Antalya
More than a beach. An ancient Roman harbor, a Byzantine old town, Lycian ruins, and a stretch of Mediterranean coast that does not disappoint.
Antalya is the gateway to the Turkish Riviera and one of the most underrated cities in Turkey. Most visitors fly in for the beach resorts and fly out again without realising what they missed: an extraordinary Roman harbor, one of the best-preserved Ottoman old towns in the country, and some of the most dramatic ancient ruins in the Mediterranean.
Give it two nights minimum. Walk Kaleiçi in the early morning before the day-trippers arrive, take a boat to Mermerli Beach for lunch, and drive up to Termessos for the ruins at sunset. Our guidebook covers everything — which hotel is genuinely worth it, how to get to the beaches locals use, and the restaurants that have been there for forty years.
April–June and September–October. July and August are hot and the resorts are full. Spring is the best season by far.
Fly into Antalya Airport (AYT), which has direct connections from Istanbul. Journey time: ~1 hour 15 minutes.
Kaleiçi — the old town
Ottoman streets, Roman foundations, Hellenistic harbor. Kaleiçi is the most compact and walkable old town on the Turkish coast.
Beaches the guidebooks miss
The famous beaches are crowded. The local ones — reached by a short drive or a boat — are quiet, clear and worth the effort.
Lycian ruins and day trips
Perge, Aspendos, Termessos — three of the most impressive ancient sites in Turkey, each within an hour of the city center.
Antalya — The Guidebook
A 35+ page field guide. The Turkish Riviera, decoded — ancient cities, hidden coves, and where to stay.
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