Hotels in Antalya

The city of Antalya is located on the Mediterranean coast in the south west of Turkey. A popular holiday resort, the city boasts a huge variety of accommodation, which ranges from luxury spa resort complexes to more basic hostel-style accommodation.

Antalya has a great atmosphere and its many cafés and restaurants are situated on broad streets lined with palm trees...

The old centre of the city has been restored to preserve much of its history, which contrasts sharply with the city's modern marina. There are golden beaches, such as those at the Lara and Konyaalti Beach Parks nearby. Lara has one of the longest beaches in Turkey and the area is home to several luxury hotels as well as restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs and sports facilities.

Visitors can enjoy sights within the city, such as Hadrian's Gate and the Yivli Minare Mosque (Ulu camii), as well as venturing further afield to see places such as Alaynya Castle and the Taurus Mountains.

Other Antalya resorts which are outside the city but still close enough for you to visit and experience include Belek, Aksu, Side, Manavgat, Konakli, Beldibi, Goynuk, Kemer, Kiris and Tekirova, any of which would provide the perfect base to visit some of the attractions further afield. This region of Turkey is full of contrasts so you can see everything from pine forests to cliffs, hollows and caves. It is even possible to ski here, as the winter resort of Saklikent is only 45 kilometres from Antalya and is open from November to May.

There is no shortage of history, with many ancient sites and monuments such as Olympos National Park and Perge, where you can see the ruins of both a theatre and acropolis. Another attraction is the famous hot springs at Pamukkale, a World Heritage Site. Other landmarks in the area include the sunken city of Kekova and the Karain cave as well as the towns of Side, Aspendos and Demre/Myra.

Find out what kind of accommodation you can expect to enjoy in this Turkish holiday destination...

If you are visiting as a family with children then you will find that there is much to recommend Antalya hotels, as there are several large hotel chains represented as well as a large number that are operated on behalf of package tour operators. Most of the larger hotels offer kids' clubs to keep the children entertained as well as several swimming pools and a good choice of entertainment. Many hotels are all-inclusive but it is always wise to check before you travel about what is and is not included as this can vary between hotels.

If you are someone who enjoys activities on a holiday then you will not be disappointed as most of the hotels in Antalya that are situated near the beach offer water sports as well as other sports such as golf, horse riding and tennis. Antalya also hosts many events throughout the year, including several film and music festivals and sporting events, so if you plan to visit when these events are on then you will need to book your accommodation early as the resort is popular.

There's much to see besides the blues of the sea and the golden sands of the beaches...

How will you fill your time in Antalya? There are many ways to stay busy if you've had enough of the glorious sunshine.

Top five attractions

Hadrian's Gate

Built for Roman emperor Hadrian nearly 2,000 years ago, the famed Queen of Sheba is said to have strolled beneath the arches - you can do the same at this delightful ancient site.

Antalya Archaeological Museum

The footprint of history fell deep in this ancient land and you can tour some of the best finds at this captivating museum. There are artefacts from many of the major nearby sites.

Duden Waterfalls

There are two places worth visiting just outside Antalya. The upper falls cascade as if from the forest itself into the river below, while the lower falls gush powerfully and directly into the Mediterranean Sea from a rocky platform.

Termessos

It takes about an hour to reach this age-old city in the mountains, but it's worth the journey. The remote and lofty position of the city means it's one of the best-preserved sites in all of Turkey.

Perge

Take a day trip to see the ruins of this ancient city of the rich; it's only 30 minutes from Antalya.

The vibrancy of this coastal destination oozes into the list of annual events...

These are just the highlights of a rounded calendar of annual events in Antalya.

Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival; June/July: It's an hour away, but the Greco-Roman theatre at Aspendos is a breath-taking setting for this cultural event.

Antalya Honey Festival; August: This sweet treat celebrates one of Antalya's greatest exports. Take a delicious tour of the produce and buy a jar or two to take away.

Antalya Festival; September: Nearly three weeks in late summer are crammed with events that honour and celebrate the cultures of this region. There is much to see and do around Antalya at this time.