Looking for short-haul winter sun in Europe? Turkey is home to a host of hotspots, and though its enormous size means that much of the north, including the perennially popular Istanbul, don’t offer soaring temperatures during the colder months, the southern areas remain comfortably warm in winter.
Destinations along the aptly named Turquoise Coast, where colourful waters meet fine sands, welcome tourists all year round.
Well-known favourites such as Antalya and Marmaris offer vibrant local culture and plenty to do for winter sun arrivals, though smaller and up-and-coming destinations such as Fethiye and Side are growing in popularity thanks to their beaches, old towns and historical sites.
Across its thousands of kilometres of southern coast, Turkey is peppered with towns and cities that provide an ideal blend of pleasant winter weather and entertaining activities. Read on for a selection of the best destinations.
Antalya
Winter temperatures in Antalya average around 14C, with six hours of sunlight per day
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The unofficial capital of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, Antalya is the entry point for many Turkish seaside holidays. While it’s known for the plethora of resorts that populate the coastline surrounding it – from high-end to family-friendly all-inclusives and everything in between – this city is one of the most idyllic in the country.
A maze of winding, cobbled streets snakes up from the picturesque Kaleici harbour into the equally magnificent Old Town, where a slew of russet-roofed stone buildings house hotels and a host of restaurants and shops. In town you’ll find a series of parks and mosques that typify local architecture, and there’s enough elsewhere to spend a day exploring too, from the Duden Waterfalls to the Antalya Archaeology Museum.
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Bodrum
Bodrum lies on the site of Halicarnassus, which was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
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Another one of Turkey’s most popular summer spots, Bodrum is an equally viable winter sun destination, with average temperatures in February hovering around 14C. Resorts here offer all types of stay, from the luxury to the more affordable, and the surrounding area is home to some of the best beaches in the region, including Yahsi, Aspat and Orak Island.
While the city itself is known for its lively nightlife scene,…
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