February in Antalya is the city's quiet exhale after winter's peak rainfall. Temperatures hover around 15.6°C (60°F) during the day and drop to 5.7°C (42°F) at night, which might surprise visitors expecting Mediterranean warmth year-round. It rains less than December or January, about 91mm across 5 rainy days, but when it rains along the Konyaaltı coast the wind off the sea makes it feel colder than the thermometer suggests. Most of the big resort hotels along Lara Beach sit empty or closed entirely, their lobbies dark, pool furniture stacked. The Kaleiçi old town, though, still has life. A handful of pensions and boutique hotels stay open, and you'll share the cobblestone lanes with stray cats and a few Turkish families on sömestr tatili, the school semester break that typically falls in late January through early February.
To be fair, there's something appealing about Antalya stripped of its summer crowds. You can walk through the Antalya Müzesi on a Tuesday afternoon and have entire galleries to yourself. The Düden Şelalesi waterfalls run at their fullest after winter rains. Almond trees along the roads toward Döşemealtı start blooming in late February, pale pink against grey skies. But you won't be swimming, you won't be eating dinner at waterfront restaurants past 9 PM, and you might find that the city feels more like a provincial Turkish town than the international resort destination it becomes by June. That's not a complaint. It depends on what you came for.
Why visit in February
- Hotel rates in Kaleiçi and along Lara Beach drop 50-60% from July-August peaks, with boutique pensions in the old town often available for under 400 TL per night
- The Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls run at peak volume from winter rainfall, and you'll likely be one of fewer than a dozen visitors at either site on a weekday
- Antalya Müzesi, Perge, and Aspendos are practically empty. No tour bus queues, no crowds at Hadrian's Gate for photos, no jostling at the sarcophagus hall
- Citrus season peaks in February. Oranges and tangerines from the groves around Kumluca and Finike are at their sweetest, sold at roadside stands for 10-15 TL per kilo
- Almond blossoms begin appearing in the hills above Döşemealtı and along the D-400 highway toward Kaş by late February, one of the earliest spring signals on the Turkish Mediterranean
Worth knowing
- Many restaurants, beach clubs, and tour operators along Konyaaltı and Lara close entirely from November through March. Your dining options shrink to the year-round places in Kaleiçi and Muratpaşa
- Water temperature sits around 16-17°C (61-63°F). Swimming is off the table unless you have a hotel with a heated indoor pool
- Daylight hours are short, roughly 6:45 AM to 5:50 PM, which limits time at outdoor archaeological sites like Perge and Termessos
- Rain can arrive in heavy Mediterranean bursts. One February day might deliver 30mm in a single afternoon, turning the steep streets of Kaleiçi slippery
Best for
Think twice if
February in Antalya brings mild but unpredictable Mediterranean winter weather. Mornings tend to start cool and often foggy along the coast, typically clearing by midday. You'll get stretches of 3-4 sunny days followed by a day or two of steady rain. The rain tends to come in concentrated downpours rather than all-day drizzle, so you might get 20mm in 2 hours and then clearing skies by evening. Wind off the sea can make 12°C feel closer to 7-8°C along the waterfront at Konyaaltı. The Taurus Mountains behind the city still carry snow above 1,800 metres, which means Saklıkent Ski Center, about 50 km (31 miles) northwest of the city center, typically has skiable cover through February.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 | 7 | 157 |
| Feb | 16 | 6 | 91 |
| Mar | 18 | 8 | 71 |
| Apr | 23 | 11 | 60 |
| May | 27 | 16 | 59 |
| Jun | 33 | 21 | 21 |
| Jul | 37 | 25 | 10 |
| Aug | 35 | 24 | 7 |
| Sep | 33 | 21 | 21 |
| Oct | 27 | 16 | 45 |
| Nov | 22 | 12 | 83 |
| Dec | 17 | 8 | 173 |
Best things to do in February
Explore Kaleiçi without the crowds
sightseeingThe old walled town of Antalya, with its Ottoman-era houses, Roman harbour, and narrow lanes, is a different place in February. You can photograph Hadrian's Gate, the Yivli Minare, and the harbour without a single tour group in frame. The pension owners have time to talk. The cats outnumber the tourists.
Summer brings 500+ tour buses daily to Kaleiçi. In February, you might see 10. The light is low and moody, and the wisteria growing over the stone walls is dormant but still photogenic.Booking tipNo booking needed. Walk in.
Day trip to Perge and Aspendos
historyThe Greco-Roman ruins at Perge sit about 18 km (11 miles) east of the city center. The stadium, the colonnaded street, and the baths are striking in winter light. Aspendos, 47 km (29 miles) east, has one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, with 15,000-seat capacity and acoustics you can test yourself when nobody else is there.
In July, Aspendos hits 40°C and tour groups arrive by the busload. February's 15°C and empty grounds let you spend 2-3 hours walking both sites comfortably.Booking tipRent a car or negotiate a day rate with a Kaleiçi taxi driver. Expect 800-1,200 TL for a half-day circuit covering both sites.
Hike at Termessos
hikingThe mountain-top ruins of Termessos, 34 km (21 miles) northwest of Antalya inside the Güllük Dağı National Park, sit at roughly 1,050 metres (3,445 feet). The theatre, necropolis, and cisterns perch above cloud level on clear days. The hike from the car park takes 45-60 minutes on a rocky trail. February's cool air makes the climb far more manageable than attempting it in summer.
Summer heat makes the exposed uphill trail genuinely dangerous. February's 10-14°C at altitude is ideal hiking weather, and the Taurus pine forest along the trail smells sharp and clean after rain.Booking tipGo on a dry day. Check the forecast the night before. The trail gets slippery after rain. Bring water and snacks; there are no vendors at the site.
Visit the Antalya Müzesi
museumAntalya's archaeological museum on Konyaaltı Caddesi holds one of Turkey's finest collections, including the Hall of the Gods from Perge, Hellenistic silver, and an extensive ethnographic wing. The sarcophagus gallery alone is worth the trip. Plan 2-3 hours minimum.
February's occasional rainy days make this the perfect fallback plan. The museum sees maybe 30-40 visitors on a winter weekday compared to 500+ in July.Booking tipOpen every day except Monday. Entry is 200 TL (as of recent pricing). The café inside is serviceable but nothing special. Eat before or after in Muratpaşa instead.
Drive the D-400 to Kaş
road tripThe coastal highway west from Antalya toward Kaş, roughly 190 km (118 miles), is one of the most dramatic drives on the Turkish Mediterranean. Cliffs, pine forests, and glimpses of the sea. In February, the road is empty. Stop at Çıralı to see the Yanartaş eternal flames on Olympos mountain, still burning from natural gas seeping through the rock.
Summer traffic on the D-400 is dense and slow. February means open road, easy parking at Çıralı, and the Yanartaş flames are more visible in the dim late-afternoon winter light.Booking tipStart early. Daylight fades by 5:30 PM. A rental car from the airport runs 600-900 TL per day in February.
Ski at Saklıkent
winter sportsSaklıkent Ski Center sits at 1,750-2,400 metres (5,740-7,875 feet) elevation in the Beydağları range, roughly 50 km (31 miles) from Antalya's coast. It is a small resort, 3 lifts and a handful of runs, but the novelty of skiing in the morning and having lunch by the Mediterranean in the afternoon is genuinely unusual. Snow cover in February is typically reliable.
February tends to offer Saklıkent's most consistent snow cover. By March, it becomes patchy. January can have better powder but February's slightly warmer days make for more comfortable lift rides.Booking tipWeekdays are uncrowded. Weekends draw families from the city, especially during sömestr tatili. Lift passes and equipment rental are available on-site.
Walk the Saturday pazar in Muratpaşa
marketThe weekly open-air market stretches across several blocks. In February, stalls overflow with citrus, pomegranates, winter greens, local honey, and dried herbs. Vendors call out prices. The smell of fresh simit from the bakery carts mixes with damp earth and orange peel. It is loud, dense, and completely local.
February citrus is at peak sweetness. The market also carries seasonal tarhana (dried soup base), homemade salça (pepper paste), and winter preserves that you won't find as readily in summer when the market shifts to stone fruit and tomatoes.Booking tipArrive before 9 AM for the best selection. Bring a reusable bag. Cash only at most stalls.
What to eat in February
In season: fruit
Narenciye (citrus fruits)
February is peak season for Antalya-region citrus. Oranges, tangerines, and bergamot from the groves around Kumluca, Finike, and Gazipaşa hit the city's pazar markets at their sweetest. The Saturday market in Muratpaşa sells them by the crate.
On menus now
Tarhana çorbası
A fermented grain-and-yogurt soup that Antalya families prepare in bulk each autumn and eat through winter. February is deep tarhana season. Nearly every lokanta in Kaleiçi and Muratpaşa serves it as a lunch starter, tangy and warming, usually 40-60 TL a bowl.
Piyaz
Antalya's signature white-bean salad dressed with tahini, vinegar, and parsley. It appears year-round but it is a winter staple at every kebab restaurant in the city. The version at the old lokantas near Kalekapısı tends to use more tahini than the tourist-oriented places.
Street food peaks
Kabaklı börek
Pumpkin-filled börek, a winter specialty in the Antalya region. The squash filling is lightly sweetened with cinnamon. Street bakeries in Kepez and Muratpaşa pull fresh trays from the oven around 7 AM. Best eaten warm, still flaking.
What to drink
Şalgam suyu
Fermented turnip juice, deep purple and sharply sour, served ice-cold from street vendors and alongside kebab at winter lokantas. It pairs with the heavier winter dishes like tandır kebab. An acquired taste, but once you're in, you're in.
Regular events in February
Sömestr Tatili (school semester break)Free
Turkish schools break for 2 weeks, typically late January through early February. Antalya sees a small influx of domestic family tourism, particularly at Saklıkent Ski Center and the indoor attractions. Hotels in Konyaaltı offer sömestr packages with kids' activities.
Late January through first or second week of FebruaryValentine's Day celebrationsFree
February 14 is widely observed in Turkey's tourist cities. Restaurants in Kaleiçi and along the marina offer fixed-menu dinners, and the Yivli Minare area and harbour get decorative lighting. It is a modest affair compared to Istanbul but the old town is atmospheric on the night.
February 14Antalya Altın Portakal preparatory exhibitions
The Altın Portakal (Golden Orange) Film Festival runs in October, but the Antalya Kültür Merkezi occasionally hosts winter film screenings and retrospectives tied to the festival's archive. Check the Kültür Merkezi schedule in Muratpaşa for February programming.
Varies, typically mid-FebruaryBest places this February
Karaalioğlu Parkı
parkA long, narrow park running along the cliff edge south of Kaleiçi, with views over the harbour and out toward the Beydağları range. In February, the park is quiet enough that you can hear the sea below the cliffs. The benches near the Hıdırlık Kulesi (a 2nd-century Roman tower at the park's western end) catch the late afternoon sun when the clouds break.
KaleiçiDüden Şelalesi (Lower Düden Waterfalls)
waterfallThe lower Düden waterfall drops directly into the Mediterranean from a cliff face east of Lara. February's accumulated winter rainfall pushes the falls to near-peak flow. The viewing platform and the park above are free to enter. The mist from the falls carries a mineral tang and coats the railings in a fine spray.
LaraKurşunlu Şelalesi
waterfallAbout 22 km (14 miles) northeast of the city center, this waterfall sits inside a forested canyon. February's rains make it run strong, and the surrounding pine and cypress forest smells sharp and clean. There is a small entry fee. The wooden walkways loop through the canyon in about 40 minutes.
AksuKaleiçi harbour and marina
harbourThe old Roman harbour, now a small marina, is one of the most photogenic spots in Antalya. In February, the fishing boats bob in the water without the summer crowd of excursion vessels. A few tea houses along the harbour wall stay open year-round. The tea is strong, the chairs are plastic, the view is earned.
KaleiçiYivli Minare (Fluted Minaret)
landmarkThe 13th-century Seljuk minaret, Antalya's most recognizable landmark, stands at the edge of Kaleiçi near the cliff. The surrounding complex includes a small mosque and medrese. In February, the minaret catches the low winter sun against clouds in a way that doesn't happen under July's flat blue sky.
KaleiçiSaklıkent Ski Center and Beydağları range
ski resortA 50 km (31 miles) drive from the coast takes you from palm trees to snow. Saklıkent is modest, 3 lifts, but the drive itself through the Taurus foothills is worth it. The contrast between the Mediterranean coast below and the snowline above is hard to overstate.
DöşemealtıÇıralı and Yanartaş (Chimaera)
natural wonderAbout 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Antalya, the natural gas flames of Yanartaş have been burning from the rocky hillside for at least 2,500 years. The 30-minute uphill walk from Çıralı village is easier in February's cool air. The flames are most dramatic after dark, flickering orange against the wet rock.
Kemer district
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Insider tips
The tea gardens along the cliff edge in Karaalioğlu Parkı serve çay for 10-15 TL a glass year-round. In February, the locals still sit outside with a blanket over their knees. Joining them is the fastest way to feel the city's actual pace, which in winter is unhurried and conversational.
For piyaz and tandır kebab, eat where the taxi drivers and construction workers eat in Muratpaşa, not the tourist-menu restaurants in Kaleiçi. The food is the same tradition but half the price and twice the portion. Look for the plastic-chair places with a queue at noon.
The Saturday pazar is not the only market. Smaller neighborhood pazars run on different days across Kepez, Konyaaltı, and Lara. Ask your hotel which day the nearest pazar falls on. The selection is similar but the prices are lower and the crowd is entirely local.
If you are driving to Termessos, stop at the viewpoint about 2 km before the car park where the road switchbacks. On a clear February morning, you can see Antalya, the coast, and the snow-capped Taurus range in a single panorama. Most visitors drive past it.
Book a rental car, not organized tours. In February, there are almost no group tours running, and the ones that do run charge summer rates for a minibus with 3 passengers. A rental car gives you Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, and the D-400 coast road on your own schedule for less money.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing only summer clothes because the destination is 'Mediterranean.' February nights at 5-6°C with coastal wind are genuinely cold. Every winter, underdressed tourists buy overpriced fleeces from the shops on Atatürk Caddesi because they assumed Antalya meant warm.
- Booking a resort hotel on Lara Beach expecting full resort services. Most large resorts either close entirely from November to April or operate with skeleton staff, reduced restaurants, and no pool service. Stay in Kaleiçi or central Muratpaşa instead, where year-round life continues.
- Planning outdoor activities without checking the daily forecast. February can deliver 30mm of rain in a single afternoon, and Termessos or Perge in a downpour with no shelter is miserable, not adventurous. Build flexibility into your schedule and keep the Antalya Müzesi as your rain-day plan.
- Attempting to visit Saklıkent Ski Center on a sömestr tatili weekend without checking conditions. The small resort gets crowded with Turkish families during the school break, parking fills early, and snow conditions vary sharply day to day. Call ahead or check their social media the morning of.
Practical tips for February
February is Antalya's deep off-season, which means practical adjustments. Many restaurants in Kaleiçi close by 9 or 9:30 PM, and some close entirely on weekday evenings when business is slow. Eat dinner early or confirm hours by phone. The Antalya Müzesi closes on Mondays year-round. Rental car agencies at the airport have reduced staff, so pre-book online rather than walking up to the counter. Dolmuş (shared minibus) routes to Kemer, Kaş, and Side run less frequently than in summer, often hourly rather than every 15 minutes. Confirm the last return time before heading out. Mosque visits are welcome year-round but remove shoes and dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees). The Yivli Minare mosque is an active place of worship, not a museum. Tipping in restaurants is customary at 5-10% in Turkey. Credit cards are widely accepted in Kaleiçi and the museum, but carry cash for the pazar markets, dolmuş rides, and smaller lokantas in Muratpaşa and Kepez.
FAQ
Is February a good time to visit Antalya?
It depends on what you want. For beach weather, no. The sea is 16-17°C (61-63°F) and most beach facilities are closed. But for sightseeing, archaeology, and experiencing the city without tourist crowds, February is underrated. Hotel prices drop 50-60% from summer, the major ruins at Perge and Aspendos are nearly empty, and the weather, while cool and occasionally rainy, is mild enough for outdoor exploration most days. Expect highs around 15.6°C (60°F) and lows near 5.7°C (42°F).
What is the weather like in Antalya in February?
Mild but unpredictable. Average daytime highs reach 15.6°C (60°F) and overnight lows drop to 5.7°C (42°F). Rainfall averages 91mm across about 5 rainy days, but the rain tends to come in concentrated bursts rather than steady drizzle. Humidity sits around 62%. You'll likely get stretches of 3-4 sunny days between rain events. It feels cooler than the numbers suggest when the wind comes off the sea along Konyaaltı.
Is Antalya crowded in February?
Not at all. February is the quietest month after January. Most international tourists are gone, and the only uptick comes from Turkish families during sömestr tatili (school semester break), which lasts about 2 weeks in late January and early February. You can walk through Kaleiçi, visit the Antalya Müzesi, and explore Perge or Aspendos with very few other visitors. Many resort hotels on Lara Beach are closed entirely.
Can you swim in Antalya in February?
Realistically, no. The Mediterranean water temperature hovers around 16-17°C (61-63°F), which is too cold for comfortable swimming for most people. Beach clubs and waterfront facilities along Konyaaltı and Lara are closed. If swimming matters to you, look at hotels in Kaleiçi or Muratpaşa that have heated indoor pools, or wait until late May when the sea warms past 22°C.
Is it worth renting a car in Antalya in February?
Yes, more so than in summer. Public transport runs at reduced winter frequency, organized tours are scarce, and the archaeological sites (Perge, Aspendos, Termessos) and natural attractions (Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls, Çıralı, the D-400 coast road) are spread across a wide area. February rental rates are low, roads are empty, and parking at every site is easy. Budget 600-900 TL per day from the airport agencies.
Things to Do in Antalya in February
Free cancellation Pamukkale Hierapolis and Cleopatra's Pool Tour with lunch from Antalya
Day trip — 12 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Antalya City Tour: Old Town, Waterfalls, Boat & Cable Car
City tour — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Antalya Small Group Pamukkale Hot Springs & Hierapolis Tour
Day trip — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Ancient Perge, Aspendos Amphitheater and City of Side Tour
Day trip — 10 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Antalya: City Tour with Boat Trip, Old Town & Waterfalls
Cruise — 8 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Perge, Aspendos, Side and Waterfall Full Day Tour
City tour — free cancellation.
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