Your guide to Antalya
Antalya highlights
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome Built for a visit by the Roman emperor in AD 130, Hadrian’s Gate is the monumental entrance to Kaleici (Old Town). It’s worth getting up at dawn for crowd-free photos of the triple arches and marble columns. Or wander down to Karaalioğlu Park to see Hidirlik Tower. Set aside time during your stay in see one of the world’s most intact Roman theatres, Aspendos, just a 40-minute drive away.
Beach hopping
Antalya’s Lara Beach features all-inclusive resorts with trendy beach bars serving cocktails straight to your spot on the beach. There’s an entrance fee to swim beneath the ancient Old Town walls at petite Mermerli Beach, but admission covers a sunbed and a truly unique view. Take day trips to Kemer for water sports at the marina and see Roman ruins in the forests around Phaselis Beach.
Sunsets and waterfalls
For budget trips to Antalya, it’s free to wander along the waterfront at Karaalioglu Park and enjoy the best views of the city’s golden sunsets. Near Lara Beach, the Lower Duden Waterfall drops dramatically from the cliffs into the ocean. Drive or take a tour to see the Upper Duden Waterfall after a short stroll through the lush forest.
Antalya: Know before you go
| Language | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Currency | Turkish lira (₺) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | December - February |
Find the best time to go to Antalya
Weather in Antalya
April – May: With little rainfall and warm temperatures, spring is a pleasant time to visit without the crowds of the summer high season. The water is generally warm enough to swim in by May.
June – September: Antalya experiences hot, dry summers with almost constant clear skies and temperatures often creeping above 30°C. This is the perfect season to hit the beach.
October – November: Autumn in Antalya is marked by warm days with comfortable swimming weather and chilly nights. Be prepared for rain in November.
December – March: This is the rainy season here, with about a 30% chance of rain in December and January. But there are still plenty of sunny days, and temperatures remain mild.
Events in Antalya
Sand Sculpture Festival (May to October): Taking on a different theme each year, the Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival draws professional sand artists to Lara Beach. Their intricate creations can be seen at the Sandland Museum — while they last.
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival (September): The 2,000-year-old Roman theatre of Aspendos hosts a programme of local and international opera and ballet performances for two weeks each year. The acoustics are so good, it’s said that a coin dropped on the stage can be heard from the galleries.
Kaleici Old Town Festival (October): Celebrating connections between living ancient cities around the world, this four-day event features concerts, dance performances, poetry readings, workshops and panels.
The best neighbourhoods in Antalya
Kaleici
This neighbourhood is where to stay to see the old Ottoman houses with wooden bay windows and to explore historic landmarks. Wander the maze of narrow lanes to buy Turkish rugs and antiques. Tour boats and mega yachts bob in the Roman Harbour at the base of the hill. Reach the neighbourhood via an exciting glass elevator ride from busy Republic Square.
Good for: History, souvenir shopping, dining
Lara Beach
Due to the abundance of themed hotels, this area is often described as a seaside Las Vegas. It’s the best neighbourhood to stay in Antalya to indulge in luxury resorts where you’ll step from the swimming pool to the sand. Shop for designer fashion and start your nights with creative cocktails at stylish beach clubs. Families will also love the soft sand and banana boat rides across the calm waters of Lara Beach.
Good for: Beach, designer shopping, water sports
Konyaalti Beach
With clear water and views of the Taurus Mountain Range, Konyaalti Beach is ideal for lazy days in the sun during. But there’s plenty to do in this family-friendly resort town. Hire bikes to explore the wide promenade and stop at playgrounds and snack stands along the way. Perhaps the biggest draw for families with kids is Waterhill water park with kamikaze slides and a wave pool.
Good for: Families, water slides, beach
Things to do in Antalya
Family friendly things to do
When the kids spot the giant Ferris wheel at Aktur Park, good luck trying to go anywhere else. There’s no entrance fee, so visit multiple times and pay per ride for roller coasters and carnival games. Pack a picnic to enjoy near the rock pools of Kursunlu Waterfalls. One of the most popular things to do with family in Antalya is ride the Tunektepe Teleferik (cable car) for panoramic views.
Shopping
Brush up on your bargaining skills (start at half the quoted price) at the Old Bazaar in Kaleici or set aside a day for shopping in Antalya at Manavgat Market after a pleasant drive overlooking the ocean. Both spots deliver aromatic spices, Turkish eye amulets and colourful ceramics. Escape the heat at TerraCity shopping centre or the gigantic Mall of Antalya near the airport.
Take in the culture
You’ll need a few hours to explore the Antalya Archaeology Museum, with sculptures of Roman emperors and Neanderthal skeleton fragments. Discover Turkish folk culture at Suna & Inan Kirac Kaleici Museum. Buy a government-issued Mediterranean MuseumPass for easy access to multiple museums.
Nightlife
For many, nightlife in Antalya starts with a stroll around the marina, where Roman history blends with upmarket bars and dazzling sunsets. Then it’s time for after-dinner drinks in Kaleici’s pubs and neon-lit discos. If you’re at Lara or Konyaalti beaches, take your pick of chic nightclubs or relaxed beach bars. Looking for dance floors full of foam and unlimited drinks? Arrange an evening on a party boat leaving from the marina.
Places to eat
It’s easy and cheap to fill up on scrumptious street food such as feta-stuffed ‘gozleme’ (flatbread) and syrupy ‘lokma’ (donuts), but leave room for Turkish feasts in atmospheric restaurants in Antalya. Kaleici is full of them, including the renowned Seraser Fine Dining Restaurant located in an Ottoman house. Reserve a table on the terrace at 7 Mehmet for city and ocean views with traditional and global cuisine.
Free things to do
Pack your hiking boots for one of the best free things to do in Antalya: trekking along fantastic trails. Walk a section of the famous Lycian Way from Geyikbayiri Village or follow the lake path at Doyran Goleti. Photograph the striking Yivli Minaret Mosque — enter for free outside of prayer times. You can spend hours at Karaalioglu Park admiring the Hidirlik Tower, statues and unforgettable views.
Get ready for Antalya
Budget
It’s easy to enjoy an inexpensive stay in Antalya. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about 330 Turkish liras (₺). You can enjoy a cappuccino for around ₺111 and a local beer for around ₺150. A short taxi ride will set you back about ₺125. But you can always hop on a bus or tram for even less.
Day trips from Antalya
The Kursunlu Waterfall is a tranquil escape about a 30-minute drive northeast from the city centre. And the Perge Ruins are only a short drive from the falls. For more ruins, drive or catch a bus about 90 minutes south of Antalya to see the Olympos Ruins. Take your swimsuit and cool off at Olympos Beach after a day of exploring.
Getting around Antalya
Buy an AntalyaKart to use the city’s buses and trams. Top it up at station vending machines and download the app for route information. The tram is especially easy when travelling with kids, as it runs from Konyaalti Beach to Kaleici. Hail taxis or find them at many designated ranks. Though tours and buses are available for day trips, hiring a car offers more flexibility.
