Why May scores 9.3What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.8
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (22°C highs / 13°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 12.5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~30 mm rain)
- Air quality8.1
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~18 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| May | Jun | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.3 Excellent | 9.3 Excellent |
| Season | 🌷 Spring | ☀️ Summer |
| High / low | 22° / 13° | 27° / 18° |
| Rain | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 13° | dew pt 17° |
| PM2.5 | 18 µg/m³ | 14 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Istanbul Florya weather-station normals. Rainfall: Florya, Istanbul weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Eid al-Adha 15–19 May · 5 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Labour and Solidarity Day (1 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Istanbul
- Snowy daysTypical datesSnow likely Dec–Feb (most in Feb: ~4 days)
Average number of days with snowfall at Istanbul Florya.
Source: Istanbul Florya weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)
Explore IstanbulEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyTurkey's largest city, spanning Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, bazaars and a famous food scene.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Istanbul Music FestivalDate variesUsually June
A long-running festival of classical music.
Why go: Some concerts take place in historic buildings.
Where: Concert halls and historic venues
Republic DayEvery year29 October every year
Marks the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923, with flags, ceremonies and fireworks.
Why go: A public holiday; some offices close.
Where: Citywide
Istanbul MarathonDate variesUsually early November
A marathon whose course crosses from Asia to Europe over the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.
Why go: Bridge and road closures affect traffic on race day.
Where: Starts on the Asian side and crosses the Bosphorus
Hagia Sophia
A 6th-century Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque, museum and again a mosque, with a vast dome.
💡 Dress modestly; women need to cover their hair. Visiting is restricted during prayer times.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
An early 17th-century mosque with six minarets and blue Iznik tiles inside.
Topkapı Palace
The main residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries, with courtyards, treasury and the harem.
💡 Allow at least half a day.
Basilica Cistern
A huge underground Byzantine water reservoir with columns and Medusa-head bases.
Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
Historic covered markets selling carpets, ceramics, jewellery, spices and sweets.
💡 Bargaining is expected in many shops.
Bosphorus cruise
Boat trips along the strait between Europe and Asia, passing palaces, mansions and fortresses.
💡 Public ferries are a cheap alternative to tour boats.
Balık ekmek
Grilled fish sandwiches.
💡 Eminönü waterfront near the Galata Bridge
Simit
Sesame-crusted bread rings sold from street carts.
Meze and rakı
Small cold and hot dishes shared with aniseed spirit.
💡 Meyhanes (taverns) in Beyoğlu and Kumkapı
Baklava
Layered filo pastry with pistachios and syrup.
💡 Karaköy and traditional pastry shops
Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı)
A spread of cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, jams and bread with tea.
Turkish delight (lokum)
Soft gel sweets in flavours such as rose and pistachio.
💡 Spice Bazaar and confectioners
Iznik-style ceramics
Hand-painted plates and tiles in Ottoman patterns.
💡 Grand Bazaar and ceramic shops
Kilims and carpets
Hand-woven rugs from across Turkey.
💡 Specialist carpet dealers
Turkish coffee and tea
Finely ground coffee and black tea with traditional pots and glasses.