Traveling to Turkey in October: Is it worth it? Our tips included

Halfway through fall is the exact time when most people start to yearn for a change of scenery. Preferably, they want to travel some place sunny (to get that much needed vitamin D fix) and scenic (with lustier history and ritzier digs, to fill up on inspiration for the long and gray winter days ahead).

Turkey, in our opinion, covers all the bases. And that is why we do not hesitate to claim it as a great holiday destination for October!

The month of October is, of course, a gem in and of itself. The sizzling summer temps that plague Turkey during summertime have subsided by now, and winter chill hasn’t come in yet. Because the main tourist crowds wane the closer it gets to the middle of fall, the tour package prices follow suit. You can expect to spend as little as $600 for a week-long holiday if you’re coming from Europe (check Expedia!); more, if your starting point is in the States).

But we’re getting too ahead of ourselves. Let’s start with the breakdown of what you can expect when traveling to Turkey in October, weather-wise and entertainment-wise.

Article contents

Weather in Turkey in October
Possible travel expenses
Which resort to choose for your trip?
Our hotel picks
Must-do experiences in Turkey in October
Pros and cons of going to Turkey

Weather in Turkey in October

In short, the high season is already over, but the sea is still very comfortable at around +25°C (77F). The thinning tourist crowds and more affordable prices fade in comparison to what can only be considered perfect weather conditions.

Still relatively balmy days are followed by pleasantly crisp nights, — the arrangement most ideal for being outdoors!

Exploring Turkey in October means you won’t be sweating buckets while walking around historical ruins and will be greeted by cool evenings whenever you leave the packed restaurants after dinner.

Average air temperature

The hottest parts of Turkey in October are Alanya and Side, where daytime temperatures can reach up to +30°C (86F). Other resorts on the warmer side include Belek, Antalya, and Kemer, where temperatures can rise to +28°C during the day, though you may need to pack a light layer for the chilly nights.

Another thing to keep in mind is that fall is undoubtedly the start of the rainy season in Turkey. However, a bit of luck can definitely alter the pre-planned rainy day itineraries. We spent 12 days in Antalya in the middle of October last year and didn’t see a single cloud. Just remember that the good fortune is harder to come by closer to the end of the month, so have some backup activities planned that do not include spending time outside.

Where to swim in Turkey in October?

In Turkey, there’s a rule that might come in handy when planning your beach vacation: The further east you go, the warmer the sea is.

When choosing a resort along the coastline of the Mediterranean, aim for Alanya, Side, Belek, and Kemer. Here, sea temperatures sway in the +25°C range, making the area a great vacation destination for families with kids. Be careful though — your precious stinkers will love the water here so much you won’t be able to get them out in time for an all-inclusive dinner!

Turkey in October is generally a great idea for a vacation with kids (keep reading to learn the much needed details on the topic). One thing we should note here is the deal with the Aegean coastline — you should steer clear of Bodrum, Marmaris, and other local resorts due to cooler water temps (while +23°C is not that cold, it’s still verging on uncomfortable, putting quite a damper on your beach experience).

Average sea and air temperature in Turkey in October:

City	Average air temperature	Average water temperature
City	Average air temperature	Start of October	End of October
Alanya	+26°C / 78F	+26…+28°C / 78…82F	+25°C / 77F
Side	+26.5°C	+26…+28°C	+25°C
Belek	+26°C	+26…+27°C	+24…+25°C
Kemer	+23°C / 73F	+26°C	+24°C
Marmaris	+24°C	+24…+25°C / 75…77F	+22…+23°C / 71…73F

Travel expenses for your October trip to Turkey

Planning your budget for an October trip to Turkey can be quite satisfying (or at least liberating, widening your scope of choices), since prices are significantly lower mid-fall than during the peak of summer.

There are two ways to organize your trip to Turkey:

Book everything separately yourself — we like to use the good old Booking and Kiwi.com services when planning our holiday independently. Just remember that not all hotels are present on Booking and most of them require the minimum stay of 3 and more nights. Plus, Booking doesn’t work while you’re IN Turkey, so book your accommodation ahead.
Opt for a packaged deal — Expedia is your trusted friend that lets you find the best possible options.

To help you choose between the two (budget-wise), we’ve compared both methods using the Porto Bello Hotel Resort & Spa in Antalya — a solid five-star option with everything a tourist on their dream vacation might need.

Since traveling from the States is a tad more nuanced and complicated (with at least one layover usually in the play), we’ve narrowed down our rough estimates to London and Berlin — two multicultural hotspots most popular in Europe.

What to expect when traveling from London when:

booking everything separately
Round-trip direct flight from London to Antalya: From 150 pounds per person
A night for two in mid-October: 200 pounds, totaling 1400 pounds for a week of all-inclusive stay
Total: 300 pounds (flights) + 1400 (hotel) = 1770 pounds — this is the starting price for a vacation for two in the middle of October in Antalya.
choosing a packaged deal on Expedia and the like
A package with the same criteria (direct flights, 7 days in a standard room, all-inclusive) on Expedia: 1220 pounds for two.

What to expect when traveling from Berlin when:

booking everything separately
Round-trip direct flight from Berlin to Antalya: From €350 per person
A night for two in mid-October: €230, totaling €1600 for a week of all-inclusive stay
Total: €700 (flights) + €1600 (hotel) = €2300
choosing a packaged deal
A package with the same criteria (direct flights, 7 days in a standard room, all-inclusive): €1600 for two.

Turkey is a popular tourist destination that loves offering package deals, and as you can see, there’s a reason they are in demand — a package might help you save several hundred bucks!

Which resort to choose for your trip?

Naturally, one of the first questions that might come up is where to go in October in Turkey. Generally, there are two main resorts that tourists usually choose for a beach vacation.

Alanya

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly destination, then Alanya is a surefire option. The resort is quite far from the airport (120 km), and while the quality of service and hotels is decent, it’s not outstanding. This is why Alanya is so affordable.

A huge advantage of the city is Kleopatra Beach — if they were reshooting Magnum P.I. scenes in Turkey, this beach would be the location. Think turquoise-blue waters and golden sand that sparkles in the sun — Alanya truly has secured a rare gem of a place in its midst! However, the beach is accessible only if you stay in the city of Alanya, while the most resorts are located on the far outskirts.

Another perk of Alanya is the fact that it’s probably the only Turkish resort with public beaches. In contrast, most other beaches on the coast are private hotel properties and are hard to access unless you’re a hotel guest.

Kemer

This resort is an hour’s drive away from Antalya airport. Kemer is another budget destination for a beach holiday in Turkey in October. The only drawback is that there are many 5-star hotels in the area that will shock you with poor levels of service (thankfully, their price is usually that of a good 3-star resort, so you’re not that blindsided, but still!). Do not let the vague promises and shifty descriptions fool you — double check the hotel’s reviews before taking the plunge and booking your stay!

However, do not drop the resort as a viable option for your next trip. The rest of Kemer is simply wonderful! The water is crystal-clear thanks to the pebble beaches that all come clad with fantastic mountain views — all the hills in the area are blanketed with thick vegetation (mostly pines) that creates a pretty backdrop for photos. Another huge plus of the resort is its entertainment sector: The nightlife in Kemer is top-notch. Even in the off-season, the bars and clubs stay open late into the night.

It is obvious why Turkey is often associated with these two resorts — they are multi-faceted and exciting, with pretty landscapes and fun locations. Plus, they’re quite cheap! And while we would stop here if it’s your first time staying on the Turkish coast, there are a few other popular destinations to keep in mind (they cater to very specific tastes and needs, which is always a good thing):

Side is perfect for holidaymakers who love sandy beaches and clear sea. The resort is very peaceful: The historical untold relics are the only entertainment options, and they’re not pushed in your face at all times either! Side is especially beloved by families.
Belek is for luxurious holidays with 5-star hotels and golf sessions (you might want to save up enough for a sultan’s ransom — the quality of services here comes with a significant price tag!).
Antalya is the true capital of the Turkish coastline. Its unique character trait is the ability to provide for active adventure-seekers who don’t like to stay in one place. Most of the hotels here are seamlessly incorporated into the urban infrastructure.
Fethiye has a really divine nature. The resort is also on a more luxurious side, but it is definitely worth every buck. Keep this place in mind if you have a bigger budget to spend and are expecting high-quality service. Fethiye, as it turns out, sustains a swankier scene than the rest or the resorts: Come here if you want to wine and dine with the worldly glitterati!
Kaş is a go-to place for scuba divers, hikers, and the like. The town is small, and it has a vibe to match — its narrow streets are mostly quiet, peaceful, and pretty authentic.

Note that we haven’t mentioned the resorts on the Aegean coastline (such as Bodrum or Marmaris) — though always rollicking and ravishing, they have a different climate: It is pretty chilly here in October, which doesn’t work well for a good beach vacation.

Our hotel picks — top eight choices for your October trip

Turkey’s reputation as a wonderful beach holiday destination precedes it; and the local hospitality sector is always one step ahead, predicting the wants and needs of every type of traveler, at all times. Because of such a focus on tourism, the variety of hotels here will blow your socks off (with new ones opening virtually every week, this is not an exaggeration)! In such a diversity of options, it’s hard not to lose your head — we know, we’ve experienced it all.

To make your planning easier, we went ahead and created our list of reliable hotels in Turkey (the roster has been road-tested and perfected to fit any agenda you might have in mind for your trip to Turkey in October):

5* Michell Hotel (Alanya) — this five-star hotel is what we like to call a safe bet. The private beach, with both pebbles and sand, is a 10-minute walk away. The buffet is generous and diverse. There are two swimming pools — one for chilling and relaxation, the other with a tight schedule of activities like aqua aerobics. The night entertainment here is good, featuring live performances and disco nights. The hotel is for adults only (16+), making it a great fit for groups of friends or young couples. It gets booked solid quite often, so score a room as soon as possible!
Around €1000 per two per week, all-inclusive
5* Orange County (Belek) — a great option for a family vacation: The hotel has a kids’ club, kids’ entertainment, and a special swimming pool for children. The buffet on-site is well-balanced and consistent in quality of the food. The hotel territory is small, but the private beach is just 2 minutes away!
Around €1200 per two per week, all-inclusive
5* Justiniano Deluxe Resort (Alanya) — the hotel consists of two buildings: The seven-story (!) Main Building and the 6-story Theodora Block (across the road). There are a bunch of perfect hiking trails nearby: You can check out the ruins of the old city of Justiniano Napoli, a cliff, and even a cave. Kids’ entertainment and disco nights happen all the time. And in case the October sea is too cold for you, there is a heated pool.
From €1100 per two per week, all-inclusive
5* Emelda Sun Club (Kemer) — this hotel has rave reviews thanks to its clean beach, just a 1-minute walk away, and its huge territory. The hotel provides everything needed for full relaxation: You can walk among pine trees, enjoy the sea view from your room, and listen to the birds. There are many families here because of the great animation programs for kids and a small amusement park that opens in the evening.
Around €1300 per two per week, all-inclusive
5* Sherwood Exclusive Kemer (Kemer) — this is where the all-inclusive system truly proves its worth. You get a wonderful private beach 50 meters away from the hotel and a huge green territory for pleasant walks with mountain views. The buffet features high-quality food and good alcohol brands. The greatest thing of all — there are 11 pools, including a water park with slides for both kids and adults.
From €1800 per two per week, all-inclusive
5* Pine Beach (Belek) — located in a picturesque southern part of the city, the hotel is surrounded by orange and pine trees on all sides. It is just a few minutes away from the beach (although the beach is sandy so the sea here sometimes gets murky). There are shows with guest artists, magicians, and acrobats happening in the evenings, and you might even catch a motorcycle (!) show. So, if you’re looking for a beautiful place with good entertainment, keep this hotel in mind.
From €2000 per two per week, all-inclusive

5* Acanthus Cennet Barut Collection (Side) — we consider this hotel to be the best for a beach holiday in Turkey in October. It’s not cheap, but what you get in return is worth it. It has the best beach along the city’s entire coastline. The rooms here are modern, and the buffet is excellent (we particularly favored the salmon, that we washed it down with too much Aperol Spritzes). Plus, there are four unlimited à la carte restaurant options! At Acanthus, Wi-Fi is everywhere, including the beach. The hotel is quiet, with more couples and retirees, as there is no entertainment except for yoga (very much grandma-core!).
From €2000 per two per week, all-inclusive
5* Sealife Family Resort (Antalya) — the hotel is perfect for those of us who want to experience the hustle and bustle of a Turkish vacation in the off-season. It is located on Konyaaltı city beach, which never sleeps. There’s a long promenade where locals and tourists watch sunsets. Cafes and restaurants are set every hundred meters, so get ready for a lot of belt-busting eating out! You can rent a bike or a scooter here and just enjoy the vibes of a lively city.
From €800 per two per week, all-inclusive

Turkey in October with children: Best options for family vacation

Remember that gleam in your kid’s eyes when you say: We’re going on vacation? Keeping that excitement alive is hard work. You need to find a place with a warm sea and a sandy beach for your little ones to build castles on. You need to know what to do when the beach becomes old news or when it rains for an entire day. And, of course, there are always problems with kids being picky eaters! Because of all of that, choosing a suitable hotel for a family vacation can be a challenge.

We have selected several Turkish resorts that seem to check all the boxes:

Side is probably your best bet. The beaches here are sandy, the water temperature is comfortable, and there aren’t many bars and nightclubs in the area. It’s an excellent place for a peaceful family vacation. According to tourists, Kamelya World is a great chain. You can choose from three hotels: Kamelya, Fulya, or Selin. If asked, we would choose Kamelya without hesitation since it has a proper water park and we’re adventurous souls!
Alanya also has a couple of areas that tourists with kids have claimed as their favorites: Avsallar and Incekum. Both areas have decent hotels with good beaches. Take a look at the 5* Azura or 5* Oz Hotels Incekum — two hotels that are praised for their kids’ entertainment options and a special children’s buffet (!).
Finally, Belek is also a good spot for a family vacation. The 5* Megasaray Club is often mentioned by return guests. It has everything you might think of — from a fantastic kids’ club to special menus filled with soups and porridges (both babies and teeth-lacking adults really appreciate the latter). Since the hotel is very popular with families, your children have a higher chance of making quick friends here. That means you can leave your child with their new BFF and enjoy a spare minute or two for yourself!

Must-do experiences in Turkey in October

Turkey in October offers ideal temperatures for local discoveries, unlike the high season months when the only thing on your mind during outings is finding air conditioning. Take this opportunity to explore a country that has so much to offer. Besides the usual snorkeling and jeep safari tours, Turkey is also rich with day trip destinations full of stories of ancient civilizations.

Most attractions in Turkey are scattered across the country, requiring some effort to reach them. We recommend using GetYourGuide or Viator for organized tours.

Here are some of the things that have stuck with us even after our 10th visit to Turkey:

Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (closer to Bodrum) — former member of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, the temple was burnt down thousands of years ago. Today, you can see the foundation and a single column, but it’s still impressive to explore the ancient ruins of what was once the largest temple in the world.
Pamukkale (closer to Antalya and Fethiye) — a perfect spot for a day trip. Surely, you’ve seen a picture of this plateau with salt deposits. It is best experienced in October, long ways’ past the horrible Turkish heat.
Cappadocia (closer to Alanya) — probably the most photographed place in Turkey, known for its hot air balloon rides that leave everyone in awe. Just imagine the expansive ocher fields filled with “fairy chimneys”: If the image speaks to your soul on a molecular level, then check out our article where we give all the necessary info to make your Cappadocia getaway a grand one!

Feel impressed already? We’re just getting started! Here are some things to put on your bucket list of
places to visit in Turkey depending on which area you’re staying in:

In Alanya, make sure to check out Dimçay and Yalan caves and the Ilıca Spring. The spring does smell foul, but looks pretty Instagrammable.
From Kemer, take a trip to Lycian Way — a long historic trail that starts not far from Antalya and ends in Fethiye. The views are stunning and the weather in Turkey in October is perfect for such a hike. Also, explore the Ancient City of Myra, which is well-preserved despite its age.
If you’re staying in Belek, visit The Land of Legends, Turkey’s answer to Disneyland. It is defined both as a water park and an amusement park, so there are plenty of activities to try and enjoy. The best part is the price — it is twice as cheap in October compared to the high season ($43 for an adult and $35 for a kid).
Finally, visiting Turkey without spending at least a day in Istanbul is a crime! Although one day is too short for this vast city rich in culture and entertainment (its mishmash of relics is too good a scene to skim over), we’ve compiled itineraries for short trips to the capital.

Instead of the organized tours, you can rent a car on Localrent to move freely and stay as long as you wish in each location. The renting process can be tricky in a new country, so we want to help you in this regard as well: Check out our tips and tricks to successfully rent a car in Turkey.

Pros and cons of going to Turkey in October

Is October a good time to go to Turkey? This time of year is perfect if you’re looking for more than just a beach holiday. The ideal routine would be combining the exploration of historical and cultural sights with lazy afternoons spent dozing off by the sea.

Some lesser-known Turkey’s advantages are its climate and the popularity of all-inclusive resorts. Turkey is located in the subtropics, and thanks to the high humidity, acclimatization is easier for all family members (including infants and the elderly), compared to places like Egypt. So, if you are considering where to go with a child, Turkey is a great choice.

The perks of all-inclusive resorts are self-evident: Fresh juices, seasonal fruits, and delicious meals are always a good idea for a vacation. The fact that it’s quite affordable in October makes it even more appealing.

The only disadvantage we could think of is Turkey’s popularity. During the high season, finding a sliver of peace and quiet can be quite difficult here. But this doesn’t apply to those visiting Turkey in October — the peak of tourist activity is over, and the resorts are no longer as crowded.

Tourist reviews + final thoughts

We confess, swimming in the warm sea and cooking up a tan at the beach is that much more enjoyable when your friends send you photos of the gloomy and rainy scenery from back home. Why Turkey and why October? Well, the country is an obvious mother lode: Its appeal as the intriguing crossroads of East and West and the overall jumble of both medieval and modern landmarks make it a perfect getaway for every type of traveler.

Of course, our personal experience cannot encompass every possible thing you need to know before traveling to Turkey during the month of October. Thankfully, we love doing research (asking friends and family first, before diving into trusted online forums); and here’s what we’ve found:

In Side, an unexpected storm can spoil your vacation.
In Kemer and Alanya, rains start mid-fall and the air temperature drops. However, at the beginning of the month, all areas of Kemer have excellent weather, with only 2-3 rainy days, which can be reserved for visiting the hammam or shopping.
Belek might disappoint with its wind and chilly temperatures by the sea.
In all of Turkey, daylight hours are quite short in October, so plan your evening activities thoroughly.

Overall, spending October in this country can be a fantastic idea, especially now that you are armed with all the necessary knowledge. We hope that our guide for traveling to Turkey in October has convinced you to spend a week or two lounging about on the Turkish Riviera and not running around back home under the constant rain, trying to find a last-minute Halloween costume!

If you want a little more heat to go with your beach vacation in Turkey, consider planning your holiday closer to the high season: August and September are great months for swimming, sunning, and getting a few shades darker than you were before, Just note that the increase in temperatures will lead to you forking over more of your hard-earned cash!

Traveling to Turkey in October (2024): Our review