What's the Weather like in Istanbul in Aprilย
Temperature
April inย Istanbulย is the start of spring, with longer, warmer days. Theย average temperatureย for the month is 12C, withย highsย 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 Sarฤฑyer 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 9ย sunshine hoursย 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 andย Alanyaย andย Dalamanย see average temperatures of between 14C and 16C, with highs of around 20C. However, while temperatures are beginning to warm up on land, theย average sea temperatureย 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 highย rainfall averagesย 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 ofย 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,ย foggy conditionsย 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,ย humidity levelsย should correspondingly begin to fall slightly to around 75%.
Istanbul Hotels in Aprilย
White House Hotel
Theย White House Hotelย 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 dรฉcor 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
Theย Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Centerย 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 Restaurantsย
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Turkish coffee is known world over for its strength and unique taste. One of the most popular brands in Istanbul isย 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!).
Bรถrek 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-Restaurant
Kybele Cafรฉ-Restaurantย is a little more unusual. The dรฉcor 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
Theย 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 Museum
The Archaeological Museumย is a great way to explore the city's incredible history. The museum is located in ฤฐstanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood, on the Osman Hamdi Bey slope connecting Gรผlhane Park with the Topkapฤฑ 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 ฤฐstanbul" 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 5thย 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.
