Narrow lanes of Ottoman houses, Roman walls and the old harbour below the cliffs. Wander, stop for tea in a garden café and walk down to the marina at sunset.
Türkiye
Antalya travel guide
Turquoise sea, waterfalls and a Roman old town on the Turkish Riviera.
- Best time to visit
- May-June and September-October
- Getting there by air
- Direct flights from many cities in Europe and the Middle East; about 1 h 15 min from Istanbul
- Airport
- Antalya Airport (AYT), about 20 min to Lara and 30 min to Konyaaltı or Kaleiçi
- Time difference
- Türkiye time (UTC+3) all year
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY); cards accepted almost everywhere
- Language
- Turkish; English is common in hotels and the old town
- Visa
- Visa-free or e-Visa depending on your passport - we can help
Antalya is the capital of the Turkish Riviera: a big, easy city on cliffs above a turquoise sea, with the Taurus Mountains behind it. In one stay you can walk the Roman and Ottoman lanes of Kaleiçi, watch the Düden waterfall drop straight into the sea, spend lazy days on long beaches and take the kids to one of the largest aquariums and theme parks in Türkiye.
Plan five to seven days. Stay in the city (Konyaaltı or Lara) for the old town, the waterfalls and the beaches, and add day trips: a boat to Suluada, the Olympos cable car up Tahtalı mountain, the Roman theatre of Aspendos, or rafting in the Köprülü canyon. Families who want everything in one place often choose a resort in Belek or Lara.
The season runs from April to October, and the sea stays warm until early November. July and August are very hot, so plan sightseeing for the morning and evening. Winter is mild and quiet – good for the old town and museums, not for swimming.
Things to do in Antalya
The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.
A triple marble arch built for the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 130 AD, still the main entrance to the old town. You walk over the original Roman paving stones.
Two waterfalls of the same river: the upper one in a shady park with a cave behind the water, the lower one falling 40 metres from the cliffs straight into the sea. Best seen from a boat.
A seven-kilometre pebble beach with the mountains as a backdrop, a long seaside park, playgrounds, cafés and sunbeds to rent. Clear water and easy for families.
Fine golden sand and shallow water, ideal for small children. Part of the beach belongs to the big hotels; the public beach park has cafés and showers.
One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, from the 2nd century, with seats for some 7,000 people. Combine it with the Köprülü canyon or the beaches of Belek.
Hotels in Antalya
Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.
Tours, packages and transfers in Antalya
Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.
from€21per person
from€26per person
from€30per person
from€30per person
from€32per person
from€30per person
from€36per person
from€53per person
from€53per person
from€50per person
from€76per person
from€82per person
from€93per person
from€100per person
from€39per person
Antalya, Türkiye
Antalya, Isparta, Davraz, Afyon and Alanya – 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Hotel
- Transfers
- Guide
5 nights / 6 days
from€611per person
Antalya Airport
AYT Arrival or departure, to or from any hotel in the city
Carsup to 3 passengers
from €45
Vans and SUVsup to 7 passengers
from €75
Minibusesup to 16 passengers
from €150
Price per vehicle, one way. Meet and greet with your name, flight monitoring and waiting time included.
Car with driver in Antalya
A private car and a professional driver for half a day or a full day: shopping, visits, day trips or business meetings. Arabic-speaking drivers on request.
- Sedan, minivan or large family van
- Hotel pick-up, waits for you at every stop
- Child seats and water on board
Where to stay in Antalya
KonyaaltıA long pebble beach with a seaside park, cafés and the aquarium nearby. Good for families who want the beach and the city.
LaraSandy beaches and big resort hotels east of the centre, close to the airport and the Düden waterfall.
Kaleiçi (old town)Narrow lanes, the old harbour and boutique hotels in Ottoman houses. Full of atmosphere, but no beach and few cars.
BelekAbout 40 minutes away: large all-inclusive resorts, golf courses and The Land of Legends theme park.
Where to eat: restaurants and cafés
Places we like and recommend to our guests, from local classics to cafés and sweet stops.
Piyaz and köfte houses
Halal Local speciality · All over the city
Antalya's own dish: grilled meatballs with piyaz, a white bean salad dressed with tahini, lemon and egg. Simple, cheap and loved by locals.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Fish restaurants at the old harbour
Fish & vegetarian options Seafood · Kaleiçi marina
Grilled sea bream, sea bass and calamari on terraces by the boats, below the old town walls. Best at sunset.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Kebab and pide houses
Halal Grill · Muratpaşa and the city centre
Adana and Urfa kebab, lamb chops, lahmacun and pide from the wood oven, in busy family restaurants without alcohol.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Breakfast cafés on the cliffs
Turkish breakfast · Karaalioğlu Park and the cliffs (Falez)
A long Turkish breakfast - cheeses, olives, eggs, honey and simit - in garden cafés on the cliffs above the sea, with the mountains across the bay.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Konyaaltı beach park restaurants
Family restaurants and cafés · Konyaaltı seaside park
Pizza, grills, salads and ice cream along the beach promenade, with playgrounds next to the tables - easy with children.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.
Tips for your trip to Antalya
- Choose your area first: Konyaaltı for the pebble beach and city life, Lara for sandy beaches and big resorts, Kaleiçi for character, Belek for all-inclusive and golf.
- Go to the Düden waterfalls early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it is cooler and quieter.
- Many day trips include hotel pick-up from Antalya city - ask before you book if you stay in Belek, Side or Kemer.
- The sea is calmest in the morning; boat trips leave around 9:00 and return in the late afternoon.
- Try Antalya piyaz, a bean salad with tahini, with grilled köfte - it is the local speciality.
- Carry some lira for the tram, small cafés and the old-town shops.
Questions
How many days do we need in Antalya?
Five to seven days: two or three for the city, the waterfalls and the beaches, and the rest for boat trips, the cable car or a resort day.
When is the best time to visit?
May, June, September and October are warm without the extreme heat of July and August. The sea is warm enough to swim until early November.
Which area is best for families?
Lara and Belek for resorts with pools and kids clubs; Konyaaltı if you want the beach and easy access to the city.
Do we need a car?
Not in the city - taxis and the tram are easy. For day trips, choose a tour with hotel pick-up or book a car with driver.
Plan your trip to Antalya with us
Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.
- Reply within a few hours
- Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
- Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Photo credits
- Antalya — Photo: REHBER0770 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Antalya — Photo: Saffron Blaze · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Antalya — Photo: Esginmurat · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lara beach — Photo: bynyalcin · CC BY 3.0
- Antalya — Photo: Dosseman · CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel — Photo: Philippe-Minh Nguyen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.
