What to do in Istanbul in February: weather, Ramadan 2027 start and prices

February is still a winter month in Istanbul: around 10 °C in the afternoon, many rainy days and a few possible days of snow, but also low hotel rates and almost empty monuments. In 2027 it has a particular feature: Ramadan begins on Monday 8 February, which changes the evenings, the hours of some businesses and the atmosphere of the big districts. This guide covers, for February 2027, the weather, crowds and prices, the dates to know, what to wear, ideas for things to do and day trips. Dates are those checked in October 2026; check them again before booking.

February weather: a little less cold than January

Stormy sky over the city

1991-2020 normals	February in Istanbul
Average daily maximum	9.4 to 9.8 °C
Average daily minimum	3.5 to 3.6 °C
Precipitation	79 to 88 mm
Days with precipitation	15 to 17 days
Days with snow	3.5 to 4.7 days
Sunshine	90 to 103 hours

Sources: 1991-2020 normals from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) at the Florya (Marmara Sea side) and Kireçburnu (Bosphorus side) stations. February remains damp, windy and often grey, but the days get longer: the sun sets around 6:30 pm in mid-February. When snow falls, it slows the city down more than it beautifies it: check the forecast a few days before you leave.

Crowds and prices in February

February is, with January, the low point of the year. Queues at Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern or Topkapı Palace are the shortest of the year and hotels show their lowest rates. The Turkish mid-year school break ends on Friday 5 February (classes resume on Monday 8); after that the city empties further. Ramadan does not drive visitors away, but it makes the evenings lively around iftar. Compare the districts in where to stay in Istanbul.

Dates to know in February 2027

Start of Ramadan: Monday 8 February

According to the Diyanet calendar, the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs, the first day of fasting of Ramadan 2027 is Monday 8 February and the last is Monday 8 March; the Ramazan Bayramı follows from 9 to 11 March. These dates are calculated in advance and do not depend on moon sighting. For a visitor, the biggest difference is the evening: iftar, the breaking of the fast, takes place at sunset, at 18:36 on 8 February and 18:45 on 15 February according to an Istanbul imsakiye timetable calculated with the Diyanet method. Restaurants are full at that hour. The details (mahya, drummers, restaurants, etiquette) are in Ramadan in Istanbul and in the page Ramadan in Istanbul.

Public holidays

No national public holiday in February. The first holiday of 2027 is the Ramazan Bayramı, from 9 to 11 March: see public holidays and bayrams in Istanbul.

No major festival

Istanbul's cultural calendar is concentrated from spring to autumn: see the festival calendar. April's tulip festival is approaching: see Istanbul in spring.

What to wear in February

Layers and a waterproof, windproof jacket.
Waterproof shoes: the cobblestones of Sultanahmet, Balat and Galata are slippery in the rain.
Scarf and gloves for ferries and quays.
Modest clothing if you visit conservative districts or mosques during Ramadan: see visiting a mosque in Istanbul.

Best things to do in February

Monuments and museums

February is the ideal season for museums: the Archaeological Museum, the Pera Museum and Istanbul Modern. For a full list, see the best museums in Istanbul. During Ramadan, museums stay open at their usual hours.

The Basilica Cistern after its restoration

Hammams and tea houses

The hammam is the pleasure of winter: best hammams in Istanbul. For tea in the warm, see cafés and tea houses in Istanbul.

The Bosphorus by ferry

The Galata Bridge

Public ferries run all year: see the most beautiful ferry rides. Crossings can be delayed by storms or fog.

At the table during Ramadan

Restaurants in Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu and Kadıköy stay open during the day. At sunset, book: iftar menus fill the dining rooms. Ramazan pidesi and güllaç are the specialities of the month; see what to eat in Istanbul.

Day trips in February

Days are short and the weather changeable: favour trips under cover, such as Bursa, or stay in town. See excursions from Istanbul.

February 2027 in Istanbul at a glance

Dates	Event	Info
25 January to 5 February	Turkish mid-year school break	Classes resume Monday 8 February
Monday 8 February	First day of Ramadan	Iftar at 18:36
Monday 15 February	Ramadan	Iftar at 18:45
All month	About 10 °C by day, 3 to 4 °C at night, 79 to 88 mm of rain	Low prices, short queues