Our Antalya Travel Essentials let you make the most of your journey to this Turkish coastal paradise by providing the knowledge you need to keep your holiday stress-free. From getting into the city to getting around once you're there, these tips will have you mastering travel and being able to create the ultimate itinerary.
Antalya is a unique destination with a little something for everyone to enjoy. All you have to do is book the right kind of accommodation and keep the travel essentials in mind to create the unique holiday experience you're looking to have. Check out everything you need to know for your Antalya holiday.
When is the best time to travel to Antalya?
- Typically, the best times to visit Antalya are during the spring and autumn months when you can avoid the hot summers and wet winters.
- February and December are the rainiest months, averaging 14 and 13 days of rain each, respectively. On the other hand, July and August hardly get any rain at all. Late spring and early autumn typically offer an insignificant amount of rain – usually no more than 4 days' worth a month.
- The warmest months are July and August, which reach highs of 31 and 34 degrees, respectively.
- Because of the brutal heat of summer and rainy nature of the winter, autumn and spring are the best times to visit. The temperatures are tolerable, and rain isn't too common, though you may have a better time avoiding rain in the autumn.
Antalya basics
- Plug type: Antalya is in Türkiye, so it uses the Type C and Type F plugs, which both have 2 round pins. The Type F also has 2 earth clips on the side.
- Electricity: The entire country operates on a 230V and 50Hz electrical power standard.
- Currency: Antalya uses the Turkish lira like the rest of Türkiye.
- International dialling code: The international dialling code is +90.
- Emergency telephone number: If you need emergency services, 112 can get you to them all, but there are shortcuts for specific services. Fire is 110. Police is 155. Medical is 112.
How to get to my hotel in Antalya?
Antalya is a relatively young international resort destination, but it set up its travel networks remarkably fast and gives you plenty of options. You can get in via plane, train and boat, though the latter 2 also require some bus travel.
Airports
The primary airport is the International Antalya Airport, and it takes direct flights from the UK, though most stop in Germany or Belgium first. The airport itself is about 12 miles from the city centre.
Major train stations
Taking a train can get you pretty close to Antalya, but not quite all the way. You can catch a train to Istanbul easily enough from virtually anywhere in Europe, but you'll have to get a new ticket to Burdur from there. After that, you can take a bus to Antalya.
Ports
Similarly to the train, no boat trip can get you directly to Antalya. You can find plenty of boats that will take you to Marmaris, however, and you can take a bus to Antalya from there.
How to get around Antalya?
Travel tips
Public transport in Antalya is rather straightforward. You'll find plenty of options available, and it's all fairly affordable without requiring any special passes for savings. Even walking is fairly easy here.
Underground
While there is no underground system in Antalya, you can take advantage of the tram line that goes through town. It starts at the Western Konyaalti Beach and continues through town to the historic city centre. It's typically available every half hour to hour during the day.
Taxi and ride-hailing apps
Taxis are a great way to travel if you're looking for convenience. Just be mindful that they tend to be more costly than other options, and costs are even greater at night. Additionally, you'll find some of the more popular destinations on a preset list in taxis that can be paid in euros rather than lira. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are available too.
Bus
The bus system in Antalya is one of the best ways to get around town. It's affordable and comfortable, and the routes run past virtually every attraction in the city. Antalya also has a Dolmus, or a minibus, that follows a preset route schedule.
Car hire
Car hires are available, but they're going to be a bit more costly than a lot of other methods of transport. Still, this is the ideal method for exploring the areas outside of Antalya during your holiday.
Bike hire
Apart from the cycling lanes by the seashore, this city isn't all that friendly to cyclists. Battling through the crowded streets and steep inclines can be downright exhausting for all but the most skilled cyclists.
What are the main annual events in Antalya?
Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival
- When: October
- What: A film festival that showcases a wide variety of films and then offers awards in a formal ceremony.
- Where: Antalya Cultural Center
Sandland
- When: May to November
- What: A sand-art festival in which participants from all over the world create breathtaking sculptures made entirely from sand.
- Where: Lara Beach
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival
- When: June through July
- What: Opera and ballet companies from several countries stage performances in a historic theatre.
- Where: The Aspendos Theatre
photo by Dat doris (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
What are the main landmarks in Antalya?
Kaleici Old Town
Kaleici Old Town is a fascinating historic area that showcases the meeting of Europe and Asia, letting you see the ancient world. The rich past here is evident in monuments like an 18th-century Ottoman mosque and a gate dating back to the 2nd century.
Antalya Museum
The Antalya Museum is an archaeological museum and one of the biggest of its kind in all of Türkiye. Inside, you'll find a massive array of historic art and multitudes more historical artefacts. Everything on display is designed to highlight the fascinating history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions.
Hadrian's Gate
Hadrian's Gate is a triumphal arch that dates back to the year 130 during the reign of the Roman emperor of the same name. It's one of the oldest still-standing structures in the area and was briefly lost to time until its rediscovery in 1817. When you visit, you can look at the impressive facades showcasing the durable architectural practises that are nearly 2,000 years old.
Aspendos
Aspendos is an ancient city that today is mostly known for its theatre. The Roman theatre at Aspendos has been remarkably well-preserved to the point that events are still hosted there. Of course, you can still see other structures as well, such as the Eurymedon Bridge and the ruins of an aqueduct within the ancient city's limits.
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