✈️ Where to fly in Turkey in May: 9 resorts with warm sea

May divides Turkish resorts into two groups. In some places the sea has already warmed up, while in others only the hardiest dare to swim.

The water off the coast of Antalya and Alanya in May stays around +21 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats). In Marmaris it is around +20 °C, in Bodrum around +19.5 °C.

Below are nine resorts in Turkey where the May season has already started: water temperature, beach type, family options, and hotel prices. You will see where swimming is comfortable and where it is better to wait until the end of the month.

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Turkish coastline features

💡 In short:

A May vacation is cheaper than peak season, and the water is already suitable for swimming.
The Mediterranean gives the warmest start to the season: it opens here in late April.

Turkish resorts sit on the shores of four seas: the Black, Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Their climates and coastlines differ greatly. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have a subtropical Mediterranean climate.

On the Black and Marmara seas the weather is cooler and more humid, so the season starts later there. The Mediterranean coast is sheltered from eastern winds by the Taurus Mountains, and high salinity makes the water a deep blue.

Infrastructure is best developed on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. If you are going in May specifically for swimming, choose resorts between Antalya and Marmaris.

May weather on the coast

The Mediterranean is the first to open the season, usually in late April. On the Aegean Sea, life picks up in early May. The weather on the Turkish Riviera, which stretches from Antalya to Marmaris, is almost summerlike in May.

In Antalya, daytime temperatures average around +25 °C, nighttime around +16 °C, and it rains about six days a month (as of 09/2026, Weather and Climate). The warmest spots are the resorts of Antalya and Alanya.

Nights in Bodrum and Alanya are warm, around +19 °C. Rain is rare in May, especially in Alanya, Belek, Bodrum, and Mahmutlar. Winds weaken compared with the beginning of spring, and the sun shines up to fourteen hours a day.

Bring a light jacket or cardigan for the evening: after sunset the air cools quickly, especially near the water.

What swimming is like in May

You can swim in May, but comfort depends on the sea. On the Mediterranean coast the water stays around +21 °C, on the Aegean it is slightly cooler (as of 09/2026, Seatemperature.info).

Warm water in May is found off Antalya, Alanya, Beldibi, Goynuk, Kemer, and Side. If you do not tolerate cold water well, swim in the hotel pool for the first few days and head into the open sea closer to the end of the month.

Diving, snorkeling, and banana boat rides are available in May, but do not expect a heated bath. By the end of the month the water in some places reaches June values. The plan is this: you start sunbathing right away, and swim comfortably from about mid-month.

How to choose a resort in May

You can plan a trip to the Riviera for the first May holidays or for the last week of the month. Those who dislike heat can easily combine the beach with excursions and walks in the mountains. Hotel prices are lower than in summer, beaches are not yet crowded, and you get a soft, even tan.

May is convenient because it is already warm during the day but not yet muggy. You have time to lie on the beach, head up into the mountains, and walk through the old town without the scorching July heat.

Below are nine resorts in order: from family sandy bays to rocky beaches with pine-scented air. For each one, the May water temperature, beach type, and who it suits are listed.

1. Antalya

Bike path in Antalya with mountains in the background

Antalya opens its season in late April, and by mid-May the water warms up to +21 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats). Rain is rare, so you can sunbathe almost every day. The city is large, with five districts, and you should choose where to stay in advance.

If having the beach right outside your door matters, stay in Lara or Konyaaltı. If you're more interested in museums, markets, and evening strolls, the center with its cafes and shops is a good fit.

Beaches: white sand in Beach Park, Topçam, Lara, and Konyaaltı, with changing rooms, showers, toilets, umbrellas, and loungers.
City: Konyaaltı has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops, plus an aquarium; Lara is where the nightlife is concentrated; Kepez has shopping malls, a zoo, and a waterfall.
Swimming: early in the month the water is still brisk; proper swimming starts in the second half of May.
Who it's for: those who want to combine the beach with city life, museums, and shopping.
Not for: those looking for a quiet cove without large hotels and busy streets.

Hotels in Antalya on Trip.com

2. Alanya

Atatürk Monument in Alanya with palm trees

Alanya is sheltered from cold eastern winds by the Taurus Mountains, so it's warmer here than at neighboring resorts. In May the water stays around +21 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats). The sun shines for about fourteen hours almost every day.

Budget hotels are often across the road from the beach, with an underpass leading to the sea. The walk takes a couple of minutes, but the room rate is lower than on the first line.

Beaches: clean white sand, with patches of fine pebbles in places; some beaches have Blue Flag status.
Swimming with kids: on the eastern shore the sea is shallow and warms up faster, with a gentle entry into the water.
Western shore: the sea is noticeably deeper here; this is where windsurfing and water sports enthusiasts stay.
City: a fortress above the sea, caves with underground lakes, stalactites, and stalagmites.
Who it's for: families with children and those who want warm sea as early as the beginning of May.

Find a hotel in Alanya

3. Marmaris

Singing fountain in Marmaris Square at night

Marmaris sits where the Mediterranean and Aegean seas meet, on slopes covered with pine forests and eucalyptus. The beach season gets into full swing in the second half of May, and in May the water stays around +20 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats).

It's quiet here during the day, and in the evening life moves to the promenade and the clubs. If you want a quiet vacation, choose a hotel farther from the center.

Beaches: fine gray sand in a quiet bay sheltered from the winds, so the sea here is calm.
Activities: rafting, kayaking, and diving during the day, nightclubs after sunset. Because of its lively nightlife, Marmaris is called the Turkish Ibiza.
Promenade: the longest in Turkey, lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Hotels: most operate on an all-inclusive basis and are on the first line by the sea.
Who it's for: young people and those who value evening life and long walks along the water.

Hotel prices in Marmaris

4. Belek

Belek is close to Antalya Airport, and its twenty-kilometer coastline is lined with 5-star hotels. The water in May is around +21 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats). Days here are warmer than at neighboring resorts, and nights are mild.

The resort is young, so you won't find old quarters here. What you will find is that hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, and dinner with drinks is usually already included in the room rate.

Beaches: sand with occasional patches of pebbles, a gentle entry, and an even bottom with no rocks.
Nature: some beaches are designated as protected areas, and after sunset sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Who it's for: families and anyone who wants an all-inclusive hotel steps from the sea.
Not for: those looking for an old town: for architecture and museums, you'll need to travel to Antalya or Side.

All-inclusive hotels in Belek

5. Kemer

Kemer sits at the foot of mountains covered in pine forests. The conifer-scented air and mineral-rich water make the resort popular with people who come to improve their health. The water in May is around +20.5 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats).

Families stay outside the city: it's quieter there, and hotels sit right by the water. Young people choose the center because there are more bars, cafes, and shops nearby.

Beaches: mostly pebbles. The city beach "Moonlight" keeps a sandy shore, but the entry into the sea here is pebbly.
Nearby: a city park with a water park and dolphinarium, a cable car up the mountain.
Who it's for: families who choose quiet hotels outside the city, and those who value the pine-scented air.
For young people: the central part of the city with its cafes, bars, and shops works well.
The catch: large pebbles at the water's edge, so water shoes won't hurt.

Kemer hotels on Trip.com

6. Side

Ruins of an ancient wall with arches in Side

Side lies on the Mediterranean coast about seventy-five kilometers from Antalya (as the crow flies). The city center occupies a small peninsula about a kilometer long. The water in May is around +21 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats).

Ancient monuments stand right in the city, so you can reach them on foot. That's convenient if you want to swap the beach for sightseeing without long transfers.

Beaches: sand and pebbles, gentle entry, with changing rooms, showers, toilets, and umbrella and lounger rentals. Some beaches have Blue Flag status.
History: ancient city gates, ruins of an amphitheater and aqueduct, the Temple of Apollo right by the water.
Hotels: 5-star complexes on the first line operate on an all-inclusive basis, but budget options are available too.
Who it's for: families and those who want to combine the beach with ancient monuments without long transfers.

Find a hotel in Side

7. Fethiye

Fallen Soldiers Memorial in Fethiye with bronze relief

Fethiye spreads across the southwest at the foot of mountains covered in cedars and pines. The sun shines here almost year-round, so the season opens as early as late April. The water in May is around +20.5 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats).

Seafront hotels for May get booked up in advance, so don't put off your reservation. On the plus side, the beaches here are spacious, and even on weekends you'll easily find a free spot.

Beaches: spacious, well-equipped, with clean sand and a gentle entry into the water.
Hotels: mostly high-end, with complexes from well-known global chains.
Entertainment: a museum, water park, zoo, and natural attractions nearby. Cafes, bars, and nightclubs open with the start of the season.
Who it's for: families with children and those willing to pay above average for a hotel.

Hotel prices in Fethiye

8. Bodrum

Cafe courtyard in Bodrum with bougainvillea

Bodrum sits on the shore of an Aegean bay among cliffs, pine forests and orange groves, and its coastline is divided into small coves. The water in May is around +19.5 °C, the coolest of the nine resorts (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats).

The air is already warm during the day, but evenings are cool, so a light jacket will come in handy. On the plus side, May is calmer in the city than the peak of summer, and the markets operate without crowds.

Beaches: sand with pebbles and a gentle entry. At municipal beaches you pay only for loungers and umbrellas; hotel beaches are free.
City: old streets with palm trees and the eastern-style Produce Bodrum Market.
Hotels: built on three levels of the slope, with elevators at the upper lines that take guests down to the sea.
Who it's for: those who love atmospheric cities, markets and evening strolls.
The catch: swimming in early May is chilly; it gets more comfortable by the second half of the month.

Bodrum hotels on Trip.com

9. Izmir

Panorama of Izmir with bay and mountains

Izmir is a large city on the Aegean Sea where architecture and museums combine with a beach vacation. The water in May is around +20 °C (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats).

The city is big, so it's better to choose a hotel closer to the center. That way you can walk to the sea and to the sights without wasting time on transport.

What to see: historical monuments, museums, the waterfront and local cuisine.
Beaches: sandy, with loungers; short warm showers don't get in the way of your vacation.
Hotels: for any budget. If you book early, you'll find an option in the center and can walk to the beach.
Who it's for: those who want city sightseeing and the sea in one place.

Izmir hotels on Trip.com

What to see in spring

Gulf of Antalya and Beydağları Mountains

In May, at any resort you can combine the beach with sightseeing. Near Belek are the ruins of the ancient cities of Aspendos and Perge. Around Kemer, fragments of ancient cities, cave labyrinths and Mount Yanartas, where fire comes out to the surface, have been preserved.

A cable car ride up Mount Tahtali opens up a view of the coast for many kilometers. From Kemer and Antalya, tours go to Kekova Island and the ruins of the city of Myra. In Bodrum, it's worth seeing the Castle of St. Peter, the Myndos Gate and the ancient theater.

In Side, check out the city gates, the amphitheater and the aqueduct. In Alanya, the cliffs and the fortress are interesting; in Antalya, the waterfall and the archaeological museum. You can also take a couple of days to go to Istanbul, where the Bosphorus connects Europe and Asia.

Entertainment on water and on land

In May, Turkish resorts offer entertainment for every taste, age and budget. Water slides and attractions await you at water parks, and dolphinariums operate in Kemer and Antalya.

On the beaches you can go parasailing, ride jet skis and banana boats, take yacht trips and go sea fishing. For active travelers there's diving, snorkeling and water skiing. If you want to fill your free days in advance, check out excursions and entertainment in Turkey.

Vacation with kids

Most resorts on the Riviera have conditions for family vacations. Sandy beaches with a gentle entry can be found in Alanya, Antalya, Bodrum, Side, Belek and Fethiye, as well as in the suburbs of Kemer.

In early May, the sea rarely warms up to a temperature comfortable for children. But kids can swim in hotel pools, which are filled with seawater.

Hotels in Antalya, Belek, Kemer and Fethiye often have shallow kiddie pools, playgrounds and entertainers. Kids' clubs and mini zoos operate at the hotels, and sports activities are held.

The zoo, water park, dolphinarium and aquarium in Antalya will add variety to your vacation. In Kemer, kids can take the cable car up the mountain and visit the dinosaur park in the village of Goynuk. In Alanya, the archaeological museum and the Ic Kale fortress are interesting.

Plan your day so that you're at the beach or pool before noon, and leave excursions and trips for the morning and evening. That way your kids will have good memories rather than exhaustion from the heat.

Tour prices

Tours for May are best booked in advance. At the beginning of the month, demand is high and there are fewer offers on the market than in summer. Early booking gives you a choice from a larger number of options: flight, hotel, all-inclusive meals, transfer and insurance are usually included in the package.

Compare offers from several operators and check what's included in the price. Sometimes a package with a flight works out cheaper than separate tickets and a hotel, but only with flexible dates. If your vacation is tied to specific dates, it's better to look for a tour several months ahead.

Hotel prices

The price of a hotel in May depends on several things. First, the number of stars and the room category: standard, luxe, deluxe, bungalow or villa. Second, the coastline: the closer to the sea, the more expensive. Third, the meals: breakfast, half board or all-inclusive.

From May 1, 2026, Turkey reduced the hotel accommodation tax from 2% to 1% (as of 09/2026, Turizm Ekonomi). For a guest, it's a small amount, but a pleasant one.

The cheapest vacation is in Alanya, including hotels on the coastline and in the center. 4* hotels often match 5* complexes in service. In Kemer and Belek prices are higher, while Marmaris hotels are mostly mid-range and aimed at young people.

You can compare options by dates here: find a hotel in Turkey on Trip.com.

Excursions worth taking

Warm May weather is good for excursions. There are still few tourists, so you can reach the main sights without queues and take your time choosing the right angle for photos. It's most comfortable to book excursions for the morning, before it gets hot.

Prices in May are lower than at the height of the season. Private tours for a small group cost in the range of a few dozen euros per person, group tours are usually cheaper. Some tickets and transfers are paid separately, so check what's included in the program and the guide's language with the operator before booking.

Excursion	Duration	Format
Cappadocia flight	about an hour in the air	group
Alanya city tour	about five hours	private
Turkish cuisine tasting	about four hours	private
Countryside walk from Antalya	about four hours	private
Istanbul: two continents	full day	private
Asian Istanbul	about three and a half hours	private

Hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia

Dozens of hot air balloons over Cappadocia valley

© This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a · CC BY-SAPhoto: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Cappadocia is a region of volcanic landscapes, where dozens of colorful balloons rise every morning. The flight starts early: you're picked up from your hotel and brought to the launch site, where the balloon is inflated right in front of you.

In the basket you rise above the valleys and spend about an hour in the air. The pilot tells you about the history of these places, while rocks and cave cities drift by below. The flight ends with a landing on a truck trailer, a glass of champagne, and a flight certificate.

You can take the flight from Cappadocia, Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, and Side. The excursion is a group tour and is allowed for children aged seven and up. The weather forecast decides everything: in strong winds the flight is postponed, so leave a backup day in your plans.

Alanya city tour

Walls and towers of Alanya Castle above the city

Alanya has preserved monuments from antiquity, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. The route starts at the Red Tower, then you climb to the fortress, which operates as an open-air museum.

After that, the guide leads you through the old streets to the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Ehmedek fortress, and a viewpoint with a panorama of the city. Along the way you'll hear legends about pirates and learn where the Roman philosopher Cicero lived. There's a separate stop at Adam Atacagı Cape. The walk ends at the western foot of the citadel, near Cleopatra Beach and Damlataş Cave.

The excursion is private and lasts about five hours. Fortress tickets and bus fare are paid separately. Check the guide's language when booking.

Turkish cuisine tasting tour

Turkish kebab with grilled vegetables and greens

Turkish cuisine brings together the traditions of Turkic peoples and Byzantium. On the tasting tour you'll learn about the menu of Ottoman sultans and the history of kebab.

The main thing is the tasting itself: Adana kebab on skewers, tantuni from Mersin, dolma, the vegetable dishes taratula and piyaz, and pide flatbreads. Part of the program takes place in a garden restaurant, where they serve national soups, cutlets, drinks, and Turkish sweets.

The private tour lasts about four hours, and the dishes are paid separately. Come hungry: there will be many portions, and you'll want to try everything.

Countryside walk from Antalya

Ancient stone bridge over Köprülü Canyon

This excursion takes you beyond the resort city of Antalya into the mountains. You follow a scenic trail to the bank of a mountain river, where a Mediterranean picnic is set up.

In wooden gazebos with Turkish cushions, breakfast is served with ten kinds of Turkish cheese, olives, gözleme with fillings, eggs with Turkish sausage, and flatbreads with honey or jam. Tea is poured from a two-tier Turkish teapot, and from the table you have a view of a sheer cliff and a pine forest.

The walk is private and takes about four hours. After enjoying the fresh air and taking photos, you return to your hotel by lunchtime.

Istanbul: two continents in one day

Laleli-İstanbul Üniversitesi tram stop in Istanbul

Istanbul stands on two shores of the Bosphorus. On this walking tour you'll visit both Europe and Asia in a single day.

The route goes through the Karaköy and Cihangir neighborhoods, built up by the Ottomans and Byzantines. You'll see old churches, an eastern bazaar with spicy aromas, and views of the Sea of Marmara. By ferry you'll cross the Bosphorus to palaces, the Maiden's Tower, and mosque minarets. In the Asian part, Kadıköy Street awaits you with tea gardens and antique shops.

The excursion is private, and the ferry crossing is paid separately. Wear comfortable shoes: there will be a lot of walking.

Asian Istanbul

Maiden's Tower at night with light beams, Istanbul

The second Istanbul excursion is dedicated to the Asian part of the city. It starts at the Kadıköy pier.

From Çamlıca Hill you get views of the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Princes' Islands. Then you'll see the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, built by the architect Mimar Sinan, and stroll through a bohemian district with colorful 19th-century houses. This district has preserved Ottoman, Jewish, Greek, and Armenian architecture. Midway through the walk there's a break for tea with national sweets at an open-air cafe.

The duration is about three and a half hours. The format is private, so you set the pace yourself.

Food prices

It's hard to save on food. If you've opted out of all-inclusive, you'll have to pay for every meal. The closer a cafe is to the sea, the higher the prices: the difference between the first line and the city is noticeable.

You can pay for your order in euros, dollars, and Turkish lira. Food is most expensive in Kemer, Belek, and Marmaris. It's cheaper in Fethiye and Izmir, especially in cafes for locals away from the waterfront.

Traveler reviews

Reviews of May vacations on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are generally positive. Travelers note clean, well-maintained beaches and a calm atmosphere on the shore.

Kemer gets criticism for the large pebbles at the water's edge. The cool water in early May is offset by seawater pools at hotels. Young people like Kemer and Marmaris because of the nightclubs, where the fun doesn't stop until dawn. Those traveling for experiences will enjoy Alanya, Antalya, Side, and Bodrum.

Hotels at all resorts receive good ratings for comfort and service, and local markets delight with inexpensive vegetables and fruit. If you're going in May, don't focus on price alone: the area, the nearby beach, and the meal plan matter more.

Turkey resorts on the map

All nine resorts are easy to view on a map, so you can assess the distances between them in advance and plan transfers within a single trip.

To Turkey in May

Places on the map

1Antalya Water around +21 °C by mid-May, five districts of the city
2Alanya Sheltered from winds by the Taurus range, warm sea from early May
3Marmaris Season in full swing from mid-May, lively nightlife
4Belek 5* hotels along 20 km of coast, protected beaches with turtles
5Kemer Resort by pine-covered mountains, pebble beaches
6Side Ancient monuments right in the town on the peninsula
7Fethiye Season opens as early as late April, spacious beaches
8Bodrum Coolest sea of the nine resorts, about +19.5 °C
9Izmir Large city on the Aegean Sea, architecture and beaches together

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Turkey in May?

Yes, on the Mediterranean coast the water in May is already suitable for swimming, on the Aegean it's a bit cooler (as of 09/2026, Weather-Stats). In the first days it's more comfortable to swim in the hotel pool, and head to the open sea from the middle of the month. For small children the water is still cool.

Where is the warmest sea in May?

The warmest is near Antalya, Alanya, Side, and Belek: the water stays around +21 °C (as of 09/2026, Seatemperature.info). On the Aegean coast it's cooler: around +20 °C in Marmaris, around +19.5 °C in Bodrum. If warm water is a deciding factor for you, choose Mediterranean resorts.

Where to go with children in May?

Sandy beaches with a gentle entry are found in Alanya, Antalya, Side, Belek, and Fethiye. In early May the sea is still cool, so choose a hotel with a pool, kids' club, and animators. In Antalya, children will be entertained by the aquarium, zoo, and water park, and Kemer has a dolphinarium.

Which excursions should you take in May?

In May there are fewer queues, and the weather is good for long walks. Popular options are the hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia, the Alanya city tour, and a trip to Istanbul. Book excursions for the morning and check in advance whether tickets and transfers are included in the price.

What about hotel prices in May?

May is cheaper than the summer peak, but the beginning of the month is in demand because of public holidays. The price depends on the hotel's star rating, coastline, and meal plan. Hotels in Alanya are the cheapest, while Kemer and Belek are more expensive. From May 1, 2026, the accommodation tax is reduced to 1% (as of 09/2026, Turizm Ekonomi).

In short: what's worth booking

If you're going for warm sea in early May, choose Antalya, Alanya, or Side. For a family vacation with a kids' club, Belek and Fethiye are good options. For nightlife and a long promenade, head to Marmaris; for a city program and museums, to Izmir; and for local character and Aegean views, to Bodrum.

In May, it's better to book hotels in advance, before prices rise toward summer. Compare options by dates and meal plan: find a hotel in Turkey on Trip.com or browse tours on GetYourGuide.

May in Turkey: 9 resorts where swimming season is already open