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Antalya holidays
With the Taurus Mountains as a stunning backdrop, fabulous beaches and a vibrant nightlife, the resort town of Antalya ticks all the holiday boxes. There is an exciting mixture of old and new, as the historic old town rubs shoulders with the newer resorts, creating a wide range of accommodation and entertainment options for couples and families. Your options are just as varied in the evening; enjoy relaxing meals around the traditional harbour or dance the night away in one of the many buzzing clubs and bars. Antalya really is an all-round holiday destination - and we love it here!
- Flight Time
- 4h 15m
- From London
- Currency
- ₺
- Turkish Lira
- Time Zone
- GMT +3h
- Capital
- Ankara
- Language
- Turkish
- Religion
- Muslim
5 facts about Antalya
- Antalya is home to five national parks
- Antalya was originally called 'Attaleia'
- Antalya is the largest city in the Turkish Mediterranean
- Antalya is home to one of the most famed structures on Earth: Hadrian's Gate
- Olympos Chimera Eternal Fires are mysterious flames in Antalya that burn 24 hours a day from a rock!
The Grand BazaarPhoto credit: Unsplash
Eye candy for nature loversPhoto credit: Unsplash
Ice-cold treatsPhoto credit: Unsplash
Man-made CastlesPhoto credit: Unsplash
Golf competitionsPhoto credit: Unsplash
Where is Antalya
Antalya is on the southwestern coast of Turkey, between the Mediterranean and the Taurus Mountains, making it a popular holiday destination. With an area of 1,417 square km, Antalya is the largest city on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.
Airports in Antalya
Antalya is home to one international airport (AYT). It’s the third-busiest airport in Turkey.
How to get to Antalya
The average flight time from London to Antalya is four hours and 15 minutes. We offer direct flights from many airports across the UK. Speak to one of our experienced sales members to explore all your flight options.
When to go to Antalya
Antalya’s Mediterranean climate means that it experiences mild winters and hot summers. The summer months, June to August are, unsurprisingly, the hottest and most popular times to visit Antalya. During this period the weather is hot and the city busier, when prices of accommodation and excursions can be higher compared to other times of the year. Alternatively, April to June and September to November are great times to visit if you want pleasant but less hot weather, cheaper prices and fewer people. These months are ideal for sightseeing, hiking and the many other outdoor activities. The winter months in Antalya tend to be much quieter and some restaurants, hotels and excursions may decide to remain mostly closed during this time.
Average weather in Antalya
- Temperature (°C)*
- Rainfall (Inches)*
Things to do in Antalya
If you like to fill your holiday with amazing experiences, Antalya should be high on your list of destinations. With a rich history and culture, the region has plenty of ancient buildings and sites to explore. Down by the water there is diving, wind surfing, fishing and boat trips to be enjoyed whilst inland, the nearby Taurus Mountains have numerous challenging trails through shady pine forests that can be discovered on foot or by bike. One thing is certain, you will not be bored during your stay in Antalya.
Antalya culture & holiday FAQ
Antalya is a foodie’s paradise with something to satisfy every taste and budget. Traditional and international cuisine is cooked from the finest locally grown ingredients and is made with passion and love. During your trip, you should definitely try the traditional Turkish Borek. This thinly rolled pastry is often filled with minced meat or cheese for a perfect savoury treat, or can be topped with powdered sugar instead, if you have more of a sweet tooth. If you do prefer the sweeter things in life, Turkish ice cream is another must-try when visiting Antayla. Made from fresh goat’s milk for a deliciously thick and creamy texture and with a wide variety of flavours like our favourites sour cherry or pistachio and melon, we promise you’ll never have tried ice cream quite like this before. Turkish pancakes, locally known as ‘gozleme’ are highly recommended, especially the savoury ones filled with either cheese, potatoes, spinach or spiced chopped meat. This traditional Turkish street food that’s prepared on an outdoor grill and often served with a salad, is a very cheap and hearty mealtime staple.
Food and drink are important in the traditions and culture of the Turkish people. During your stay in Antalya, we recommend you sample some of the following local beverages:
- Turkish coffee is prepared using one of the oldest methods in the World and provides a rich, dark and slightly bitter drink, always accompanied by a pallet cleansing glass of water.
- Dating back 5000 years, tea is equally embedded in Turkish history and sipping sweet tea from small glass cups just feels so right.
- If you love yoghurt then seek out Ayran; this healthy, refreshing drink is made by adding boiling water to buttermilk. It sounds a bit odd, but trust us, it's absolutely delicious.
- If you like your drinks with a kick then try Boza, a hot, potent brew made from cracked wheat and yeast, it is particularly popular on cold winter evenings.
- Finally, we must mention the clear alcoholic Raki, one of Turkey’s best-known drinks. Made from anise and grapes, it is best served over ice, which gives it its distinctive milky appearance.
The Antalya region has a rich cultural mix that's reflected in its music and dance, which has influences from Asia, Europe the Middle East and Africa. Antalyan music is melodic and often references daily life and social issues using traditional instruments such as the Kemancha, Qopuz, Saz, Drums and Tambourines. The music frequently accompanies dances like Ciftetelli, where women traditionally play wind and string instruments or the Bar when groups of dancers’ link hands whilst playing drums. The final dance worth mentioning is the Halay, controlled by a person holding a handkerchief, people move about each other, arm in arm to the beat of drums and tambourines.
While Antalya has few major sporting venues or fixtures to enjoy, it certainly provides plenty of sports-based activities. On land, you can explore its mountainous terrains on foot or by bike, enjoy canyons and lakes from rafts and canoes, or take part in adventurous activities such as rock climbing or abseiling. Additionally, you can test your skills on several international standard golf courses. Around the coast, you can try wind or kite surfing, water and jet skiing, diving or sailing. Whatever you choose, you are guaranteed to experience fun and adventure in one of the most picturesque regions of Turkey.
Retail therapy is high on the agenda in Antalya, with a diverse range of shopping opportunities, including large Western-style malls and local street markets where haggling for the right price is all part of the fun. In the Antalya district, several large malls offer high-end fashion choices, along with amenities like food courts, cinemas, and children’s play areas. Some of the most popular ones include Mark Antalya AVM, Terra City, and Mall of Antalya, claiming to be one of the largest in the Mediterranean region. While the malls offer a great retail experience, the main town itself, especially Kaleici old town, with its cobbled streets, is a treasure trove of stalls and traditional Ottoman-style shops selling souvenirs, antiques and rugs. Remember to bring your best poker face and bargaining skills to secure a great price. A short bus journey away, Manavgat Market is an enormous bazaar selling everything from spices to sinks.
