Weather Altinkum , Turkey
If you're looking for a holiday destination which epitomises the term 'summer break', with seemingly endless sunshine and high temperatures during the summer months, in fact a summer which seems to go on forever, fantastic activities to enjoy, experiences to be had, and friendly locals wherever you go, then one of Turkey's south coast holiday resorts could be just for you.
It's no wonder more and more people are choosing to head east to Turkey's glittering beach resorts, and there are many, all boasting fantastic weather. Despite that, there is one resort one which visitors return to time and time again, a sure sign of quality, and that is the south-west resort of Altinkum.
This popular beach resort is located on the glittering Aegean coastline, where scuba diving conditions are fantastic, and you are in close proximity to many other resorts, such as Bodrum, Gumbet, and Kusadasi, as well as cities to visit, such as Izmir. Flying into Bodrum also means only around an hour's transfer, which is minimal compared to many other resorts flying into airports in this region.
Enjoying a typical Mediterranean climate, the resort experiences long, hot summers, with mild winters, when most of the rain falls, generally throughout November, December and January. As we are talking about the south west of Turkey, this means that temperatures are hotter all through the year compared to resorts nearby, especially those closer to the UK, such as Spain and Portugal. Summer temperatures can often soar into the 40s during heatwaves in July and August, meaning a sun tan is certainly on the cards. Basically, you're looking at every box you want ticking for a summer holiday, definitely ticked.
Spring
Early spring can be a chilly affair, however you will certainly notice an increase in temperatures as the months during this season progress. March can be a little chilly, with an average low temperature of around 4°C, however rainfall does begin to drop at this time of year compared to the months previously. By April you will notice that the temperatures are on the rise and sunshine hours are increasing too; by May you really will feel like summer is just around the corner, with a huge 12 hours of sun and an average temperature of 17°C with peaks of 21°C.
This is a great time to experience Altinkum away from the major crowds, and especially in late April and May, you will find some great deals for holidays before the summer peak months arrive, with flight prices especially low.
Summer
Altinkum really is a summer hotspot, and the wonderful weather you will experience throughout the entirety of June, July, and August shows you why. Fantastic temperatures and low rainfall even extends throughout September and into early October, however in terms of peak months we are looking at July and August, when crowds are certainly plentiful.
The hottest month of the year is July, when the average temperature is 25°C, however the average high is a wonderful 28°C; despite this, the resort does experience regular heatwaves during this time of year, when you are likely to notice the mercury shooting as high as into the 40s. It's during these times that sun safety must be taken into account, as the Turkish sun can be rather strong during these months, especially if you are out on the open water on a boat trip.
July is also the month with the most sunshine hours, averaging around 14 hours per day! This means sunbathing is a definite must do, and beach time continues into August, when the Aegean reaches its optimum temperature, averaging 25°C water-sports and diving are especially popular at this time of year.
You will not notice any rain from June into the early part of September, however after this time the precipitation rate may start to creep up slightly, with September averaging just 20mm of rain throughout the month - barely anything.
Whilst summer's peak months can be a little overbearing for many, it never feels humid, and with a humidity level of around 50-70%, a cooling sea breeze is always evident.
Autumn
October is a wonderful time to visit Altinkum, with much less in the way of crowds, and still very mild temperatures. It's still entirely possibly to sunbathe right until the end of the month, as this time of year averages around 9 hours of sunshine per day, with an average monthly temperature into the high teens. There are many cheap deals to be found at this time of year, and beach days are still possible, with an average sea temperature of around 22°C.
By the time November arrives, you will notice a dip in the weather, with a little more in the way of rain. November to January is the resort's wettest period overall, with more than half of the year's precipitation falling during this time; despite that, it is still a good idea to get out and about, experiencing the culture and traditions during the quieter times, as November only averages 8 affected days of rain.
Winter
The word 'winter' may make you instantly think of ice and snow, but this is highly unlikely to happen in this part of Turkey. Generally, Altinkum experiences cooler weather during the winter months, and it certainly rains more than the rest of the year, but the warm waters of the Aegean do a lot to regulate the temperature generally hovering around a low of 6°C during the cooler months of January and February. Despite that, highs can reach around 8 or 9°C, which is pleasant enough for getting out and about.
January is both the coldest and rainiest month in the resort, experiencing around 174mm of precipitation throughout the month, which can affect up to 12 days on average. Downpours can be prolonged and heavy at this time, but will leave behind blue skies and clear conditions. In fact, there are still 7 hours of sunshine a day during this season!
Winter is a great time to experience the real side of Turkey, away from the tourist hotspots you will see during the summer months, and to enjoy a much more authentic experience.