Winter is Antalya's quiet season, not its closed season. The beach resorts rest, but the city, the mountains and the ancient sites are open, the light is clear and the days are often sunny and mild. It is the time to see the region the way people who live here see it - and at prices summer visitors never get.
Winter weather in Antalya
| Month | Day / night | Sea | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | about 16 °C / 7 °C | about 19 °C | The rainiest month, but rain comes in bursts between sunny days |
| January | about 15 °C / 6 °C | about 17 °C | Coolest month; snow on the Taurus peaks |
| February | about 16 °C / 6 °C | about 17 °C | Longer days, first almond blossom |
Sunny winter afternoons feel like spring in northern Europe; evenings are cool and indoor spaces are not always heated to northern standards. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for wet stone streets.
The city: Kaleiçi, museums and waterfalls
- Kaleiçi, the walled old town: Hadrian's Gate, the Fluted Minaret, the old harbour and lanes of Ottoman houses, now cafés and boutique hotels.
- Antalya Museum: one of Turkey's great archaeological collections, with the statues from Perge - an ideal rainy-day visit.
- Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls: winter rain makes them at their fullest and most impressive.
- Konyaaltı and Lara promenades: long walks, cycling and sea views without the summer heat.
Ancient sites with no queues
Perge, Aspendos and Side are open all year and in winter you share them with a handful of visitors. Phaselis, near Kemer, has three harbours in a pine forest; Olympos and Çıralı are peaceful out of season. Termessos is in the mountains and can be cold, wet or even snowy, so choose a dry day. Further west, the Church of St Nicholas in Demre is a natural winter visit, especially around Christmas.
Skiing and the sea on the same day
Saklıkent ski centre in the Bakırlı mountains lies about 50 km from the city, roughly an hour and a half by road. When there is enough snow, usually from January to March, you can ski in the morning and walk along the sea in the afternoon. The mountain road can require winter tyres or chains, so check conditions before you go and let us quote the trip for you in advance.
Winter golf, spa hotels and long stays
Belek's golf courses stay open through the winter, and green fees and hotel rates are well below autumn and spring levels. Several resorts in Belek, Lara and Kemer keep their spa and indoor pools open for the winter, and Alanya and Side attract long-stay visitors from northern Europe who come for weeks or months of mild weather.
Excursions further afield
Winter is a good time for the longer trips that are exhausting in summer: Pamukkale's travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis, or Cappadocia under snow, which many visitors consider the most beautiful time of year there. Both are long days on the road, and a private vehicle lets you stop when and where you want.
Arriving in winter
- There are fewer direct flights and more night arrivals, often via Istanbul.
- Many coastal resorts are closed, so check that your hotel is open for your dates.
- Taxi ranks are quieter at night than in summer; a pre-booked pickup that follows your flight number is the calmer option.
- The fixed price per vehicle is the same in winter as in summer - no night or holiday surcharge.