Autumn is the season many travellers choose for Istanbul: September keeps the mildness of summer without the peak heat, October is one of the best months for walking, and November brings back rain and calm. This guide details what the season offers, month by month, with the places and events that change in autumn. To compare all the seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Istanbul. ## Weather, month by month  - **September**: still mild, with warm days and pleasant evenings. The summer crowds thin out as the month goes on, but remain at the big monuments. - **October**: moderate temperatures, golden light, the first rainy days. It is the ideal month for long walks and parks. - **November**: cooler, damper and often grey, with more frequent rainy days; queues shorten markedly. Temperatures drop by about 10 degrees between September and November: bring layers, a light waterproof and shoes that cope with wet cobbles. Turkey uses UTC+3 all year: there is no clock change in October, but night falls earlier in November, around 5 pm. ## Parks and autumn walks - Emirgan Park, famous for its spring tulips, is also a lovely autumn park, with its pavilions and coloured trees. - Yıldız Park and Gülhane Park, right by Sultanahmet, are easy walks. - The Belgrade Forest, north of the city, is the season's nature outing. - The district of Eyüp and Pierre Loti Hill and the Bosphorus are best on clear days. For sunsets, see the viewpoints of Istanbul. - The Princes' Islands are pleasant in September and October, before the chill of November. ## Autumn events  - **Republic Day (29 October)**: it commemorates the proclamation of the Republic in 1923, and the city is decked with flags. Government offices and many businesses are closed that day, and on the afternoon before: check opening hours. - **10 November**: at 9:05 am, the day and time of Atatürk's death in 1938, the country observes a minute of silence, with sirens in the cities. - **The Istanbul Marathon**: it takes place in early November (Sunday 1 November in 2026) and crosses the Bosphorus bridge from Asia to Europe; see Istanbul Marathon. Roads are closed that day. - **The Istanbul Biennial**: it is held every two years, usually from September to November; see Istanbul Biennial for the dates of the next edition. - For a full calendar, our festivals agenda and the public holidays and bayrams complement this guide. ## What to eat in autumn - **Seasonal fish**: autumn is the season of several fish from the Marmara Sea and the Bosphorus, such as bonito (palamut) and bluefish (lüfer), and anchovy arrives late in the season. Ask fish restaurants what is in season. - **Roasted chestnuts** appear in the streets at the first chill. - **Pomegranates, quinces and fresh figs**, in the markets. - **Salep and boza** return with the cold, see what to eat in Istanbul. ## What to do when it rains November is the month when you need a plan B. Museums, hammams and tea houses are one: see what to do in Istanbul when it rains, the best hammams and museums like the Pera Museum or the Archaeological Museum. ## Budget and booking Hotels cost more in September and October than in November, which is quieter. See where to stay in Istanbul and the travel budget. Book ahead for October weekends and the week of 29 October. ## A typical October day 1. **Morning**: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, early (see visiting a mosque in Istanbul). 2. **Afternoon**: Gülhane Park or the Topkapı Palace. 3. **Late afternoon**: a ferry crossing and sunset on the Bosphorus. 4. **Evening**: fish dinner in Karaköy or Kadıköy. For full programmes, see Istanbul in 2 days and Istanbul in 3 days.
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