Discover the beauty of Antalya - your ultimate travel guide for sights, tips & information

With more than 2,5 million inhabitants Antalya a top resort on the Mediterranean coast Turkey. Today the area is also called because of the long sandy beaches Turkish riviera designated. This is a huge, modern city with a charming little historical center, an excellent archaeological site Museum, long sunny beaches spanning the Turkish coast from east to west, first class five star hotels, many attractions and Activities and spectacular views of the sea and mountains.

The historic center, called Kaleiçi, surrounds the Roman port. Many of the buildings here date back to the Ottoman period Time can be traced back, some can be traced back to Roman times and some have been restored into residences, boutique hotels, hotels and restaurants.

The main beach in Antalya is Konyaaltı Beach, a stretch of coarse sand and pebbles that extends several kilometers to the west.

The sand along the Lara Plajı to the east is a little softer. More beaches are in Side and Alanya further east or Beldibi, Göynük, Belts, phaselis and Olimpos to the south.

Travel to Antalya to visit Kaleiçi, museums and beaches. There is a large modern airport 10 kilometers east of the city center and a large modern bus station (Otogar) 4 kilometers north.

The city of Antalya was in the course of their History the birthplace of many civilizations and their traces are still present today. It has a perfect location to show tourists many attractions and is also an ideal base for day trips or Boat tours from Antalya to nearby archaeological sites.

Antalya Travel Guide

300 days of sunshine a year, beautiful old town, excellent restaurants, blue sea, ancient ruins and much more make Antalya one of the most popular cities in Turkey.

Arrive & Depart Antalya

Antalya airport "AYT" is the third busiest airport in Turkey with a passenger volume of more than 20 million passengers. The airport is 10 kilometers from the city center.

Almost all major German and Turkish airlines fly to Antalya. Direct flights to Antalya cost from 70 to 300 euros, depending on the season. Detailed airport information for Antalya Airport are available on our partner site Airportdetails.de

airport transfer

Shared Transfer: The shuttle bus will pick you up at the airport and take you and other passengers to your hotel. You pay one price per person on the bus and the journey takes longer because you have to wait for other passengers at the airport and stop at several hotels. If you have booked a package tour with Hotel Transfer, you will also wait for other passengers at the airport and drive to several hotels on the way to the hotel.

Private Transfer: Your own driver will pick you up at the airport terminal exit and take you directly to the hotel. Because you pay one price per trip, a private transfer for three people in the car is only slightly more expensive than one collection bus.

Taxi: If your hotel is located in Antalya or Lara Beach, you can also take a taxi. Most prices are listed on a price board, so you don't have to worry about the fare.

Public: The tram line runs directly from the two terminals of the airport to the center of Antalya. The journey takes 45 minutes and costs few Turkish lira. Buses to the city center and the surrounding seaside resorts depart from the “Otogar” bus stop in Antalya. To use trams and buses, you need to get an Antalya kart before the ride. These can be purchased from ticket machines and require a one-time payment for the card and need to be reloaded when needed.

Rent a car in Antalya

It is very convenient to rent a car from Antalya Airport to the surrounding seaside resorts. The airport is located directly on the D400 highway, which goes through all the seaside resorts on the Turkish Riviera and the Lycian coast.

The prestigious major Internationals and Nationals Car rental companies have offices directly at the airport and their stands are located at the exit of the terminal.

Just in Summer you should book a car as early as possible, as demand is always very high.

Hotel in Antalya

On the beaches of Lara there are dozens of four and five star hotels, high class luxury hotels and club resorts with direct access to Beach.

All hotels at Konyaalti Beach are separated from the beach by the coastal road. Hotels Su, Rixos Downtown Antalya and Özkaymak Falez are further from the beach and are located on the hills.

The boutique hotels in the beautiful ancient city Kaleici are particularly suitable for Sightseeing or city trips.

Holiday home

In Antalya you will find many fully equipped apartments that can be booked through AirBnB.

Sightseeing in Antalya

• Old town Kaleici: This is the area surrounded by the old harbor wall.
• Antalya marina: The beautiful port lies under high cliff in the old town.
• Clock tower: The clock tower stands over the port. It is one of the symbols of Antalya.
• Hidirlik Tower: Of the Hidirlik-Tower (Turkish: Hidirlik Tower) is a prominent tower made of yellowish-brown stone in Antalya, Turkey. The parks Kaleiçi and Karaalioglu are located here.
• Yivli Minaret: The minaret is the symbol of Antalya. It stands in the old town between the city wall and the harbour.
• Hadrian's Gate: This old city gate commemorates the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
• Konyaalti Beach Park: An amusement park with a lot of restaurants and outdoor clubs at night.
• Heart of Antalya: The second largest Ferris wheel Europe is located in Aktur Park, very close to Konyaalti beach. There is a lot to do here, especially in the evenings.
• Archaeological Museum Antalya: Discoveries of surrounding archaeological sites (like perge and Termessos) You will find here.
• Ataturk House and Museum Antalya: A replica of the villa where Atatürk lived, with antique furniture, photographs and personal belongings.
• Ethnographic Museum: A small museum that tells you the way of life of the Turks, their spaces and how they were used.
• Antalya Aquarium: As one of the largest aquariums in the world, Antalya Aquarium offers inspiration, entertainment and education at the same time.
• perge: The ruins of the ancient city are 17 kilometers outside of Antalya.
• Lower Düden Şelalesi: The 30 meter high Lower Düden Şelalesi Waterfall plunges into the sea from a cliff in eastern Antalya.
• Upper Düden Şelalesi: Of the Upper Düden Şelalesi Waterfall is located 11 kilometers north-east of Antalya and is a great place to go when it's hot Weather to spend a few hours.
• Kurşunlu Waterfall: Just like the not far away Obere Düden Şelalesi waterfall is the Leaded Şelalesi Waterfall is a pleasant nature resort away from dust, sun, heat and crowds in Antalya in summer.

Activities in Antalya

• Water sports in Antalya: There are many offers such as parasailing, diving, surfing, jet skiing, rafting and more.
• Jeep tour: Explore the Taurus Mountains by off-road jeep, visit hilltop villages and ancient ruins.
• tandem paraglider: Jump from Tahtali Dagi/Olympos and enjoy the amazing view.
• Rafting: Rafting in Koprulu Canyon is the perfect way to cool off with lots of action in summer.
• bazaar: Visit the Bazaar in Antalya. You can find it in the old town by the port, near the Saat Kulesi clock tower.
• the Hammam: Enjoy an afternoon in the Turkish bath, massage and scrub.
• Turkish night: Turkish Night offers a combination of folk dance, drama, music, belly dancing and food.
• Nightlife: The Nightlife in Antalya takes place in the old town. You will also find many good restaurants, bars and Nargile "Shisha" bars.
• Mevlana dervishes: Admire the art of spinning dance.
• Hiking: Travel to abandoned ruins, deserted glades and small villages in the Taurus Mountains.
• Tunektepe to Ziplines: The cable car is one of the symbols of Antalya and offers visitors a unique panoramic view of Antalya by taking them to Tünektepe at an altitude of 605 degrees.
• The Land of legends: It is the most popular theme park in the whole Antalya region, attracting almost 2 million visitors every year. This family park is definitely a Got to in Antalya.

Excursions from Antalya

• Ancient city of Side: The ruins of an ancient city with a 3.500 year history, a Roman theater and a beautiful old town with many shops and restaurants.
• Aspendos: The best preserved theater of Roman times.
• Myra: The Rock Tomb of Myra and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of Nicholas in Myra, also known as St. Nicholas or Santa Claus.
• Simena: It is an ancient city submerged in the sea off the island of Kekova.
• Tahtali Mountain: Tahtalı Dağı is a mountain near Kemer that you can reach with the Olympos Teleferik can reach the cable car.
• Pamukkale and hierapolis: Limestone terraces sculpted by hot water, the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A little further away but very worth seeing.
• blue journey: Take a motorboat to the most beautiful bay and spend an all-inclusive day.
• antique City Olympos: The ruins of the ancient port city and the sheltered beach of Olympos. Olympos is located at the southern end of Kirali Bay. The best way to get there is from Ciralı beach.
• Termessos: An ancient city in the mountains above Antalya. The ancient city of Termessos is about 35 kilometers northwest of Antalya, about 1.000 meters above sea level, in the midst of a beautiful mountain landscape.
• Karain Cave: Also called Black Cave, it is located about 27 kilometers northwest of Antalya.
• Chimaera or Chimaera: (Turkish Chimera, "burning stone") has been known since antiquity as a place where a rare, millennia-old natural phenomenon can still be observed today: flames erupt in several places from the rocky ground of a mountain slope - the "eternal fires of the chimera".
• Alanya: Of the Castle hill of Alanya can be seen from afar. With steep cliffs, it juts out into the sea off the Turkish Riviera.
• Ancient ruins of Phaselis: The former port of the 2.500 year old city is one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey.
• Cappadocia: You can see the cave city of Cappadocia and with a Hot air balloon fly over the volcanic landscape. The tour lasts two to three days.

Beaches in Antalya

• Konyaalti Beach: This is over 10 kilometers of sand and pebble beach east of the city center. The hotels at Konyaalti Beach are not directly on the beach, but are separated by a road. There are restaurants, cafes and beach bars on the beach. They rent sun loungers and parasols. Konyaaltı Beach is closer to the center of Antalya than Lara Plajı on the east side of the city. From Kalekapısı in central Antalya, take the westbound Nostalji tram to the end of the line near Antalya Museum and Hotel Su and Rixos Downtown Antalya Hotel (make sure to take the westbound tram to the mountains), and then walk 10 minutes downhill to the east end to reach Antalya Beach Park and Konyaaltı Plajı.
• Lara Kundu Beach: Lara Plajı (Lara Beach) 10 kilometers east of Kaleiçi is a long beach composed of soft waves, dark sand and some small pebbles.
• Mermerli Beach: Mermerli Beach is a small traditional city beach in Antalya, next to the old marina of the Turkish city.
• İnciraltı Plajı: İnciraltı Beach is within the boundaries of Muratpaşa District of Antalya, built on the shore of a vertical rock formation by the sea. The beach is about 6 kilometers from the city center and is operated by the Muratpaşa Municipality.
• Beaches below the cliffs: There are other Falez beaches along the cliffs run by the municipality or hotels. You only have to pay a small fee for sun beds and umbrellas to visit these beaches.

Bars, Pubs and Clubs in Antalya

Nightlife in Antalya mainly takes place in the old town of Kaleici, the port and the beach of Konyaalti. In the old town of Kaleici you will find bars, small clubs, shisha bars and nice restaurants in the narrow streets.

Food in Antalya

You should eat out outside of your hotel in Antalya at least once. In this city you will find many good restaurants with Turkish or international cuisine. The most interesting restaurants are located in Antalya Old Town and on the cliff side from the Clock Tower to Konyaalti Beach.

Shopping in Antalya

Antalya is one of the shopping metropolises in Turkey.

Shopping centers:

• Mall of Antalya: Large shopping center on the airport tram line with international and domestic brands from Turkey.
• Terra City: A large mall between Old Town and Lara Beach.
• Mark Antalya: 10-15 minutes walk from the old town.
• Deepo Outlet Center: There are mainly Turkish brands and it is close to the Mall of Antalya.
• Agora Antalya: Downtown shopping center.
• Ozdilek Park: Shopping center in the north of Antalya.
• Antalya Migros Shopping Center: Small shopping center near Konyaalti Beach.
• Shemall Shopping Center: Established in Antalya in 2008, Shemall AVM isn't just for women. It includes over 60 stores with international and local brands.

Downtown bazaars:

Port: From the Saat Kulesi clock tower to the pier, there are clothing and souvenir shops on both sides of the street.

Grand Bazaar: On the north side of the Saat Kulesi clock tower is a covered bazaar selling typical Turkish souvenirs and souvenirs.

In general, it is common to bargain at bazaars that cater to travelers. Discounts of discount from 20 to 30% are possible. On the other hand, there is no longer trading in normal shops.

How much does a holiday in Antalya cost

Since the costs vary greatly depending on the season and your own preferences, only the average costs are considered here.

Package tour with all inclusive 1 week

• from €300 in the off-season
• from €450 in high season
• from €700 in high season in a 4-star hotel
• more than 900 € in the high season in a 5 star hotel

Hotel/Accommodation only:

• Budget hotel or guesthouse with Breakfast: €15 to €30 per day
• Mid-range hotel with all inclusive: €40 to €80 per day
• 5 star high-end hotel with all inclusive: more than 90 € per day
• Hostel: €10 to €20
• AirBnB: own room from €10, own apartment from €50

Transport:

• Return flight from Germany to Antalya: €70 to €500, depending on the season and airline
• Single journey by bus: up to €1
• Airport transfer in a collective bus: €10 to €20
• Taxi to the airport: 15 € to 20 € within Antalya, private transfer in Antalya around 25 €, private transfer to all seaside resorts around 60 € (to Alanya much more)
• Day trip, for example Pamukkale: 50 € to 70 € incl. entrance fee and food

Eat, Drinks and other:

• Restaurant in tourist area, main course: €7 to €25
• Local restaurant, main course: €3 to €10
• Street food: Simit 50 cents, Rotary €1,50, corn on the cob 50 cents, Dürüm €1,50
• Glass wine in the restaurant: €3
• Glass of beer: €2,50
• Cocktails: from €8
• Bottle of water in store: 50 cents
• Groceries in stores: around 20% cheaper than in Germany
• Food at the bazaar: fruit and vegetables are 40% cheaper than in Germany

Total budget:

• Budget: €40 to €70 per day
• Mid-range: €60 to €100 per day
• High end: from €140 per day

Climate table, weather and the ideal travel time for Antalya

Antalya has a Mediterranean Climate & Environment with hot and dry summers and mild winters.

High season, June to September:

In summer, Antalya has a constant 30° during the day, the sun is shining and there is sometimes a light breeze. In the summer months it rains maybe a maximum of one day a month. September is the ideal weather for a beach holiday.

Low season, April and May:

April starts with 20° warm weather. The sea is still 20° and towards May it warms up quite quickly. Bring a sweater or light jacket on April nights as it can be windy and chilly at times.

Off-season, October:

Even in October, the thermometer still reaches 30° for many days and it rarely rains.

Winter, long-term leave and Moving abroad

Along with the surrounding seaside resorts, Antalya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey for long-term winter vacations. In addition, tens of thousands of German immigrants have now settled in the province of Antalya. Antalya has a very mild winter climate. The temperature is rarely below 10°. Even in January it can sometimes get over 20° warm and sunny.

Antalya in the past and today

Alexander empire, founding of the city

These cities were founded in 334 BC. occupied by Alexander the Great.

According to old traditions, Antalya was conquered in 159 or 158 BC. built. It was founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon founded. After him it is called Attaleia.

Roman Empire

After the fall of the Pergamon Empire, Attaleia was conquered from 133 BC. Bound by inheritance to the Roman Empire. Emperor Hadrian endowed the port city in 130 BC. BC, the pompous Hadrian's Gate still commemorates the guest of honour. It is one of Antalya's most beautifully restored buildings and marks the entrance to the old town of Kaleiçi.

Eastern Byzantium

In the Middle Ages, Antalya was often called Satalia in Western literature, but it was still called Attaleia in Greek literature. During the Byzantine period, Antalya was an important Christian center and an important naval base. Walled since Roman times, the city was refortified in the 8th century to resist Arab attacks. In 860, an Arab army attacked from Meliteni and Thassos and captured the city. In the 11th century the city became the seat of the Orthodox bishop. During the Crusades, the city became a way station in many cases, and the Crusaders fled here in 1149. The Turkish Seljuks successfully conquered the city in 1085 and only became Byzantium again in 1121 or 1137/42.

Templars, Aldobrandino (until 1207), Seljuks

After the fall of the Byzantine regime after the Fourth Crusade, the city was given to the Templars by the Latins (papal envoys and Pope Innocent III). The city is ruled by Aldobrandino. He has Greek-Italian ancestry and is often referred to in literature as a privateer because he failed to found his own dynasty. When Suleiman II, Sultan of Rum, besieged the city, Aldobrandino turned to Cyprus for support.

Ottoman Empire

The city was ruled by the Ottoman Empire in the late 14th century and finally in 1426, but it wasn't until the mid-20th century that it surpassed its status as a rural city. This is because the trade route was moved to the Mediterranean and the caravan had barely touched the city. At the end of World War I, Italy received a pledge to acquire territory in Turkey, which also affected Antalya. With the recognition of the Republic of Turkey, however, these claims became invalid.

presence

Antalya is the capital of the province of the same name and about half of its inhabitants live in Antalya. A town twinning with Nuremberg has existed since 1997.

Today, Antalya is the focal point of the fast-growing tourist center of the Turkish Riviera, which is visited by more than 2,5 million tourists every year. There are more than 10.000 German permanent emigrants in the region.

Antalya Airport is the destination of many holiday flights. Belek, Manavgat and Side to the east and the tourist centers of Kemer to the south are all within easy reach.

Tourists who regularly return buy holiday homes in the summer, real estate investors prefer to rent houses in the most popular tourist spots, some even buy houses and move to the area.

Questions and answers about Antalya