Best time to visit Antalya and the Turkish Riviera

There is no single best month for Antalya: it depends on what you want from the trip. Beach holidays, ancient sites, hiking, golf and a cheap week of winter sun each have their own best time. This guide gives the short answer first, then a month-by-month table, the best season for each kind of trip, what to avoid and how the coast differs between Alanya in the east and Fethiye and Kaş in the west.

Month by month at a glance

Temperature, sea and rain come from our weather data for Antalya; the last two columns are our assessment of crowds and what each month is good for.

Temperatures, sea temperature and rainy days are long-term averages for Antalya, not a forecast; the price column shows the season (low, shoulder, high), not exact prices.

The short answer

Beach holiday: June, and September to early October

For swimming and sunbathing without the worst of the heat, go in June or from September to early October. The sea is warm, rain is rare and it is less hot and crowded than in July and August. Late May is fine if you do not mind a sea that is still warming up; see our sea temperature guide for the numbers.

Sightseeing and ancient sites: April–May and October–November

Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, Myra and the Lycian tombs are at their best in spring and autumn, when you can walk at midday without heat stress. April and May add green hills and flowers; October and early November add a sea that is still warm enough to swim.

Budget: November to March

The low season from November to March has the lowest prices, apart from Christmas and New Year. The trade-off is real: many large beach resorts close, the sea is too cool for most people and rainy spells are normal. It suits city breaks, ruins, golf and long winter stays rather than a beach holiday.

Winter sun

If you want mild days in winter rather than a beach holiday, Antalya city and Alanya are the usual bases. Our winter guide covers what is open, where to stay and what to expect from the weather.

Best time by type of trip

Sea and beaches

The sea is warmest from July to September and still pleasant in October; the exact averages are in the table above and in our sea temperature guide. If you mainly want a long, quiet beach day, September is hard to beat: the water is at its warmest of the year and the summer crowds thin out after mid-month. For where to go, see our best beaches guide.

Families with children

Families tied to school holidays will usually travel in July or August. It works, because the sea is calm and warm and hotels are built for it, but plan the day around the heat: water in the morning and late afternoon, shade or a nap at midday. If you can travel outside school holidays, late May, June and late September are more comfortable for small children. More in our family guide.

Ancient sites and hiking

Exposed sites such as Termessos, Perge or Patara and long walks on the Lycian Way are best from March to May and October to November. In July and August walking in full sun is hard work and can be dangerous; if you visit then, go at opening time. Our ancient sites guide lists the main ones.

Golf

Belek's courses are open all year. The main golf seasons are spring and autumn, roughly March to May and late September to November, when green fees and demand are highest; winter is quieter and cheaper, summer is hot. See our golf guide.

Boat trips

Most boat trips run from about May to October, with the fullest programme in summer. In spring and late autumn fewer boats sail, and some routes only run when enough passengers book. June and September offer warm water for swim stops without the busiest days.

On a budget

Prices follow the season: lowest from November to March, mid-range in April, May and October, highest from June to September. Shoulder months are usually the best value because the weather is still good. Our holiday budget calculator shows rough costs by month and resort.

What to avoid and watch out for

Midday heat in July and August

High summer is hot, often humid in Antalya, and the sun is strong. It is fine for a pool and beach holiday, but long sightseeing days, inland trips and hikes at midday are tiring and can be risky for children and older travellers. Drink plenty, use shade and plan outings for the morning or late afternoon.

Turkish public holidays

During the two religious holidays, Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı, many Turkish families travel to the coast. Hotels fill up, prices rise and roads, beaches and day-trip sites get busier. These holidays move about 11 days earlier each year, so check the calendar for your travel dates before you book.

Hotel closures in winter

Many large resorts in Belek, Side and Kemer close from about November to March or run a reduced service. Towns such as Antalya, Alanya, Fethiye and Kaş stay open, but beach clubs, some restaurants and boat trips pause. If you travel in winter, check that your hotel and the things you want to do are actually open.

Rain in spring and autumn

Rain falls mainly from November to March. In spring and autumn it is usually short showers or a stormy day between sunny ones, rather than a washed-out week. Pack a light rain jacket from October to April and keep a flexible day for sightseeing.

Differences across the coast

East: Alanya and Side

Alanya is among the warmest places on the coast in winter and has the most year-round life outside Antalya, which is why long-stay winter visitors choose it. Side and the resort strips around it are busy in summer and much quieter in winter, when many hotels close.

Antalya, Belek and Kemer

Antalya city works in every season, because museums, the old town and restaurants stay open. Belek is about resorts and golf, so its best seasons are summer for the beach and spring and autumn for golf. Kemer sits right under the mountains; the coast there is green and cooler in the evenings, and village guesthouses inland are seasonal.

West: Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Kaş and Kalkan

The western coast is smaller in scale: towns, villages and boutique hotels rather than large resorts. The main season runs roughly from May to October; in winter Fethiye and Kaş remain lived-in towns, but many pensions, boat tours and beach facilities in places like Ölüdeniz pause. Spring and autumn are the classic seasons for hiking and boat days here.

Flights in winter

Antalya airport has flights all year, though fewer routes in winter. Dalaman (for Fethiye and Göcek) and Gazipaşa (for Alanya) have far fewer flights outside summer, so winter trips to the west often mean flying into Antalya. See our airports guide.

Month pages

Every month has its own page with weather, what to do, what to pack and a live forecast when it is near: click the month name in the table above, or start with our Antalya weather overview.

Nearby and related guides

Weather

Sea temperature

Winter

Best beaches

With kids

Holiday budget calculator