Turquoise water, Roman streets, mountains behind
Antalya
Turkey's Turquoise Coast — Mediterranean beaches, waterfalls, and the old town of Kaleiçi.
- Best season
- May–October for the sea · April & October mildest
- Ideal stay
- 3–4 nights
- Getting there
- Antalya Airport (AYT) · ~1 hr from Istanbul
- Currency
- Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Language
- Turkish · English widely spoken
Why Go
About Antalya
Antalya is where Turkey stops being a history lesson and starts being a holiday. The Mediterranean here is genuinely turquoise, the Taurus Mountains rise straight up behind the city with snow still on them into spring, and the old town sits on a cliff between the two.
That old town, Kaleiçi, is the reason Antalya is not just another beach resort. Roman walls, a horseshoe harbour that has been in use for two thousand years, Ottoman timber houses leaning over cobbled lanes, and Hadrian's Gate — built for an emperor's visit in 130 AD and still the way you walk in. Twenty minutes away the Düden Waterfalls drop off a cliff straight into the sea.
It is also the base for the best adventure day in the country. An hour inland, Köprülü Canyon gives you white-water rafting, zip lines, quad bikes and a jeep safari through the Taurus foothills — all of it in one day, which is exactly how our packages run it.
Signature experience
Old town Kaleiçi walking tour and harbor sunset
Antalya
Antalya on the map of Turkey
What To Do
Top experiences in Antalya
The places our travellers talk about long after they get home.
SignatureKaleiçi Old Town & Harbour
Roman walls, Ottoman timber houses and cobbled lanes spilling down to a horseshoe harbour that has been in use for two millennia. Best walked in the late afternoon, finishing at the water as the light goes.
Düden Waterfalls
The Lower Düden drops off a cliff and falls straight into the Mediterranean — a waterfall that ends in the sea rather than a river. Included on our Antalya city tours.
Turquoise Coast Boat Trip
Out from the old harbour past the cliffs and the waterfall, with swimming stops in coves you cannot reach on foot. Part of the full-day Antalya tour on most of our packages.
Köprülü Canyon Rafting
White water through a limestone gorge an hour inland, cold and clear off the Taurus snowmelt. No experience needed — guides run every raft.
Taurus Jeep Safari & Zip Line
Open-top jeeps up dirt tracks into the Taurus foothills, mountain villages and pine forest, plus a zip line across the canyon and quad bikes. All four run as one day on our packages.
Hadrian's Gate
A triple marble arch raised for the Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 AD, still standing as the main entrance to the old town. The ruts worn into the paving are from Roman carts.
Konyaaltı & Lara Beaches
Konyaaltı is pebble, backed by the mountains and Blue Flag clean; Lara is sand and where most of the big resorts sit. Free beach time is built into every Antalya itinerary.
Practical
Know before you go
The questions we answer most often — all of it visible up front, nothing buried.
When to swim
The sea is warm enough from about May to late October, and often into November. July and August are hot — well above 35°C inland — so if you want to walk the old town and the ruins rather than lie on a beach, aim for April to early June or late September to October.
Where to stay
Kaleiçi puts you inside the old town in a converted Ottoman house, walking distance from everything historic. Lara and Konyaaltı are where the larger beach hotels sit, ten to twenty minutes out. Our packages typically use city hotels such as Afflon Loft City or Elypse Royal — tell us if you would rather be on the beach.
Sand or pebble
This matters more than people expect. Konyaaltı is pebble and shelves quickly — bring water shoes. Lara is proper sand and better for children. Both fly the Blue Flag for water quality, and both have showers, loungers and cafés along the front.
Halal food & prayer
Meat in ordinary restaurants is halal by default, as everywhere in Turkey, and mosques are easy to find in the city and the old town. Large resorts serve alcohol and run mixed pool areas; if you would prefer a hotel with separate facilities, say so when you book and we will match you.
The adventure day
Rafting, zip line, quad bike and jeep safari run together as one long day, with lunch. Guides handle everything and you do not need to swim for the rafting — buoyancy aids and helmets are provided. Wear clothes you do not mind soaking and bring a change plus a towel.
Getting around
A tram runs along the coast and through the city, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. Kaleiçi itself is pedestrian and cobbled, so wheeled cases are hard work — worth knowing if your hotel is inside the old town.
What to pack
Sun protection first: the Mediterranean sun is strong from May onward. Add water shoes for the pebble beaches, walking shoes for the cobbles and ruins, and something modest with sleeves if you plan to enter a mosque. Evenings in April and October need a light jacket.
Money & tipping
Cards work almost everywhere. Carry some lira for beach cafés, taxis and tips — around 10% in restaurants is normal, and guides and drivers on a full-day tour are usually tipped at your discretion.
Book It
Tours including Antalya
10 packages, shortest first. Every one is customisable — hotel category, tours and group size.
Go Further
Pairs well with Antalya
Most travellers add at least one of these to the same trip.
Questions
Antalya FAQs
How many days do I need in Antalya?
Three nights is the sweet spot: one day for Kaleiçi, the boat trip and the Düden Waterfalls, one for the Köprülü Canyon adventure day, and one for the beach. Four lets you add ancient ruins or a second beach day without rushing.
When is the sea warm enough to swim?
Roughly May to late October, often into November. Outside that the weather is still pleasant for walking and sightseeing, but the water is cold and most beach facilities wind down.
Are the beaches sand or pebble?
Both. Konyaaltı is pebble with the Taurus Mountains right behind it — striking, but bring water shoes. Lara is sand and easier with children, and it is where most of the big resorts are. Both hold Blue Flag status for water quality.
Is the adventure day suitable for children or non-swimmers?
The rafting section is guided throughout with helmets and buoyancy aids, and you do not need to swim. Minimum ages vary by activity and by operator, so tell us your group's ages when you enquire and we will confirm exactly what each person can join.
Can I combine Antalya with Istanbul or Cappadocia?
Yes, and most travellers do. Antalya is about an hour's domestic flight from Istanbul, and we run packages pairing it with Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Trabzon in routes from six to fourteen days.
Is Antalya good for families?
Very. Short transfer times, shallow sandy beaches at Lara, resorts built around children, and enough history in Kaleiçi to keep a day interesting without a long drive. It is the easiest part of Turkey to travel with young children.
Is the food halal?
Meat served in ordinary Turkish restaurants is halal as standard. Large international resorts vary more, so if that matters to your group tell us when you book and we will confirm with the hotel rather than assume.
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Every Antalya package includes transfers between Antalya Airport and your hotel in both directions, plus the domestic flight if you are arriving from Istanbul. You will not be arranging your own transport.
Planning a trip to Antalya?
Email us your dates and group size and we'll put together options that fit — hotels, tours and transfers included.