Alanya's Mediterranean climate means long, hot summers and mild winters, with very little rain between May and October. The resort season runs roughly from April through October, with the absolute peak in July and August when European charter flights fill the hotels and the beaches become crowded.
May and June are arguably the best months to visit. The sea is warm enough to swim, the mountains behind town are still green, the orange and banana orchards are fragrant, and the crowds have not yet arrived. Prices are noticeably lower than in summer.
July and August are intense. Temperatures regularly hit 35–38 °C and humidity is high. The beaches are packed by mid-morning. If you come in peak summer, the castle and Red Tower are best visited early in the day before the heat builds. Evenings along the waterfront, though, are genuinely pleasant.
September and October offer perhaps the sweetest balance: the sea is at its warmest (September water temperature can reach 28 °C), the main crowds have thinned, and the light in the late afternoon turns everything golden. October can bring occasional rain.
November to April sees Alanya quiet down considerably. Many hotels and restaurants close. The hills behind town are green and the air is cool and clear. Rain falls mostly between December and March. A handful of cafes and local restaurants stay open year-round, and the old town and castle feel genuinely atmospheric without the summer rush.
There are no major annual festivals specific to Alanya that should drive timing, though Antalya's Golden Orange Film Festival in October is within easy reach if you happen to be in the region.