Turkey Holiday Diary 10 min read
Why Antalya Deserves More Than a Layover
Most people think of Antalya as a gateway to Turkey’s beach resorts. And sure, the airport is busy with tourists heading to all-inclusive hotels up and down the coast. But the city itself? Antalya is one of the most beautiful and underrated cities on the entire Mediterranean.
You get a stunning old town built on cliffs above the sea. You get Roman-era ruins sitting right next to modern restaurants. You get waterfalls crashing into the ocean. And you get all of this without the crazy prices of the French Riviera or the Amalfi Coast.
This Antalya travel guide covers everything you need for a proper visit — not just passing through, but actually experiencing what makes this city special.
Kaleiçi: Antalya’s Beautiful Old Town
Kaleiçi is the heart of Antalya. This walled old town sits on a cliff overlooking the old harbour, and it’s packed with narrow cobblestone streets, Ottoman-era houses, and tucked-away courtyards. It feels like stepping into a different century.
What to See in Kaleiçi
- Hadrian’s Gate — A beautifully preserved Roman triumphal arch from 130 AD. It marks the main entrance to the old town and is one of the best photo spots in the city.
- Old Harbour (Marina) — The ancient harbour below the cliffs has been converted into a charming marina. Come here for sunset — the views are incredible.
- Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) — Antalya’s symbol. This 13th-century Seljuk minaret towers over the old town and is visible from almost everywhere.
- Kesik Minare — A building that has been a Roman temple, a Byzantine church, and a mosque. The layers of history here are fascinating.
- Hıdırlık Tower — A 2nd-century Roman tower at the edge of Karaalioğlu Park. Great spot for watching the sunset over the sea.
Pro tip: Visit Kaleiçi early in the morning or in the evening. During midday in summer, the narrow streets trap the heat and it can feel like an oven. Morning light also makes for much better photos.
Best Beaches in Antalya
Antalya has two main beaches, and they couldn’t be more different from each other. Both are excellent, just in different ways.
Konyaaltı Beach
This long pebble beach stretches west of the city centre with the dramatic Beydağları mountains as a backdrop. The water is crystal clear and deep blue. Public access is free, though you can rent sunbeds from the beach clubs that line the promenade. There are cafes, restaurants, and a long walking path behind the beach.
Konyaaltı is the locals’ beach. You’ll find Turkish families having picnics, kids playing in the waves, and vendors selling roasted corn and fresh simit. It feels authentic.
Lara Beach
East of the city, Lara is a wide sandy beach — much more resort-style. This is where the big all-inclusive hotels are lined up. The sand is golden and soft, the water is shallow and warm, which makes it great for families with small children. If you’re not staying at a resort, you can use one of the public sections or pay for a sunbed at a beach club.
Mermerli Beach
A tiny hidden beach right below the old town walls, accessible through a restaurant. You pay a small fee (around 100-150 TL) which includes a sunbed and is redeemable on food. It’s small and gets crowded, but swimming in turquoise water right beneath ancient walls is a unique experience.
Düden Waterfalls: Two Waterfalls, Two Experiences
Antalya has not one but two Düden waterfalls, and you should see both.
- Upper Düden Waterfall — Located about 10 km northeast of the city centre, set in a beautiful park with walking paths. You can actually walk behind the waterfall through a cave. Entry fee is small and it’s a lovely escape from the heat. Pack a picnic.
- Lower Düden Waterfall — This one is dramatic. The river drops 40 metres straight off a cliff into the Mediterranean Sea. You can see it from the viewing platform in the park above, or take a boat trip from the old harbour for the best angle. Seeing it from the sea is worth every lira.
Pro tip: The boat trips from the old harbour that go past the Lower Düden Waterfall typically cost around 200-400 TL per person and last about 2 hours. They also cruise along the beautiful cliffy coastline — bring your camera.
Antalya Museum: One of Turkey’s Best
If you visit one museum in Antalya, make it the Antalya Museum. It’s genuinely world-class. The archaeological collection covers finds from the surrounding ancient cities — Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, and Side — and the statues alone are worth the trip.
The Gallery of the Gods, with its massive Roman statues, is jaw-dropping. You’ll also find beautifully preserved mosaics, jewellery, coins, and sarcophagi. Allow at least 2 hours, and consider getting an audio guide.
The museum is right at the western end of Konyaaltı Beach, so you can easily combine a visit with a beach afternoon.
Ancient Ruins Near Antalya: Perge & Aspendos
Two of Turkey’s most impressive ancient sites are a short drive from Antalya. You can visit both in a half-day trip.
Perge
About 17 km east of Antalya, Perge was a major city of ancient Pamphylia. The ruins are extensive — a massive stadium that seated 12,000, a colonnaded street, Roman baths, an agora, and a theatre. It’s less crowded than Ephesus but equally impressive. Many of the best statues in the Antalya Museum were found here.
Aspendos
About 47 km east, Aspendos has the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. And that’s not an exaggeration. This 15,000-seat theatre from the 2nd century AD is so well preserved that it’s still used for concerts and performances today. The acoustics are mind-blowing — you can hear a coin drop on stage from the top row.
Pro tip: Visit Aspendos in the late afternoon when the tour buses have left. You’ll practically have it to yourself, and the golden hour light makes the stone glow.
Antalya Food Scene: What and Where to Eat
Antalya’s food is Mediterranean Turkish at its finest. Fresh seafood, incredible produce, and flavours that will ruin every kebab you eat back home.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | What It Is | Where to Try It |
|---|---|---|
| Piyaz | Antalya’s signature white bean salad with tahini | Seraser Fine Dining or any lokanta |
| Tandır Kebab | Slow-roasted lamb, incredibly tender | Şişçi Ramazan, local lokantas |
| Hibeş | Spicy tahini dip, unique to Antalya | Served as a meze at most restaurants |
| Fresh Fish | Sea bass, sea bream, or red mullet grilled simply | Restaurants along the old harbour |
| Şalgam & Döner | Döner kebab with tangy turnip juice | Street food stalls in Kaleiçi |
| Künefe | Hot cheese pastry soaked in syrup | Hasan Güzeller Künefe |
For breakfast, find a çay bahçesi (tea garden) in Kaleiçi and order a full Turkish breakfast spread. Fresh tomatoes, cucumber, olives, white cheese, honey with kaymak, eggs, and endless glasses of çay. Budget around 200-350 TL per person for a proper kahvaltı.
Pro tip: Don’t eat at the restaurants right on the harbour front — they’re tourist traps with inflated prices. Walk one or two streets back into Kaleiçi for better food at half the price.
Antalya Nightlife
Antalya has a lively nightlife scene, especially in summer. The main area is along the cliffs in Kaleiçi and the harbour area.
- Kaleiçi Bars — The old town has dozens of rooftop bars and cosy courtyard spots. Most have live music on weekends. Try the bars along Selçuk Mahallesi for a local vibe.
- Club Arma — Built into the cliffs overlooking the harbour. Part restaurant, part nightclub. The setting is spectacular.
- Konyaaltı Beach Clubs — Several beach clubs along the promenade turn into party venues after dark in summer.
- Lara Nightlife Strip — The resort area around Lara has more mainstream nightclubs and entertainment venues.
Day Trips from Antalya
Antalya makes an excellent base for exploring the region. Here are the best day trips:
- Termessos — A mountaintop ancient city 34 km away. Dramatic ruins at 1,000 metres altitude with incredible views. Less visited and more atmospheric than any other ruin in the region.
- Saklıkent Gorge — A narrow canyon you can wade through. Refreshing on a hot day and very dramatic scenery.
- Phaselis — Ancient harbour city set among pine trees on a peninsula. Combine it with a swim at the nearby beaches.
- Olympos & Chimaera — Ancient ruins plus natural eternal flames on a mountainside. Visit Chimaera at night for the best effect.
- Boat trip along the coast — Full-day boat trips take you to secluded bays and coves not accessible by road.
How to Get to Antalya
Antalya Airport (AYT) is one of the busiest airports in Turkey, with direct flights from most European cities, especially in summer. Budget airlines like Pegasus, SunExpress, and easyJet all fly here.
From the airport to the city centre is about 13 km. Your options:
- Antalya Tram (Antray) — The T1 tram line connects the airport to the city centre in about 40 minutes. Cheap and reliable.
- Airport bus (Havaş) — Regular buses to the city centre and to the otogar (bus station).
- Taxi — Around 400-600 TL to Kaleiçi. Make sure the metre is running.
- Hotel transfer — Most hotels arrange airport pickups. Agree on the price before booking.
Within the city, the tram system is excellent for getting between Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı, and the museum. For the beaches further out and day trips, you’ll want a rental car or to use the dolmuş (shared minibus) system.
Where to Stay in Antalya
Where you stay depends on what kind of holiday you want.
| Area | Best For | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Kaleiçi | Sightseeing, culture, food | Boutique hotels in Ottoman houses, walkable, atmospheric |
| Konyaaltı | Beach + city balance | Modern apartments and hotels, beach access, good restaurants |
| Lara | All-inclusive resort holidays | Big luxury resorts, sandy beach, family-friendly |
| Kundu | Themed resorts | Over-the-top themed hotels, great for kids |
Pro tip: If this is your first time in Antalya, stay in Kaleiçi for at least the first couple of nights. The old town has a magic that you simply cannot experience from a resort. Boutique hotels in restored Ottoman mansions go for surprisingly reasonable rates — often 1,500-3,000 TL per night for a characterful double room.
Quick Antalya Budget Guide
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel (per night) | 600-1,200 TL | 1,500-3,500 TL | 5,000+ TL |
| Meal for two | 300-500 TL | 600-1,000 TL | 1,500+ TL |
| Antalya Museum | 300 TL (Museum Pass recommended) | ||
| Boat trip | 200-500 TL per person | ||
| Airport transfer | 40 TL (tram) | 150 TL (bus) | 500 TL (taxi) |
Final Tips for Visiting Antalya
- Best time to visit: May-June and September-October. July-August is peak season — hot, crowded, and expensive.
- Get the Museum Pass: If you’re visiting multiple sites, the Museum Pass Antalya saves serious money.
- Drink the orange juice: Freshly squeezed portakal suyu is everywhere and dirt cheap. Turkey’s oranges are incredible.
- Learn basic Turkish: Merhaba (hello), teşekkürler (thanks), and hesap lütfen (bill please) go a long way.
- Haggling: Expected at the bazaar and tourist shops. Not appropriate at restaurants or supermarkets.
Antalya truly has it all — history, beaches, incredible food, and a vibrant city life. Give it more than just a transfer stop. You’ll be glad you did.
Our previous article Kalkan, Antalya Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Turkey’s Chic Coastal Town in our article titled antalya, Beach Holidays ve Mediterranean provides information about.