Antalya Travel Guide
How to plan a trip to Antalya — the capital of the Turkish Riviera, where a walled old town and a yacht harbour meet long Mediterranean beaches and Roman ruins.
Antalya is the gateway to Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and the heart of the Turkish Riviera. The city blends a beautifully preserved old town, Kaleiçi, tumbling down to a Roman-era harbour, with a modern resort coastline that stretches for miles in both directions. Behind it, the Taurus Mountains rise sharply, giving the city a dramatic backdrop and feeding waterfalls that drop straight into the sea.
It is both a city break and a beach holiday in one. You can spend mornings wandering cobbled lanes past Ottoman houses, Hadrian’s Gate and the fluted Yivli Minaret, and afternoons on Konyaaltı or Lara beach. Within an easy drive are some of the finest ancient cities in the Mediterranean — Perge, Aspendos and Side — making Antalya a superb base for combining sun and history.
This guide covers the must-sees, the best time to visit, how to get there, and which part of the long Riviera coast to choose for your stay.
Top things to do in Antalya
Explore the old town of Kaleiçi, with its Roman harbour, Hadrian’s Gate, Ottoman mansions and the landmark Yivli Minaret. Swim at Konyaaltı or Lara beach, and see the Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls. The Antalya Museum holds some of Turkey’s best classical sculpture. Within reach are the great ancient sites: the theatre at Aspendos, the colonnaded streets of Perge, and the seaside ruins and beaches of Side. Boat trips run along the coast and to the islands, and the Köprülü Canyon offers rafting in summer.
When to visit Antalya
Antalya enjoys one of Turkey’s longest seasons. April–June and September–October are the most pleasant, with warm days, swimmable sea and fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August are hot and busy, ideal for a pure beach holiday if you don’t mind the heat. Even winter is mild and sunny enough for sightseeing, though the sea is cool and some resort venues close.
How to get to Antalya
Antalya Airport (AYT) is one of Turkey’s busiest, with seasonal direct flights from across Europe and year-round connections via Istanbul. The airport is close to the city, with transfers to central Antalya in around 20–30 minutes and to the resort belts of Belek, Side and Kemer in 30–90 minutes depending on distance. Antalya also connects easily by domestic flight to Istanbul and Cappadocia.
Where to stay in Antalya
Stay in Kaleiçi (the old town) for boutique hotels, atmosphere and walkable sights. Lara, east of the city, is the strip of large five-star resorts; Konyaaltı, to the west, mixes city beach access with mountain views. Further out, Belek is known for golf and luxury all-inclusives, Side blends ruins with resorts, and Kemer sits beneath the mountains for a more scenic, active base.
Know before you go
Antalya Airport (AYT) is 20–30 minutes from the city and 30–90 minutes from the main resort areas.
April–June and September–October are the most comfortable months to visit.
Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian’s Gate and the Roman harbour are the cultural highlights.
Day trips reach the ancient cities of Aspendos, Perge and Side with ease.
Choose Kaleiçi for boutique stays, Lara or Belek for big resorts, Kemer for mountain scenery.
The Taurus Mountains keep Antalya scenic and offer canyons, waterfalls and summer rafting.
Tours in Antalya
Ready-made tours and packages we operate here — book as they are or have us tailor an itinerary to you.
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5 Nights / 6 DaysIstanbul, Antalya & Pamukkale 5 Nights Private Tour - Land Only
Istanbul · Antalya · Pamukkale
from €879 per person
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7 Nights / 8 DaysIstanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Antalya 7 Nights Private Tour - Land Only
Istanbul · Kusadasi · Ephesus · Pamukkale · Antalya
from €1,046 per person
View ItineraryFrequently Asked Questions
Is Antalya worth visiting?
Yes. Antalya pairs a charming walled old town and Roman harbour with long Mediterranean beaches and some of the best ancient sites in Turkey, all under the Taurus Mountains. It works equally well as a city break, a beach holiday or a history-and-sun combination.
What is the best time to visit Antalya?
April–June and September–October are the most pleasant, with warm weather, a swimmable sea and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy but ideal for a beach holiday; winter is mild and sunny enough for sightseeing.
What is there to do in Antalya’s old town?
Kaleiçi, the old town, is a maze of cobbled lanes with Ottoman houses, boutique hotels, cafés and bars, centred on the Roman harbour. Highlights include Hadrian’s Gate, the Yivli Minaret and the nearby Antalya Museum.
How do you get to Antalya?
Fly into Antalya Airport (AYT), one of Turkey’s busiest, with seasonal direct European flights and year-round connections via Istanbul. Transfers reach central Antalya in 20–30 minutes and the resort areas of Belek, Side and Kemer in 30–90 minutes.
Which part of the Antalya coast should I stay on?
Stay in Kaleiçi for boutique hotels and old-town atmosphere, Lara or Belek for large five-star resorts, Konyaaltı for a city beach with mountain views, or Kemer and Side for scenery and ruins.
Plan your trip with us
We operate tours and tailor-made packages across this destination. Tell us your dates and what you would like to see, and we will build the trip.