Antalya is primarily known for its beaches and blissful Turkish Riviera scenery, so you might be thinking summer is the best time to visit Antalya – wrong, think again sunshine!
Summer months between June and September bring the best weather in terms of sunshine, but this time of the year is especially dry and hot, and while perfect for enjoying the beautiful beaches of Antalya, it can be too hot to enjoy the nearby hiking trails, explore the historical landmarks, or spend too much time outside.
Having personally visited Antalya in the summer, we can confirm it’s not the best time to visit Antalya – the best time is after the summer crowds have dispersed, but when the weather is still sunny, has little rainfall, and more moderate temperatures for sightseeing.
If you’re wondering what months to visit Antalya in, this guide is for you. We uncover each month and season, so you can decide when is the best time to visit Antalya for you.
Planning a trip to Antalya last-minute?
Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!
Here is our recommended airport transfer in Antalya:
- Airport Shuttle From Antalya Airport To City Center (Best way to get into town!)
Here are our recommended tours in Antalya:
- City Tour w/ Cable Car, Boat Trip and Waterfall (A must-do In Antalya!)
- Suluada Island Boat Trip (Secluded island for swimming and snorkeling)
- Traditional Turkish Bath with Massages
- Taurus Mountains Full-Day Jeep Safari (Great for exploring off the beaten path)
Here are our recommended places to stay in Antalya:
- Sky Kamer Hotel Antalya (Has seaview rooms in the historic center!)
- Megasaray Westbeach Antalya (All-inclusive resort right on the beach!)
- Hostel Vauge (Most famous hostel in Antalya!)
Climate and Weather In Antalya, Turkey
| Month | Average Lows (°C,°F) | Average Highs (°C,°F) | Average Rainfall (mm) | Average Daylight Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8, 47 | 15, 59 | 190.9 | 10 |
| February | 10, 49 | 16, 61 | 119.9 | 11 |
| March | 11, 52 | 18, 64 | 82.4 | 12 |
| April | 15, 59 | 21, 69 | 47.2 | 13 |
| May | 18, 65 | 24, 75 | 25.1 | 14 |
| June | 23, 73 | 29, 84 | 5.2 | 14.5 |
| July | 26, 79 | 32, 90 | 0.9 | 14.5 |
| August | 27, 80 | 33, 91 | 1 | 13.5 |
| September | 23, 73 | 29, 85 | 14.4 | 12.5 |
| October | 18, 65 | 25, 78 | 81.3 | 11.5 |
| November | 14, 57 | 21, 70 | 115.8 | 10.5 |
| December | 10, 50 | 16, 61 | 203.7 | 9.5 |
Antalya is a coastal city and so it has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. This means that the summers are very hot with low humidity while the winters are mild and rainy. Antalya sees an average of 300 days of sunshine every year.
In fact, the weather is so dry in the summer that forest fires sometimes ravage the coast, as seen in 2021.
In the winter, Antalya’s geographical location near the sea means that the temperatures rarely drop below freezing. However, there are places with higher elevation in the Antalya district that sees snow, such as the popular Saklikent ski resort.
However, for Antalya city itself, snow is rare, but historically has been proven to be possible.
Antalya In Summer (June to August)
Summer is the peak season to visit Antalya, especially if you want to enjoy its incredible beaches. During the summer, rain is extremely rare. In fact, in July and August, the average record rainfall is only 1 mm, which is nearly non-existent.
Antalya in the summer is very popular with tourists, as this is when most people take their summer vacation. This means that you’ll need to book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you want some of the nicer places to stay in Antalya such as Lara Beach.
You should also note that because it’s the high season, hotels, tours, and rental cars, often get booked up in advance. We also visited Antalya in August and found the temperatures in the middle of the day to be too hot for exploring outdoor attractions, but fortunately places like the Ancient City of Perge open until sunset, so you can go later in the day to avoid the midday heat.
Because of the extreme temperatures, heat-related illnesses are not uncommon in the summer, especially for international tourists. To stay safe in Antalya during the summer, make sure you seek out shade as much as you can and stay hydrated.
Antalya In Fall (September to November)
Fall is one of our favorite times to visit Antalya. This time of the year is not as hot and the summer tourists have now gone. If you could, we highly recommend you visit Antalya in September (or early Fall). Rain is still very rare, and it is cool enough to explore Kaleici (the historic center of Antalya) and some of the ancient ruins nearby without sweating like a pig.
The temperatures are still warm enough to go swimming in the sea or go sunbathing on the soft-sand beaches, and you can also avoid the midday heat by visiting indoor attractions such as Antalya Museum or Antalya Aquarium.
September is also when you find plenty of festivals taking place, such as the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, because the weather is warm enough to have outdoor events but not too hot to cause a health issue. If you’re interested in having a glimpse into local culture, then visiting this time of year to attend a festival is a great idea.
Try to avoid visiting Antalya in late autumn (November). The average high temperature is only 21 degrees celcius, which is a little too cold to enjoy the plethora of water sports the city has to offer.
Antalya In Winter (December to February)
Winter is certainly not one of the best times to visit Antalya. Not only are the temperatures too low to go swimming on its world-famous beaches, but Antalya sees the most precipitation during this season.
However, that doesn’t stop tourists from visiting this famed region on the Mediterranean Coast. Though cooler and rainier than the rest of the year, many European tourists come to Antalya in winter to avoid freezing temperatures back home.
Relatively speaking, Antalya is worth visiting in winter because it’s still quite warm, with an average low of 8 degrees celcius and an average high of 15 degrees celcius in January. This is excellent for exploring its outdoor attractions, whether that would be the hiking trails or a nice boat tour.
Though winter is not the best time to visit Antalya, but it‘s certainly one of the best places to visit in Turkey during the winter, especially if you are in Europe and looking for some winter sun.
Antalya In Spring (March to May)
The weather in Antalya in spring is very similar to the weather in autumn. The days are generally warm enough to go enjoy the outdoors (including swimming), but the nights might require a warm jacket.
You might still see a few days of rain in early March, but the latter parts of the months are very dry. June is similar to September when it comes to the weather, which is hot (but not too hot) and very dry, perfect for enjoying the plethora of activities in Antalya.
If you are visiting Antalya in the Spring, we recommend coming in the late spring because the temperatures will be warmer.
Best Month To Visit Antalya: Month-By-Month Analysis
Antalya In January
- Average Temperature: 8°C, (47°F) to 15°C (59°F)
- Average Rainfall: 190.9 mm
January is the heart of the winter in Antalya, which means that the temperatures are at their lowest and the rainfall is at its highest. However, this is still great weather for exploring the city, especially when compared to the debilitating heat of the summer.
The beaches near Antalya might not be the best time to visit, as the sea temperature will be quite cold for swimming. But even then, you’ll see some brave souls going in for a refreshing dip. If you want to photograph the beaches without that many people, this is the perfect time to visit. Konyaalti Beach is especially nice during this time of the year.
You might want to consider visiting some of the museums in Antalya during this month.
Skiing in Saklikent in January is possible.
Antalya In February
- Average Temperature: 10°C, (49°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Average Rainfall: 119.9 mm
Compared to January, February in Antalya is slightly warmer but significantly less rainy, especially near the end of the month. This is a popular time for European tourists to visit Antalya since February is usually quite cold in most parts of Europe.
While the weather is still not ideal for swimming, you can definitely enjoy most of Antalya’s outdoor activities without getting drenched in rain. We recommend checking out the hiking trails and visiting some of the ancient ruins nearby.
You can also go skiing in Saklikent in February.
Antalya In March
- Average Temperature: 11°C, (52°F) to 18°C (64°F)
- Average Rainfall: 82.4 mm
March is the start of spring in Antalya. The temperature is still relatively quite cold compared to the rest of the year, but it has become bearable to go swimming in the sea (for some). The rainfall is also significantly lower compared to the winter months.
This is a great time to visit Antalya if you don’t mind the cooler temperatures. The beaches will be less crowded since most tourists come during the hotter months. However, you won’t be able to go skiing.
Antalya In April
- Average Temperature: 15°C, (59°F) to 21°C (69°F)
- Average Rainfall: 47.2 mm
April is the heart of spring in Antalya. The temperatures are getting warmer and the rainfall is getting lower. This is an excellent time to visit Antalya if you want to enjoy the outdoors without having to deal with the sweltering heat of summer.
The beaches will be slightly more crowded compared to March, but it will still be nothing compared to the hordes of tourists that descend upon Antalya in July and August.
Antalya In May
- Average Temperature: 18°C, (65°F) to 24°C (75°F)
- Average Rainfall: 25.1 mm
May is usually considered the end of fall or the start of summer in Antalya. The temperatures have become warm enough to enjoy all the activities Antalya has to offer – from swimming in the sea to exploring its waterfalls and more.
Because of that, May usually sees an uptick in tourists, but nothing compared to the middle of the summer. This makes it an excellent to visit for those traveling Turkey on a budget.
Antalya In June
- Average Temperature: 23°C, (73°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Average Rainfall: 5.2 mm
June is the start of summer in Antalya and the weather is perfect for swimming and sunbathing on the beach. The sea temperature is warm and the rainfall is extremely low. Generally speaking, visitors can still enjoy other outdoor attractions in Antalya without worrying about it getting too hot.
Tourists are starting to flock to Antalya around this time, so expect the beaches and attractions to be crowded. Make sure to book your accommodation in advance if you’re planning on visiting during this month. June is one of our favorite months to visit Antalya.
Antalya In July
- Average Temperature: 26°C, (79°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Average Rainfall: 0.9 mm
July is the middle of summer in Antalya and the weather is extremely hot and dry. The sea temperature is also at its warmest, making it ideal for swimming. However, because of the heat, we recommend avoiding any outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day (11 am to 3 pm).
This is the busiest time of the year for tourism in Antalya so expect the beaches and attractions to be packed. Book your accommodation well in advance if you’re planning on visiting during the month of July.
Antalya In August
- Average Temperature: 27°C, (80°F) to 33°C (91°F)
- Average Rainfall: 1 mm
August is usually the hottest time of the year to visit Antalya, but that certainly doesn’t make it the best time to visit Antalya. The weather is somewhat similar to the month of July and you can expect a similar crowd level.
The days are really hot, which means you might be limited to only watersports and other water-related activities. If you don’t mind the heat and the crowds, then August can be a great time to visit Antalya for the beaches. Just make sure you stay hydrated at all times.
Antalya In September
- Average Temperature: 23°C, (73°F) to 29°C (85°F)
- Average Rainfall: 14.4 mm
September is the start of fall in Antalya and the weather begins to cool down. The temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy all the activities Antalya has to offer, but it’s not as hot as it is in July and August.
The rainfall is also starting to increase, but it’s still very dry at 14.4 mm. This is an excellent time to visit Antalya if you want to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the warm weather. September is one of our favorite times to visit this coastal Turkish city!
Antalya In October
- Average Temperature: 18°C, (65°F) to 25°C (78°F)
- Average Rainfall: 81.3 mm
October is an excellent time to visit Antalya if you don’t mind the chillier nights. The temperatures are still warm enough during the day to go sightseeing, but you’ll need a light jacket or sweater for the evenings.
Swimming in the sea and going sunbathing are very enjoyable in October, especially in the middle of the day when the sun is strong but the temperatures are quite mild. Rain is becoming a little bit more common in October, but not bad enough to interrupt your trip!
Antalya In November
- Average Temperature: 14°C, (57°F) to 21°C (70°F)
- Average Rainfall: 115.8 mm
November is the transition month between the fall and the winter. The temperatures drop drastically during this month, and visitors will probably need a jacket when visiting Antalya. In the daytime, it is still comfortable to walk around in a t-shirt and soak in the 10.5 hours of daylight, but you are unlikely going to feel warm enough to just relax on the beach.
This is a great time for doing anything that might be strenuous because the cooler temperatures will make it more comfortable. November is when you’ll start seeing the beaches empty out, and you are most likely not going to be able to go swimming.
Antalya In December
- Average Temperature: 10°C, (50°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Average Rainfall: 203.7 mm
December is the official beginning of winter in Antalya, though you’ll see some tourists, especially during the Christmas holidays and New Year. Many travelers pick Antalya as the place to spend Christmas in Turkey because it’s a little more warm than the cities.
Though Antalya in December is by no way warm with its 10°C lows and 16°C highs, it is better than the freezing temperatures in other parts of Europe. Russian tourists especially love visiting Antalya during this time.
Rain is one of the heaviest during December, so make sure you pack a rain jacket as well as something warm!
Best Time To Visit Antalya FAQs
When Is The Best Time To Visit Antalya For Its Beaches?
Generally speaking, June to September is the best time to visit Antalya for its beaches. This time of the year is hot and dry, and you’ll enjoy soaking in the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. However, be aware that these are also some of the busiest months in Antalya, just make sure you plan your visit in advance.
Is May A Good Time To Visit Antalya?
May is an excellent time to visit Antalya. The temperatures are starting to become warm enough to enjoy its beaches but not so hot that you can’t go anywhere without the risk of heat stroke or heat fatigue. It is also not in the high season, which means it’ll be relatively quiet when compared to July or August.
The Verdict: When Is The Best Time To Visit Antalya?
The best time to visit Antalya is September, which is just after the summer crowds have left but the weather is still dry and sunny, so you can take advantage of the stunning beaches on the Mediterranean Coast. The weather may still be hot, but it will be cool enough to explore the outdoor attractions, such as the Ancient City of Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, and hiking the Lycian Way.
Picking the best time to visit Antalya might not coincide with your vacation days, so even if you can’t visit in September, we hope this guide gives you some idea of what it’s like to visit Antalya in each season.
Though the summers are nice and generally a great time to visit if you want to relax on the best beaches in the country, travelers should be aware of the extremely hot temperatures, which could work against you and make your trip less enjoyable! Day trips and excursions may also be harder due to the high number of tourists booking up tours and rental cars.
If you are flexible with your dates, the shoulder season (spring and fall) are ideal times to visit Antalya.
