🌊 Sea and weather in Turkey in September: which resort to choose for a holiday

Summer is over, but the sea off the Turkish coast is still warm. In September the flow of visitors drops, while the water stays comfortable: the Taurus Mountains shelter the coast from cold winds, and the Mediterranean and Aegean seas cool down slowly. We look at 10 resorts in Türkiye for a seaside vacation in September, from quiet villages with playgrounds to towns with nightlife. For each place you'll get the beach type, the style of vacation, and the weak points.

We start on the eastern Mediterranean and gradually move toward the Aegean coast.

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September at Türkiye's resorts: what you need to know

💡 In short:

In September the heat eases, while the water near the shore stays warm.
Mediterranean resorts have a longer swimming season than Aegean ones.
Lara and Calis beaches near Fethiye hold the Blue Flag designation.
After the first weeks of autumn there are fewer people, and hotels lower their prices.

September divides the Turkish coast into two zones. The eastern Mediterranean (Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side) cools down slowly, so swimming stays comfortable for almost the whole month. The Aegean coast (Marmaris, Bodrum, Fethiye) is cooler, but its bays are sheltered from waves and wind. Both coasts are among the country's top destinations (according to the official Türkiye tourism portal).

During the day the coast still feels like summer, but in the evening the air cools quickly. Bring a light jacket for walks and sunscreen: in the first half of September the sun is strong. Rain is rare in early autumn. Short downpours happen, but they end quickly.

Resort	Sea and beach	Who it suits
Alanya	Mediterranean, shallow and warm	Long season, markets, evening entertainment
Konakli	Calm, sheltered by mountains	Families with children, quiet vacation
Antalya	Well-kept city beaches	City break, food, excursions
Lara	Sand and Blue Flag	Beach vacation and shopping
Kemer	Warm sea at the foot of the mountains	Sea plus mountains, archaeology
Belek	Long stretch of sand	Hotel stays with a private beach
Side	Natural beaches next to ruins	History plus swimming
Marmaris	Storm-free bay	Walks, water activities
Bodrum	Clear Aegean water	Nightlife, yachting
Fethiye	Bay surrounded by headlands	Beaches and ancient sites

1. Alanya

Ataturk Monument in Alanya with palm trees

Alanya occupies the eastern stretch of the Mediterranean coast. It's warm here both in September and in winter. The sea is shallow and warm: swimming is comfortable even with children.

The town lives by the sea all year round. It has a large port that handles cargo ships, excursion boats, and yachts. The infrastructure is built for a large flow of visitors: hotels in every category, restaurants, cafes, and in season nightclubs and discos open. At the markets, pick up local avocados, tomatoes, bananas, and citrus fruit.

Ferries run from the port to neighboring towns and countries. The historic center is pleasant to explore on foot, and a cable car operates above the town.

How to get there: fly to Antalya, then take a bus or taxi; car rental is available in town.
Who it's for: for those who want a long swimming season and entertainment close to the hotel.

You can find a hotel in Alanya for September on Trip.com.

2. Konakli

Resort hotel with red buildings on Konakli Beach

Konakli lies northwest of Alanya. It is quiet and peaceful here, so families with children and those looking for privacy come here. In summer and early fall the weather is dry and hot, and rain is rare.

The town has good hotels, restaurants, and comfortable beaches. A dolphinarium operates slightly away from the shore, and there are rides and playgrounds for children. There are no nightclubs here, just one disco. That is why younger travelers choose other resorts.

A bazaar opens once a week. It sells produce, jewelry, and carpets. Prices in season are high, so bargain.

Who it's for: families with children and those looking for quiet by the sea.
The catch: there is almost no evening entertainment, and you will not find nightclubs in the town.

Check hotel prices in Konakli.

3. Antalya

Old Kaleici Marina in Antalya with yachts

Antalya sits on the Mediterranean Sea. The dry season here lasts a long time. In September it is warm but no longer hot, and local fruits and vegetables are abundant.

Antalya serves as the administrative center of the province and is connected by highways to the whole country. Buses run regularly, so it is easy to head out on a long excursion from here.

There is entertainment for every taste. The beaches are well maintained, younger visitors head to bars and nightclubs, and children play on playgrounds. The cuisine has become one of the city's strengths: restaurants serve local, European, and exotic dishes, and some places offer a children's menu.

The city is divided into old and new parts. The warm September weather is perfect for walking through the historic center and viewing historical and architectural monuments.

Who it's for: those who want to combine beach, cuisine, and excursions without moving around.

Compare a selection of Antalya hotels on Trip.com.

4. Lara

Sand mermaid sculpture at a festival in Lara

Lara borders Antalya Airport. The districts closer to the sea are popular with tourists, while the remaining blocks are occupied by the business center. In early fall it is quiet, calm, and sunny here, and the Mediterranean Sea stays free of storms.

Lara is famous for its beach with fine golden sand. It has been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and comfort (TÜRÇEV, the national operator of the program in Turkey). The resort sits on high ground, so the beach strip is narrow. On the plus side, the depth increases gradually, so less confident swimmers feel at ease.

Restaurants and cafes operate nearby, so you can grab a bite at any time. For partygoers, clubs and discos stay open all night. In the business part, modern shopping malls and markets await. Even a simple walk along the shady streets will take you more than an hour.

Who it's for: beach and shopping lovers.
The catch: the beach strip is narrow, and parties go on until morning. Couples should choose a hotel farther from the clubs.

See Lara hotels on Trip.com.

5. Kemer

Panorama of Kemer with marina, sea and mountains

Kemer sits at the foot of a mountain range. In early fall it is sunny and warm here, and the sea remains calm.

Kemer used to be a remote settlement reachable only by sea. Now a modern highway with several tunnels leads here. You can arrive by car or bus without any problems.

People come to Kemer not only for the beach. Nearby lie the ruins of ancient cities that archaeology lovers explore, and the town itself has plenty of historical and cultural monuments. The place is unique because it combines sea and mountain recreation. The slopes of the Taurus Mountains suit walks of varying difficulty, and the air smells of warm pine needles.

The city's infrastructure is well developed. You can book a hotel for any taste and budget, and cafes and restaurants offer a variety of cuisines. Some guests choose apartments and cook for themselves.

Who it's for: those who want to swim and hike in the mountains on the same trip.

Check hotel prices in Kemer.

6. Belek

Square with BELEK sign, fountain and mosque

Belek began developing relatively recently but has already become a notable resort. In summer the heat is intense here, while in early and mid fall daytime temperatures ease off. The water, however, remains comfortable for swimming.

The resort grew because of its favorable coastline. The sandy strip stretches for several kilometers, but its best sections belong to expensive hotels. If you are staying at another hotel, you will not be allowed onto a private beach.

Who it's for: for those who book a hotel with its own beach and meal plan.
The catch: the best stretches of beach are private, and guests of other hotels have no business there.

Find hotels in Belek on Trip.com.

7. Side

Ancient stone ruins with an arched passage

Side grew on the site of an ancient settlement, with the first residents arriving here before our era. For a long time the town stayed off the tourist routes. Infrastructure only appeared here in the last century.

Today Side attracts visitors year-round. In early fall it's pleasant to combine swimming in warm water with walks through the historic center. The heat has eased, and there's still no rain.

Who it's for: for those who want to swim and see ancient sites in the same day.

See hotel options in Side.

8. Marmaris

Night illuminated fountain and clock tower

Marmaris sits in a bay that cuts deep into the Aegean coast. Mountains protect the town from winds and storms. That's why it's warm here in early fall and rain is rare, so you can both swim and explore the surrounding area.

The slopes around are covered with coniferous forests. The air smells of pine and juniper.

Water sports enthusiasts have also chosen this cozy bay. Storms are almost unheard of, so diving and water skiing are available any day.

Who it's for: for those looking for calm seas and water activities.

Check out Marmaris hotels on Trip.com.

9. Bodrum

Bodrum is located on the Aegean coast. The town draws visitors with cozy beaches, clear water, natural and historical sights. Plus a lively nightlife. Nowhere else is there such a number of clubs, bars and restaurants that open in the evening and welcome guests until morning.

Bodrum is considered the yachting capital. The port has all the facilities for mooring leisure and sport vessels. Renting a yacht for a cruise along the coast is easy.

Who it's for: for those coming for parties and the sea.
Not for: if you're looking for a quiet resort with an early bedtime, central Bodrum won't suit you.

See Bodrum hotel prices.

10. Fethiye

Fethiye sits on the shore of a bay. People come here to swim in warm water, breathe mountain air and see the sights. In early fall the weather is excellent: the heat has eased, and the water in the bay hasn't cooled yet.

The resort attracts visitors with an abundance of historical and architectural monuments. Here you'll find well-preserved rock tombs. Nearby lie the ruins of a medieval castle built by the Knights of the Order of St. John.

The beaches vary in how developed they are. Calis Beach has clean water and a Blue Flag. The bay is surrounded by sharp headlands, so you can swim until late fall.

Who it's for: for those who like combining the beach with ancient monuments.
The catch: the water in the bay renews slowly.

Check out Fethiye hotels on Trip.com.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Turkey in September?

Yes, September remains a swimming month. The Mediterranean and Aegean Seas cool slowly, so the water near the shore is still warm. Bring swimwear, and pack a light jacket for the evening: it gets cooler after sunset.

Where is it warmest in Turkey in September?

It's warmest on the Mediterranean coast, especially around Alanya, Konakli and Antalya. It's warm there both in September and in winter. On the Aegean coast the water is cooler, but the bays of Fethiye and Marmaris are protected from waves.

Where to go with kids in September?

Look at Konakli, Belek and Side. Konakli is quiet, with playgrounds and a dolphinarium. Belek has a long stretch of sand, but the best sections belong to expensive hotels. Side suits those who want to combine swimming with walks through ruins.

Where are there fewer tourists in September?

The flow of visitors eases with the start of fall, so there are fewer people almost everywhere. Konakli is the quietest, and at the other resorts there are fewer people after the first weeks of September. Hotels at this time offer lower prices than in August.

What to bring to the sea in September?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen and light long-sleeved clothing. In the first half of September the sun on the coast is still strong, and in the evening the air cools quickly. Add comfortable shoes: you'll be walking a lot through the historic centers of Side, Antalya and Kemer.

Turkey resorts on the map

All the resorts from this selection are marked on the map below. Zoom in to compare locations and plan transfers. Resorts on the east and west of the coast are far apart, so for a short trip choose places within one region.

Where to holiday by the sea in Turkey in September

Places on the map

1Alanya Shallow warm sea, a large port and a cable car
2Konaklı Quiet village with a dolphinarium, a weekly market
3Antalya Well-kept beaches, old and new parts of town, strong cuisine
4Lara Blue Flag beach, an airport and shopping malls nearby
5Kemer Seaside and mountain holidays at the foot of the Taurus Mountains
6Belek A long sandy strip, the best stretches by the expensive hotels
7Side Swimming next to the historic center on the site of an ancient settlement
8Marmaris A bay sheltered from storms, pine forests and water sports
9Bodrum The yachting capital with a lively nightlife on the Aegean Sea
10Fethiye A bay of two seas, rock tombs and the castle of the Knights of St John

In short: what to book

If you're traveling with kids, choose Konakli: it's quiet with minimal nighttime noise. Belek works if you book a hotel with its own beach. For history, Side and Kemer are better, with ruins right next to the hotel. Nightlife awaits you in Bodrum and Lara, and for yachts and water activities head to Marmaris.

You can compare hotels across all ten resorts for your dates on Trip.com: September prices are usually lower than August.

Fewer tourists and warm sea: 10 Turkey resorts for September 2026