About
Antalya is the largest city on the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye and is undoubtedly the tourism capital of the country. It is one of the busiest holiday destinations in Europe, with a population of approximately 2.6 million, more than 640 km of coastline and more than 15 million visitors every year.
We recommend that you think of the city in two layers in your mind. The first is central Antalya: the Roman walls of Kaleiçi, the long beach of Konyaaltı, the world-class collection of the Antalya Museum. The second is its surroundings: the virgin bays of Olympos, the golf courses of Belek, the ancient port of Side, the pine forests of Kemer and the theater of Aspendos.
Antalya is not just a beach city. It is actually a multi-layered holiday region with ancient cities, Taurus Mountains, national parks, rafting and skiing opportunities.
When to Go
Antalya has a typical Mediterranean climate; Winters are warm and rainy, summers are hot and dry. It is sunny 300 days a year, so it is possible to plan trips even in the off-season.
April – May: The air temperature is between 22-26°C. It is the most comfortable period for ancient city tours. The sea water is still cool but swimmable at the end of May.
June – September: It is the summer season. Temperatures reach 32-38°C, sea water 26-28°C. Hotel prices are at their highest during this period; We recommend that you make your reservation early.
October – November: It is called the "second spring". The sea is still around 23-25°C, the air is cooler and prices are falling. These are ideal months for couple trips and hiking.
December – March: 15-18°C in the city, skiing is possible in Saklıkent. Skiing in the morning and beach walking in the afternoon are possible in a single day.
How to get there
Antalya Airport (AYT) is Türkiye's second busiest international airport. In addition to domestic flights, direct flights are available from almost every major city in Europe. Flight time from Istanbul is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, from Ankara 1 hour.
The airport is only 13 km from the city center. You can cover this distance in 15-20 minutes by taxi and in 25-30 minutes by HAVAŞ buses. The Antray (tram) line departs directly from the airport and connects to the city centre; It is the most economical option with AntalyaKart.
By road, it takes approximately 8 hours from Istanbul, 6 hours from Ankara, and 6 hours from Izmir. Transportation by bus is convenient and common; Pamukkale, Metro and Kamil Koç operate many trips a day.
Urban Transportation
The most practical means of urban transportation in Antalya is the Antray tram line. AntRay extends from the airport to the tip of Konyaaltı and forms the backbone of the city. We strongly recommend that you purchase AntalyaKart; It is much more economical than a single ticket.
Municipal buses cover all districts. There are frequent flights between Lara, Kepez, Konyaaltı and the center. Taxis are easy to find; We recommend that you calculate approximately 100-200 ₺ for short urban distances and approximately 350-500 ₺ from the airport to the center (early 2026).
Shared scooters (Seagull, Palmi) are especially common along the coastline. Opening fee and minute tariff vary depending on the season; We recommend that you check the current price from the application. Scooters are not comfortable in Kaleiçi due to the stone ground, prefer to walk.
Renting a car is the most practical solution to reach surrounding points such as Aspendos, Perge and Olympos. Daily rental prices are in the range of approximately 1,800-3,500 ₺ (early 2026); We recommend you make a reservation in advance.
Accommodation Regions
Kaleiçi: Ideal for a boutique hotel experience in historical stone buildings. The atmosphere and restaurant density is high; However, parking and stone floors are disadvantages. It is the best option for those who want to explore the city on foot.
Konyaaltı: The most logical choice for those who want beach access close to the city. Modern aparthotels and boutique accommodation are available. It provides easy access to the center by public transportation.
Lara: The area with a wide beach and large all-inclusive hotels such as "World of Wonders". Suitable for families and long-term beach holidaymakers. It is 12 km away from the city center.
Belek: The center of golf tourism and ultra-luxury all-inclusive resorts. It is 35 km away from Antalya. It is preferred for those planning a holiday village style holiday.
Side and Kemer: Areas with a quieter atmosphere, away from the city. Side offers an ancient city + beach combination; Kemer is surrounded by pine forests and mountains.
Budget Plan
Economic (per person, 3 days): Approximately 5,500-8,000 ₺ (beginning of 2026). Hostel or hostel accommodation (approximately 800-1,200 ₺ per night), meals at tradesmen restaurants (meals approximately 200-350 ₺), use of public transportation, low-cost ancient city visits with a museum card.
Middle level (per person, 3 days): Approximately 12,000-18,000 ₺ (beginning of 2026). Accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel (approximately 2,200-3,500 ₺ per night), mixed restaurant selection (meal approximately 450-800 ₺), one day car rental, main museum and ancient city tickets.
Luxury (per person, 3 days): Approximately 35,000 ₺ and above (early 2026). 5-star resort or luxury boutique hotel in Kaleiçi (approximately 7,000 ₺ and above per night), fine dining options, private transfer, boat tour and spa services.
All-inclusive packages start from approximately 4,000 ₺ (early 2026) per person per night, especially in the Lara and Belek regions. It is recommended for those planning a sea-pool holiday, not for those who want to explore the city and culture.
Practical Tips
- Get a museum card: Valid in dozens of areas including Antalya Museum, Aspendos, Perge, Side and Termessos; It pays for two visits.
- Get up early: During the summer months, ancient cities get very hot after 11:00; Try to be at the entrance by 09:00 at the latest.
- Water, hat, sunscreen: There is little shade in ancient cities. Keep 1 liter of water with you.
- Make a reservation: Popular restaurants such as Vanilla, 7 Mehmet, Hasanağa are so full that they cannot be entered without a reservation on summer evenings.
- Bargaining culture: It is reasonable to start at half of the first price offered in the gift shops in Kaleiçi.
- Choose the boat tour: In Düden Waterfall boat tours, small-capacity private tours are more enjoyable than giant tour boats.
- Avoid holiday periods: During Eid al-Adha and Ramadan, hotels are 40-60% more expensive and beaches are overcrowded.
Travel Guide with Children
Antalya is the most child-friendly city in Türkiye (4.8/5 points). The all-inclusive resort infrastructure, shallow beaches, aquaparks and variety of family-oriented activities appeal to all age groups. Children's parks, Antalya Aquarium and nature parks along the Konyaaltı coastline can easily fill the schedules of families with children.
Recommendations by Age Group
- 0-3 years: Children's playgrounds and shaded areas on the Konyaaltı coastline are the most comfortable option. Lara beach is suitable for babies to play with its sandy structure. Mini clubs of resort hotels offer programs for ages 0-3.
- 4-7 years: Antalya Aquarium (one of the longest tunnel aquariums in the world) is perfect for this age. Picnic areas and play groups in Düden Waterfall park make children happy. You can swim safely in the shallow bays of Phaselis.
- 8-12 years: Children will be fascinated by doing acoustic experiments at the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. Land of Legends theme park offers a full day of activities with water slides and shows. The natural flames of Yanartaş in Olympos are an unforgettable experience for children.
- 13+ ages: Rafting adventure in Köprülü Canyon is ideal for this age group. Diving beginner courses in Kemer and the Beydağları cable car line appeal to young people. Shopping for ice cream and souvenirs is enjoyable in the narrow streets of Kaleiçi.
Top 5 Kid-Friendly Activities
- Antalya Aquarium — 40 thematic aquariums and 131 meters long tunnel in Konyaaltı. Extra sections such as the snow room and the horror house allow children to spend hours.
- Land of Legends Theme Park (Belek) — Full day family fun with water park, amusement park, live show areas and hotel integration. Tickets are in the 1500-2500 ₺ range (2026).
- Düden Waterfall Park — Picnic, walking and children's playground in the green park of Upper Düden. It is an economical half-day activity with entrance fee of 50 ₺.
- Phaselis Ancient City + Beach — Ancient ruins among the pine forests and then swimming in the shallow bay. History and the sea are in the same place; The ideal combination for children.
- Konyaaltı Beach Park — 7 km of bicycle path, playgrounds, trampolines and ice cream stands. Perfect for a family walk in the evening with the view of the Bey Mountains.
Practical Information
- Baby stroller: Konyaaltı coastal road and Lara beach line are flat and wide. The stone streets of Kaleiçi are narrow and sloping; Choose kangaroo. Baby strollers can be loaned at resort hotels.
- Children's menu: Resort hotels and chain restaurants (Big Chefs, Midpoint) offer children's menus. Children's plates can be requested in traditional restaurants in Kaleiçi; meatballs, pasta and rice are found everywhere.
- Children's ticket discounts: 0-8 years old are free at museums, 8-18 years old are discounted. Children's tickets at Antalya Aquarium and Land of Legends are priced separately; There is a discount for early online purchase.
- Toilet: Municipal toilets, museums and shopping malls (Mark Antalya, TerraCity) along the coastline are reliable points. In ancient cities, the toilet is located at the entrance point; It is not inside.
Warnings
- Konyaalti is a pebbly beach; Sea shoes are a must for children. Since Lara is a sandy beach, it is more suitable for young children.
- In the summer months, the temperature in ancient cities can exceed 40°C; Compact the trip with children between 08:00-11:00 and carry plenty of water.
- The path to Termessos is steep and stony; Not suitable for children under 6 years old.
Local Label / Culture Notes
Since Antalya is a touristic city, it is relatively flexible in terms of clothing and behavior. Swimsuits and bikinis are accepted naturally around the beach and pool, but we recommend that you cover your shoulders and knees when entering the mosques in Kaleiçi and around the Yivli Minaret.
A few words in Turkish ("hello", "thanks", "how much?") are warmly welcomed when communicating with tradesmen. The negotiation culture is vibrant but conducted with a gentle tone; Raising your voice is not tolerated.
Tipping is common in restaurants; 5-10% of the account is sufficient. Although tipping is not mandatory in taxis, it is customary to leave a tip.
There is a more traditional structure in the surrounding villages, especially in the plateaus and mountain villages. Casual clothing is normal in places like Olympos, Çıralı, Adrasan; However, more caution should be exercised in Demre or inner villages.
FAQ
How many days to visit Antalya? 2 full days are enough just for the city center. A 5-7 day plan would be ideal when surrounding points such as Aspendos, Perge, Olympos and Side are included.
What is the best beach? For the inner city, Konyaaltı (gravelly, blue flag) and Lara (sandy) stand out. Çıralı and Kaputaş are preferred for nature, Phaselis and Patara are preferred for ancient history.
Which season is most suitable? If the beach is your priority, between June and September; If you are planning an ancient city and culture trip, April-May and October-November are more comfortable.
Does an all-inclusive hotel make sense? If you are considering a direct beach and pool holiday, yes, it is quite advantageous. No, if you are planning a city and cultural trip; Choose boutique hotels in the city center.
Can you go to Aspendos alone? Yes. It takes 45 minutes by rental car, it is also possible to take the bus to Manavgat and continue by mini minibus. We recommend that you arrange a private transfer for festive evenings.
Is it suitable for families with children? Antalya is the most child-friendly city in Türkiye. Aquarium, Land of Legends, zoo, shallow beaches and family resort infrastructure are well developed.
Should we be careful about change and payment? Card payment is accepted almost everywhere. We recommend that you keep cash in marketplaces and small tradesmen. ATMs are common in the city centre.