Istanbul in March
Changeable and still cool, though the Bosphorus ferries stop feeling like an endurance test and the first tour groups reappear.
Is March a good time to visit Istanbul?
March is a middling month in Istanbul — crowds around 52/100. Not the worst, but January is noticeably calmer.
What’s on in March
- Nevruz (21 March)
- Cruise calls resume at Galataport
Best days in March
Weekdays are almost always calmer than weekends.
Tue is normally the calmest day of the week.
Best hours in March
The daily rhythm, hour by hour.
The 9:00 AM window is usually the calmest of the day.
Weather in March
Typical highs, lows and wet days.
How March compares
Every month in Istanbul, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Istanbul.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Istanbul, from our booking partner.

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Frequently asked questions
Is March a good month to visit Istanbul?
March is a middling month in Istanbul — crowds around 52/100. Not the worst, but January is noticeably calmer.
How crowded is Istanbul in March?
Istanbul sits at roughly 52/100 in March on our crowd scale, which is 11 points below the yearly average. The quietest month is January.
What is the weather like in Istanbul in March?
Expect highs around 12°C and lows near 5°C in March, with about 10 wet days across the month.