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Is Antalya worth visiting in winter?

Yes, for mild sunshine, quiet ancient sites and lower prices, but not for a beach holiday. From November to March, days usually reach the mid-teens °C, nights are cool, and December and January are wet. The sea is cold, so plan to swim in a heated pool.

  • Good for: old-town walks, Roman sites, waterfalls, golf and spa days.
  • Less good for: guaranteed beach weather, or a full kids' programme outside New Year and school holidays.

Antalya winter weather at a glance

Long-term averages for Antalya city (MGM, 1930–2025):

Antalya winter climate averages
MonthHighLowRainy days
November21 °C11 °C7
December17 °C8 °C12
January15 °C6 °C12
February16 °C6 °C10
March18 °C8 °C9

Rain usually comes in heavy bursts with sunny spells in between.

Antalya weather by month: November to March

Antalya weather in November

The warmest winter month, about 21 °C, and the sea is often still swimmable early on. See Antalya weather in November.

Antalya weather in December

About 17 °C, but one of the two wettest months. Quiet streets and short days.

Antalya weather in January and February

The coolest time, 15–16 °C by day and about 6 °C at night. Snow often covers the mountains above the coast.

Antalya weather in March

About 18 °C with longer, drier days; the sea is still cold. Good for hiking and ancient sites.

Snow-capped Mount Tahtalı above green hills and palm trees, seen from Olympos Beach
Snow on Mount Tahtalı, seen from Olympos Beach, January 2020.

Can you swim or sunbathe in Antalya in winter?

Sun: on clear, still days it is warm enough at midday to sit by the pool, even in January. Cloudy or windy days feel cool.

Sea: about 16–18 °C from December to February, too cold for most people.

Pools: choose an indoor or heated pool and check it is heated on your dates, for example Akra Antalya (city, heated indoor pool, about 28 °C in winter) or Regnum Carya (Belek, heating from October, heated indoor spa pool). These are examples, not partners.

Which part of the Antalya coast is warmest in winter?

The difference is small. Experienced visitors say Lara, Belek and Side feel much the same, Kemer is a little cooler and wetter, and Alanya is slightly milder and drier. Alanya is about 125 km from Antalya Airport but only 40 km from Gazipaşa Airport. Choose by hotel and plans, not by a degree or two.

Are hotels open in winter, and what runs?

City hotels stay open all year. Golf, sports camps and conferences keep some resorts open, especially in Belek, but with fewer restaurants, smaller entertainment teams and fewer kids' activities (Antalya Kent Haber, in Turkish). Kids' clubs are busiest around New Year and the Turkish school mid-term break (25 January – 5 February 2027).

Before you book, ask:

  • Which restaurants, pools and kids' activities will run on my dates?
  • Is there a heated indoor pool?
  • How are the rooms heated?

Where to stay in Antalya in winter

  • Antalya city (Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı, Lara): the best first winter base; restaurants, shops and transport run all year.
  • Belek, Side and Kemer: a resort stay with spa, golf or a heated pool; check what is open nearby.
  • Alanya: lively all year; Gazipaşa is the closest airport.

Things to do in Antalya in winter

  • Kaleiçi: Hadrian's Gate and the old harbour without the crowds.
  • Ancient sites: Perge and Aspendos are open daily; Perge's theatre is closed for restoration and winter hours change.
  • Waterfalls: Düden is at its best after rain.
  • Olympos cable car: up to the 2,365 m summit of Tahtalı, listed daily 09:00–17:30 (operator); check the weather first and combine it with ancient Phaselis.
  • Skiing: Saklıkent is about 50 km from the city; the season is short and depends on snow (Ministry of Culture and Tourism).
  • Rainy days: Sefa Hamam, a historic Turkish bath in Kaleiçi (daily 12:30–20:00), or the MarkAntalya shopping centre in the city centre (10:00–23:00).
  • Where locals eat: 7 Mehmet, a family restaurant since 1937 in Atatürk Kültür Parkı, Konyaaltı.

Important: Antalya Museum has been closed since July 2025 for rebuilding (Hürriyet Daily News), with no reopening date as of 16 October 2026.

Visitors in jackets walking along the old harbour promenade in Antalya on a sunny January day
The old harbour on a sunny day, January 2023.
A quiet lane in Kaleiçi old town with carpet and souvenir shops
A Kaleiçi lane in January 2023.
Snow-capped mountain peak above clouds and forested slopes near Olympos
Snow-capped mountains near Olympos, February 2019.
Stone seating of the Roman theatre at Perge under a blue sky
Perge's Roman theatre in March 2021; the theatre is currently closed for restoration.

Christmas and New Year in Antalya

Christmas is not a public holiday in Türkiye, and most hotels keep it low-key, though some offer a Christmas Eve dinner. New Year's Eve is the big night, with gala programmes at many resorts, so book hotels and transfers early. Public events are not guaranteed: the municipalities cancelled theirs in December 2025.

Is it cold indoors? What to pack

It can be. Many homes and small hotels use air conditioning or electric heaters instead of central heating, and the damp air feels colder than the thermometer says. Ask how rooms are heated, and pack:

  • Layers: T-shirts for midday and a warm sweater or fleece for evenings.
  • A waterproof jacket and shoes, especially for December and January.
  • Comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Getting from Antalya Airport to your hotel in winter

To the city: the AntRay tram and city buses run from the airport (Antalya Airport); the fare is 42 TL with an AntalyaKart or 50 TL by contactless bank card (AntalyaKart, 16 October 2026). For resorts, you usually change at the bus station.

Private transfer: door to door, useful after late winter arrivals, with flight monitoring and child seats on request. One-way prices per vehicle, checked 16 October 2026:

Antalya Airport private transfers (one way, per vehicle)
DestinationDistance and timeVito (up to 6)Sprinter (up to 13)
Kaleiçi15 km, 20–25 min€30€40
Konyaaltı25 km, 30–40 min€30€40
Belek30 km, 25–30 min€30€45
Kemer60 km, 60–75 min€40€65
Side65 km, 60–75 min€45€65
Alanya125 km, 1 h 45 min–2 h€65€110

Area prices; your exact hotel and traffic can change them. From Gazipaşa, see Gazipaşa–Alanya prices. Get a quote on our booking page or see all airport transfer prices.

Antalya in Winter: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sit by the pool in Antalya in January?

On clear, still days, yes: the midday sun can be warm enough. Cloudy or windy days feel cool, and January highs average about 15 °C, so swim in a heated pool.

Which is warmer in winter: Lara, Belek, Kemer or Alanya?

The difference is small. Lara, Belek and Side are similar, Kemer is a little cooler and wetter, and Alanya slightly milder and drier.

Are kids' clubs open in Antalya hotels in winter?

Often only in reduced form, except around New Year and the Turkish mid-term break (25 January – 5 February 2027). Ask the hotel what runs for your children's ages.

Do hotels in Antalya celebrate Christmas?

Most keep it low-key, though some offer a Christmas Eve dinner. New Year's Eve is the big celebration.

Is it cold inside hotels and apartments in winter?

It can be, as many buildings use air conditioning or electric heaters rather than central heating. Ask how your room is heated.

Does it snow in Antalya?

Very rarely in the city: the lowest temperature ever recorded there is −4.6 °C (MGM, 1930–2025). Snow falls regularly on the mountains above the coast.

What time does it get dark in Antalya in winter?

Around late December, sunset is at about 17:45, with roughly 9.7 hours of daylight. By mid-March, sunset is at about 19:05 (local time).

Is the Olympos cable car open in winter?

The operator lists daily hours of 09:00–17:30 and announces closures on its website. It can be cold and cloudy at the 2,365 m summit, so check the weather first.

Can you ski and swim on the same day?

Only when there is enough snow at Saklıkent, about 50 km away. The sea is around 16–18 °C in midwinter, so most people ski and then use a heated pool.

Is February good for a family holiday in Antalya?

It can work for a relaxed break: days around 16 °C, cold evenings and some rain. Choose a larger resort with a heated indoor pool and check which kids' activities run.

Can I still do excursions in winter?

Yes. Perge and Aspendos are open daily, though winter hours change. Boat trips with swimming stops and jeep safaris may pause, so check with the operator.

How do I get from Antalya Airport to my hotel in winter?

The AntRay tram and city buses serve Antalya city. For Belek, Side, Kemer or Alanya, a private transfer is the most direct option; see airport transfer prices.

What happens if my flight is delayed?
All flights are monitored in real time. In case of a delay, your driver will be automatically informed and will wait according to your new arrival time. No extra charge applies.
How can I check the airport-transfer price for my hotel?

Use a hotel-specific quote page where available, or check the relevant area-price page and request a quote for your full hotel address. Compare vehicle type, passenger and luggage capacity, currency, and one-way or return pricing. An area-price page is not a separate fare for every hotel in that area.

Is the transfer service available 24/7?
Yes, we provide transfer services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your driver will be ready at any time, including night arrivals and early morning transfers.
Can you provide a child seat?
Yes, a child seat can be provided free of charge if requested during the reservation. We provide a seat suitable for your child’s age and weight.

Photo credits

Photos from Wikimedia Commons; each photo's licence is linked below. All images were resized and compressed; the main image was also cropped. Adapted CC BY-SA images are provided under the same licence.

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