Antalya is a beautiful city located on the South West Coast of Turkey, along what is known as the “Turkish Riviera”. It was our first taste of the Southern Coast of Turkey, and we immediately fell in love with it. With beaches, mountains, sea cliffs, crystal clear Turquoise waters and incredible History, there is truly something to keep everyone happy in Antalya. So today I have decided to put together my Ultimate Guide to Antalya to give you all the information you need to visit.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on those links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you I will get a small commission. This will go a long way toward keeping this website running. As always, thank you for your support! Click HERE for more information.
Antalya is a place that we almost didn’t even go to. We honestly knew nothing about it before we arrived, other than looking at a couple of photos. Coming from Cappadocia, we decided to head to the south coast and needed a good place to start, and geographically Antalya seemed to fit the bill. Now, we are SO GLAD we chose it.
We fell in love with Antalya, and found it hard to move on. It is the perfect stop, whether you are looking to explore, discover history, or just to relax. Antalya has you covered.
Table of Contents
- About Antalya
- Where is Antalya?
- How many days do you need in Antalya?
- How to get to Antalya
- Things to do in Antalya
- Day Trips from Antalya
- Where to stay in Antalya
- Luxury
- Mid Range
- Budget
- How to get around in Antalya
- Where to eat in Antalya
- Summary
About Antalya
The city of Antalya was founded around the year 200 AD, and conquered by the Roman Empire not long after. The city thrived, becoming a very important port in the Empire, and strategic stronghold along the shores of the Mediterranean. Neighboring cities and towns also shared in the bounties that the Roman Empire brought to Antalya.
Today, Antalya is the main attraction along the popular Turkish Riviera. Remnants of the Roman Empire still exist, and along with its beautiful beaches, mountains and other natural features, there is little wonder why it is a favorite among Turkish Holiday makers.
The city has gone a long way toward preserving the relics of its past. Hadrian’s Gate stands as a beacon to the Roman Empire that once ruled, and many Ottoman style buildings still line the streets of the Old Town. Visitors are able to see and experience everything that Antalya has to offer with the use of the wonderful public transport system, and have the ease of coming and going via the modern International Airport.
It is no wonder that Antalya is one of the favorite cities in Turkey.
Best time to visit
If you want to get the most out of your Antalya trip, then the best times to visit are in Spring and Autumn. That means April to June and September to October. This is when the seasons are at their best, avoiding the heat of the Summer and the cold of Winter.
Having said that, on my most recent visit we were there at the end of November. I am told it was unseasonably warm, but I got around each day in Jeans and a t-shirt. So you CAN get lucky with the weather, but stick to the seasons listed above and you should get the best of it!
Where is Antalya?
Antalya is located on the South West coast of Turkey, and is a part of Anatolia. It is the 5th largest city in Turkey, and the largest Turkish City located along the Mediterranean Coastline, outside of those in the Aegean.
Geographically, Antalya is bordered by the Taurus Mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea, making it a favorite destination for holiday makers from all over Turkey.
How many days do you need in Antalya?
You will need anywhere from 2 days to 4 days in Antalya. This depends upon what you want to do when you are there, and how much of the city that you would like to see. If you are planning to get out of the city and do trips to places such as Olympos, then you should add an extra day.
Most of what you will want to see in Antalya can be found around the central parts of the city. Especially for a first time visitor, and that can be seen easily in a couple of days. Add on an extra couple of days to see sights a little further afield, and possibly for day trips.
On our first trip to Antalya we spent 4 days. That was plenty of time to see everything that we wanted to see, and we even visited old town on several occasions. If you take the information I provide in this guide, it should also let you hit the ground running, without the need to try and discover it for yourself.
How to get to Antalya
Getting to Antalya is easy, as it is one of the larger cities in Turkey, so there are major routes available for travelers to take.
Flying is the number one option for those that are limited for time in Turkey. Antalya actually has an International airport, which has TWO international terminals. It sees millions of passengers pass through each year, as it is a major destination on the holiday coast of Turkey. There are also constant domestic flights arriving and departing from all over Turkey, with the flight time from Istanbul only 1 hour 15 min.
The other popular way to get to Antalya is by bus. There is a major hub located just outside of the city center that caters to every bus company in Turkey. This is an option for those on a budget, and buses are arriving and departing at all times of the day and night. The most popular route is definitely for buses from Antalya to Cappadocia, which only takes around 8 hours. This is how we arrived in Antalya on our first visit.
Guide to Antalya Tip – Both the airport and the bus terminal are connected to the city center by public transport, with the tram line and bus now running to both. So skip the taxi and look at using them to save money!
Things to do in Antalya
Antalya is a city with a wonderful history and amazing geography. Therefore it stands to reason that there is plenty to do in and around the city. You don’t have to go far to really begin exploring, and you will probably find that your first couple of days will be spent right within the city itself.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the the Guide to Antalya things to do.
- Walk the streets of Old Town – This is right at the top of the list for any visitor to Antalya. Old Town is a collection of cobbled streets lined with pubs, restaurants, shops and marvelous architecture. I personally spent a couple of days wandering the streets, finding hidden alleys and quaint cafes.
- Visit Hadrian’s Gate – This amazing gate is probably the most well known feature of Antalya. Standing at the entrance to Old Town, it is 2000 years old and still in incredible condition. You can walk right under the arch, and follow the same path as Romans did as far back as the 2nd century AD.
- Stroll around the Ancient Harbor – The absolute center of Kaleici Old Town, this ancient Roman Harbor has been the central focus of the city for 2000 years, and is still a centerpiece in modern day. A great place to lunch, take a cruise or sit and watch the sun set over the mountains.
- Explore Karaalioglu Park – Just a short walk from Old Town you will find this incredible park running along the tops of the cliffs. It’s a great place for a stroll, to have a coffee, or to take in the sunset in the evenings.
- Take a Cruise – Cruises run from the Old Town Harbor, and are very popular with tourists and locals. The most popular of all is the cruise down the coastline to Duden Waterfalls.
- Be amazed at Duden Waterfalls – These amazing waterfalls are located East of the city, and feature a cascade that plummets 50 meters down the cliff face into the Ocean!
- Take in the views from the Telerifik – Take the Cable Car 1700 meters up to Tunek Tepe, a lookout on top of the hills overlooking the city and surrounds. With the most incredible views in the area, this is NOT to be missed. NOTE – the Telerifik is closed on Mondays!
- Stroll through the Ancient streets of Perge – The Ancient City of Perge is located 15 KM East of Antalya, and dates back as far as about 1200 BC. Spend the day wandering through the remains of a long lost civilization, and following the path of those such as Alexander the Great, who once walked its streets.
- Soak up the sun at Konyaalti Beach – This beach is not the classic sand beach you might be used to. Instead it is made of pebbles, however don’t let that put you off. It is a favorite for locals and visitors, is a great place to swim or soak up the sun, and has a huge waterfront area with cycleway, parks and restaurants for miles!
Guide to Antalya Tip – Use public transport. You can get to most of the places on this list by utilising the bus and tram networks!
Day Trips from Antalya
There is much to do within Antalya itself, but like many places in Turkey, there are things laying just outside, around or further afield that you just don’t want to miss. These are things you will want to visit when you are in Antalya, or could base yourself in Antalya to do them on day trips.
Here are the Guide to Antalya list of the best day trips that you can do from Antalya.
- Perge, Side, Aspendos and Waterfalls Guided Tour – This tour is all about history, as you visit the ancient cities of the region. Learn all about the Ancient Romans that built these wonders, before taking a refreshing dip in a waterfall.
- Taurus Mountains full day Jeep safari – This tour is all about adventure. Get off the beaten path into the Taurus mountains in a Jeep. Visit local villages and swim in refreshing natural pools.
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch – A full day trip that starts early in the morning with hotel pickup and a few hours drive to incredible Pamukkale, where you will witness the world famous Cotton Castle Pools. From there a visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis before heading home again.
- Antalya City Tour and Duden Waterfalls with Boat Trip – This tour will take you all around the city with a local guide, seeing sights such as the famous Hadrian’s Gate, before a boat trip down the coast to witness the Duden Waterfalls plummeting into the ocean from the unique vantage point of the ocean itself.
- Antalya City Tour, Waterfalls and Cable Car – This tour will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the cable car up to the most scenic spot around the city. This is followed by visits to the Duden Waterfalls, and Karpuz Kaldıran Waterfall.
- Kekova Sunken City, Demre and Lycia Tour – Set sail to Kekova Island where you will board a glass bottomed boat to view the sunken city of Kekova. A truly unique experience!
Guide to Antalya Tip – There are many places that you can book tours in Antalya. Stick with a trusted company like Getyourguide via one of the above links, as they do their homework and only deal with the very best, most experienced operators.
Where to stay in Antalya
If you are heading to Antalya, then I suggest you to stay around the area in the center of the city, near Old Town. Especially if you are a first time visitor to the city. It is easy to get around, you are close to everything, and only a short bus or tram ride from the beach.
Here are the Guide to Antalya suggestions for where to stay in Antalya.
Luxury
CASA SUR ANTALYA
The Casa Sur Antalya is a little piece of paradise right in the middle of Antalya. Featuring wonderful garden areas that guests love and constantly rave about, this hotel will leave you wanting more. Amazing service, attention to detail and staff who go above and beyond makes this the place you will want to book on your next visit to Antalya.
Mid Range
GIGES KING BOUTIQUE HOTEL
What could be better than a highly rated boutique hotel located right in the heart of Kaleici Old Town? Walking distance to everywhere, getting spoiled with tailored breakfasts, a refreshing pool, all set in a classic Ottoman Style Hotel. Could it get any better?
Budget
LA CASA CARINA BUTIK HOTEL
With kind and accommodating owners who will oversea your every need with minute detail, it will be hard to believe you are in a budget hotel. Located right in the middle of Old Town, this place is in the perfect choice, close to everything but still away from all the noise.
Looking for the best Budget accommodation? Hostelworld have you covered with all of the very best budget friendly accommodation around town. Check them out at THIS LINK.
How to get around in Antalya
Getting around in Antalya is easy. Despite being the 5th largest city in Turkey, the part that you will be visiting is not that big. And to get to outlying areas, the city of Antalya has you covered with Public transport options.
Firstly, there is the good old getting around on foot option. If you stay central, then your first couple of days will probably see you walking nearly everywhere. There is so much to see and do in the central part of Antalya that you won’t need to worry about anything else.
Second, there is the bus. They run everywhere in Antalya, and are easy to find and catch. The bus routes are even made easy for you as well. For example, two places we wanted to go were the Cable car (telerifik) to the West, and Duden Waterfalls to the East. The same bus took us to both!
The third option is the tram. There is a great tram system in Antalya that connects the airport and bus terminals to the city center. This tram is used by locals and visitors to get swiftly around the city as well. There is also a nostalgic tram that runs from the city center along the coast, which is a great way to move about as well. In particular for getting from Old Town to the Beaches to the West of the city.
Guide to Antalya Tip – If you are going to be using the Public Transport system, get yourself an AntalyaKart. It is a swipe on card to use on all public transport that can be easily topped up with cash at the handy machines. It works the same way as IstanbulKart.
Where to eat in Antalya
There are many great places to eat around the central mall and surrounding streets of Antalya. If you are on a budget, then you can also find many places that sell cheap kebabs and Pide as well. These MAY be a little more expensive in the center of Antalya City than a little further out though.
On our most recent visit to Antalya, we found a few great places to eat that really fit a low budget. They were mostly around where we were staying, but I will list a couple of our favorite places here.
- Sariyer Borek Simitevi – We first found one of these shops on the morning we arrived and were walking from the tram stop to our apartment. They sell incredibly tasty Borek that we continued to eat for breakfast every day we were there. This is cheap, filling and very good food! They are a chain, and we ate at several different stores and they all had the same quality. HERE is a link to one so you can see what to look for.
- Baris Cafe and Fast Food – One of the best and cheapest kebabs we found outside of Istanbul is at this cafe. It’s a bit outside of the city center, but if you are in the area it’s worth stopping by! Click HERE for a location.
Food in Antalya is not that expensive when compared to other places along the coastline such as Fethiye. You will pay a little more than somewhere like Istanbul, but still a reasonable price.
Guide to Antalya tip – get away from the main strips for cheap food. Along the walking malls keep a look out for the bread carts which sell bread for only 5TL each. They are a cheap breakfast that you can eat on the go.
Summary
Well, that’s if for my Ultimate Guide to Antalya – for now. I am constantly updating my guides, and will continue to add information on each visit to the city.
I highly recommend Antalya as a place to visit along the south coast of Turkey. It is a charming city, with plenty of history, places to see and things to do. You cannot help but fall in love with Antalya!
If you have any questions or anything to add that would be helpful for visitors, then feel free to drop it in the comments!
Leave a reply