Travel Tips

Why Antalya is Turkey’s most underrated autumn beach destination

While most travellers flock to Antalya in the summer, the real magic begins in autumn. With mild weather, calm seas, and peaceful beaches, it’s the perfect time to explore the Turkish Riviera.

For years, the Turkish Riviera, especially Antalya, has been a favoured summer holiday destination among Brits. And with its gorgeous weather and glistening Mediterranean coastline, it’s not hard to see why.

But here’s something not many people know… Summer isn’t the best time to visit Antalya; Autumn is.

While summer brings a buzz to Antalya, it also brings crowded beaches, sky-high resort prices, and endless sweating.

In this article, we’ll reveal why autumn is the ultimate time to visit this stunning region and share the four top Antalya autumn beach destinations.

Beach	Distance from Antalya	What makes it special	Best for
Konyaaltı Beach	In the city (west side)	7 km stretch framed by Taurus Mountains; calm and scenic promenade	Sunset walks, seaside dining
Lara Beach	~15 km east of city center	Golden sands, clear waters, luxury resorts still open in autumn	Swimming, cocktails, water sports
Kaputaş Beach	~200 km west (near Kaş & Kalkan)	Small turquoise cove surrounded by cliffs, far fewer crowds in autumn	Scenic drives, photography
Patara Beach	~220 km west of Antalya	Longest beach in Turkey (18 km), near Patara Ancient City	Solitary walks, turtle watching, ruins

In this article

What makes Antalya the perfect autumn beach destination

During Autumn, Antalya’s long stretch of golden coastline is quiet and peaceful, transforming one of Turkey’s most popular cities into a tranquil retreat.

But while the crowds drop drastically, the temperature doesn’t.

With warm yet mild temperatures, the sea is still swimmable, yet it’s now cool enough to explore the city without sweating buckets. This means you can comfortably stroll around the charming old town of Kaleiçi or check out the ancient city of Termessos.

What’s more, with the summer rush over, flight and accommodation prices drop. This is also the time of year local restaurants and tour providers run special deals, meaning you can enjoy activities like diving trips and yacht cruises for a fraction of the usual cost.

Considering this, it’s no surprise that more and more people are opting to visit Antalya in autumn. Recent data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism shows that 2.39 million tourists visited Antalya in September 2025, 49,114 more than in September 2024.

Top beaches to explore in Antalya during autumn

Here are four Antalya autumn beach destinations you won’t want to miss this season:

1. Konyaaltı Beach

Soure: Shutterstock

Konyaaltı is a long, pebbly stretch on the western side of the city. Framed by the majestic Taurus Mountains, it’s one of Antalya’s most scenic beaches, and at 7km long, it’s ideal for autumn sunset walks.

In autumn, many of the cafés and restaurants along the promenade (on the southern end of the beach) remain open. Here you can enjoy Antalya’s in-season seafood specialities with a priceless view of the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, the northern end of the beach offers a peaceful and more rural feel, as it’s away from the road and hugged by a rugged cliff.

2. Lara Beach

Soure: Shutterstock

Known for its golden sands and clear waters, Lara Beach on the east side of the city is among Antalya’s most favoured beaches. Because of its popularity, it gets incredibly crowded in the summer, yet by autumn, the crowds are minimal, allowing you to enjoy its beauty again.

With several luxury resorts and trendy beach bars lining the shore, Lara Beach is an ideal spot to enjoy an evening cocktail while watching the sun dip behind the distant mountains.

In September and October, the sea is clear and calm, making it perfect for a quick dip or a long swimming session. And with most businesses still open, you can enjoy water sports like jet skiing, paragliding, or banana boat rides.

3. Kaputaş Beach

Soure: Shutterstock

If you want to head out of the city and explore the rest of the Antalya province, drive 200km west and you’ll discover the picturesque Kaputaş Beach.

Located between the towns of Kaş and Kalkan, this small postcard-perfect cove captivates visitors with its striking turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.

At just 150 meters long, Kaputaş Beach is constantly crowded during the summer, causing many tourists to miss out on this Turkish gem.

However, in the autumn, the beach becomes a tranquil escape that’s well worth the drive. Or, if you want a more scenic journey to Kaputaş Beach, consider taking a boat tour from Antalya.

4. Patara Beach

Soure: Shutterstock

Just 20km west of Kaputaş, you’ll find Antalya’s longest beach, Patara, which stretches a whopping 18km. With soft sand and sweeping dunes, it’s ideal for long, solitary walks and epic sunsets.

Being so expansive, being at Patara Beach in the autumn can feel like you’ve got the entire place to yourself. The tranquility also makes it a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles, which you can spot until October, when the hatching season ends.

What’s more, right behind the beach, you’ll find Patara Ancient City, which is full of incredible stone ruins, including a Roman theatre, dating as far back as 100 AD.

Autumn cultural experiences in Antalya

Aside from enjoying the peaceful beaches, by visiting Antalya in autumn, you’ll get to experience some unique cultural events, such as:

Antalya Autumn Festival (October) – This annual event is held at the end of October, featuring folk dances, music, and theatrical performances.
Kaleiçi Old Town Festival (October) – From 9th to 12th October, Kaleiçi (Antalya’s historic old town) comes alive with parades, music, theatre, and food. It’s a perfect blend of history, culture, and community spirit.
GastroAntalya (November) – This gastronomy festival takes place in the second half of November, featuring workshops, tastings, and competitions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to indulge in local culinary delights.

For more tips on exploring Turkey’s cultural heritage, check out our comprehensive Turkey travel guide.

Navigate between Antalya autumn beach destinations with Holafly

Explore Antalya’s best beaches and share your sunset pics in real time with a Holafly eSIM for Antalaya.

Holafly provides unlimited data and reliable coverage across the country, so you can stay connected without chasing local SIM cards or relying on restaurant Wi-Fi. You’ll also enjoy peace of mind with 24/7 customer support and the ability to use your daily hotspot wherever you go.

Planning to explore more than Antalya? The Holafly eSIM for Turkey keeps you online across the entire country.

Important: Be sure to purchase and install your eSIM BEFORE arriving in Turkey to avoid connection problems caused by Turkey’s recent eSIM ban.

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