The end of the year is one of the few winter peaks in Antalya. Families escaping the northern winter, groups celebrating New Year's Eve and visitors combining the holidays with a few days of mild sunshine all arrive in the same fortnight - while much of the coast is otherwise in its quiet season.
What to expect at the end of December
Days usually reach around 15-16 °C and are often sunny, although December is also the rainiest month of the year. Christmas is not a public holiday in Turkey, so shops, restaurants and sights run as normal on 25 December. New Year's Eve, on the other hand, is widely celebrated, and 1 January is a public holiday.
Which hotels are open
City hotels in Antalya and Kaleiçi are open all year, and several resorts in Lara, Belek, Kemer, Side and Alanya open specifically for the holiday period with a Christmas dinner and a New Year's gala. Programmes, dress codes and gala supplements vary a lot, so ask your hotel what is included before you book. Rooms at the open resorts sell out early for these dates.
Christmas: the town of St Nicholas
The historical St Nicholas, the bishop behind the legend of Santa Claus, lived in Myra - today's Demre, about two and a half hours west of Antalya. The Church of St Nicholas and the rock-cut Lycian tombs of Myra make a memorable Christmas excursion, which can be combined with a stop in Kaş or the coast road around Kumluca.
New Year's Eve in Antalya
- Hotel galas: dinner, live music and a countdown, usually with a fixed menu and a supplement.
- The city: restaurants in Kaleiçi and around the marina are busy; reserve a table in advance.
- Lara and Konyaaltı: beach clubs and restaurants with sea views host their own parties.
- Fireworks can be seen along the seafront, though programmes change from year to year.
Getting around on the busiest nights
On New Year's Eve and in the early hours of 1 January taxis are hard to find, and apps and ranks are overwhelmed exactly when everyone wants to leave. If you are celebrating away from your hotel - in the city, at a restaurant or at a friend's villa - book the return journey in advance with a fixed pickup time.
Holiday arrivals and departures
- Flights around 20 December and 2 January are the busiest of the winter; book early.
- Many holiday flights land in the evening or at night - a pickup that follows your flight number avoids waiting at the terminal.
- Families with Christmas presents and winter luggage should mention the number of suitcases, so we assign the right vehicle.
- Our fixed price per vehicle has no holiday or New Year's Eve surcharge.