April in Istanbul features cool to comfortable afternoons with chilly nights and is somewhat drier than March.
Temperatures
Daytime high temperatures tend to be around 13-15 C (55-59 F) early in April, warming gradually to 17-19 C (63-66 F) late in the month.
A few of the warmer afternoons, especially later in the month, can reach up near 23C (73 F). The record high temperature in Istanbul during April is 29.6 °C (85.3 °F).
Late night and early morning lows will tend to be around 5-7 C (41-45 F) early in April, warming to 9-11 C (48-52 F) near the end of the month.
A few of the colder mornings, especially early in the month, can dip down around 4 C (39 F). The record low temperature in Istanbul during April is -1.4 °C (29.5 °F).
Sky and Rain
April tends to be a bit sunnier than March with about 16-17 sunny, or at least partly sunny days and about 13-14 mostly cloudy days. Some rain is likely, on average, on 6-8 days this month.
Windspeed
Wind speeds during this month will be mostly gentle at 12-19 kph (8-12 mph) but occasionally will be moderate at 20-28 kph (13-18 mph).
Ocean Temperatures
The beaches near Istanbul lie mostly along the shores of the Sea of Marmara and along the Bosphorus Strait.
The sea temperatures during April begin to warm slowly from about 9 C (48 F) early in April to near 13 C (55 F) by the end of the month.
What to Wear in Istanbul during April?
Spring does bring milder weather to Istanbul, so best to bring some lighter-weight tops and pants.
Also consider long-sleeve shirts, a light sweater, light or medium-weight jacket, plus for women, a head covering (for mosques).
Don’t forget to pack some comfortable walking shoes as well.
Things to Do in Istanbul in April
Since spring is finally here, it's an excellent time to consider taking one of our free Istanbul walking tours.
Perhaps the best part of visiting this month is that the Istanbul Tulip Festival takes place throughout April. You'll find tulip displays in several parks and public squares including the following:
- Sultanahmet Square
- Fethi Pasa Grove
- Gulhane Park
- Emirgan Park
- Camlica Hill
- Beykoz Park
- And more!
April is also the month of the Istanbul International Film Festival, where you can see some of the newest Turkish cinema before anyone else.
Music fans might want to consider attending the Show of Hands Festival, which celebrates improvisational musicians.
For more tips, make sure to read our post covering things to do in Istanbul.
Fred Pickhardt
Ocean Weather Services
