Guide to Antalya
Virtual Tour of Antalya
The Turkish Riviera (that's how Antalya is commonly referred to) will captivate any traveller. The wide, well-groomed sandy coastline, the warm Mediterranean Sea with a gradual entry into the water, gentle sun, and comfortable climate are all its advantages.
The classic beach relaxation is organically complemented by the Historical district of the city - Kaleici. While walking around the resort, it is worth stopping here for a few hours. The old part of Antalya will captivate you with its unusual mosques and minarets, a variety of original monuments, ancient gates, fortress walls, and majestic towers.
Antalya can confidently be called both a park city and a museum city. Travellers who appreciate green oases within a metropolis will be delighted with Ataturk Park, Karaalioglu, and Mini-City. History enthusiasts can spend hours in one of the several museums in Antalya, such as the Ethnography and Archaeology museums.
The resort is also perfect for family vacations. Local aquariums, water parks, dolphinariums, and amusement parks are some of the best in Turkey. Many of the local hotels position themselves as kid-friendly, making them an excellent choice for a family vacation.
Photos of Antalya
Tours to Antalya
Yearly thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Antalya to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, a rich excursion program, an impressive acquaintance with the ancient history of the region. A special bonus is an excellently developed tourist infrastructure, which will suit both lovers of noisy parties and families with small children.
The standard package tour includes the cost of airfare, transfer to the hotel of accommodation, meals, minimum health insurance. The price of such a tour from an agency starts at 680 USD for a week of rest. Independently picked up tour will cost from 720 USD.
All-inclusive package holiday costs from 500 USD for a week of rest. Such tour is mostly offered in May or October when you can sunbathe but it is rather cool to swim in the sea. But at this time it is most comfortable to go on excursions in the city and its surroundings!
In Antalya it is worth spending at least a week of vacation. But even for a couple of weeks you won't get bored! There are a number of ancient towns (Ephesus, Lycian Myra, Demre and other open-air museums) within an hour's drive by car or bus, whose sights will leave you speechless!
Interesting places in Antalya
Antalya, with its impressive number of various historical and religious sites, is sometimes compared to St. Petersburg. There are also parks on the territory of the resort, where you can find refuge from the heat in the summer heat. For those who crave new experiences, there are field trips to ancient cities and ancient ruins in the vicinity of the resort.
Flight ticket prices
Airfare prices to Antalya from Europe depend on the season, airline, and availability of direct flights. During the summer season (May to October), one-way ticket prices start from 80-120 EUR but can increase significantly depending on the date and demand. In winter, prices are usually lower, especially for flights with layovers.
Direct flights to Antalya are operated by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, Lufthansa, British Airways, and other European carriers. Most flights arrive at Antalya International Airport (AYT), located just 13 km from the city center. To save money, it is recommended to book tickets in advance.
The best hotels in Antalya
Antalya is famous for its rich variety of accommodation options. Here you can find both budget apartments and luxurious deluxe class rooms. During the high season, the prices listed below will be 20-30% higher.
The cost of budget accommodation (Ramona Hotel, White Garden Hotel, Bacchus Pension, Aydın Otel Pansiyon) is from $10 per day for a double room.
The price of a similar room in a 3-star hotel (Antroyal Hotel, Dimo Hotel Antalya, Golden Orange Hotel, Anelli Hotel) starts from $38.
The cost of a double room in a 4-star hotel (Best Western Plus Khan Hotel, Club Hotel Falcon, IC Hotels Airport) starts from $80.
A luxurious room in a 5-star hotel (Crowne Plaza Antalya, Akra Hotel, Porto Bello Hotel Resort & Spa, Ramada Plaza Antalya) will cost from $120.
Travel budget
Antalya is considered a fairly budget resort in Turkey. Here a reasonable level of prices for accommodation and meals, as well as the option "all inclusive" on many types of additional hotel services. But for those who like to enjoy a luxurious vacation there will be a lot to do!
We have calculated a rough estimate of the holiday for four days and three nights, based on the following costs:
- A flight to Antalya, followed by a transfer to the hotel;
- Accommodation at a 3-star hotel, breakfast included;
- Lunch and dinner at the restaurant;
- Transportation by public transport;
- Sightseeing program (visit to the water park).
| The budget for a trip to Antalya | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | from 100 USD roundtrip | Accommodation | from 38 USD |
| Average bill in a restaurant | from 10 USD | Excursion | from 50 USD |
| Transportation fares | from 1 USD | ||
| Total : from 470 USD per person for 4 days of vacation | |||
Antalya: tips for tourists
Visa to Antalya
Tourists with regular passports need a visa to enter Turkey. However, if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa or residence permit, they may be eligible for a one-month single-entry e-Visa.
Airport
Antalya Airport (Antalya Havalimanı) is located 10 km from the city center and is considered the main gateway to the Mediterranean resorts. The airport serves more than 27 million passengers annually through regular and charter flights.
Transfer
Atalya Airport can be reached from the hotel either by city bus (from 1 USD), Havaş Shuttle (from 2 USD), a specially ordered shuttle service (from 10 USD) or by cab (from 12 USD). The road will take up to 5-20 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Car Rental
In order to rent a car in Antalya it is necessary to have an international driver's license, be older than 23 years and have a driving experience of more than one year. The cost of renting a car starts from 50 USD per day.
Transport
Most locals and tourists take trams (from 0,8 USD), buses and cabs (from 1 USD). There is also a developed system of cabs (from 6 USD for a short trip).
Safety
Antalya is one of the most popular Turkish resorts. Given the crowds, avoid taking with you big sums of money, as well as valuables. Leave them in the hotel safety locker.