Turkey (Alanya)

Turkey (Alanya) – What you should know

Alanya has one of the most extreme rainfall profiles in the Mediterranean. Summer is practically precipitation-free — July and August together bring 5 mm across zero rain days — while January, at around 252 mm, sees more rain than London does in four months. That summer dryness, combined with more than twelve hours of sunshine daily, is what makes the swimming season so dependable.

The sea is the real asset. In August it typically reaches 29°C, in September still 28°C, and even in November it sits at 23°C — warmer than the Mediterranean off Mallorca in June. The swimming season therefore runs from May well into November, which sets Alanya apart from most European destinations.

On land, midsummer becomes hard work: 34°C in August with high humidity, and the Taurus mountains directly behind the coast block any cooling land breeze. For Alanya castle, the caves or day trips to Side, the same rule applies as everywhere on the Turkish Riviera — May, June and October are the comfortable months, with October the best compromise at 27°C air and 26°C water.