✈️ Monthly weather in Antalya: when the sea is warm and where to go for beaches

Antalya occupies a large stretch of the Mediterranean coast in southern Turkey. The city sits at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, so it stays warm almost all year round. In high season, the population of Antalya grows several times over, and you will notice it already at the airport.

What is worth knowing before your trip: what weather to expect by month, when the sea warms up for swimming, what to see in the city and nearby, how to get from the airport, and where to look for a hotel.

Ad: this text contains affiliate links; we earn a commission from them, and the price stays the same for you.

Antalya today: why people come here

💡 At a glance:

Antalya Province has a population of about 2.7 million, making it Turkey's largest resort region (according to Wikipedia, 2024).
You can swim here from May through October, and in September the sea stays warm, around +27 °C (according to seatemperature.org).
Antalya itself has an old town, waterfalls, and long beaches, and Side and Alanya are nearby.
Climate: 09/2026, verified on Climatestotravel.

Antalya lies in southwestern Turkey, on the Turkish Riviera. The Taurus Mountains shelter the city from the west, and the Mediterranean Sea washes it from the south. This terrain protects the coast from cold winds and produces a mild winter with a long, hot summer.

Tourism has long been the backbone of the city's economy and the main source of jobs. The city has a well-developed transport system and one of the busiest airports in the country. Hundreds of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs operate on its streets, many open until morning.

Antalya has a huge number of hotels, from budget to expensive. Most are compactly located: close to both the sea and the airport. Many operate on an all-inclusive basis and are designed for family vacations with children. That is why Antalya is often chosen as a base for a first trip to Turkey.

Antalya suits different types of travelers. History lovers walk through ancient ruins, families choose hotels with water parks and kids' clubs, and younger visitors appreciate the nightlife. It is easy to combine beach time with sightseeing here, because ancient cities and nature parks are close by.

A vacation in Antalya is easy to adapt to the season and your budget. In summer people come for the beach and the sea, in spring and fall it is comfortable to explore the city without the heat, and in winter those who come for the mild climate and excursions stay more cheaply.

Antalya's cuisine blends Mediterranean and Turkish traditions: fresh fish, kebabs, grilled vegetables, baklava, and strong tea. Portions are usually large, and dinner is typically finished with something sweet and coffee.

Climate and weather: when to go

Antalya has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Warm foehn winds sometimes descend from the Taurus Mountains, so the air warms up quickly in the shoulder seasons.

Average monthly temperatures look like this (1991-2020 normals, according to Climatestotravel):

Month	Day	Night	Sea
January	+15	+5	+17
February	+16	+6	+17
March	+18	+8	+17
April	+22	+11	+18
May	+26	+15	+20
June	+32	+20	+24
July	+35	+23	+27
August	+35	+24	+28
September	+32	+20	+27
October	+27	+16	+24
November	+21	+10	+21
December	+17	+7	+18

Source: Climates to Travel, 1991-2020 normals.

The best time for a beach vacation falls in May, June, and September. During these months, the heat and crowds are noticeably lighter than at the peak of the season. The sea warms from +20 °C in May to +27 °C in September. July and August are the hottest: daytime air stays around +35 °C, and being on the beach without shade is tough.

Winter in Antalya is mild but rainy. The most precipitation falls in December, while in summer there is almost none (according to Climatestotravel). If you are going in winter, bring an umbrella and warm clothes for the evening: at night the air cools to +5...+7 °C.

A note on sea and air. Water warms more slowly than land, so in May the air is already warm while swimming is brisk. In September, by contrast, the sea is warmer than the air in the evening, which makes the month comfortable for vacations with children. Mornings on the coast are windy, and the wind dies down during the day.

This climate suits those who want a long swimming season. If you do not handle heat well, plan your trip for May or October.

What to see in Antalya

The city center is divided into two parts: the old town of Kaleiçi on the cliffs and the modern hotel districts. Almost all the main sights can realistically be covered on foot in one day.

Kaleiçi old town

Kaleiçi consists of winding streets, Ottoman houses, and small shops. You can walk around it for free at any time of day; you only pay for museums and cafes. Start in the morning before it gets hot: by midday the streets fill up. Two to three hours is enough if you do not go into every museum.

From the old town, a staircase descends to the historic harbor. Sightseeing boats depart from here along the cliffs, and fish restaurants operate along the waterfront.

Hadrian's Gate

Hadrian's Gate was built in 130 AD. It is one of the best-preserved monuments in the city. Admission is free, and the gate is open around the clock (according to Nomado Travel). It is a convenient way to enter Kaleiçi from Atatürk Boulevard.

Hıdırlık tower and the Yivli minaret

Hıdırlık Tower stands on the edge of a cliff and once served as a lighthouse and lookout point. It offers a view of the Gulf of Antalya, and admission is free (according to Nomado Travel).

Hıdırlık Tower with a flag over the bay of Antalya

The Yivli Minaret is considered the symbol of the city. It is a 13th-century Seljuk fluted minaret, with a clock tower and old mosques standing nearby (according to Wikipedia).

Düden Waterfalls

Düden consists of two separate waterfalls within the city limits. Upper Düden is located in a city park, and admission is paid. The park is open from April to October from 08:00 to 19:00, and in winter until 17:00 (according to Antalya Guide).

Lower Düden drops directly into the sea from a height of about 40 meters. The surrounding park is free, and sightseeing boats bring tourists to the base of the falls (operator's website).

Lower Düden Waterfall flowing into the sea

Kurşunlu and Lake Nilüfer

Kurşunlu Waterfall sits in a pine forest 20 km from the center, next to Lake Nilüfer. There are trails and cafes here. In summer the park is open from 08:00 to 19:00, in winter until 18:00 (according to Antalya Guide).

Kurşunlu Waterfall and turquoise lake surrounded by greenery

Lake Nilüfer is quiet and works well for a picnic in the shade. There is a small entrance fee; check the exact amount on site.

Konyaaltı and Lara beaches

People come for the sights and also for the beaches. Konyaaltı occupies the western part of the city and is considered one of the longest beaches in Turkey. The shore here is pebbly, the water at the edge is clear, and a wide promenade with cafes and green alleys runs along the waterfront. The Taurus Mountains rise right behind the beach, which makes the sunsets here especially beautiful.

Konyaaltı Beach and mountains from a cliff

Lara lies further east, closer to the airport. The beach is sandy, with large hotels and a gently sloping shoreline, which is convenient for families with children. The infrastructure is well developed: loungers, cafes, and water activities are right by the water. Both beaches are cleaned every morning, and in high season they get crowded.

The city does not go to sleep in the evening. Restaurants and hookah lounges stay open along the waterfront, markets sell spices and sweets, and live music plays in the old town. For shopping, malls and the big bazaar are good options.

City tours and trips to the waterfalls can be booked in advance on GetYourGuide.

Tours and tickets in Antalya

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on GetYourGuide

The widget loads once you give your consent.

Where to stay and how to get from the airport

Antalya's districts differ a lot from each other. Kaleiçi suits those who want to live in the old town among restaurants. Konyaaltı and Lara have become beach districts with large resort hotels.

Besides the center, look at the suburbs. Belek is known for golf courses and premium hotels, Side and Alanya are good for a relaxed vacation and trips to ancient monuments. The drive to them takes different amounts of time, so when choosing, consider how long you are willing to travel to the airport.

When choosing a hotel, check what is included in the rate. An all-inclusive package usually includes meals, drinks, and some entertainment, but excursions and spa services cost extra. The city has many hotels for any budget, so it is convenient to compare options in advance.

Antalya is convenient with children: hotels offer kids' clubs, heated pools, and animation, and beaches with a gentle slope into the water suit toddlers. Many amusement parks and water parks are within the city limits or nearby.

From AYT airport to the center, the Antray tram and the Havaş bus run. Taxis and private transfers are more expensive, but more convenient with luggage and children. The trip takes from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the district.

Tram and bus tickets are easier to buy with a transport card, which saves time at stops. For an airport transfer, choose an operator in advance and check whether the price includes waiting for the flight.

If you arrive late, keep in mind that some buses no longer run.

Tours and tickets in Antalya

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Kiwitaxi

The widget loads once you give your consent.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Antalya?

The optimal months are May, June, and September. The sea is already or still warm, the heat is mild, and there are fewer tourists than in July and August. In the height of summer, daytime temperatures rise to +35 °C, so excursions are best planned for the morning. In winter, swimming is chilly, but hotels are cheaper.

Is the sea warm in Antalya?

Yes, the swimming season lasts roughly from May to October. In July and August, the sea warms up to +27...+28 °C, and in September it stays around +27 °C. In May, the water is about +20 °C and invigorating, and in October around +24 °C. In winter, the water temperature drops to +17 °C.

How much does it cost to enter the Düden waterfalls?

The Lower Düden in the city park can be seen for free. There is a fee to enter the Upper Düden park, and the exact amount is given on site. The park is open from April to October from 08:00 to 19:00, and until 17:00 in winter. Boat trips to the foot of the waterfall cost extra.

What can you see in Antalya for free?

The old town of Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, the Hıdırlık Tower, and the old harbor are open to everyone. You can walk around them for free and around the clock. You only need to pay for museums, cafes, and boat trips. One day is enough for all of this if you start in the morning.

How do you get from the airport to the center?

From AYT airport to the center, the Antray tram and the Havaş bus run. The trip takes from 30 to 50 minutes. Taxis and private transfers are faster, but more expensive. With children and a lot of luggage, it is more convenient to book a car in advance, especially if the plane arrives at night.

At a glance: what to book

Antalya suits almost any kind of vacation, the only question is the district and the season.

If you are going for the beach: choose Konyaaltı or Lara, ideally from May to October.
If atmosphere matters to you: book a hotel in Kaleiçi, close to the old town and the harbor.
If you are traveling with children: look at large all-inclusive resorts.

Search for and book hotels for your dates in advance on Trip.com.

Antalya: when to go, monthly weather and what to see