What's the Weather like in Istanbul in April
Temperature
April in Istanbul is the start of spring, with longer, warmer days. The average temperature for the month is 12C, with highs of a very reasonable 16C. The temperature does fall significantly overnight and visitors can expect lows of around 8C. The hottest temperature ever recorded at this time in the region is around 34C. Areas of the city closest to the coast will be warmest, while inland it will feel several degrees cooler; the Sarıyer villages in the northernmost district of the province still see average temperatures of just 10C.
Sunshine Hours
As temperatures rise, correspondingly, the days get longer and there are around 9 sunshine hours each day in April, a lot more sunshine than the measly 3 hours in January.
Average Sea Temperature
Further south, it's likely to be slightly warmer and Alanya and Dalaman see average temperatures of between 14C and 16C, with highs of around 20C. However, while temperatures are beginning to warm up on land, the average sea temperature is still just 13C; it isn't beach weather quite yet.
Rain
Despite gradually warming temperatures, this is true spring in Istanbul and for the most part April remains wet and windy. Relatively high rainfall averages of 60mm over 11 days means that visitors can expect to experience light, infrequent showers for several days of the month. The northernmost part of the province is not only colder, but sees slightly higher rainfall averages all year round. It's a similar story across the country. In the south of Turkey, Alanya and Dalaman have rainfall averages of between 46mm and 64mm over 8 or 9 days.
Precipitation
High levels of precipitation are accompanied by overcast, foggy conditions most mornings (more so in the northernmost parts of the province than in the city itself) and windspeeds of above 8m/s. By the end of the month, as temperatures rise and rainfall averages fall, humidity levels should correspondingly begin to fall slightly to around 75%.
Istanbul Hotels in April
White House Hotel
The White House Hotel is located in the heart of the historic Old City, within walking distance of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. It makes the ideal starting place from which to explore the city. The décor is classic and elegant, and while this may not be the most luxurious hotel in the city, it is perfectly comfortable.
Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center
The Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center is a little further from the city centre, but nonetheless a great choice for upscale accommodation. And with relatively cheap cabs to take you into the heart of the city, the distance is hardly a disadvantage. The hotel boasts every possible amenity, to help make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Bars and Restaurants
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Turkish coffee is known world over for its strength and unique taste. One of the most popular brands in Istanbul is Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, named after its founder and specialising in top quality roasted and freshly ground coffee for over 130 years. The Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi store is right next to the Spice Bazaar, and shouldn't be hard to find (follow your nose!).
Börek is a delicious, traditional Turkish pastry made from a flaky dough. It's usually either stuffed with feta or minced meat as a savoury treat, or eaten plain with a little bit of icing sugar sprinkled on top. Head to Rumeli Cafe, in the Sultanahmet area of the city, to try some of the very best.
Kybele Cafe
Kybele Café inside the Kybele Hotel is a little more unusual. The décor is bright and fun (the ceiling entirely covered in colourful lamps, the walls painted in different colours and hung with clocks and pictures and drapes); charming, if rather eccentric. Thankfully, the menu is much less eclectic. It's located in the very heart of the old city and a real haven of peace after the hustle and bustle outside.
Things to do in Istanbul in April
The Spice Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar, built in 1660, is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. This is where many of the spices were originally imported, and the market was once the centre of Istanbul's spice trade.
The Archaeological Museums
The Archaeological Museums are a great way to explore the city's incredible history. The museums are located in İstanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood, on the Osman Hamdi Bey slope connecting Gülhane Park with the Topkapı Palace. On the ground floor, check out the ancient sculptures from various Ages and world famous artefacts like the Alexander Sarcophagus. The fascinating "Surrounding Cultures of İstanbul" section, in the cellar of the new building, houses artefacts found during excavations at surrounding archaeological sites.
The Hippodrome
The Hippodrome was once the scene of chariot races, the sporting and social centre of the city. A few fragments of the original building have survived, like the Serpentine Column (cast to celebrate the victory of the Greeks over the Persians during the 5th century Persian Wars), but the area is now officially called Sultan Ahmet Square. The course of the old racetrack has been indicated with paving, and surviving monuments of the Spina (the middle barrier of the course), the two obelisks and the Serpentine Column, sit in holes in a landscaped garden.
