Antalya is one of Turkey's most popular tourist destinations. This seaside city is the largest on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Lovingly referred to as the 'Turkish Riviera', this region has seasonably warm temperatures year-round, even in the winter. Winter in Antalya may feel more like spring or autumn in northern Europe making it a great place for a getaway holiday when the weather back home is anything but permitting.
What's the weather like in Antalya in January
Temperature
The average daily temperature in Antalya in January lingers around 10 degrees Celsius. This includes a range from a low of 5 degrees Celsius and a high of up to 15 degrees Celsius.
Rain
The brisk temperatures are accompanied with a sizable amount of precipitation. An average of 180 millimetres rain falls throughout the month but it is usually over course of 11 days.
Average Sea Temperature
The Mediterranean Sea is chilly during this time with an average temperature of around 16 degrees Celsius.
Antalya Hotels in January
Located in the nearby city of Alanya, Acar Hotel offers a welcomed break from the more crowded hotels in Antalya. The hotel is geared towards budget travel so it won't ruin your careful financial planning! Each room is comfortably decorated and fitted with air conditioning, a small balcony and a TV. It has everything you'd expect at a great price, too.
In Side, Turkey, Linda Hotel is another great option for the budget-conscious guest. It's popular with honeymooners and families alike, which shows its ability to cater to and please people with a variety of expectations. The hotel is frequented by German and Dutch travellers so much of its staff speaks German but few speak English.
Considered one of the beach hotels in the region, the Barut Lara Resort Spa & Suites is exquisite. This large hotel has ample rooms so there will likely be availability throughout the year. Each guest gets to enjoy a fitness centre, beach access, large swimming pool and hotel bar among many other amenities.
Large and stately, the Delphin Palace Hotel has something for every type of traveller but it is particularly popular with families. There are a number of activities for children including sports and games. This all-inclusive resort may have a higher price tag but it include three gourmet meals per day.
Popular with tourists from Northern Europe, the Hotel Baia Lara has much to offer tourists. Recognised by Trip Advisor as one of the best luxury hotels in Antalya, guests have access to a business centre, fitness centre, free parking and a large swimming pool.
Bars and Restaurants
Turkish cuisine is delicious and wonderfully varied. Seraser Restaurant is fine dining at its best. Its menu has internationally inspired dishes like ravioli, tempura vegetables, duck confit and beef wellington.
Another restaurant with an internationally influenced menu is the Vanilla Lounge. This modern restaurant blends classic recipes from around the world with local ingredients and twists. The menu features items like monkfish tail, beef short ribs and a number of pizzas. Their prices are lower than other fine dining options in the area and you can make reservations online as well.
If you are staying in Kaleici, Club Ally is a natural choice for late night dancing. With an open-air feel, the club usually has DJs spinning the latest dance tracks throughout. This club is actually quite large so there are many bars throughout the area. Of course, because of the club's convenient location in the historic area, the drink prices are inflated. However, the costs are not outlandish.
Things to do in Antalya in January
One extremely popular area to visit in Antalya is Kaleici, or Old Town. This historic area is quite expansive and occupies a substantive area of the city. Because of its impressive size and the amount of attractions within its walls, a trip to Kaleici can take up to several hours to explore. Spend an afternoon getting lost in the winding streets, guarded by medieval castle walls and stopping for coffee in the many picturesque cafes.
Despite the cool weather, Antalya has a number of natural attractions to enjoy if you travel outside the city. The Goynuk Canyon is a peaceful place to escape to. The canyon offers a variety of ways to enjoy its beauty: hiking and biking trails, swimming in the river and even soaring overhead on zip lines. Getting to the canyon is a hike from the road however.
If you would prefer to explore the countryside without the hike, Antalya 4x4 Tours offers jeep tours that last all day. These tours include driving into nearby Taurus Mountains, swimming in a river, lunch in a mountain top restaurant, time to walk and hike and another chance to swim before returning to the city.
You can take a trip over to the Forsa 2000 Shopping Centre to satisfy your inner shopaholic. This mall is a bit old fashioned in terms of aesthetics but it has a plethora of shops to enjoy. It also won't break your budget.
Antalya is not only the name of a Turkish city but region as well. The region is host to numerous cities that have beautiful beaches and natural wonders. The region has a city named Alanya, which has several stunning stretches of coast. One of these, Incekum Beach has golden, fine sand set against bright blue waters. Families enjoy this beach as it doesn't have rocks beneath the waves a hazard for anyone but especially little ones.
Dates for the diary
January is a relatively quiet month for Antalya. The most prominent public holiday during the month is New Year's Day. Turkish people treat New Year's Day as a day of rest, appropriate after a joyous and raucous New Year's Eve. On January 1st, many Turks will be spending the day with family. Hence it will be a quiet day if you're out and about on the streets of Antalya, although public services continue as normal.
