Sunrise and sunset times throughout the year
A 15-hour June day. A December day cut to barely nine. That swing comes from Istanbul’s 41°N latitude. Turkey locked the clocks at UTC+3 in 2016 and never changes them, so the times shift only by the natural equation of time. No spring-forward jump. No fall-back correction.
The table below shows the key dates for 2026.
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 20 March | 07:09 | 19:15 | 12 h 6 min |
| June solstice | 21 June | 05:31 | 20:39 | 15 h 8 min |
| September equinox | 22 September | 06:50 | 19:03 | 12 h 13 min |
| December solstice | 21 December | 08:25 | 17:38 | 9 h 13 min |
The March and September equinoxes run a few minutes over 12 hours because atmospheric refraction bends sunlight above the skyline before the sun’s disc actually rises. Istanbul’s latitude means the sun crosses the boundary nearly vertically, so the surplus is small.
June solstice: Istanbul's longest day
Sunrise at 05:31, sunset at 20:39. That is 15 hours and 8 minutes of daylight.
On 21 June 2026, civil twilight begins around 05:00 and ends around 21:10. The sky does not get truly dark until astronomical twilight ends near 22:30. Outdoor dining and evening ferry rides stay bright well into the late hours. The long light is one reason summer evenings in Istanbul feel so expansive.
December solstice: Istanbul's shortest day
Sunrise at 08:25, sunset at 17:38. Daylight totals 9 hours and 13 minutes.
The sun barely climbs above the city’s southern skyline. By 16:30 the light begins to fade, and civil twilight ends by 18:00. If you are visiting in December, plan sightseeing between 09:00 and 16:00. The short day squeezes the window for outdoor photography tight.
Why solar noon in Istanbul hits after 13:00
Istanbul’s longitude is 28.95°E. Geographically that sits inside the UTC+2 zone. But Turkey adopted permanent UTC+3 in 2016, so solar noon falls at 13:00 to 13:15 TRT, never at 12:00.
Two consequences follow. Mornings are darker than the clock suggests. The sun only reaches its peak after 13:00. Evenings are stretched. A June sunset at 20:39 feels natural because the whole daylight block is pushed later.
The only variation comes from the equation of time. Solar noon moves between about 13:00 in late October and 13:15 in mid-February. No clock change. The shift is small and predictable.
Golden hour in Istanbul: best light for photography
Golden hour is the period after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low, light is soft, and shadows are long. In Istanbul the timing depends on the season.
The best spots are the Galata Bridge for Bosphorus reflections, Süleymaniye Mosque hill for city-wide warm light, and the ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy. In summer the sunset golden hour lasts nearly 90 minutes. In winter it is barely 40 minutes. Arrive early.
Civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight explained
The transition between day and night splits into three phases, each defined by the sun’s angle below the skyline.
- Civil twilight: sun 0-6° below the boundary. Enough light for most outdoor activities without artificial lighting. The skyline is clearly visible. In Istanbul, civil twilight lasts about 30 minutes.
- Nautical twilight: sun 6-12° below the boundary. The skyline is still visible at sea, but ground details blur. Good for Bosphorus ferry navigation and early evening walks.
- Astronomical twilight: sun 12-18° below the boundary. The sky is dark enough for amateur astronomy, but some residual light lingers. True night begins after astronomical twilight ends.
In June, the sun never goes more than about 16° below the boundary at midnight. Astronomical twilight does not actually end. The sky stays in a deep blue glow all night.
Sunrise and sunset by month: quick reference
| Month | Approx sunrise range | Approx sunset range | Daylight range |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:25-08:25 | 16:50-17:38 | 9 h 13 min, 10 h |
| February | 07:00-07:25 | 17:38-18:15 | 10 h, 11 h |
| March | 06:10-07:09 | 18:15-19:15 | 11 h, 12 h 6 min |
| April | 05:40-06:10 | 19:15-20:00 | 12 h 6 min, 13 h 30 min |
| May | 05:31-05:40 | 20:00-20:30 | 13 h 30 min, 15 h |
| June | 05:31 | 20:30-20:39 | 15 h, 15 h 8 min |
| July | 05:31-05:45 | 20:15-20:39 | 15 h, 14 h 30 min |
| August | 05:45-06:15 | 19:30-20:15 | 14 h 30 min, 13 h |
| September | 06:15-06:50 | 18:30-19:30 | 13 h, 12 h |
| October | 06:50-07:15 | 17:30-18:30 | 12 h, 10 h 30 min |
| November | 07:15-08:00 | 16:50-17:30 | 10 h 30 min, 9 h 30 min |
| December | 08:00-08:25 | 16:30-17:00 | 9 h 30 min, 9 h 13 min |
These are approximate mid-month values. Exact daily times depend on the equation of time.
How Ramadan fasting times relate to sunrise and sunset
During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib). The fasting day starts at civil twilight and ends at sunset. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to run approximately 18 February to 19 March. Check exact dates with the Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı closer to the time.
The iftar meal occurs exactly at sunset. Across the month the sunset time shifts by over 30 minutes. For detailed daily schedules, see the Ramadan in Istanbul 2026 page.