. Swap an outdoor plan for an indoor one instead.

FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Istanbul?

Yes, if you prefer quiet streets, museums and food to beach weather. It is cooler and wetter than October, but rarely severe.

How cold is Istanbul in November?

Typical highs are 15-16°C and lows 8-10°C, falling through the month. Wind by the water can make it feel colder.

Does it snow in Istanbul in November?

Snow in the city in November is very unlikely. The snow months are usually January and February.

Can you swim in November?

Not comfortably. The sea is about 14-16°C, so heated hotel pools and hammams are the realistic options.

What time does it get dark?

Around 6 pm at the start of the month and about 5:40 pm by the end.

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 October
• Istanbul weather in December
• Istanbul weather month by month
• Uludağ ski season guide

Sources

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

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