Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, wraps around a long bay on the Aegean. Summers are hot and very dry, winters are mild and rainy, and spring and autumn are pleasant for walking the seafront Kordon.
Izmir climate at a glance
- Hottest month: July (36°C by day)
- Coldest month: January (12°C by day, 5°C at night)
- Swimming season: June to September (sea 22°C or warmer); warmest sea in August at about 24°C
- Wettest month: January (136 mm); yearly total about 670 mm
- Driest months: July – rain is very rare
Izmir climate table
| Month | Day / night | Sea | Rain mm (days) | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12° / 5° | 17° | 136 (11) | 9.8 h |
| February | 14° / 7° | 16° | 78 (9) | 10.8 h |
| March | 17° / 8° | 16° | 84 (10) | 12.0 h |
| April | 22° / 12° | 17° | 44 (6) | 13.2 h |
| May | 26° / 16° | 20° | 41 (6) | 14.3 h |
| June | 32° / 21° | 22° | 29 (5) | 14.8 h |
| July | 36° / 24° | 24° | 3 (1) | 14.5 h |
| August | 36° / 24° | 24° | 6 (2) | 13.6 h |
| September | 31° / 20° | 24° | 19 (3) | 12.4 h |
| October | 25° / 15° | 21° | 37 (3) | 11.2 h |
| November | 19° / 11° | 19° | 97 (8) | 10.1 h |
| December | 14° / 7° | 18° | 96 (9) | 9.5 h |
Day / night: average daily maximum / minimum air temperature (°C). Sea: average sea surface temperature off the coast. Rain: monthly total; in brackets, days with at least 1 mm of rain.
Best time to visit Izmir
- Beach holiday: June to September, when the air is warm and the sea is 22°C or warmer.
- Sightseeing and active holidays: April to May and October to November – pleasant temperatures and few rainy days.
- Hottest period: July to August – expect frequent days above 35°C.
- Quiet season: December to February – the coolest and wettest time, with fewer visitors and lower prices.
On summer afternoons the 'imbat', a westerly sea breeze, blows into the bay and noticeably cools the city.
Izmir weather month by month
Izmir weather in January: 12°C / 5°C
Izmir averages 12°C during the day and 5°C at night in January. The sea is cool at around 17°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 11 rainy days and 136 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Pack a warm jacket, a sweater and waterproof shoes. Daylight lasts about 9.8 hours.
Izmir weather in February: 14°C / 7°C
Izmir averages 14°C during the day and 7°C at night in February. The sea is cool at around 16°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 9 rainy days and 78 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Pack a warm jacket, a sweater and waterproof shoes. Daylight lasts about 10.8 hours.
Izmir weather in March: 17°C / 8°C
Izmir averages 17°C during the day and 8°C at night in March. The sea is cool at around 16°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 10 rainy days and 84 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 12.0 hours.
Izmir weather in April: 22°C / 12°C
Izmir averages 22°C during the day and 12°C at night in April. The sea is cool at around 17°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. Expect around 6 rainy days (44 mm), mostly short showers. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 13.2 hours.
Izmir weather in May: 26°C / 16°C
Izmir averages 26°C during the day and 16°C at night in May. The sea is cool at around 20°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. Expect around 6 rainy days (41 mm), mostly short showers. Summer clothes are fine during the day; a light layer is handy for the evening. Daylight lasts about 14.3 hours.
Izmir weather in June: 32°C / 21°C
Izmir averages 32°C during the day and 21°C at night in June. At around 22°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5 rainy days (29 mm), mostly short showers. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 14.8 hours.
Izmir weather in July: 36°C / 24°C
Izmir averages 36°C during the day and 24°C at night in July. At around 24°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. Rain is very rare. Heat waves are common: on average 21 days reach 35°C or more, so plan sightseeing for the morning and evening. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 14.5 hours.
Izmir weather in August: 36°C / 24°C
Izmir averages 36°C during the day and 24°C at night in August. At around 24°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. There are only about 2 rainy days in the month. Heat waves are common: on average 19 days reach 35°C or more, so plan sightseeing for the morning and evening. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 13.6 hours.
Izmir weather in September: 31°C / 20°C
Izmir averages 31°C during the day and 20°C at night in September. At around 24°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. There are only about 3 rainy days in the month. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 12.4 hours.
Izmir weather in October: 25°C / 15°C
Izmir averages 25°C during the day and 15°C at night in October. The sea is refreshing at around 21°C – fine for a quick swim on sunny days. There are only about 3 rainy days in the month. Summer clothes are fine during the day; a light layer is handy for the evening. Daylight lasts about 11.2 hours.
Izmir weather in November: 19°C / 11°C
Izmir averages 19°C during the day and 11°C at night in November. The sea is cool at around 19°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 8 rainy days and 97 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 10.1 hours.
Izmir weather in December: 14°C / 7°C
Izmir averages 14°C during the day and 7°C at night in December. The sea is cool at around 18°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 9 rainy days and 96 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Pack a warm jacket, a sweater and waterproof shoes. Daylight lasts about 9.5 hours.
Getting to Izmir
The nearest airport for Izmir is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB). 4 Seasons Transfer offers private airport transfers at a fixed price per vehicle, with air-conditioned cars, flight tracking and meet & greet – whatever the weather.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Izmir?
For a beach holiday, June to September is ideal. For sightseeing and hiking, choose April to May and October to November, when it is warm but not hot.
When is the sea warm enough to swim in Izmir?
The sea is 22°C or warmer from June to September. It is warmest in August, at about 24°C.
What is the hottest month in Izmir?
July, with an average daytime high of 36°C and nights around 24°C.
What is the weather like in Izmir in winter?
From December to February days average about 14°C and nights about 6°C. Expect around 29 rainy days over the three months, with plenty of sunny days in between.
Weather in other destinations
- Antalya Weather by Month
- Alanya Weather by Month
- Side Weather by Month
- Belek Weather by Month
- Kemer Weather by Month
- Kaş Weather by Month
- Fethiye Weather by Month
- Marmaris Weather by Month
- Bodrum Weather by Month
- Kuşadası Weather by Month
- Çeşme Weather by Month
- Istanbul Weather by Month
- Cappadocia Weather by Month
Source: averages for 2015–2024 calculated by 4 Seasons Transfer. Air temperature, rain and daylight: ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus / ECMWF) via Open-Meteo, licence CC BY 4.0. Sea temperature: NOAA OISST v2.1 monthly means (NOAA PSL). The weather in a given year can differ from these averages.