March in Antalya is a shoulder-season gamble that pays off if you know what you're signing up for. The Mediterranean is still too cold for swimming at around 16-17°C (61-63°F), and roughly a third of the beachfront hotels along Lara and Konyaaltı won't open until April or May. Daytime temperatures reach about 18.1°C (65°F) and drop to 7.7°C (46°F) at night, which feels mild after the 157mm deluges of January but still means you'll want a jacket for evenings in Kaleiçi. The city gets around 71mm of rain spread across 6 days, usually in short bursts rather than all-day washouts.
That said, March might be the single best month for the ancient ruins that ring the city. Termessos, Perge, and Aspendos sit nearly empty compared to the summer crush, and temperatures in the high teens are ideal for climbing Termessos's steep mountain paths. The Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls run heavy from winter rainfall. Wild greens appear at the Muratpaşa markets, and local foragers sell bundles of fresh herbs along the roads outside Döşemealtı. Two national holidays fall in March. Çanakkale Victory Day on March 18 and Nevruz on March 21 both bring public celebrations, parades through central Muratpaşa, and a festive energy that's absent during the tourist-heavy summer months.
The honest summary is this. If you want a beach holiday, wait until June. If you want to explore one of Turkey's richest archaeological regions at low prices with no crowds and comfortable walking weather, March is a genuinely appealing window.
Why visit in March
- Hotel rates across Konyaaltı and Lara tend to run 40-50% below summer peak pricing, with 4-star properties in Muratpaşa often available for under 60 EUR per night.
- Ruins like Termessos, Perge, and Aspendos are nearly empty. You might share Aspendos's 15,000-seat Roman theatre with fewer than 20 other visitors on a weekday.
- Walking temperatures in the 15-18°C range are comfortable for the Lycian Way's coastal sections and Termessos's 1,665m elevation, without the dangerous heat of July and August.
- The Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls are at their most dramatic after winter rains. Lower Düden drops 40 metres directly into the sea with a volume you won't see in the dry summer months.
- Wild greens (yabani otlar) and fresh citrus from the groves around Finike and Kumluca appear at local markets, a seasonal window that closes by mid-April.
Worth knowing
- The Mediterranean sea temperature sits around 16-17°C (61-63°F), effectively ruling out swimming for all but the most cold-tolerant. Beach clubs along Konyaaltı Plajı remain shuttered.
- Expect 6 rainy days averaging 71mm total. The rain usually passes in 30-60 minutes, but it can disrupt a planned day at open-air ruins like Perge if you don't have flexibility.
- Evening temperatures drop to 7-8°C (45-46°F), which catches visitors off guard. The gap between a sunny afternoon and a cool evening in Kaleiçi is about 10 degrees.
- Some resort-oriented restaurants, boat tour operators, and beach bars along Lara don't open until late April. The dining scene in Kaleiçi stays active, but your options thin out outside the old town.
Best for
Think twice if
March in Antalya feels like the tail end of winter grudgingly giving way to spring. Mornings start cool, often around 8-10°C, with occasional fog along the coast near Konyaaltı. By early afternoon the sun typically pushes temperatures to 17-19°C, warm enough for a t-shirt in direct sun but cool in the shade. Rain arrives on roughly 6 days across the month, usually as short afternoon showers rather than daylong grey skies. Humidity sits at a comfortable 60%, noticeably drier than the 70-75% of December and January. The wind can pick up along the exposed Konyaaltı shoreline, adding a chill factor that the thermometer doesn't capture. By the last week of March, you can feel the season turning. The almond trees around Döşemealtı are in blossom, afternoons stretch past 18°C more reliably, and the light shifts toward the golden Mediterranean quality that defines summer here.
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 March
Hike Termessos
archaeologyTermessos sits at 1,665 metres in the Güllük Dağı National Park, about 30km northwest of central Antalya. The ancient Pisidian city is built into a mountainside so steep that Alexander the Great reportedly chose not to besiege it. The theatre, with its backdrop of the Beydağları range, might be the most dramatically sited in Turkey. The hike from the car park to the upper city takes about 45 minutes on a rocky trail.
Summer temperatures above 35°C make the steep, shadeless climb genuinely dangerous. March highs around 18°C are comfortable for the 2-3 hour circuit, and the site sees fewer than a dozen visitors on most weekdays.Booking tipNo booking needed. Entry fee is around 100 TL. Arrive by 9am for the best light on the theatre. The access road occasionally closes after heavy rain, so check conditions if it rained the previous day.
Walk the Lycian Way (Antalya to Olympos section)
hikingThe 540km Lycian Way is Turkey's first long-distance walking trail, running from Fethiye to Antalya. The eastern sections near Antalya pass through pine forests above Olympos, ancient Phaselis, and the Çıralı coast. The trail is waymarked with red and white blazes. Even a 2-3 day section from Göynük Canyon to Çıralı offers dramatic coastal scenery and ruined Lycian tombs.
March is one of two optimal hiking windows (the other is October-November). Wildflowers are beginning on the coastal sections, daytime temperatures stay below 20°C, and water sources are reliable after winter rains. By June the heat makes coastal sections miserable.Booking tipThe small pensions along the trail in Çıralı and Olympos are open in March but not always staffed. Call a day ahead to confirm. Carry 2 litres of water minimum per day segment.
Visit Perge and Aspendos
archaeologyPerge lies 18km east of Antalya and preserves a colonnaded street, stadium for 12,000 spectators, and a 2nd-century Roman bath complex. Aspendos, another 30km east, holds what's widely considered the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world, still seating 15,000 for performances. Both sites are open-air and take 2-3 hours each.
March temperatures in the high teens are ideal for spending full mornings at open-air sites. In July and August, the shadeless stadiums and theatres hit 40°C+ on the stone surfaces. March also falls before school holiday groups start visiting in April.Booking tipCombine both in a single day trip with a rental car. The 50km drive between them passes through farmland and citrus groves. Entry fees are separate at each site.
Explore Kaleiçi (old town) on foot
culturalKaleiçi is Antalya's Roman-Ottoman walled old town, a compact grid of narrow cobblestone streets lined with restored Ottoman houses, now converted to boutique hotels and restaurants. Hadrian's Gate (Hadriyanüs Kapısı), built in 130 AD for the emperor's visit, marks the eastern entrance. The Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) from 1230 is the city's most recognisable landmark. The old harbour at the southern end still shelters wooden boats.
The narrow streets are almost empty in March compared to the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of July and August. You can photograph Hadrian's Gate without waiting for gaps in tour groups. Restaurant terraces are open on sunny afternoons, and owners have time to talk.Booking tipNo booking needed. Allow at least half a day. The descent from Hadrian's Gate to the harbour takes about 20 minutes at a browsing pace.
Düden Waterfalls after winter rains
natureTwo separate falls share the Düden name. Upper Düden (Düdenbaşı Şelalesi) sits in a park in Kepez, about 10km northeast of the centre, where the river drops into a cave you can walk behind. Lower Düden (Aşağı Düden) drops 40 metres directly from a cliff into the Mediterranean near Lara. The spray from the lower falls catches the afternoon sun.
March water volume is significantly higher than summer. The Düden River carries the accumulated rain from December through February (the wettest months receive 157-173mm each). By August, the falls thin to a trickle at 7mm monthly rainfall. March offers the best combination of strong flow and improving weather.Booking tipUpper Düden has a small entry fee. Lower Düden is free and visible from the cliffside park. For the most dramatic view of Lower Düden, take one of the harbour boat tours from Kaleiçi, which pass directly under the falls.
Visit Antalya Müzesi (Antalya Museum)
museumOne of Turkey's largest archaeological museums, housing finds from Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, and Xanthos across 13 exhibition halls. The Gallery of the Gods contains a collection of 2nd-century Roman statues from Perge's theatre that rivals anything in Rome. The sarcophagus hall displays elaborately carved marble tombs from Pamphylia. The museum sits on the western end of Konyaaltı Caddesi.
Rainy March afternoons are a natural fit. The museum is indoors and rarely crowded in March. Visiting after seeing the source sites at Perge or Termessos gives context that summer visitors rushing between beach and museum miss.Booking tipAllow 2-3 hours minimum. The audio guide is worthwhile for the Perge gallery. Closed Mondays.
Citrus grove tours around Finike and Kumluca
food and drinkThe coastal strip west of Antalya between Kumluca and Finike is Turkey's citrus belt. Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and the local bitter turunç grow in groves that run from the hillsides down to the sea. Some family operations offer informal tastings and tours. The drive from Antalya to Finike takes about 90 minutes along the D400 coast road, passing Kemer and Olympos.
March is the tail end of the citrus harvest. The trees are still heavy with fruit, and the blossoms for next season's crop are beginning to appear. The fragrance of orange blossom along the coast road between Kumluca and Finike is one of those sensory details that defines spring in this region.Booking tipNo formal booking system exists for most grove visits. Stop at roadside stands and ask. Locals are generally welcoming. Combine with a visit to the Lycian ruins at Olympos or the Chimera flames at Yanartaş.
Kurşunlu Şelalesi (Kurşunlu Waterfall)
natureA quieter alternative to the Düden falls, Kurşunlu sits in a pine-forested nature park about 22km east of the city centre. The waterfall drops 18 metres into a turquoise pool, connected by a walking trail through dense vegetation. The park includes picnic areas and a trout pond. The forest floor in March is damp and fragrant with pine resin.
Like Düden, March water volume is at a seasonal high. The pine forest provides shelter on rainy days, and the park sees minimal visitors compared to summer weekends when it fills with local families.Booking tipSmall entry fee. Reachable by car in about 30 minutes from central Antalya. The forest trail loop takes about 45 minutes.
What to eat in March
In season: fruit
Turunç (bitter orange) preserves
The Seville-style bitter oranges that grow throughout Antalya's streets are harvested in late winter and early March. Locals boil the peels into a thick, aromatic reçel (jam) served alongside Turkish breakfast. The fragrance of the blossoms still lingers in Kaleiçi's narrow streets through the month.
Taze Badem (fresh green almonds)
Unripe almonds with a fuzzy green shell and a soft, milky kernel appear at Antalya's markets in March. Vendors sell them in paper bags, eaten raw with a sprinkle of salt. The texture is closer to a crisp grape than a dry nut. The window is short, roughly 4-5 weeks from early March.
On menus now
Antalya Piyazı
Antalya's signature white bean salad, dressed with tahini rather than the vinaigrette used in other Turkish cities. Available year-round but particularly satisfying in March alongside fresh spring onions and radishes appearing at the same time. Served at lokanta restaurants across Kaleiçi and Muratpaşa, typically with şiş kebab.
Enginar Dolması (stuffed artichokes)
Mediterranean artichokes come into season in March around the Antalya coast. Restaurants in Kaleiçi serve them stuffed with rice, pine nuts, currants, and dill, braised in olive oil and lemon. The local variety tends to be smaller and more tender than the globe artichokes common elsewhere.
What to drink
Şalgam Suyu
Fermented purple turnip and carrot juice, served ice-cold from street vendors and alongside kebab meals. Still in its prime season through March before the warmer months shift demand to ayran. The best versions come sharply sour with a deep purple colour from the black carrot base grown in the Çukurova region.
In markets
Yabani Otlar (wild greens)
March is peak foraging season around Antalya. Local women gather wild mustard greens, radika (dandelion greens), and sığır kuyruğu (wild sorrel) from hillsides outside Döşemealtı and Kepez. You'll find them sold in bundles at neighbourhood pazar markets, typically sautéed with olive oil and served alongside fresh lemon. The season runs from late February through mid-April.
Regular events in March
Çanakkale Victory Day (Çanakkale Zaferi ve Şehitleri Anma Günü)Free
National commemoration of the 1915 Gallipoli naval victory. Antalya marks the day with wreath-laying ceremonies at the Cumhuriyet Meydanı, student parades through central Muratpaşa, and flag displays across public buildings. Government offices and banks close. A solemn occasion rather than a celebration.
March 18 (fixed date)Nevruz (Spring Equinox Festival)Free
The spring equinox is marked across Turkey with bonfires, folk dancing, and public gatherings. In Antalya, celebrations concentrate in parks and open spaces. Families jump over small fires, a tradition symbolising the passage from winter to spring. Street vendors sell special Nevruz wheat puddings. The festival reflects Central Asian Turkic heritage and is also observed by the Kurdish community.
March 21 (fixed date)International Women's Day eventsFree
March 8 brings marches, panel discussions, and cultural events in central Antalya, typically concentrated around Cumhuriyet Caddesi and Muratpaşa's civic buildings. Local women's organisations host exhibitions and workshops. Several Kaleiçi galleries run themed shows through the first half of March.
March 8 and surrounding daysBest places this March
Karaalioğlu Parkı
parkThis cliff-top park stretches along the southern edge of Kaleiçi above the old harbour, offering long views across the Gulf of Antalya to the Beydağları mountains. In March, the park's flower beds begin to fill with early spring colour, and the grass is green from winter rain rather than the scorched brown of August. Benches along the cliff edge face south, catching the midday warmth. The park connects to Kaleiçi at its eastern end near the Hıdırlık Kulesi, a 2nd-century Roman tower.
KaleiçiHadriyanüs Kapısı (Hadrian's Gate)
historic siteThe triple-arched Roman gate on Atatürk Caddesi dates to 130 AD and marks the eastern boundary of Kaleiçi. The marble arches are carved with Corinthian capitals and coffered ceilings. In March, you can stand under the arches without jostling for position. The contrast between the Roman stonework and the Ottoman houses visible through the arches makes the standard photograph. Morning light hits the eastern face best.
KaleiçiAntalya Müzesi
museumThe archaeological museum at the western end of Konyaaltı Caddesi houses one of the strongest classical collections in the Mediterranean. The Perge statuary hall, with its row of Roman gods and emperors recovered from the city's theatre, is the highlight. Good for March's rainy afternoons. The ethnographic section covers Seljuk and Ottoman material from the Antalya region.
KonyaaltıKonyaaltı Sahili (Konyaaltı Beach promenade)
waterfrontThe 7km pebble beach and its modern promenade stretch west from the cliffs below the museum. In March, the beach itself is empty and too cold for swimming, but the promenade is ideal for a long walk or a run. Several cafes along the strip remain open year-round. The views north to the snow-dusted Beydağları peaks are clearest in March, before summer haze sets in.
KonyaaltıÜç Kapılar (Three Gates) and the old bazaar area
marketThe commercial heart of Kaleiçi around the covered bazaar and Üç Kapılar junction operates year-round. March is when you'll find shopkeepers unhurried and willing to share tea. The small antique and carpet dealers along İmaret Sokak see minimal foot traffic before May. Leather goods, copperwork, and locally woven textiles fill the stalls.
KaleiçiTermessos and Güllük Dağı National Park
archaeological siteThe mountain ruins of Termessos and the surrounding national park sit 30km northwest of Antalya at elevations between 1,000 and 1,665 metres. The park's lower slopes are forested with brutia pine and cedar. In March, the air up here is cooler than the coast by 5-6 degrees, and patches of snow may still cling to the higher ridges. The necropolis, scattered with toppled sarcophagi across the mountainside, is particularly atmospheric in the morning mist that's common at this altitude in spring.
DöşemealtıDüdenbaşı Şelalesi (Upper Düden Waterfall)
waterfallSet in a manicured park in the Kepez district, the upper falls drop into a cave that you can enter from behind the curtain of water. The spray is heavy in March. The surrounding tea gardens are a local weekend gathering spot. The park smells of wet earth and pine in the mornings. Combine with a visit to the lower falls near Lara for the full circuit.
Kepez
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Insider tips
The Tuesday pazar (open market) in Lara and the Saturday pazar in Muratpaşa are where locals actually shop. Prices on fresh produce, olives, and cheese run about 40-50% of what you'll pay at the tourist-facing shops inside Kaleiçi. The wild greens sellers are usually near the entrance, and they'll tell you how to cook what they're selling if you ask.
Kaleiçi's harbour boat tours still operate in March, but with far fewer passengers. Captains are more willing to negotiate the price or extend the route past Lower Düden when the boat isn't full. A 2-hour circuit that costs 400-500 TL per person in July often drops to 200-250 TL in March.
The Antalya Müzesi's ground-floor café has one of the better views along Konyaaltı, facing the sea with the Beydağları mountains behind. It's open during museum hours and almost nobody sits there in March. The çay costs a fraction of the tourist cafes in Kaleiçi for a substantially better view.
If you're driving to Termessos, go on a weekday morning. The access road through the national park is single-lane in stretches, and while March traffic is light, school excursion buses occasionally visit on Fridays. The site has no shade shelters, but in March you won't need them.
Antalya's dolmuş (shared minibus) system connects the city centre to Konyaaltı, Lara, and Kepez year-round at fixed low fares. The routes thin out after 8pm in winter months. For Termessos and Kurşunlu, you'll need a rental car or taxi since public transport doesn't reach either reliably.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking a beach resort in Lara for March and expecting the full resort experience. Many all-inclusive properties either remain closed until late April or operate with reduced facilities. The pools are unheated, the beach bars are shuttered, and the animation teams haven't arrived. Check directly with the hotel before booking rather than relying on the booking platform's listed dates.
- Packing only summer clothes because it's the Mediterranean. The 10-degree swing between the afternoon high of 18°C and the evening low of 8°C surprises visitors who associate Antalya with 35°C summers. A dinner reservation at an outdoor terrace in Kaleiçi at 8pm in March means sitting in single-digit temperatures.
- Attempting Termessos in sandals or without water. The trail is steep, rocky, and 45 minutes each way to the theatre. There are no vendors, no guardrails, and no shade shelters at the top. In March the rocks can be wet and slippery after rain. Proper shoes, 2 litres of water, and an early start matter.
- Skipping the Antalya Müzesi because it sounds like a generic city museum. The Perge statuary collection alone is worth the visit. The 2nd-century Dancer Sarcophagus and the Hall of Emperors contain pieces that would be headline exhibits at larger European institutions. Budget 2-3 hours.
Practical tips for March
Book accommodation in Kaleiçi or central Muratpaşa rather than the beach strips along Lara or Konyaaltı, where March occupancy is low and the surrounding infrastructure feels dormant. Kaleiçi's boutique hotels (many converted Ottoman houses) operate year-round and sit within walking distance of restaurants, the harbour, and Hadrian's Gate. Car rental is worthwhile if you plan to visit Termessos, Perge, and Aspendos, since public transport to these sites is limited or non-existent. International driving permits are technically required but rarely checked. March 18 (Çanakkale Victory Day) and March 21 (Nevruz) are public holidays. Banks and government offices close, but museums, restaurants, and shops in Kaleiçi stay open. Some museums may adjust hours for the holidays, so confirm on the day. The domestic terminal at Antalya Airport (AYT) handles year-round flights from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, with March fares running well below summer peak. International service is thinner in March. Many European charter routes don't resume until April or May. Tipping in restaurants is typically 5-10% in Turkey, left in cash even when paying by card. Taxi drivers don't expect tips. At hammams, a small tip (50-100 TL) for the tellak (attendant) is customary.
FAQ
Is March a good time to visit Antalya?
It depends entirely on what you want. For beach holidays, no. The sea is 16-17°C and most beachfront operations are closed. For archaeology, hiking, and city exploration at low prices with almost no crowds, March is genuinely appealing. Temperatures in the high teens are comfortable for walking all day at ruins like Termessos and Perge, which are practically empty. Hotel rates sit 40-50% below summer peak. Think of it as a cultural trip to the Turkish Mediterranean, not a resort holiday.
What is the weather like in Antalya in March?
Average daytime highs reach 18.1°C (65°F) with overnight lows around 7.7°C (46°F). Expect about 6 rainy days totaling 71mm of rainfall, usually as afternoon showers that pass within an hour. Humidity is moderate at 60%. The weather feels transitional, noticeably warmer and drier than the December-January low point (157-173mm rain those months) but still well short of summer warmth. You'll want layers for the 10-degree daily swing.
Is Antalya crowded in March?
Not at all. March is one of the quietest months. The European charter flights that deliver millions of visitors between May and October haven't started yet. Archaeological sites like Aspendos and Termessos might have 10-20 visitors on a weekday. Kaleiçi's restaurants have open tables without reservations. The trade-off is that some tourist-oriented businesses, especially along the beach strips, are still closed for the season.
Can you swim in Antalya in March?
Realistically, no. The Mediterranean sea temperature in March is around 16-17°C (61-63°F), which most swimmers find uncomfortably cold. Beach clubs and lounger services along Konyaaltı and Lara are shuttered. If you want to get in the water, the traditional hammams in Kaleiçi are a better bet. Comfortable swimming temperatures (22°C and above) don't arrive until late May or June.
What should I eat in Antalya in March?
March brings the tail end of citrus season (oranges, grapefruits, bitter turunç for preserves from the groves around Finike) and the start of wild greens season (yabani otlar, sold at the Tuesday and Saturday pazar markets). Fresh green almonds (taze badem) appear at street stalls. Try Antalya piyazı, the local white bean salad with tahini dressing, at any lokanta in Kaleiçi or Muratpaşa. Artichokes come into season this month and show up stuffed with rice and herbs at traditional restaurants.
Things to Do in Antalya in March
Free cancellation Pamukkale Hierapolis and Cleopatra's Pool Tour with lunch from Antalya
Day trip — 12 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
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.
via ViatorLast verified by automated review (v1.7.2) on June 29, 2026. What is automated review?