Side is an ancient harbour town on a small peninsula, with long sandy beaches stretching east and west. The flat coastal plain makes summer days hot and slightly humid, while the shallow, sandy shore warms up quickly in late spring.
Side climate at a glance
- Hottest month: July (34°C by day)
- Coldest month: January (14°C by day, 8°C at night)
- Swimming season: June to November (sea 22°C or warmer); warmest sea in August at about 29°C
- Wettest month: January (258 mm); yearly total about 1084 mm
- Driest months: July to August – rain is very rare
Side climate table
| Month | Day / night | Sea | Rain mm (days) | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14° / 8° | 19° | 258 (15) | 10.0 h |
| February | 16° / 8° | 18° | 122 (10) | 10.8 h |
| March | 18° / 9° | 18° | 114 (10) | 12.0 h |
| April | 21° / 12° | 19° | 49 (6) | 13.1 h |
| May | 25° / 16° | 22° | 44 (6) | 14.1 h |
| June | 29° / 20° | 25° | 13 (4) | 14.6 h |
| July | 34° / 24° | 28° | 5 (1) | 14.4 h |
| August | 33° / 25° | 29° | 4 (1) | 13.5 h |
| September | 31° / 22° | 28° | 23 (3) | 12.4 h |
| October | 27° / 18° | 26° | 74 (5) | 11.2 h |
| November | 22° / 13° | 23° | 161 (8) | 10.2 h |
| December | 17° / 10° | 20° | 217 (13) | 9.7 h |
Day / night: average daily maximum / minimum air temperature (°C). Sea: average sea surface temperature off the coast. Rain: monthly total; in brackets, days with at least 1 mm of rain.
Best time to visit Side
- Beach holiday: June to October, when the air is warm and the sea is 22°C or warmer.
- Sightseeing and active holidays: April to May and November – pleasant temperatures and few rainy days.
- Hottest period: July – expect frequent days above 35°C.
- Quiet season: December to February – the coolest and wettest time, with fewer visitors and lower prices.
Shallow, sandy entry into the water makes Side's beaches a good choice for families with small children.
Side weather month by month
Side weather in January: 14°C / 8°C
Side averages 14°C during the day and 8°C at night in January. The sea is cool at around 19°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 15 rainy days and 258 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Pack a warm jacket, a sweater and waterproof shoes. Daylight lasts about 10.0 hours.
Side weather in February: 16°C / 8°C
Side averages 16°C during the day and 8°C at night in February. The sea is cool at around 18°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 10 rainy days and 122 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Pack a warm jacket, a sweater and waterproof shoes. Daylight lasts about 10.8 hours.
Side weather in March: 18°C / 9°C
Side averages 18°C during the day and 9°C at night in March. The sea is cool at around 18°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. This is one of the wetter months, with about 10 rainy days and 114 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 12.0 hours.
Side weather in April: 21°C / 12°C
Side averages 21°C during the day and 12°C at night in April. The sea is cool at around 19°C, so most visitors swim in heated indoor pools. Expect around 6 rainy days (49 mm), mostly short showers. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 13.1 hours.
Side weather in May: 25°C / 16°C
Side averages 25°C during the day and 16°C at night in May. The sea is refreshing at around 22°C – fine for a quick swim on sunny days. Expect around 6 rainy days (44 mm), mostly short showers. Summer clothes are fine during the day; a light layer is handy for the evening. Daylight lasts about 14.1 hours.
Side weather in June: 29°C / 20°C
Side averages 29°C during the day and 20°C at night in June. At around 25°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. Expect around 4 rainy days (13 mm), mostly short showers. Summer clothes are fine during the day; a light layer is handy for the evening. Daylight lasts about 14.6 hours.
Summer evenings are ideal for a walk to the Temple of Apollo at sunset, when the stones have cooled down.
Side weather in July: 34°C / 24°C
Side averages 34°C during the day and 24°C at night in July. The sea is very warm at around 28°C – perfect for long swims. There are only about 1 rainy day in the month. Heat waves are common: on average 10 days reach 35°C or more, so plan sightseeing for the morning and evening. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 14.4 hours.
Side weather in August: 33°C / 25°C
Side averages 33°C during the day and 25°C at night in August. The sea is very warm at around 29°C – perfect for long swims. Rain is very rare. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 13.5 hours.
Side weather in September: 31°C / 22°C
Side averages 31°C during the day and 22°C at night in September. The sea is very warm at around 28°C – perfect for long swims. There are only about 3 rainy days in the month. Light, breathable clothing, a hat and high-factor sun cream are essential. Daylight lasts about 12.4 hours.
Side weather in October: 27°C / 18°C
Side averages 27°C during the day and 18°C at night in October. At around 26°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5 rainy days (74 mm), mostly short showers. Summer clothes are fine during the day; a light layer is handy for the evening. Daylight lasts about 11.2 hours.
Side weather in November: 22°C / 13°C
Side averages 22°C during the day and 13°C at night in November. At around 23°C, the sea is pleasant for swimming. This is one of the wetter months, with about 8 rainy days and 161 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 10.2 hours.
Side weather in December: 17°C / 10°C
Side averages 17°C during the day and 10°C at night in December. The sea is refreshing at around 20°C – fine for a quick swim on sunny days. This is one of the wetter months, with about 13 rainy days and 217 mm of rain – pack a rain jacket. Bring layers: T-shirt weather on sunny afternoons, a sweater or light jacket in the evening. Daylight lasts about 9.7 hours.
Getting to Side
The nearest airport for Side is Antalya Airport (AYT). 4 Seasons Transfer offers private airport transfers at a fixed price per vehicle, with air-conditioned cars, flight tracking and meet & greet – whatever the weather.
- Antalya Airport to Side Transfer Time, Distance and Prices
- Antalya Airport to Side Transfer
- Gazipaşa Airport to Side Transfer
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Side?
For a beach holiday, June to October is ideal. For sightseeing and hiking, choose April to May and November, when it is warm but not hot.
When is the sea warm enough to swim in Side?
The sea is 22°C or warmer from June to November. It is warmest in August, at about 29°C.
What is the hottest month in Side?
July, with an average daytime high of 34°C and nights around 24°C.
What is the weather like in Side in winter?
From December to February days average about 16°C and nights about 8°C. Expect around 38 rainy days over the three months, with plenty of sunny days in between.
Weather in other destinations
- Antalya Weather by Month
- Alanya Weather by Month
- Belek Weather by Month
- Kemer Weather by Month
- Kaş Weather by Month
- Fethiye Weather by Month
- Marmaris Weather by Month
- Bodrum Weather by Month
- Kuşadası Weather by Month
- Çeşme Weather by Month
- Izmir Weather by Month
- Istanbul Weather by Month
- Cappadocia Weather by Month
Source: averages for 2015–2024 calculated by 4 Seasons Transfer. Air temperature, rain and daylight: ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus / ECMWF) via Open-Meteo, licence CC BY 4.0. Sea temperature: NOAA OISST v2.1 monthly means (NOAA PSL). The weather in a given year can differ from these averages.