Antalya – the world-famous capital of the Turkish Riviera – is an excellent choice for a vibrant and diverse vacation. The main advantages of the region include a well-developed infrastructure, proximity to the airport, lively nightlife, plenty of entertainment options, and fascinating historical sites.
Highly recommended are the districts of Lara and Kundu, known for their brand-new 5-star beachfront hotels, Blue Flag-awarded sandy beaches, and a wide range of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shopping malls, and local bazaars.
Climate
Antalya has a Mediterranean subtropical climate. Winters are mild and warm with significant rainfall, while the hot summers are influenced by the Taurus Mountains, which surround the city in a semicircle. This natural barrier allows the Mediterranean sea breeze to warm the city in winter and helps maintain humidity throughout the year.
Largest Shopping Centers in Antalya:
- Mark Antalya (Antalya city center)
- Antalya Migros Shopping Mall (Konyaaltı)
- Terra City (Lara)
- Deppo Outlet Center Antalya & Mall of Antalya (Kepez)
- Agora (Kepez)
- Ozdilek Park (Kepez)
Attractions of Antalya:
- Kaleiçi (Old Town) — a charming historic district with unique archaeological and cultural monuments.
- Antalya Aquarium in Konyaaltı — home to numerous fish and corals, plus the special "Snow World" exhibition.
- Aqualand Waterpark — capacity for 6,000 visitors, featuring 9 types of water slides for adults, a lazy river, multiple pools, a children’s water playground with caves, and the largest dolphinarium in Turkey.
- Düden Waterfalls — the upper falls are famously known as Alexander the Great’s waterfall.
- Archaeological Museum — 13 exhibition halls showcasing periods from the Neolithic to the Ottoman Empire.
- Ancient cities near Antalya with unique ruins of antiquity:
- Aspendos — dating from the 4th century BC, known for its large Roman theatre seating 15,000 people.
- Termessos — founded by the Solims in the 1st century BC, destroyed by an earthquake in 243 AD, with ruins of a Roman theatre, street colonnades, and temples dedicated to Zeus, Artemis, and Hera.
- Perge — the capital of ancient Pamphylia, featuring remains of colonnades and temples.
- Phaselis — an ancient Lycian port from the 7th century BC, with ruins of a theatre, aqueduct, temples, colonnaded street, and Hadrian’s Gate.
- Side — an ancient Greek city and modern upscale resort, with impressive Greek and Roman monuments including a theatre, temple ruins, triumphal arches, and fragments of city walls.
- Olympos — an ancient Lycian city above the bay, featuring fortress walls, a colonnade, and a small theatre ruin.
- Additional natural and historic sights:
- Chimaera (Yanartaş) — a famous mountain that served as a landmark for ancient lighthouses, with eternal flames caused by natural gas emissions.
- Kurşunlu Waterfall — located in the Tabiat National Park, known for its water color changing with the weather from emerald green to lead gray, with a dramatic transformation from small streams to a massive water wall during rainy seasons.
Things to Do in Antalya:
- Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Tünektepe Hill (605 m) and take a ride on the cable car from there.
- Party all night long at Lara’s vibrant nightclubs.
- Get an adrenaline rush by sliding down water slides and then swimming with dolphins at Aqualand.
- Feel like an ancient Roman during a performance at the Aspendos Theatre.
- Stroll through the ancient streets of Perge.
- Ride a camel among plane trees, olive groves, and conifers in Tabiat Park.
- Take a yacht trip to Düden Waterfalls and stand behind the wall of falling water near the cliff.
- Photograph monuments dedicated to famous historical figures—Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the 13th-century Seljuk ruler Alaeddin Keykubad I.
- Discover the living conditions of ancient humans who lived 150,000–200,000 years ago at Karaïn Cave and the Archaeological Museum.
- Admire sand sculptures at the International Sand Sculpture Festival.
- Watch football and handball matches at the Antalya Arena complex.
- Witness the traditional Turkish oil wrestling at the Annual Championship.
- Attend the International Antalya Film Festival (formerly the “Golden Orange”), where winners receive a gilded Venus statue holding an orange.
- Shop at Turkish bazaars or large malls that feature not only shops but also cafes, restaurants, cinemas, and playgrounds for kids.
Diving
Antalya is one of the best places for diving on the Mediterranean coast. The city has several diving schools, and equipment rental is available on almost every beach.
Notable underwater attractions include the famous sunken French ship San Didier, an American military airplane, the ancient ship Gelidonya, and a deliberately sunk plane from the Turkish Air Force. The underwater flora and fauna are also unique: moray eels, tunas, turtles, and even dolphins can be found around rocky formations, near small islets, and in underwater caves.
