Izmir (Cesme) weather in March

March in Izmir: nice, a little rain — an excellent time to visit.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Izmir🇹🇷 Turkey · Western Turkey · City82
  1. 62Jan
  2. 73Feb
  3. 82Mar
  4. 92Apr
  5. 91May
  6. 81Jun
  7. 74Jul
  8. 76Aug
  9. 85Sep
  10. 93Oct
  11. 78Nov
  12. 67Dec

#5 of 12 months in Izmir · #437 of 1413 destinations to visit in March · comfort 82/100 (tier A)

Days
18°C
Nights
9°C
Wet days
9
Sun
9.8 h
Humidity
74%
Daylight
12 h
Izmir, Turkey
Photo: Doğan Alpaslan Demir · Pexels

Traveller notes on Izmir in March

Regulars place March at the tail of a rainy stretch that runs from November, so while the sun is out more often than not on this coast, a day of steady rain or even a short storm is still a real possibility rather than a surprise. Our row backs that transitional read, 17.6C reading as 16C over 8.5C nights feeling 6C, with 79.4mm across 9.2 days. Snow can still sit on the inland mountains even as the coast itself has moved past winter, and evenings stay properly cold - layers, an umbrella, and shoes that can handle both dry pavement and a sudden shower. This is spring rather than beach weather, good for sightseeing but not yet for the sea, which sits at 14.7C. The record: humidity 74 percent, 9.8 hours of sun, a 14.3 kph wind and AQI 58.
TailEndOfANovemberToMarchRainSpell · March · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Other months in Izmir

Regulars are specific that summer along this stretch of the Aegean coast effectively starts now and runs through mid-September, normal daytime temperatures already in the 30-35C range with some of the hottest days of the whole season capable of landing this early rather than waiting for peak summer. Our row backs that hot, genuinely dry read, 31.4C reading as a hot 33C, over 21.1C nights, with rain minimal at 33.1mm across 5.9 days and humidity down to 56 percent. Regulars are consistent nearby coastal towns along the Cesme peninsula offer a cooler escape from the city heat, with water temperature varying noticeably by beach depending on undersea conditions. The sea sits at a warm, swimmable 23.2C. The record: 13.4 hours of sun, a 14.8 kph wind and AQI 61.
SummerArrivesEarlyHottestDaysCanHitNow · June · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Turkey-forum threads asking if the country runs warm in January (Izmir specifically among the coastal cities discussed) are direct that winter along the Aegean is mild only by comparison to the interior, not genuinely warm - posters describe conditions as windy, rainy and properly cold rather than a sunny escape. One traveler planning fifteen days here was warned to expect the real possibility of solid rain and wind for the entire stay, a worst-case regulars say does happen some years. Daylight itself is limited, effectively over by 4pm. The upside: January's quiet, crowd-free version of the city and its waterfront promenade suits anyone prioritizing peaceful sightseeing over decent weather. The sea is called far too cold for swimming regardless of how mild a given afternoon feels. The record: 12.7C days feeling like 10C, 5.8C nights, a notably high 146mm across 11.9 days, 4.3cm of fresh snowfall, a 14.6C sea, 81 percent humidity and 7.1 hours of sun.
KordonJanuaryRegular · January · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
September is the month regulars name for the Turkish Aegean, and the reason is the water: sea temperatures peak in September and October, which our row puts at 25C while the air has come off its August high to 29.8C. Their arc is 30C or more at the start of the month falling to 25 to 30 by the end, and they warn that without a breeze it still feels hot. The qualification is timing inside the month. The Izmir-area resorts can be blustery even when warm, and late September into early October turns noticeably cooler and more unsettled here than further south, so the first half is the safer half. The record: 20C nights, 2.6 precipitation days carrying 18.6mm, humidity 56 percent and 11.3 hours of sun.
SeaAtItsWarmestNow · September · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Early May is the answer the Izmir forum keeps giving: clear, comfortable, in the low-to-mid 20s C, and the right conditions for walking Ephesus - shade is scarce on that site and summer here is not the time. April can still be showery; May is the settled one, with occasional light scattered showers and no season of them. Pack light cotton or linen, proper walking shoes and sunglasses, and keep a jacket or jumper for coastal evenings. The sea is the thing that lags: early May swims get described as brisk rather than pleasant. The record: 26.6C days, 16C nights, 6.6 precipitation days, humidity 63 percent, 12.5 hours of sun and an 18.9C sea.
EphesusBeforeTheHeat · May · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

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Izmir climate normals — March

Daytime high18°C / 64°F😎 nice
Nighttime low9°C / 47°F
Feels like (high)16°C / 61°F
Sea temperature15°C / 58°F🥶 cold sea
Rainfall79 mm / 3.1 in🌦 some rain
Rainy days9 days
Humidity74%💧 humid
Dew point4°C / 40°F
Sunshine9.8 h/day
Daylight12 h
Wind14 km/h / 9 mph
Air quality (US AQI)58🙂 moderate

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Izmir in March

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

Peak crowdsRamazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr), Second-term mid-break in Turkey, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Izmir's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Fair weatherIzmir's best weather comes in April, May and October — separate windows, not one continuous season.

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Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

What's on in Izmir in March

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Holiday

    Ramazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr)

    20–22 MarRamadan & EidClosuresBook early

    Three days of public holiday after the fast, with a half day before, and often bridged into a longer break. Government offices and many family-run shops close on the first day, and intercity buses and domestic flights sell out days ahead as families travel. Source ↗

  • Festival

    European Jazz Festival

    1–15 Mar · usuallyMusic festivalBook early

    Izmir's longest-running jazz festival, staged at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center since 1994, with international acts, workshops and photo exhibitions through the first half of March. Source ↗

What's on around the world in March →

Nearby, and something's on

Within 300 km of Izmir — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.

Where is Izmir?

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Izmir in March — FAQ

Is March a good time to visit Izmir?
March in Izmir: nice, a little rain — an excellent time to visit. It ranks #5 of 12 months for Izmir on SeasonMap's comfort score (82/100).
What is the weather like in Izmir in March?
In March, Izmir averages a daily high of 17.6°C and a low of 8.5°C, with about 79.4 mm of rain over roughly 9.2 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Izmir in March?
Izmir has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 58 in March.

Within 300 km: Selçuk's Storks on the aqueduct around 15 Mar – 31 Aug, and Santorini's Wildflowers on the slopes around 1 Mar – 15 Apr.