Antalya in January — is it worth going on New Year’s and later? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices 2026 for tours and air tickets, hotels, excursions. What to do and what to see in Antalya in early January and closer to February, where to go nearby and in Turkey in general – says Eurotraveler.
Antalya! Extremely popular in the summer and at least in the first half of autumn, the Turkish resort in winter turns into a kind of “Terra Incognita”. The territory is not very well known to mass tourists – that’s why sparsely visited.
But in January 2026, Antalya may experience an upward trend. In any case, if hoteliers at the resort—taught by recent negative experience— won’t raise prices. Well, that is, they will lower them in comparison with the summer season – isn’t that logical?!
How can Antalya attract holidaymakers in the middle of winter? After all, a beach holiday isn’t promising?!
Of course not, although these same vacationers will certainly visit the beach. Although they almost certainly won’t go swimming.
Firstly, – cool and not particularly sunny. And secondly, it’s just a pity to waste time when there are so many opportunities around!
Still in doubt, because it’s somehow unusual to vacation in Turkey in winter? Causes concern and according to rumors it seems not the most chic What’s the weather like in Antalya for New Year and holidays?
It’s not scary, we ourselves thought exactly the same way at one time. We have not yet carried out the necessary research and confirmed it in practice!
Weather in Antalya in January
Does not promise trouble-free existence. On the contrary, you initially need to prepare for a certain “break in the pattern.”
After all, there will be few clear sunny days in Antalya throughout January. And precipitation, on the contrary, seems to take revenge for the cloudless summer.
Yes, that’s right, the central month of winter brings to Antalya heavy rains. Which is inconvenient to compare with the summer months – statistically they receive more than 200 mm of rainfall!
For reference, more than 20-30 mm of precipitation is rarely recorded in this Turkish resort throughout the summer.
At the same time, it may pour like buckets – on some days – but it’s far from hopeless! Even in January, Antalya experiences dry weather, and not that rare.
According to long-term statistics, you have the right to calculate at least a month for 7-8 fine or slightly cloudy days. Which, due to the traditional mildness of the local climate, encourage vigorous activity related to sightseeing.
Naturally, not only at the resort itself – you can see the whole of Antalya up and down in 2 days. And mainly outside the city: excursions to Demre, Mira and Kekova, to Mount Tahtali, Side and Aspendos, even to the Köprülü Canyon, are in demand in winter.
Why, there are a few travelers, but inspired by the opportunities that open up. enthusiastically set off from Antalya to a trip to Cappadocia. Why not: the distance and weather, as well as the modest cost of participation (in the case of an organized excursion, only 55-60 € per person) make it possible to make such an “adventure”.
Numbers
The air temperature in Antalya, both at the beginning and at the end of January, fluctuates in the range of +12-17 degrees Celsius (daytime). At times, making attempts to please the townspeople and holidaymakers with something more.
In another year, for example, the atmosphere at the resort can warm up in the middle of winter and before +18-20 °C. In the middle (usually) of January there may be a short period of cooling down to +10 °C
The nights are colder. Although one cannot say that the weather was “freezing”: in most cases from +8 to even +12-13 degrees Celsius
Note that a little further south, in Alanya, the January weather behaves more relaxed. And it doesn’t even try to deprive residents and tourists of “legal” degrees. But there are (in our opinion) fewer attractions there!
Water temperature
It is clear that with such a weakly heated atmosphere in the sea few will climb. Although the sea water near Antalya in January maintains a temperature (+18-19 °C), which can be the envy of any English or German resort on the North Sea. And it’s not winter to envy, it’s summer!
So some vacationers on the beaches, albeit extremely few in number, try to swim in Antalya in January. Unconsciously (or maybe on purpose?) encouraging others to take up this activity.
Most holidaymakers in winter Antalya do not need such feats. Because their hotels usually have heated pools. And if not, is there great sadness?
After all, they don’t go anywhere: fresh healing sea airand that same warmth that allows you to walk along the streets in fairly light jackets. A traveler in Antalya will also be amazed by the abundance of greenery – in winter you still expect less bright colors.
And is all this bad? gift for yourself and loved ones for a holiday?! The best – because it gives hope – of the year!
How to dress
Frankly warm clothes in your vacation wardrobehowever, will not be superfluous. And we’re not talking about angora sweaters or sweatshirts – about solid down jackets with hoods and boots or boots with insulation and thick soles.
Why – you cry?! After all, the paragraph above stated that frosts and severe cold are nonsense for Antalya in January.
And we will answer that rarely does a vacationer limit himself to the boundaries of the designated resort! That is, if he goes on an excursion to ancient Myra and Demre, to the Church of St. Nicholas, – demi-season clothes should be enough.
But in the case of more elevated – literally – walks, you should warm up much more thorough!
For example
almost 100 percent of tourists in Antalya are literally desperate for climb to the top of Takhtaliwhich is 2,350 meters above sea level. Naturally, there will be snow there. And, most likely, negative temperatures, coupled with an icy wind.
Perhaps you will even aim to visit Cappadocia in January, that is, move to the central part of the Anatolian Peninsula. Since there and at this time you can fly in balloons, look at the fairy chimneysexplore the cave churches from the inside.
Walk through the valleys, see the famous fortress in Uchisar, go down to some underground city…
In this case, warm clothes will be completely indispensable. Because winter in Cappadocia is much colderthan on the coast. Probably even an order of magnitude when compared with the Turkish Riviera.
Overall, when traveling during the winter months, be sure to pack warm clothes for your trip to Turkey!
Prices 2025
The flow of people wishing to holiday in Turkey dries up by November, which means in the most beneficial way affects hotel pricing. In any case, in Antalya, which still cannot (or is it trying at all?) to get rid of the reputation of an exclusively beach and therefore seasonal resort.
Buy a one-week package tour for two from Moscow to Antalya directly for New Year’s dates It will work out if you have an amount of 150-160 thousand rubles for two. Moreover, for this money you will have to relax almost in the center of the resort (Konyaalti) and with everything ready – with “ultra all inclusive”.
Independent tourist will be able to save – because hotels in Antalya in winter are usually inexpensive.
We recommend the Frankfurt Hotel, which is located in the oldest city – just left and went for a walk along the narrow streets. Accommodation for two travelers at the very beginning of January will cost approximately 60-70 € per day (without discount). Which for such a location and time is frankly inexpensive.
It is located further from the old city, but it costs less than Just Inn City. Neat, but budget-friendly. Capable of becoming a solution to the issue of accommodation for those travelers who do not want to overpay.
Air tickets for direct flights (Moscow-Antalya) for dates after January 9 will cost 350-400 € per person – both ways, however. But if you want to come here during the New Year holidays, you will pay ~1.5 times more!
Things to do
It is clear that all day sit by the sea and no one will inhale the air, even if it is extremely useful. After all, most people try to use their foreign vacation during the New Year holidays more productively.
Moreover, in Antalya and in the middle of winter there’s something to keep you busy!
Starting from leisurely walks through the old town and shopping in local shopping centers (oh, “Mark Antalya”!) and shops. And not ending with cruises on a “pirate” ship along the coast, or visiting amazing beautiful gorges in the vicinity of a Turkish resort.
Relatively close to Antalya there are a lot of not just famous, even famous, attractions.
For example, at least once in your life you need to climb a mountain bursting with fire. Chimerawho gave her name to the mythological creature. Or visit the ruins of the ancient Greek cities of Olympos, Phaselis, and the mysterious city of Termessos.
Mostly deserted places at this time. And that makes them even more desirable!
The ruins of Perge will definitely be waiting for you, and will miss you until you arrive, Aspendos amphitheatera – especially in January, when other tourists do not even dream of traveling to Antalya.
It would be useful get to Demre and ancient Myrasee the island of Kekova with the sunken city of Dolihiste. This is easy to do even in the winter months – the Mediterranean Sea does not even think about freezing.
Fans of ecotourism may want to walk a dozen or so kilometers along the famous Lycian Way. Breathe in that same mountain air, the healing properties of which are the stuff of legends.
We mentioned Cappadocia briefly above. Although going there from Antalya may not be too easy. But actually it’s necessary! To take advantage of the moment, there are few tourists in Cappadocia in January.
Don’t forget about the travertine cascading terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of ancient Hierapolis. By the way, one one of the first balneological resorts in the history of mankind!
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© Eurotraveler
