Antalya is Türkiye's holiday capital — over a thousand kilometres of warm Mediterranean coastline, ancient cities tucked between the resorts, and some of the best-value all-inclusive hotels anywhere. It is also big, so a little planning goes a long way. We move guests around this coast every single day, so here is our friendly, practical guide to planning an Antalya holiday that actually fits you.
When to visit Antalya
Antalya has a long season. The sea is swimmable from roughly May to October, the sun shows up almost every day in summer, and even winter stays mild. The trick is matching the month to the kind of trip you want — beach-and-pool, sightseeing, or a bit of both.
- April–May — warm, green and quiet, perfect for sightseeing and early-season beach days.
- June–August — peak summer: hot, lively and busiest, with the warmest sea and the highest prices.
- September–October — many people's favourite: warm sea, gentler sun and thinning crowds.
- November–March — mild and calm, great for city breaks, ruins and golf, though the sea is cool.
How to get to Antalya
Most visitors fly straight into Antalya Airport (AYT), which sits just east of the city and handles both domestic and international flights. If your hotel is far to the east, a second airport is worth knowing about — and if you are already in Türkiye, the road is a real option too.
- By plane to Antalya Airport (AYT) — the main gateway, with domestic flights from across Türkiye and direct international charters.
- Via Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP) — much closer if you are staying in or beyond Alanya.
- By car — a scenic long drive from Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir, popular with families who want their own wheels.
- By intercity bus — comfortable and inexpensive, arriving at Antalya's main otogar (bus terminal).
Antalya Airport: Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2
Antalya Airport has two terminals. Domestic flights use Terminal 1, while international flights arrive at Terminal 2 — they sit a couple of minutes apart with a free shuttle between them. Whichever you land at, the smoothest arrival is a driver waiting for you by name in the arrivals hall, so you skip the taxi queue entirely.
Choosing your area — which part of the coast suits you
"Antalya" covers a string of very different resort areas, and picking the right one matters more than picking the right hotel. Here is the short version:
- Lara & Kundu — the big, glossy all-inclusive resorts, closest to the airport (15–25 minutes) and great for a fuss-free beach holiday.
- Belek — manicured golf-and-luxury territory, calm and family-friendly, about 40 minutes east.
- Side — ancient ruins woven into a lively resort town with long sandy beaches; around an hour away.
- Alanya — lively, sociable and excellent value, with a famous castle and long beaches; about two hours east.
- Kemer — pine-clad mountains tumbling into the sea, west of the city, lovely for nature lovers.
- Konyaaltı & the city centre — beach plus a real city, ideal if you want Kaleiçi old town on your doorstep.
- Kaş & Kalkan — boutique, quieter and beautiful, far to the west for travellers who want charm over all-inclusive.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
This is the part people underestimate. Drive times from the airport range from 15 minutes (Lara) to over two hours (Alanya, Kaş), so your transfer plan really depends on your region. Your options are a private transfer, an airport taxi, a hire car or the bus — and for most holidaymakers with luggage and a hotel to find, a fixed-price private transfer is the easiest: a driver meets you, helps with the bags, and takes you door-to-door for a price agreed in advance. (See our Antalya Airport transfer times guide for every resort.)
How many days do you need in Antalya?
A long weekend (3–4 days) is enough for a relaxing beach break with one day trip. For a proper holiday, a week lets you mix pool days with a couple of excursions — say Side and Aspendos one day, a boat trip another. Two weeks and you can add far-flung sights like Pamukkale without ever feeling rushed.
Things to do in and around Antalya
Even a beach holiday is better with a day or two of exploring. A few favourites that are easy to reach:
- Kaleiçi — Antalya's atmospheric old town, all cobbled lanes, a Roman harbour and Hadrian's Gate.
- Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls — green, refreshing and an easy half-day from the city.
- Ancient cities — Perge, Aspendos and Side, some of the best Roman ruins in the country.
- Konyaaltı and Lara beaches — the city's two long, easy-to-reach stretches of sand and pebble.
- A boat trip — from Antalya harbour, Kemer or Side, swimming in clear bays along the way.
- The Tünektepe cable car — a quick ride up for a sweeping view over the whole gulf.
Day trips worth the drive
When you are ready to venture further, a private driver turns these into easy door-to-door days rather than long coach tours:
- Pamukkale — the famous white travertine terraces and ancient Hierapolis.
- Demre, Myra & Kekova — rock-cut tombs, the church of St Nicholas and a sunken city seen by boat.
- Köprülü Canyon — Türkiye's most popular white-water rafting, set in a pine gorge.
- Green Canyon — a calm emerald reservoir near Manavgat, explored by boat.
Food you should not miss
Antalya eats brilliantly, from hotel buffets to back-street lokantas. Order at least a few of these:
- Antalya piyaz — the local white-bean salad with tahini, a proper regional speciality.
- Fresh grilled fish and şiş köfte — simple, smoky and everywhere along the coast.
- A long Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) — cheeses, olives, eggs, honey and endless tea.
- Künefe and Turkish ice cream — the sweet finish to any warm evening.
Budget & paying — what to expect
Antalya is famous for value, especially the all-inclusive resorts where food and drink are covered. Cards are accepted almost everywhere — hotels, restaurants, taxis, even small shops — so you only need a little cash for tips, markets and the odd cash-only spot. You can bring euros and change a small amount into lira; many tourist places quote in both. For transfers you pay after the ride, in cash or by card, with the price fixed before you set off.
Practical tips for a smooth trip
- Get an eSIM or a local SIM on arrival — cheap data makes maps, translation and WhatsApp effortless.
- Respect the summer sun — it is fierce from late morning, so save ruins and walking for early or late in the day.
- Travelling with little ones? Ask your transfer company for child seats in advance — we carry them free.
- Drink bottled water and keep one in the car on longer transfers; it gets hot out there.
- Book your airport transfer before you fly — arrivals is no place to haggle over a price with luggage in hand.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Antalya?
For the best balance of warm sea and comfortable weather, aim for May–June or September–October. July and August are the hottest and busiest; spring and autumn are quieter and gentler.
Which area of Antalya is best to stay in?
For a fuss-free beach holiday close to the airport, Lara or Belek; for history plus beach, Side; for value and nightlife, Alanya; for nature, Kemer; and for a real city on the sea, central Antalya and Konyaaltı.
How do I get from Antalya Airport to my hotel?
The easiest option is a fixed-price private transfer — a driver meets you in arrivals and takes you door-to-door. Taxis, hire cars and buses also exist, but with luggage and a hotel to find, a pre-booked transfer is the calmest start. Drive times range from 15 minutes to over two hours depending on your resort.
How many days do you need in Antalya?
Three to four days for a relaxing break with one day trip; a week for a full holiday with a couple of excursions; two weeks if you want to reach far sights like Pamukkale at an easy pace.
Is Antalya expensive?
It is one of the Mediterranean's best-value destinations, especially with an all-inclusive hotel. Cards work nearly everywhere, and you can keep day-to-day spending low if you want to.