Wintering in Alanya: A Guide to Weather, Lifestyle, and Essential Tips

Planning to spend winter in Alanya? Explore climate statistics, rental tips, and residency rules in our comprehensive guide by NewTime Investment.

New Time Investment is a real estate agency in Alanya (Antalya, Turkey). We help international buyers choose, buy and rent apartments, villas and commercial property, complete the deal, obtain a residence permit and manage property.

Spending the winter in Alanya is the warmest option among major resorts on the Turkish coast: according to the 1991–2020 averages, the mean temperature in January is 12.4 °C, with warmer nights than in Antalya, Mersin, Fethiye, or Bodrum. The trade-off for this warmth is rain: about three-quarters of the annual precipitation falls between November and March. Below, you will find monthly figures, a resort comparison, details on rentals, heating, healthcare, and residency rules.

Alanya's winter climate: monthly breakdown

Data provided by the Alanya weather station (WMO 17310) reflects the official 1991–2020 climate normals transmitted by the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) to the World Meteorological Organization, as published by NOAA. Sunshine hours are based on previous MGM statistics for Alanya (1970–2011), as granular regional data is no longer publicly updated by MGM.

Month	Day, °C	Night, °C	Average, °C	Rainfall, mm	Days with rain ≥1 mm	Sun, h/day	Sea, °C*
November	22.4	14.6	17.9	159	7.2	5.3	21
December	18.1	11.2	14.1	251	10.9	4.3	19
January	16.5	9.5	12.4	211	11.7	4.1	18
February	17.0	9.6	12.8	137	9.2	4.5	17
March	19.1	11.5	14.9	91	6.9	6.2	17

* Long-term monthly sea temperature norms are not publicly released by MGM. The values in this column are sourced from secondary data (Wikipedia citing seatemperature.org) and are rounded. These serve as a guide rather than an official norm. The official benchmark, recorded by MGM, is that the water near Alanya reached 24.5 °C on October 25, 2026.

What this means in practice: Daytime temperatures in December–February usually hover between 16–18 °C, which is comfortable for walks in a light jacket. At night, it drops to about 9–11 °C, making unheated apartments feel chilly. The rainiest months are December and January, with over 200 mm of precipitation each, resulting in 11–12 days of significant rain out of 31. From November to March, the area receives about 849 mm out of the 1099 mm annual total, or roughly 77%. The average relative humidity in January is 62%, and 64% in December.

Where is it warm in Turkey during winter: Alanya vs. Antalya, Mersin, Fethiye, and Bodrum

Below is a comparison for January, the coldest month. For Alanya, Mersin, Fethiye, and Bodrum, these are WMO 1991–2020 normals based on MGM stations. For Antalya, these are 1991–2020 normals from the MGM website. We have recalculated sun hours per day from monthly totals for Fethiye, Bodrum, and Mersin.

January	Day, °C	Night, °C	Average, °C	Rainfall, mm	Days with rain	Sun, h/day
Alanya	16.5	9.5	12.4	211	11.7	4.1**
Antalya	15.0	5.9	9.8	211	12.6***	4.9
Mersin	15.2	7.6	11.0	116	8.2	4.7
Fethiye	16.3	6.0	10.5	174	10.5	4.5
Bodrum	15.5	8.5	11.5	138	10.3	4.8

** MGM series 1970–2011. *** MGM uses its own methodology to count "days with precipitation," so this figure is only roughly comparable to the "≥1 mm" column for other cities.

The main advantage of Alanya is the warmer nights: the January minimum here is 3.6 °C higher than in Antalya and 3.5 °C higher than in Fethiye. The daytime difference is smaller, within 1.5 °C. Mersin is noticeably drier: it receives nearly half the rainfall in January, with 8 days of rain versus 12, though nights are colder. Bodrum is closest to Alanya in terms of average January temperature. Sunshine is roughly equal across all locations, averaging 4–5 hours a day: the Mediterranean winter is sunny in intervals rather than clear all day long.

Winter rentals: long-term vs. short-term

Winter in Alanya is the low season, shifting rental demand from vacationers to those staying for 3–6 months. There are two formats.

Daily and short-term rentals (up to 100 days). Under Law No. 7464, renting an apartment to tourists for up to 100 days requires a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Obtaining this permit requires unanimous consent from all property owners in the building, and a special plaque must be displayed at the entrance. Renting an apartment without this permit is risky: the state fines the owner (as per the 2023 text of the law, starting at 100,000 Turkish Lira per unit, with the 2026 figure subject to verification), and you might be forced to move out mid-season.
Standard contractual rental (over 100 days). Such contracts do not fall under the tourism rental law. This is a standard residential lease involving a security deposit, monthly payments, and utilities paid separately. Such a contract, including your address, will be useful for a residence permit (ikamet izni).

There is no official median rental rate for Alanya: the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB) only publishes a regional index for new rental contracts. According to TCMB data for September 2026, rental rates for new contracts in the Antalya–Burdur–Isparta region rose by 23.6% over the year, compared to 26.6% nationwide. The index shows trends rather than specific prices in Lira, so check current offers in our rental catalog and compare 3–5 similar apartments in the same district. Always ask if utility bills and the complex maintenance fee (aidat) are included in the price.

Everyday life in winter: what's open, heating, and dampness

The city remains active year-round: supermarkets, markets, pharmacies, banks, government offices, and hospitals operate normally. Seasonal closures mostly affect beach cafes, some hotels, beach gear rentals, and excursion services aimed at the summer crowd. Promenades and walking trails are much less crowded than in summer.

Heating is the main domestic challenge. Many coastal apartments were built to stay cool in the heat and lack central heating. They are typically heated with air conditioners (heating mode) and electric heaters. What to check before moving in:

Check that every living room has an air conditioner and that it works in heating mode, not just cooling;
Check for signs of mold in corners, around window frames, and in closets—this is a sign of a damp apartment;
Check the windows: single-pane glass and gaps in frames will significantly increase your electricity bill;
Check the floor level and window orientation: ground-floor apartments and those with north-facing windows are usually colder and damper;
Check how electricity is measured: via a separate meter in your name or by arrangement with the owner.

Average winter humidity of 62–64% is not inherently extreme. Dampness occurs when an apartment is not heated or ventilated: cold walls collect condensation. Regular heating, airing out the rooms after rain, and using a dehumidifier help significantly.

Healthcare and insurance

The district's largest public hospital is the Alanya Education and Research Hospital (Alanya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi), which operates under the Antalya Provincial Health Directorate. There are also private clinics in the city. Foreigners without Turkish social security will be billed by both public and private hospitals, so you must have a policy valid in Turkey for the duration of your winter stay.

Insurance is mandatory for a residence permit (ikamet izni). The Migration Management office requires it to cover the entire duration of the permit. If a policy is issued for only one year but the residence permit is requested for two, it is extended according to the "1+1" scheme, or a policy covering the entire term is purchased. Applicants under 18 and over 65 have a separate option within the e-İkamet system.

Duration of stay: the 90/180 rule and ikamet

According to Article 11 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, visa-free regimes or visas typically allow a stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. If you spend time in Alanya, for instance, from November to January, your limit is nearly exhausted, and you will not be able to return until the days in the rolling window are "freed up." The consequences of exceeding this duration are detailed in our article on overstaying in Turkey.

To spend the entire winter season here, you will need a short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet). Key legal points include:

grounds for application can include tourism (Art. 31, item "e") or ownership of real estate in Turkey (Art. 31, item "b");
permits are issued for a maximum of 2 years per application; the exact duration is determined by the migration authorities;
your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the requested permit expiration date (Art. 21);
you must provide a residential address and housing that meets health and safety standards (Art. 32)—this is why entering into a formal rental contract is essential;
it is recommended to submit your application well before the 90-day limit expires. The migration office typically processes applications within 90 days.

Current district restrictions in Alanya no longer pose an obstacle: neighborhoods like Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargıcak, and Avsallar, which were closed to first-time residence permit applications for foreign nationals since 2022, were reopened in June 2026. As the lists of restricted neighborhoods can change, always check your address in the e-İkamet system before applying; for more details, see our article on districts restricted for residence permits. The step-by-step procedure and document checklist are available in our guide on obtaining a residence permit in Turkey.

Pros and cons of wintering in Alanya

Pros:

the warmest winter nights among comparable resorts: averaging 9.5 °C in January;
daytime temperatures of 16–19 °C from December to March, perfect for outdoor walks, sports, and a lifestyle that does not require heavy winter gear;
the city remains active year-round, as it is not just a seasonal resort town;
a larger selection of long-term rental properties is available in winter compared to the peak season.

Cons:

frequent rain: December and January see 11–12 rainy days and over 200 mm of precipitation per month, while Mersin is noticeably drier;
apartments without heating can be cold and damp, and electricity bills tend to be higher in winter;
for most people, the sea is too cold to swim, averaging around 17–19 °C (based on secondary data);
some beach infrastructure and restaurants remain closed until spring;
the 90/180-day rule prevents staying for the entire winter without a residence permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is it warmest in Turkey during winter?

Among major resorts, based on 1991–2020 climate normals, Alanya boasts the highest average January temperature at 12.4 °C and the warmest winter nights at 9.5 °C. Mersin generally experiences the driest winter weather.

Can you swim in Alanya in winter?

The MGM does not publish official monthly sea temperature norms. According to secondary data, winter water temperatures hover around 17–19 °C, which is suitable only for the hardy. In November, the sea remains warm: as of October 25, 2026, the MGM recorded 24.5 °C in Alanya.

Which winter month is the rainiest?

December: an average of 251 mm of precipitation and nearly 11 days with rainfall exceeding 1 mm. January is slightly drier with 211 mm. Rain decreases significantly starting in March.

Is 90 days enough for a winter getaway?

Only for a portion of the winter: 90 days is the limit for any 180-day period. For the season from November to March, a short-term residence permit is required, and you should apply for it before your visa-free stay expires.

How much does winter rent cost?

There is no official median rental price for Alanya. The Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) recorded a 23.6% annual increase in rental rates for new contracts in the Antalya region as of September 2026. For current prices, please check active listings in your preferred district.