Half-Term and Christmas Holidays: Best Winter Deals to Turkey & Cyprus

From around October onwards in the UK, the same theme keeps coming up in conversations:
“Where can we escape the grey for a few days, without paying long-haul prices?”

Turkey and North Cyprus are usually at the top of my list. Between the Antalya coast, Istanbul, Cappadocia and North Cyprus, you can cover almost every type of winter break: a bit of sun, a city adventure, or a quiet coastal escape.

This is a simple guide, region by region, to help you decide where actually fits you.

Antalya Coast: Classic Winter Sun and Great Value

When people say “Turkey for winter sun”, they are almost always talking about the Antalya region. Places like Lara, Side, Belek and Alanya have big resort hotels, long promenades and plenty of facilities.

In winter, you can expect:

• Mild, often sunny days that feel much better than the UK.

• Big hotels with indoor pools, spa facilities and all-inclusive options.

• Quieter resorts, but enough open to feel like a holiday, not a shutdown.

This area works especially well if you want:

• An easy all-inclusive winter break from the UK.

• Somewhere the kids can enjoy the pool and the space, even if they are not swimming all day.

• A “switch off your brain, everything is on site” kind of holiday.

If you’re mainly asking for good value, simple flight routes and a comfortable base, this is usually where I look first.

Istanbul: City Break Energy in Cooler Weather

Istanbul is always a good idea. It is not a pure “winter sun” destination, but it is perfect if you still want a holiday feel without needing a beach.

In winter, Istanbul gives you:

• Crisp days for walking between neighbourhoods, mosques and markets.

• Cosy cafés, rooftop terraces with heaters, and amazing food.

• Fewer crowds at the big sights compared with peak summer.

A typical long weekend might look like:

• Morning walks in Sultanahmet for Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

• Lunch by the Bosphorus, watching the ferries come and go.

• Evening in Karaköy, Galata or Kadıköy for restaurants and bars.

Istanbul suits you if you like city breaks, culture, food and atmosphere. You will need a coat, but you will not be stuck indoors the way you often are in the UK.

Cappadocia: Winter Landscapes and Balloon Sunrises

Cappadocia looks beautiful in any season, but in winter it can feel almost magical. Even a light dusting of snow over the rock formations makes it look like another planet.

In winter, you can expect:

• Cold nights and fresh mornings, sometimes with snow.

• Hot air balloon flights at sunrise (weather permitting), which are unforgettable.

• Cave hotels with fireplaces, local food and a slower pace.

This region is more about experience than temperature:

• Exploring valleys and rock churches.

• Watching the sun rise over the chimneys from a hot air balloon.

• Coming back to a warm, atmospheric cave hotel.

Cappadocia pairs well with Istanbul: a couple of nights in the city, then a few nights in Cappadocia for something completely different.

North Cyprus: Quiet Coastal Escape with a Local Feel

If you are looking for somewhere calmer, with more of a local atmosphere and a softer winter climate, North Cyprus is a very strong option. It is where I often send people who say, “We don’t need nightlife, we just want sea views, walks and good food.”

Around Kyrenia (Girne) and the nearby coast you get:

• Mild winter days, often bright and comfortable for walking.

• Sea views, harbour strolls and mountain backdrops.

• A slower, more traditional Mediterranean feel compared with many big resorts.

Winter in North Cyprus is ideal if you want to:

• Stay in a hotel or small resort with sea views and relax.

• Hire a car and explore villages, castles and coastal roads.

• Take long walks, eat in local restaurants and enjoy a quieter pace.

It is also a good choice for longer winter stays: a couple of weeks or more away from the UK, with reasonable prices and a calm environment.

When to Go: From Autumn into Winter

If we look at the whole season:

• Late October and early November:
  Often still warm enough in Antalya and North Cyprus for proper outdoor pool time and even sea swimming, especially earlier in the period.

• December and Christmas/New Year:
  Cooler but milder than the UK. Antalya is good for hotel-based all-inclusive with spa and indoor pool. North Cyprus works beautifully for coastal walks, harbour evenings and relaxed days. Istanbul and Cappadocia are more about city and landscape than warmth.

• February and early spring:
  A good time for a short reset break. Antalya and North Cyprus give you light and fresher air; Istanbul is already starting to feel more alive as spring approaches.

Choosing Your Winter Region

In simple terms:

• Pick Antalya if you want an easy, good-value winter holiday with hotel facilities, all-inclusive and simple logistics.

• Pick Istanbul if you want a rich city break: culture, food, views and energy.

• Pick Cappadocia if you want a special trip with unique landscapes, balloons and cave hotels.

• Pick North Cyprus if you want calm coastal scenery, local character and mild winter days without the rush of big resorts.

All of these are realistic winter options from the UK, especially once the grey skies settle in and everyone starts quietly searching for a way out.