Every winter thousands of visitors from Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Russia and Poland swap grey skies for the Turkish Riviera for weeks or months at a time. Mild temperatures, long promenades and lower living costs than at home make Antalya, Alanya and Side some of the most popular winter destinations in the Mediterranean.
Why spend the winter here
- Mild climate: winter days around 15-17 °C, frequently sunny, rarely frost on the coast.
- Daylight: noticeably more hours of sunshine than in northern and central Europe.
- Space: promenades, beaches and old towns without the summer crowds.
- Infrastructure: shops, markets, restaurants and private hospitals are open all year in the larger towns.
Choosing where to stay
| Place | Suits | Distance from the airport |
|---|---|---|
| Antalya city | City life, culture, museums, all services on the doorstep | about 15-30 minutes |
| Side / Manavgat | A quiet old town, long beaches, flat walks | about 1 hour |
| Alanya | The largest long-stay community, promenades, active winter life | about 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Kemer | Mountains and sea, hiking, a smaller resort | about 1 hour |
Alanya and its neighbouring districts such as Mahmutlar and Oba have the largest winter community of long-stay guests, with clubs, activities and restaurants that stay busy all winter. Side is calmer; Antalya suits those who want a real city.
Accommodation: hotels and apartments
Some hotels in Alanya, Side and Antalya offer special long-stay rates for stays of four weeks or more, often with half board. Rented apartments give more space and independence; check whether they have heating or air conditioning with a heating function, because Turkish coastal houses are built for summer and can feel cold on winter evenings.
Everyday life in winter
- Weekly markets in every district for fresh fruit and vegetables - winter is citrus season.
- Walking and cycling along the promenades of Alanya, Side, Lara and Konyaaltı.
- Hiking in the Taurus foothills and on the Lycian Way on dry days.
- Day trips to ancient sites, the Manavgat waterfall or Antalya's old town.
- Private hospitals and clinics in Antalya and Alanya with international patient departments.
Paperwork and practical points
Entry rules and the length of stay allowed without a residence permit depend on your nationality and change from time to time, so check the current rules with the official Turkish authorities before you travel. Travel insurance that covers a long stay abroad is strongly recommended.
Arriving with luggage for months
Long-stay guests travel with more than a holiday suitcase. Tell us how many suitcases and extra items you are bringing - bicycles, walking frames or boxes - and we will assign a Mercedes Vito or, if needed, a Sprinter. The price is fixed per vehicle, so extra luggage is taken into account when you book, not charged at the kerb. The driver helps with loading and unloading at the door.