Antalya travel guide: the coast at a glance
“Antalya” on a holiday booking means 150 km of coast between the Taurus mountains and the sea, from Kemer in the west to Alanya in the east. Choosing the right resort matters more here than almost anywhere: the airport transfer ranges from 20 minutes to over two hours, and each area has a very different character.
Which resort is right for you?
| Area | Character | Beach | Best for | From AYT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya city (Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı) | A real city of over a million people: Ottoman old town, museums, restaurants, trams | Konyaaltı: long pebble beach with mountain views | City breaks, food, winter visits | 25 min |
| Lara | Cliff-top district east of the centre with hotels and the Düden waterfall | Sandy Lara beach | Short transfer, city plus beach | 20 min |
| Kundu | A line of huge themed all-inclusive resorts | Long sandy beach | All-inclusive in 25 minutes from the airport | 25 min |
| Belek | Resorts in pine forest, 12 championship golf courses | Long sandy beaches, turtle nesting area | Golf, families, upmarket all-inclusive | 35 min |
| Side | Roman ruins on a peninsula, family resorts on both sides | Sandy, shallow water | Families, history, evenings out | 1 h 10 min |
| Kemer | Mountains meet the sea; pine-backed coves west of Antalya | Pebble and shingle, very clear water | Scenery, hiking, boat trips | 1 h |
| Alanya | Lively city around a castle rock; apartments and nightlife | Cleopatra Beach, fine sand | Nightlife, long stays, winter sun | 2 h 10 min |
Times are typical daytime drives from Antalya Airport (AYT). Click a resort name for its guide, or a time for the transfer page.
Plan your trip
Antalya Airport transfers
Driving times and realistic prices to every resort, with a calculator for your group.
Weather and sea temperature
Month by month: when the sea is warm enough, how hot August gets, the live 10-day forecast.
Golf in Belek
All 12 courses compared with green fees and the best months to play.
Day trips
Aspendos, Perge, Köprülü Canyon, Antalya Old Town, Termessos and Pamukkale.
Antalya city itself
Many visitors only pass through Antalya on the way from the airport, which is a shame. Kaleiçi, the walled old town, is a maze of restored Ottoman houses, small hotels and courtyard restaurants above the Roman harbour. Enter through Hadrian’s Gate, built for the emperor’s visit in 130 AD, and walk down to the harbour for a boat trip along the cliffs.
The Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of the best in Türkiye, with the statues from Perge and a room of finely carved Roman sarcophagi. West of the centre, Konyaaltı beach runs for 7 km below the mountains; east of it, the Lower Düden waterfall drops straight off the cliffs into the sea at Lara.
A tram line links the museum, Kaleiçi and the eastern districts; taxis are plentiful and metered. The city is also the best base in winter, when many beach resorts close.
Getting there
Antalya Airport (AYT) is one of the busiest in Europe in summer, with direct flights from most of the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Poland. It lies 13 km east of the city centre. For Alanya, Gazipaşa-Alanya airport (GZP) is an alternative with fewer flights. See our airport transfer guide for every resort.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best area to stay near Antalya?
It depends on your holiday. For golf and quiet five-star resorts, Belek. For families who want sand and shallow water plus some history, Side. For mountains and clear water, Kemer. For nightlife and long stays, Alanya. For a city break with beach days, Antalya itself or Lara.
Is Antalya a city or a resort?
Both. Antalya is a city of over a million people with its own old town, museums and beaches. "Antalya" on a package holiday usually means the whole coast from Kemer to Alanya, about 150 km.
How many days do you need in Antalya?
A week suits most beach holidays with two or three day trips. Two days are enough for Antalya city itself: one for Kaleiçi and the harbour, one for the archaeological museum and the Düden waterfalls.
What is the best month to visit Antalya?
June and September for beach weather without the peak heat, May and October for sightseeing and golf. See our month-by-month weather guide for sea temperatures.