Winter is the quietest and cheapest time of year in Antalya. The beaches empty, the big resorts switch to their winter programme and the Taurus Mountains behind the city turn white, while the coast stays mild. Antalya in winter will not give you a beach holiday, but it is a good choice for sunny walks, ancient sites, golf and a relaxed break away from the cold at home.
Quick answer: Antalya in winter (November to March) has daytime highs of about 15–21°C and a sea of 17–22°C. December and January are the wettest months, with heavy rain on 12–13 days, but there are plenty of clear, sunny days in between. Antalya city and most big hotels stay open with a reduced winter programme from 1 November to 31 March, while water parks, beach bars and most boat trips close. Christmas Day is an ordinary working day in Turkey (25 December 2026 is a Friday); New Year’s Eve is the big celebration, and 1 January 2027, also a Friday, is an official holiday.
Table of Contents
Antalya winter weather month by month
| Month | Daytime high | Night low | Sea | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | About 21°C | About 10–11°C | About 21–22°C | About 150 mm on 7–8 days |
| December | About 17°C | About 7°C | About 18°C | About 270 mm on around 12 days |
| January | About 15°C | About 6°C | About 18°C | About 210 mm on around 13 days |
| February | About 16°C | About 6°C | About 17°C | About 115 mm on around 11 days |
| March | About 18°C | About 8°C | About 17°C | About 95 mm on around 10 days |
The rain usually comes in heavy bursts that last a day or two, often with wind and thunder, and the days in between are bright and clear. Early November and late March feel like spring; December to February are the coolest and wettest. Our monthly guides cover each month in detail.
Is Antalya warm enough for winter sun?
On a clear day in January it is often warm enough to sit outside at lunchtime in a T-shirt, which is the main reason people come. It is not reliably warm enough for sunbathing, though, and the evenings are cool, so think of it as a mild, bright break. Early November is the best bet for real warmth: the sea is still around 21°C and some people swim. From December to March very few people swim in the sea, and hotels heat their indoor pools instead.
What is open in Antalya in winter
- Most big hotels in Belek, Lara, Kemer, Side and Alanya stay open, but switch to a winter programme from about 1 November to 31 March. Spas, indoor pools and the main restaurant stay open; outdoor restaurants, some pools and the kids’ clubs may close.
- Water parks and hotel slides close for the winter. A heated outdoor pool is a good sign that a hotel takes the winter season seriously; ask for its winter programme in writing before you book.
- Antalya city, Kaleiçi old town and Konyaaltı stay lively all year, with shops, cafés and restaurants open as normal.
- Land of Legends in Belek keeps its dry rides, shows and shopping avenue open, but the water park closes from about November to April. From mid-November to early February it runs its New Year events; check this winter’s dates on the park’s own site before you plan a day around them. See our Land of Legends guide.
- Ancient sites such as Perge, Aspendos and Side are open all year, and the Olympos cable car runs daily in winter, weather permitting. The operator’s English timetable gives 09:00 to 15:00 for November and December, its Turkish timetable gives 09:00 to 17:00 and the hours box on its home page shows 09:00 to 16:30 (checked 2 November 2026), so plan for 15:00; both timetables give 09:00 to 15:00 for January, with the last trip up 30 minutes before closing.
- Most boat trips, including Suluada and the Green Canyon, stop running in winter. The Antalya Museum is closed while it is rebuilt.
Not every hotel stays open. Many seasonal hotels close for the winter, and travellers report that some of those that stay open run a reduced “winter concept” with outdoor pools that are open but too cold to use. Ask the hotel what will be open on your dates before you book; our where to stay in Antalya guide explains why the city and Kaleiçi suit a winter break.
Best things to do in Antalya in winter
- Visit Perge, Aspendos and Side without the summer heat; the ruins have little shade, so cool weather is ideal. This Perge, Aspendos and Side tour runs with hotel pickup; see our Aspendos tour guide.
- See the Düden waterfalls, which are at their fullest after the winter rain. Our Duden Waterfalls guide explains how to reach both.
- Ride the Olympos cable car for snow at the summit and views over the coast; take a warm coat. See our Olympos cable car guide or check tickets with pickup.
- Spend a rainy afternoon in a hamam; this Turkish bath with pickup is a good choice in Antalya and Lara, and our Turkish bath guide explains what to expect.
- Take a day trip to Pamukkale; the terraces are cold and sometimes frosty in winter, so bring warm layers. Read is a Pamukkale day trip worth it? or compare Pamukkale tours.
- Play golf in Belek, where the courses are open all year and winter is a popular season.
- Walk Kaleiçi, the old harbour and the clifftop parks; our things to do in Antalya guide lists the free sights.
Skiing and the sea on the same day
Saklıkent, a small ski area about 45–50 km from Antalya in the Beydağları mountains, opens when there is enough natural snow, usually from late December to the end of March. It has a handful of lifts and short runs that suit beginners and families. In late February and March you can ski in the morning and be back on the coast by the afternoon. The opening date depends on the snow each year: on paper the season runs from about 10 December to 10 April, but no 2026–27 opening date had been announced when we checked on 2 November 2026, so check the official Saklıkent website before you plan around it.
Christmas in Antalya
Turkey is a mostly Muslim country, so Christmas Day is an ordinary working day: shops, buses and offices run as normal. Decorated trees and lights do appear in December, but most Turks put them up for New Year rather than Christmas. Many big hotels with European guests lay on a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner. Before you book, ask the hotel three things about 24 to 26 December: whether the Christmas dinner costs extra, whether the kids’ club is open and whether the heated or indoor pool is open.
If you want a service, St Paul’s Union Church in Kaleiçi holds English-language services on Sundays at 10:30 in the Saint Paul Cultural Center. It had posted no Christmas 2026 times when we checked on 2 November, so check its website nearer the time.
For what is open on 25 December and 1 January, see our Christmas and New Year in Antalya guide.
New Year’s Eve in Antalya
New Year’s Eve is the big winter celebration in Turkey. Kaleiçi and the old harbour are busy with restaurants and bars, and many hotels sell gala dinners with live music, sometimes as a package with a room. Book a New Year’s Eve dinner well ahead. We found no 2026 city programme from Antalya’s metropolitan council or Muratpaşa council when we checked on 10 November. 1 January is a public holiday.
Where to stay in Antalya in winter
- Antalya city, Kaleiçi and Lara are the liveliest choice in winter, with restaurants and shops open around you and the most to do on foot.
- Belek suits golfers and anyone who wants a resort hotel with spa and heated pools.
- Kemer, Side and Alanya are quieter in winter; good for a calm hotel break, less so for evenings out.
Whichever you choose, ask the hotel which restaurants, pools and activities will be open on your dates, because winter facilities vary a lot between hotels.
Getting there in winter
There are fewer direct flights from the UK in winter, and many land late in the evening. A pre-booked transfer means a driver waits for you even if your flight is delayed, which helps on a wet winter night. Our Antalya Airport transfers guide compares the options, and the arrivals guide shows where to meet your driver.
What to pack for Antalya in winter
- Layers: T-shirts for sunny days and a warm jumper or fleece for the evenings.
- A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet, slippery stone streets.
- Swimwear for the heated pool and spa.
- Sunglasses and sun cream; the winter sun is still strong on clear days.
Should you go to Antalya in winter?
Go if you want a mild, quiet and good-value break with sightseeing, walks, golf or a spa, and you are happy with some rain. Choose early November or late March if warmth matters most, pick a hotel that confirms its winter facilities in writing, and plan one or two day trips for the sunny days.
FAQ: Antalya in winter
Is Antalya warm in winter?
Mild rather than warm. Daytime highs are about 15–17°C from December to February and about 21°C in November, with cool nights of 6–11°C. Sunny days often feel warm at lunchtime.
Can you swim in Antalya in winter?
In early November some people still swim, as the sea is about 21°C. From December to March the sea is about 17–18°C, so most visitors use heated indoor pools instead.
Is Antalya open in winter?
Yes. Antalya city and most big hotels stay open, with a reduced winter programme from about 1 November to 31 March. Water parks, beach bars and most boat trips close.
What is Christmas like in Antalya?
Christmas Day is an ordinary working day in Turkey; many hotels with European guests hold a Christmas dinner, but New Year’s Eve is the bigger celebration. Our Christmas and New Year in Antalya guide covers what is open on 25 December and 1 January.
Can you go to the beach in Antalya at Christmas?
You can walk along the beach, but it is not beach weather: in December daytime highs are about 17°C and the sea is about 18°C. Very few people swim in the sea from December to March, so plan a Christmas trip around sunny walks, sightseeing and a heated pool or spa.
Which hotels stay open for Christmas in Antalya?
Hotels in Antalya city and most big hotels in Belek, Lara, Kemer, Side and Alanya stay open through the winter, Christmas included, while many seasonal resort hotels close. Our Christmas guide lists what to ask the hotel before you book.
Are there Christmas markets in Antalya?
Only small ones: Alanya, nearly two hours east of Antalya, has an international Christmas market listed for 12 and 13 December 2026 (the listing marks the date as an estimate), and in Antalya city Muratpaşa council has run a New Year market in Atatürk Kent Meydanı in recent Decembers.
Can you ski near Antalya?
Yes. Saklıkent, about 45–50 km from the city, usually opens from late December to the end of March when there is enough snow; on paper the season runs from about 10 December to 10 April. In late February and March you can ski in the morning and reach the coast by the afternoon.
More AYT Survival Guides
- Antalya Weather in December
- Antalya Weather in January
- Antalya Weather in November
- Things to Do in Antalya: Best Trips, Free Sights & Prices
- Olympos Cable Car (Tahtalı): Tickets, Prices & Times
- Aspendos, Perge & Side Tour from Antalya
- Turkish Bath in Antalya
- Antalya Airport Transfers
Sources: climate averages from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) 1991–2020 normals, as used in our monthly guides; holiday dates from Law 2429 on national and general holidays; cable car times from the Olympos Teleferik timetable (English and Turkish); Saklıkent season from the official Saklıkent site and local news; church details from St Paul’s Union Church; Land of Legends winter opening from the park and tour operators; New Year market from Muratpaşa council and local press; Alanya Christmas market date from a Festivall listing (2026, an estimate); hotel winter programmes from hotel information and recent traveller reports. Holiday, cable car, ski, church, Land of Legends and market details checked on 2 November 2026; climate figures on 11 October 2026. Winter opening can change from year to year, so confirm with your hotel and the attraction before you go.
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