Antalya has recorded its highest-ever October visitor numbers, welcoming more than 2.2 million foreign tourists last month, according to official data from Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The figure marks an 8% increase compared with the same month in 2024, reinforcing the city’s position as one of Europe’s leading holiday destinations.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said in a social media statement that “Antalya reached a new peak in October. Our city hosted 2,216,554 foreign visitors, an 8% rise compared with the same period last year. This figure has been recorded as the highest October number of all time.” He added that Antalya continues to strengthen its role as the “tourism capital of the Mediterranean.”
Germany, Russia, and the UK Lead Visitor Numbers
Germany was the top source market for Antalya in October 2025, sending 639,445 visitors. The Russian Federation ranked second with 583,004 arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom with 182,201 visitors. Other leading markets included Poland (140,829), the Netherlands (65,233), Lithuania (50,920), Ukraine (48,904), Switzerland (39,276), Belarus (24,729), and Denmark (24,079).
According to data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Germany’s visitor numbers increased by 8% year-on-year, while Russia rose by 12%. Growth was also recorded from Poland (6%), Lithuania (14%), Ukraine (17%), and Switzerland (5%), indicating a steady diversification of Antalya’s tourism markets.
Ersoy said that Antalya also broke a single-day record for inbound tourism this year. On 4 October, 93,403 foreign tourists arrived through Antalya Airport’s international terminal, marking the highest daily figure for any October in the city’s history. “We remain committed to diversifying tourism, improving quality, and extending the season across all 12 months,” he said.
Antalya Strengthens Its Year-Round Appeal
The strong October performance pushed Antalya’s total foreign arrivals in the first 10 months of 2025 to 16.3 million, surpassing previous records and underlining the city’s enduring appeal for both leisure and cultural travel. The increase reflects Turkey’s wider efforts to expand tourism beyond traditional summer months and attract visitors seeking milder autumn weather along the Mediterranean coast.
In the January–October 2025 period, Russia was the leading source market overall, sending 3.89 million visitors. Germany followed closely with 3.34 million, while the United Kingdom ranked third with 1.47 million. Poland contributed 1.24 million visitors, and the Netherlands 453,867. Other top 10 source markets included Ukraine (413,028), Romania (410,667), Kazakhstan (368,255), the Czech Republic (287,381), and Lithuania (242,399).
Analysts attribute the growth to stable air connectivity, competitive pricing, and improved hotel infrastructure, as well as Turkey’s ongoing marketing campaigns across Europe. Antalya’s mix of beaches, heritage sites, and all-inclusive resorts continues to appeal to family and group travelers, while the city has also gained traction as a destination for sports camps and cultural events during the shoulder seasons.
Despite economic pressures across Europe, the sustained demand underscores the region’s resilience as a travel hub. Tourism authorities have sought to promote year-round experiences such as gastronomy, wellness, and golf, alongside the city’s historical attractions including Hadrian’s Gate, the old town of Kaleiçi, and the ancient ruins of Perge and Aspendos.
Antalya’s hospitality sector has also benefited from ongoing infrastructure investment, including terminal upgrades at Antalya Airport and new resort developments across the coastal districts. Industry observers expect international arrivals to continue growing into the winter months, supported by package holidays and an expanding calendar of festivals and cultural programs.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has emphasized its commitment to sustainable growth and quality standards in hospitality. “We are determined to diversify tourism, enhance quality, and extend the tourism season to all 12 months,” said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. The statement reflects the government’s long-term objective to maintain Antalya’s competitive edge within Europe’s holiday market while ensuring environmental and cultural preservation.
With record-breaking numbers and continued expansion into new markets, Antalya’s October success signals not only a strong recovery but also a potential new phase of growth for Turkey’s Mediterranean tourism hub.
