Antalya

Antalya is the largest city on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and is the hub of the so-called Turkish Riviera.

Culture and History

Travel to Antalya - Visa Requirements

Antalya is the closest airport, served by inexpensive flights from Istanbul. (As low as $50.00, early booking is also available for lower prices).

By air

Being 10km from the city from Antalya, Antalya Airport [1] (IATA: AYT; ICAO: LTAI) caters for the charter flights full of holiday makers. Airlines that serve Antalya include: Turkish Airlines [2] which operates very regular flights from Ankara and İstanbul-Atatürk (more than once daily), and Aeroflot [3] which operates daily flights from Moscow-Sheremetyevo.

Buses to Antalya

The Turkish bus system is comprehensive and you can get about anywhere from anywhere. Better spend a few more liras and you will have an unforgettable journey. Ulusoy has buses with seats that resemble business class in airplanes. Some even have an onboard WLAN. There are also other bus companies, including Varan, and Kamil Koc.

Fares are low. Simply show up at the bus station (“otogar”) and announce your destination. From most cities, there are an overnight bus options (with Antalya [4]).

By boat

Most travelers arrive in Marmaris from Rhodes, Greece, then bus it overland.

You can also take a ferry from Kastellorizo, a tiny Greek island just off the Turkish fishing village of Kas.

By train

The nearest train station is in Burdur, 122 km north. Although Turkish State Railways (TCDD) [5] ceased to operate direct passenger trains to Burdur from Istanbul, you can still buy a ticket for Pamukkale Express, which has sleeper berths as well as a coach car. You should get off the train in Dinar station and transfer to the connecting bus provided by TCDD (no extra payment other than your train ticket). Once in Burdur, all you need is to catch a minibus for Antalya, which takes one and a half hour and costs 9 YTL/person one-way. All this may seem a bit of a hassle, but it is still an option if you are on a tight budget, keen on reducing your carbon footprint or hold an Inter Rail pass.

Tours and Getting around Antalya

Antalya offers a variety of public transportation, such as public buses, trams, mini-buses, taxicabs and dolmus.

By bus

In Antalya, buses pass from anywhere to any destination in the city. Fares are low and most buses offer air-conditioning and TV even for short routes. To travel to remote places you may need to travel to the bus terminal first. The bus terminal has its own buses with distinctive blue stripes. As of 2007 bus terminal to city to airport travel is possible every two hours. Moreover, to reach the airport, "Havas" buses can be used which are more expensive but more frequent, and they depart from "Güllük PTT". There are publıc buses from the aırport whıch leave on the hour and some half hours and costs 1 New Turkish Lira. To catch the public bus from the International Terminal to go next to the Taxi stand to the blue "D" sign which also has the bus schedule posted on it (don't mind the taxi drivers they will try to charge you 20+ Euros).

By dolmus

Dolmus literally means "filled up". Dolmus is a large cab, a station wagon, a regular taxi or a minibus that travels a certain route. Most major public transportation stations have a dolmus station, where you just take a seat in the dolmus that travels your desired route. In Antalya dolmus does not wait until it fills up. Instead, it is scheduled. However, if empty dolmus will move slowly hoping to find more passenger. Still it has to abide its schedule and cannot stall much.

By taxi

There are taxi stands all over the city where the drivers have their base and tea pot. Each taxi is metered and there are two different rates. After midnight (24:00) till morning (06:00) it will cost 50% more than the daytime fare. For popular destinations there are price lists showing the rate in Euro. A fair rate is about TRY 0.8 to 1 per kilometer. To the airport there is almost no alternative than the taxi and it will set you back with 15 Euro (ca 28 TRY) during the day.

You can also negotiate with any taxi driver to be your private tour guide. You also have to pay the gas money. This option could be quiet expensive but if you have the money, it is worth it!

By tramway

The tramway has been donated by the German city of Nuremberg and connects the western Konyaalti Beach and Antalya Museum to the eastern part of the city center. It runs all 30 min. in either direction and costs 1 TRY per person. Tramway can be used for sightseeing as it passes most beautiful places of the city center.

By car rental

Car rentals are available in the bus terminal, air port and city center. It is adviced not to use car to reach city center (specially Cumhuriyet, Atatürk, Isiklar streets, and old city), as finding a car park and the way people drive(sometimes you feel like you are in the race tracks)might be difficult. Be sure to abide non-parking restrictions, the municipality is very strict about it. There are destination signs on roads to help travelers. Also most of the younger locals know English will be pleased to help about your destination. You can also obtain city map from tourist information desks in the city center.

By bicycle

Using bicycle in crowded roads might be dangerous and tiresome(especially in summer as the temperature hits to high 40's at noon(100F-120F). However, there are few bicycle-only roads passing sea-side having incredible sight.

Antalya tourist attractions and sightseeing

Antalya is rich in history and art.

• The old quarter, Kaleiçi, has narrow, winding streets enclosed in ancient city walls. Although there are other entrances, it is best to enter and exit the old quarter from charming Hadrianus Gate, built by the Roman emperor Hadrianus as the entrance arch to the city.
• There's a great archaeology museum and plenty of historic buildings and ancient ruins nearby.
• Aspendos Theater(ancient Roman theater)

Antalya city tours

Most of Antalya's historic buildings can be found along the narrow, winding streets of Kaleiçi, the old quarter. Historical, architectural and archaeological sites of note include: Yivli Minaret, Karatay Medresesi, Hıdırlık Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Paşa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque, Hadrian Arch, and the Clock Tower. Many structures date back to the Hellenistic era. Also The Antalya Museum has a notable archaeology collection.

• Walk around and chill at Karaalıoğlu Park or observe fishermen at lively Yacht Harbour
• Shop at great malls; 5M and Deepo Outlet Center.

You must go to Döner Gazino and Restaurant located on Tünek Tepe which presents a splendid panorama of Antalya. Tünek Tepe is a hill at the west side of Antalya city. Its height is 618 m (2009 feet). On top of it there is a hotel, night club and rotating restaurant. (The name of it has become Döner Gazino which means "rotating house in public".) The night club is mostly open for private parties.

You can take a short scenic cruise on the Mediterranean from the boats anchored in the harbor. Assume that the right price is about half of the first price you are offered. Don't believe their assurances that the boat is leaving right away--the boat will leave when the owners think there is no reasonable chance that more passengers can be persuaded to board. Morning cruises tend to be calmer than afternoon cruises.

Antalya souvenirs and shopping

The usual souvenirs, kilims, blue eyes, fake designer clothing, shoes, aromatic herbs, waterpipes and more. Pharmacies sell most prescription drugs completely legal just over the counter and at low prices. A wide array of generics (drugs containing the same agent as a brand medicine, but from less known companies) is also available. Bestsellers include Viagra, Prozac, Ventolin, Xenical, various contraceptive pills and antibiotics.

A word of caution

The export of antiques or objects considered so is strictly forbidden and will cause a lot of problems not to say hefty fines to those caught when leaving the country. Possession and possibly even commerce in Turkey is legal - just the export is banned. Be on your guard and don't believe sellers who may try to convince you of the opposite. Also, customs back home target more and more faked goods such as video, CDs, shoes, watches and the like. The odds of being caught are minimal, but you should know that you are moving on illegal terrain.

Antalya Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Food is extemely cheap, and good. Full meals will cost you about 5 to 10 New Turkish Lira, about 3 to 7 US Dollars. Service is amazing, and only matched by its genuine friendliness. One caveat to be aware of is to make sure the quoted price is the same as the price written on the menu. One must experience the desserts, it is a must.

You must also go to a seafood restaurants such as Antalya Balikevi.

Antalya nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Antalya has a lively nightlife in summer. Options include bars with nargile (Waterpipe), games, live music and sitting around, discotheques with glamorous visitors, etc. On Konyaalti's Beach Park one club follows the next.

You must also try Raki. Raki is a traditional achocolic beverage. Make sure you do not drink it fast otherwise you will be out quickly.

Some of traditional houses of Kaleiçi (Old City) has been turned into bars. Their gardens shaded by trees offer a nice escape with a beer from the peak of summer heat. A pint (500 mL) of beer costed 3-5 YTL in April, 2008 there.

Mr Blues Pub, 5 minutes from the Broken Mosque, on the Hidirlik Sokak. Munir Soykam, the owner is a genuine fan of blues, mainly electric. Very pleasant environment.

Antalya cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• Whitegarden Hotel / Pansiyon, Kaleiçi, Hesapçı Geçidi 9, ☎ 0242-241 91 15, 0242-247 41 66, [6]. Simple, clean and cheap hotel in the old town offers friendly service and good Turkish breakfast.20 ytl.  
• Terra Anatolia House / Pansiyon, Kaleiçi, Hesapçı Geçidi 5, ☎ 0242-244 37 35, [7]. This is a bed & breakfast type small hotel in the oldcity area of Antalya.25 Euro.  
• Sibel / Pansiyon, Kaleiçi, Fırın Sok. 30, ☎ 0242-241 13 16. Very nice hotel owned by a warmhearted French woman who also speaks German and Turkish. Rooms have aircon, satellite TV and private bathrooms. It is quiet at night and the breakfast is delicious.25 Euro.  

You can just stroll around (with luggage) and you won't have to wait for long until you'll be offered 'Pansiyon' (Hostel) accommodation. Almost every second house in the Old Town is a small hotel. A couple of years ago summers used to be packed but those days seem to be gone. The big share of visitors to this region are package tourists being channeled through 'all inclusive' programs outside the city. The going rate for a double room with ensuite is TRY 20-35 per night/room. In Lara, a suburb of Antalya, there are a lot of well designed 5-star hotels.

• Hillside Su, Konyaalti, 07050 Antalya, ☎ +902422490700, [8]. Hillside Su, located in one of the most breathtaking shores of south of Turkey, Antalya, offers its guests a place of purity, where serene, crisp white connects with flashes of fiery red and mysterious black. Hillside Su is an urban hotel, located just 15 minutes away from the Antalya airport and is the member of the Design Hotels Group, a group consisting of a limited number of concept hotels each with distinguishing architecture and lifestyle. Underscored by the ambiance of passion and perfection, Hillside Su is a dynamic and inspirational haven. Glittering disco balls, along with multi-colored lighting turns the heat up at the all-white, 1960s inspired Hillside Su, where the environment encourages exploration and inner freedom. The six enormous disco balls dominate the impressive lounge with a spectacular light show and set the tone for the whole Hillside experience- loungy laziness with a healthy dose of debauchery. Hillside Su meets the alternative expectations of the contemporary individuals with its dynamic lifestyle and its different characteristics. Having a blue flag beach of its own, Hillside Su is a holiday hotel with 294 all white rooms, including 39 suites and 1 presidential and 1 specially designed suite. Within the rooms there are 2 line cordless phones w/voicemail, data port, air conditioning, safe, balcony w/sofa, interactive satellite TV, mood lighting and a “Maxi Bar” stuffed full of 100 products, including toiletries, snacks and a range of booze. As recreation, you may find a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool Olympic size in length and with an impressive underwater music system, a specially decorated SPA including a Turkish bath, Sanda SPA treatments and massage rooms, sports options such as squash, tennis, fitness, water sports, beach volleyball and football. As food & drink alternatives, Buffet & A la Carte restaurants serve Mediterranean, Far Eastern and world cuisines with the finest wine selections. Kırmızı, Lounge, Pool, Beach, 5. Kat and Sushi restaurants are at your service too along with 24 hour room service. With a ballroom and a foyer, a Congress Hall with balcony, 8 meeting rooms, and a Business Center, all fully equipped with the most recent technology, Hillside Su has a perfect infrastructure for meetings and conferences.  

Splurge

• Hillside Su, [9]. Slip into something amazing, slip into the SU experience! Relax and rebound in a cool place with cool people. Hillside SU Hotel is an inspiring environment, a dazzling design, reflecting light and white to the rhythm of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. A truly motivating atmosphere for pleasure as well as business with exclusive distractions like SPA and beauty, beaches and pools, choice of restaurants serving variety of cuisines, an old town to visit, breathtaking historical places, walking distance shopping malls while the airport is just minutes away. Be thrilled by surprising light effects in the lobby and striking designs in your room, hang out on a seemingly endless beach under the bright Mediterranean sun. The ultimate in cool.  

Get out

Kemer to the south west is a touristic sea side region popular with the historical places, night life and hotels which is half an hour from Antalya city. Alanya to the south east is a popular tourist destination 2 hours away. Side to the east is popular with golf links and luxury hotels. Kaş which is about 2 hours drive from Antalya can be another excellent choice for extended holiday if you decide to run away from the whole crowd. Trains and buses arrive in the travel hub of Denizli. From there, dolmus take you the 10 miles or so to Pamukkale. During high season, buses run direct from tourist centers including Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara, Fethiye, Bodrum, Marmaris and Selcuk. Kalkan which is half an hour further west of Kas. A beautiful upmarket harbour town with cobbled streets and high quality restaurants. Nearby Patara has the best golden sand beach on the Mediterranean coast, and can be visited even if you are not staying there. Cirali is a coastal town even closer, with several mid-range, quiet pansiyons to stay at, including Hotel Canada, with pleasant gardens. The beach at Cirali is protected from development because sea turtles come onto shore every year to lay their eggs. The beach at nearby Olimpos is also a nice, pebble beach. Accommodations in Olimpos are more backpacker style, with treehouses especially popular with younger travelers. Demre is located about twenty miles from Antalya, and is the site of the St Nicolas Church, assoicated with the real Santa Claus (don't miss the larger than life Santa Claus statue in town.) Also just outside Demre are Lycian rock tombs in the cliffsides. The Antalya region has some of the finest Roman ruins in the country, including Perge and Aspendos, with the largest, most well preserved Roman amphitheater anywhere.

• If you intend to head north by hitchhiking, take public minibuses #25 or #57 which stops at city bus stops near the otogar. These minibus lines take you to a highway junction with traffic lights out of city, situated amidst pine woods. This junction is not the last stop so be sure not to miss the stop situated there. (fare: YTL 1.35/person)

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