Dotting the south-eastern beachfront of Turkey in the Mediterranean region lies Antalya, a city that is as beautiful as it is captivating. It is known for its dazzling beaches, ancient ruins, and lively cultural life that attract many tourists from around Europe. Antalya, commonly referred to as the “Gateway to the Turkish Riviera,” draws visitors for its gorgeous beaches, glistening waters, and verdant mountain landscapes. For those fascinated by history, the city has beautiful museums, exhibiting Turkey’s history beautifully. Antalya is a coastal paradise, offering a magnificent fusion of historical significance, pristine beaches, and a dynamic nightlife, all in one place.

Your Antalya adventure starts here. Experience the city like never before with Woking Travel

Flights To Antalya Guide

Antalya is served by two major airports, Antalya Airport (AYT) and Gazipaşa Airport (GZP) with Antalya Airport being the principal airport. The Antalya airport is a sprawling hub handling a significant volume of passengers, serving the best of airport amenities and transportation facilities. For travellers seeking additional travel options, Gazipaşa Airport, located roughly 180 kilometres east of Antalya, provides seasonal connections. This airport fundamentally handles domestic flights. 

Direct flights to Antalya from the UK take around 4 hours. Primary airports in the UK offering direct flights to Antalya include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, serviced by British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, and Thomas Cook Airlines.

Moreover, Woking Travel provides Transfer services facilitating your transportation from the airport to your hotel. These services ensure a convenient and comfortable trip, delivering what Woking Travel stands for. For more information, check out Woking Travel-Transfers.

Woking Travel presents a range of accommodations to your destination. You can explore and book hotels that are best suited for your liking by visiting our Hotels page at Hotels-Woking Travel or browse our holiday packages at Packages-Woking Travel.

Here are 10 hotels handpicked by Woking Travel, ranging from luxurious lodgings to reasonably priced hotels, to ensure a comfortable stay for you:

  1. Concorde De Luxe Resort-Belek: Channel the Ottoman grandeur at this colossal 5-star beach resort. Luxuriate by the pool, step aboard on a culinary experience at top-tier restaurants, and be catered by attentive staff at Concorde De Luxe. 

  2. Rixos Downtown Antalya: Absorb the city’s invigorating energy from this 5-star hotel. Relax at the stunning rooftop infinity pool with incredible views, or carouse with the elite at the alluring casino. Relish luscious cuisine from a varied range of eateries and bars.

  3. Limak Lara Deluxe Hotel and Resort: Delve in ultimate luxury with everything on deck. Dive into the glistening Mediterranean, entice your taste buds with international flavours, and let yourself loose in the deluxe spa and fitness facility, all at this 5-star spot.

  4. The Marmara Antalya: Travel back in time at this chic 5-star hotel steeped in Ottoman charm. Wallow in the rooftop oasis with splendid city views, loosen up at the traditional Turkish hammam, and explore rich gastronomic flavours at the Marmara.

  5. Akra Antalya: Wake up to spellbinding Mediterranean spectacles and step into the infinity pool seemingly blending with the blue horizon. De-stress at the luxurious spa, explore refreshing flavours at a multitude of restaurants, and bask in the sun on the immaculate beach at this 5-star facility.

  6. Crowne Plaza Antalya: This stylish 4-star hotel offers contemporary comfort in the city’s heart. After wallowing in the lively streets of Antalya, rejuvenate at the rooftop pool with beautiful cityscapes, and devour unique Turkish cuisine at this lodging.

  7. DoubleTree by Hilton Antalya City Centre: This comfortable 4-star haven comes with a rooftop pool, a relaxing spa with excellent service, and an exquisite restaurant serving up flavourful meals with remarkable panoramic views.

  8. Holiday Inn Antalya-Lara: This 4-star hotel is the perfect choice for families, especially with kids. With a great spa, incredible restaurants and bars, and a thrilling pool complex, Holiday Inn has something in store for everyone.

  9. Mostar Hotel Antalya: This 3-star hotel, with its vital location, is a considerable option for all tourists. With an on-site restaurant, a bar, and free parking space, this hotel fuels your adventures and regenerates your soul, synchronously.

  10. Hotel SU and Aqualand: This budget-friendly 3-star accommodation is ideal for families seeking waterpark amusement. Providing epic waterpark adventures for the little ones, and spa treatments and sun-lounging services for the parents, this place is an all-in-one package.
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Regarding travelling around Antalya, several transportation options are available for visitors to ensure convenient travel throughout the city and its environs. Here are some major transport modes available within Antalya:

  1. Public Buses: Antalya has a reliable and extensive public bus system that connects various city districts and surrounding towns. Buses are affordable, easily accessible means of transport that cover significant attractions, beaches, and residential areas.
  2. Tram: The Antalya Tram, or “AntRay,” is a modern and comfortable way to travel around the city and the coast. It is characterised by convenience, especially when accessing famous districts, places of interest, and shopping centres.
  3. Taxi Services: Taxis are found everywhere throughout Antalya. They provide flexible point-to-point transportation within the city. They offer door-to-door service, meaning you just need to flag them down on the streets or book them through taxi companies and ride-hailing apps.
  4. Dolmuş (Minibuses): Dolmuses, shared taxis, are seen all over Antalya. This mode of transport allows residents to move around town more efficiently while also taking them out into nearby villages when needed. Dolmus services are appropriate for short to medium distances; they offer relatively low-cost fares for commutations in general.
  5. Antalykart: This rechargeable transportation card is an essential for any tourist opting for public transportation in Antalya. It offers discounted fares on trams, buses, and even the cable car to Tunektepe.
  6. Renting a Car or Motorcycle: Various rental agencies exist in Antalya, enabling users to drive themselves around. Renting these vehicles provides the convenience and freedom that travellers might crave when riding off-road.
  1. Antalya Old Town (Kaleici): Wallow through archaic cobblestone streets blended with Ottoman architecture. Tick off important landmarks from your Turkey itinerary such as Hadrian’s Gate or Yivli Minare Mosque.

  2. Duden Waterfalls: An Upper Duden waterfall cascading into Lower Duden waterfall before merging into the Mediterranean Sea makes a beautiful spectacle for a click.

  3. Aspendos: Visit Aspendos, an ancient Roman theatre that is one of the world’s best-preserved theatres and is famous for its incredible acoustics and grandiose architecture.

  4. Perge: Explore Perge, an ancient city with well-preserved and beguiling ruins such as a stadium, agora, and baths.

  5. Konyaalti Beach: Enjoy Konyaalti’s pristine beaches, indulge in water sports, or simply stroll through the promenade lined with cafes and shops.

  6. Termessos: Hiking to Termessos, an ancient city on cliffs amidst rugged mountains, offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

  7. Olympos Teleferik: Step aboard a cable car that takes you up Tahtali mountain, giving you stunning views of the Antalya coastline, which folds in with the forested mountains below it.

  8. Side: Discover Side town, which possesses a plethora of ancient ruins such as The Temple of Apollo, Roman Amphitheatre, and Agora, among others.

  9. Antalya Aquarium:  The Antalya aquarium is a place devoted to marine life; it has a tunnel tank, aquariums with interactive displays and rare fish biodiversity.

  10. Kaleici Marina: Walk along Kaleici Marina, a gorgeous harbour with yachts, waterfront restaurants, and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.
  1. Seventh Heaven : Scale up to culinary bliss on a rooftop commanding a view of the scintillating Mediterranean. Tourists can enjoy innovative Turkish dishes prepared with fresh, locally obtained ingredients and impeccable service.

  2. Karpuz : Dive into Antalya’s bustling seafood specialties. Freshly caught fish encounters traditional Turkish recipes, creating an eruption of flavours for your taste buds. 

  3. Lara Döner: Engulf in the essence of Antalya’s street food scene. Succulent döner kebabs whirling on vertical rods, burrowed in warm pita bread, offer a hue of Turkish tradition and culture.

  4. Vegan Delight (Vegetarian/Vegan): A haven for plant-based food connoisseurs who stand for cruelty-free practices. Devour creative and eye-catching vegan dishes, erupting with fresh vegetables, legumes, and seasonings.

  5. Kaleidoscope: Jump on an international culinary journey without stepping out of Antalya. Diverse cuisines from across the globe, cooked with regional flair, offer a taste of adventure from around the globe. 

  6. The Old House: Steep yourself in history and savour the allure of Ottoman taste. Enticingly rich flavours, aromatic seasonings, and conventional culinary techniques create a vintage dining experience. 

  7. Arman’s Rooftop : Modern takes on traditional Mediterranean fare with fusional tastes. Tourists can enjoy awe-striking rooftop views complementing the delectable delicacies, just about right for a romantic evening. 

  8. Pandemonium : Pandemonium offers a symphony of harmonising flavours for the thrill-seeking palates. Deconstructed food and unusual flavour combinations elevate culinary boundaries in an aesthetically beautiful setting.

  9. Ali Baba’s Cave: A cryptic gem hidden in Antalya’s labyrinthine alleyways. Visitors can experience the warmth of Turkish hospitality and purely traditional meals in a cosy and welcoming ambience at Ali Baba’s Cave.

  10. Wildfire: This steakhouse allows its visitors to treat themselves to succulent pieces of meat seared to absolute perfection. An extensive steak menu twinned with an exceptional wine list creates a meat lover’s paradise.  
  1. Visiting Duden Waterfalls: Observe breathtaking Upper and Lower Duden Waterfalls. Take a boat trip to view the spectacle from another angle, where they amalgamate with the Mediterranean Sea.

  2. Cable Car Ride to Tahtali Mountain: For a thrilling experience, take a cable car to Tahtali Mountain, which provides sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea, Taurus Mountains, and lush forest.

  3. Antalya Aquarium Exploration: Get lost in the fascinating world of Antalya Aquarium, which boasts a myriad of fish species types, interactive exhibits and an exciting tunnel tank experience.

  4. Boat Tours and Diving Excursions: Cruise along the coast on a boat tour, visit secret coves or dive to behold busy marine life with underwater caves.

  5. Shopping and Dining in Antalya: Experience delightful shopping and dining downtown in Antalya by visiting local markets, lively bazaars, or charming restaurants that serve authentic Turkish cuisine.

  6. Pampering at a Traditional Turkish Bath (Hamam): At one such hammam, enjoy steam room bath massage scrubbing, an ancient way to relax after dealing with modern-day cares that can rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul all at once.

  7. Nightlife and Entertainment: Experience Antalya’s vibrant nightlife by visiting beach clubs, bars, and other entertainment venues. Here, you can listen to live music, dance, and socialise under the stars of the Mediterranean Sea.

  8. Whitewater Rafting on the Köprülü Canyon: Fasten your seatbelts for an invigorating whitewater rafting adventure on the Köprülü Canyon, one of the longest canyons in Europe. Tourists can paddle through rising waves, beat the heat with refreshing plunges in the turquoise water, and commend the natural beauty of the vicinity.

  9. Day Trip to Phaselis and Olympos: Plan a day trip to the historic cities of Phaselis and Olympos, perched along the majestic coastline near Antalya. Discover the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Phaselis, with its harbour and theatre.

  10. Explore the Historic Kaleici (Old Town): Immerse yourself in the historical tapestry and enchanting vibe of Antalya’s Old Town. Meander through tiny cobbled streets dotted with historical attractions, Ottoman-era houses, and traditional kiosks selling souvenirs, rugs, and handicrafts.

With its Mediterranean climate, Antalya experiences sunshine for most of the year. Here is a detailed breakdown of the weather you could expect in each season and activities you could carry out.

  • Spring (March to May): Enjoyable weather with temperatures ranging from an average high of 22°C/72°F and average low of 12°C/54°F with mostly sunlit days. On occasions, rain spells bring a verdant touch to the landscape of Antalya. Spring is the ideal time to unravel the historic city centre (Kaleici), trek in the Taurus Mountains, tour nearby archaic ruins like Perge, or take a boat trip along the scintillating coastline.

  • Summer (June to August): Summertime comes with the searing warmth of the sun along with average temperatures of 33°C/91°F to 22°C/72°F. Moreover, rainfall during this season is very rare.  This type of weather is great for tourists who are beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can slump at beaches, partake in water sports like diving, sailing, or snorkelling, find relief from the heat at water parks, or spend their evenings walking through the vivid Antalya Marina.

  • Fall (September to November): Fall is when the blazing hot days transition into chilly nights in Antalya, with temperatures averaging around 28°C/82°F to 15°C/59°F. With moderate rainfall, this season is ideal for touristic activities such as whitewater rafting on the Köprülü Canyon, exploring historic cities like Phaselis and Olympos, or indulging in the spirited nightlife of Antalya.

  • Winter (December to February): Winters are usually mild in Antalya with occasionally moderate rainfall. Average temperatures vary from 17°C/63°F to 5°C/41°F. Wintertime in Antalya comprises fewer crowds and cheapest flights, hence it is the best time to look out for good airfares. Winter activities for tourists include seeing the Antalya Aquarium, treating yourself at a traditional Turkish Hamam (bathhouse), exploring historical sites without the heat of summer, or bird watching in regional parks nearby.

Stay updated with any unexpected weather changes to prepare for the perfect trip by following Antalya’s Weather Forecast.

  • Standard Time (GMT): Antalya is 4 hours behind the UK.
  • Daylight Saving Time (BST): Antalya is 3 hours behind the UK.

Currency:

  • Antalya uses the Turkish Lira (TRY) as its official currency. While Turkey is advancing to become increasingly comfortable with debit/credit cards, it’s still a wise idea to carry some cash (TRY) for small vendors, kiosks, tipping, and occasionally taxis.

Language:

  • The principal language spoken throughout Antalya is Turkish (Türkçe). Due to its being a globally popular tourist destination, many locals working in the hospitality industry (hotels, shops, eateries) also speak English to communicate with international visitors.

Local Customs:

It’s traditional for people to greet each other with handshakes while saying “Merhaba,” which means “Hello,” and “Tesekkür ederim,” which means “Thank you.” Also, modesty in dressing and behaviour should be observed when visiting religious sites and public places to respect the Turkish culture and regionally practised religion. Be sure to stay respectful when bargaining from local vendors. Moreover, avoid photography in locations where it is forbidden. Be mindful of public displays of affection (PDA) in Antalya.

Laws:

Skim through the websites mentioned below to be informed about the laws, travel advice, and more important information when visiting Antalya.

Antalya beckons your name with a siren song of sun-drenched beaches, ancient history whispering from cobbled streets, and adventures that ignite your spirit. Tourists can heartily unwind on the edge of a glimmering turquoise sea, plummet into the heart of Ottoman empires, or go white-water rafting through breathtaking canyons. Antalya isn’t just a mere vacation, it’s an immersion into a world where every sense is awakened and rejuvenated.

Let Woking Travel curate your perfect Antalya holiday. Book today!