The city of Antalya is situated in the south west of Turkey on the Mediterranean coast. With a variety of both modern and traditional resorts in the area and a choice of either pebbled or sandy beaches leading to crystal clear waters, it's not surprising that this destination becomes more popular year after year with tourists seeking early, mid and late summer sun. Flights take around four hours from the UK and you can fly from most major airports.
Best for...
Beach lovers, families, couples and those who like to party...
As well as Antalya with its charming old town and marina, there are also the popular resorts of Side, Kemer and Belek close by with each resort offering something different - Kemer with great night nightlife, Side with excellent beaches and ancient temples and Belek and its great golf courses.
What to do...
Pick your favourite beach and base yourself there. Saunter into the turquoise waters to cool off after a hard day's sunbathing or try your hand at the water sports on offer. Which ever resort you choose to spend your holiday at, you won't be short of beach choices.
| Foodies will love Antalya with its vast array of cuisine... |
Away from the beach, there are plenty of other things on offer too. Antalya is a historic city with medieval walls and an old town with meandering streets filled with shops offering bargains of all types - don't forget to barter. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars which make for a lively nightlife.
For sporty folk, Belek is a great choice of resort with golf courses and water sports on offer whilst the resort of Side has everything you would expect from a modern holiday resort with a twist - there are links to an ancient world dating back to Roman times - the Roman baths and the museum are a must. But if you're just looking to relax by day and party by night, head to Kemer - this resort has some fabulous beaches and in high season, the bars and clubs come to life. Whilst these resorts are somewhat smaller than the other more popular holiday resorts in Turkey, they do not cease to offer something for everyone.
No trip to Turkey is complete without experiencing the delights of a traditional Turkish bath - you're laid out on a slab of hot marble whilst covered from head to toe in soap - great for your skin with the ideal time to take one being at the beginning of your holiday. For the men, think about having a Turkish shave in one of the many barber shops. Again, this is a great experience and not for the faint hearted.
Foodies will love Antalya with its vast array of cuisine. Obviously Turkey is the home of the famous kebabs - found either on street stalls or in many restaurants, but other must-eats are bread baked in the traditional stone ovens that many restaurants still use with pride, or if you can't decide what to have, pick a selection and have a Turkish mezze.
Whilst holidaying in and around Antalya, ensure you take a trip inland where the scenery is beautiful and catch a glimpse of the ancient world - tombs set in the mountainside, temples and ruins are just some of the amazing sights that make for great photo opportunities.
