Not to be confused with Alanya, a resort 130 km further east, or with Antakya a historic city in Hatay province of eastern Turkey. Antalya is a city in Pamphylia on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and the chief resort of the "Turkish Riviera". It's a metropolis with a population of 2.7 million in 2022, the fifth largest city in the country.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The city was named after its first documented ruler Attalos II (220-138 BC), king of Pergamon, though it was obviously settled much earlier. Attalos' life and wife resembles soap opera, and his epiphet Philadelphos - "brother-loving" - hints at insecurity over how his relationship with back-from-the-dead brother and co-ruler Eumenes II might be portrayed. He based his fleet here - there were few alternatives along this exposed coast, and Attaleia (Ἀττάλεια) grew up around what's now called the Roman harbour. It never grew large as it lacked a hinterland - it's hemmed in by mountains with difficult routes to get inland, although a fertile coastal plain extends up to the east.
Single rides for tram or bus can be paid contactless with a credit card — costs about €1. In addition, Antalyakart is the plastic transport card you may use to get additional benefits. Buy it or reload it at kiosks along the tramway, at the airport and at the bus terminal; you probably need banknotes for this. You can also buy disposable paper cards for rided. But these don't allow transfers, nor can they be re-loaded, but you can load a suitable amount on purchase. Discount cards are only available for citizens with Turkish ID, who pay a little more upfront but get cheaper rides.
1 Hadrian's Gate (Turkish Üçkapılar, "three gates") is a good starting point for exploring Kaleiçi the old quarter. Built in 130 AD for the visit of Emperor Hadrian, it may have been ceremonial rather than a practical thoroughfare, as it became bricked up within the city walls. This preserved it, and it was only rediscovered when the walls crumbled in the 1950s. 2 Fluted Minaret Mosque (Yivliminare Camii), Cumhuriyet Cd. Elegant six-domed mosque built under Seljuk rule in 1230 and rebuilt in 1373 by the Hamidids. The minaret is 38 m tall. (updated Aug 2023) Dervish Lodge Museum opposite the mosque used to be the home of the Mevlevihane, the "Whirling Dervishes".
Boat trips leave from the harbour. Never believe their first price offer or departure time. Aqua parks are Waterhill opposite the Aquarium, and Park Aqua, Wet & Wild and Trendy Lara all east along Lara beach strip. Funfair – Akturpark is next to the Aquarium, open daily 18:00-02:00. You pay per ride, no overall admission charge. Football: Antalyaspor were relegated in 2026 and now play in TFF 1. Lig the second tier. Their home ground Antalya Stadium (capacity 32,500) is west of the city, 1 km from the museum off İsmail Baha Sürelsan Cd.
The downtown streets around Muratpaşa Mosque have many cheap eating places. 1 Piyazcı Sami, 25th Sk 1, ☏ +90 242 244 9190. Daily 10:00-22:00. Antalya-style piyaz (bean salad), kofte and other authentic fare. (updated Aug 2023) 2 Urfali Ciğercİ Apo, 14th Sk 17 (within Kasapoğlu İş Market). Simple place with good food. (updated Aug 2023) 3 Özkan Kebap, 1253th Sk 8/A, ☏ +90 242 244 8401. Daily 07:00-22:00. Good menu selection, budget place popular with locals. (updated Aug 2023) 4 Çiğköfteci Ömer Usta, Anafartalar Cd 65, Altındağ, ☏ +90 242 241 0402. Daily 11:00-01:00. Friendly place for çiğ köfte, raw meatballs.
Lots in old town and town centre. Names like Sheffield Pub, Edinburgh Social House and Dubh Linn tell you which demographic they're aiming for. Konyaalti beach strip west has The James Joyce and The Barrels. Lara town centre has Lucky Sports Bar and Patrick Irish Pub, but on the beach strip further east it's just the hotel bars. Doluca Vineyard is next to the airport entrance.
Standard precautions about traffic, water and sun safety, care of valuables and avoiding drunks. Antalya like any other big city has its quota of dodgy individuals, sharp-edged trash and stray dogs; but tourists have little reason to be in down-at-heel districts.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Antalya typically sees ~36°C daytime highs and 1 rainy days.
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