Antalya Holidays
Overview
The stunning city of Antalya, located in a bay on Turkey’s southern coast is an incredibly popular holiday destination to thousands of tourists each year! One of Turkey’s main resorts in the Mediterranean region, the city is loved by many for its palm lined streets, charming marina, delicious restaurants, excellent shopping, cosmopolitan nightlife and lots of historical attractions. Ideally set against the backdrop of the Taurus Mountains that rise dramatically 3000 metres above the city.
Known as ‘The Turkish Riviera’, Antalya offers a beautiful all year round climate and is the hottest region in Turkey. The beaches in Antalya are famed for their turquoise waters and beautiful fine white sands. Antalya's coastline is a place of contrasting beaches and secluded coves, sparkling seas and ancient harbours. Antalya is also home to many ancient ruins that date as far back as the 2nd Century Roman times and houses one of Turkey's top antiquities collections in the Archaeological Museum.
For families, younger couples and groups, beyond the archaeological wonders, the Antalya area also has a wealth of outdoor activities and is host to numerous sporting events throughout the year, including international beach volleyball, triathlons and canoeing competitions.
Climate
Things to do
More information
Antalya Weather
The weather is one of the main reasons why Antalya is so popular! Boasting, on average, 300 days of sun each year and only a few days of rain, Antalya is a fantastic holiday destination all year round.
The summer months in Antalya are absolutely beautiful, with the hottest months of July and August getting boiling! The summer months are long in Antalya, lasting from April until November. Temperatures range from 16ºC in April, rising to 28ºC in July and August and back down to 21ºC in October and 16 ºC in November.
During the winter months of December through to March the average temperatures range from 12 ºC to 13 ºC, making it pleasant weather if you want to get away from the UK’s cold winters. However, December and January are Antalya’s wettest months, so go prepared with an umbrella if you are going during these months.
Jan 14ºC
Feb 14ºC
Mar 18ºC
Apr 22ºC
May 25ºC
Jun 27ºC
Jul 28ºC
Aug 28ºC
Sep 25ºC
Oct 23ºC
Nov 19ºC
Dec 16ºC
Things To Do on Antalya Holidays
Antalya prides itself on offering such a diverse selection of attractions and things to do, that it will cater to everyone's tastes. Whether you want a relaxing beach holiday or an educational historical sightseeing tour, you will find so much to do in Antalya, you will find it hard to pack it all into one holiday!
Culture
The Antalya region is popular with those wanting to investigate its ancient ruins and archaeological sites of Turkey’s history. Inspiring attractions includes Olympus and the Fires of Chimaera, Termessos, Perge and Aspendos which are all definite must sees while you are in the area.
Olympus and the Fires of Chimaera is where you can witness an unexplainable fire that erupts from holes in the Chimaera Mountain. It has mystified scientists and locals for thousands of years, and you are able to visit the site and discover the myths from over the years about what has caused the fire.
Perge is one of the most important Greek and Roman towns in the region, ideally located approximately 30 minutes from Antalya. The site has many ruins including a theatre, Hellenistic and Roman Gates and a street with columns.
Aspendos is one of the most important Roman theaters on earth. If you are lucky, you may see a classical music concert performing live, as they still allow performances.
Antalya has a deep history and this is shown in its many beautiful mosques. The Kesik Minaret (Broken Minaret) Mosque demonstrates Antalya’s long history to the full to the full, the Yivli Minareli Mosque is a perfect example of 13th-century Seljuk stone carving and the 16th-century Murat Pasha Mosque is definitely worth investigating.
Couples
For a truly romantic experience, you should head 14 km north-east of Antalya and find the Upper Duden Waterfall, where you can enjoy walking behind a cascading waterfall. Once you have seen this breathtaking scene, you can watch the Lower Duden Waterfall drop into the sea from Lara Beach. Take a picnic and this will make an incredible day trip for you and your partner!
Shopping
Shopping in Antalya is fantastic! You will find many shops from designer stores, souvenir shops, traditional markets and many more!
The narrow cobbled streets of Kaleici in the old quarter is one of the most popular spots to go shopping, where you will find lots of fantastic boutiques, craft and souvenir shops and jewellers, all with long opening hours so you can while away the time, browsing the stores.
For a more traditional shopping experience, you will enjoy the many markets, roadside stalls and bazaars. You will be offered many bargains by the shopkeepers and stall holders, however never except their first price! They expect you to haggle, so be cheeky and you could get some local produce such as leather goods, carpets and jewellery at a great price!
For a fantastic souvenir idea, buy the blue glass beads on offer in most gift shops and market stalls as Antalya’s legend state that these beads protects you from the evil eye!
Nightlife
The hotels, restaurants and bars in Antalya provide an entertaining nightlife. You will find hotels offering floor shows with belly dancers and fantastic live music, and you will find people in Antalya town partying until the early hours each night.
The resort of Alanya has a lively nightlife and comes alive at night with seafront bars and late-night discos. The Club Arma is a popular venue, situated in a cliff overlooking the sparkling marina; this is a unique night out and one not to be missed! You will find a fantastic choice of bars and restaurants along Side’s Beach, including Lighthouse, Apollo and Oxyd which are open-air clubs.
If you prefer quieter and more relaxing evenings, you will enjoy strolling along the charming harbours and pretty streets of the smaller holiday resorts in Antalya or dine in the luscious waterfront restaurants.
Relaxation
Antalya is often referred to as the Turkish Riviera due to its beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise waters, which are perfect for sunbathing and watersports, especially as many of Turkey’s beaches have been awarded with a Blue Flag award.
Alanya has a great choice of gorgeous golden sandy beaches. One of the more secluded of these beaches has been named after Cleopatra as the city was given to her as a present from Anthony.
On the way to Lara Beach you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lower Düden Waterfalls cascading into the sea while Konyaalti Beach shows off amazing views of the Taurus Mountains!
Who goes to Antalya?
Antalya is such a popular holiday destination due to its diverse range of activities it offers its visitors. Fantastic for families, couples and even the more experienced traveler, Antalya’s mix of traditional, cosmopolitan and family friendly activities will ensure everyone will enjoy a holiday in Antalya!
Book a Antalya Holiday now!
A holiday in Antalya is ideal for everyone, whatever your needs you will find it in Antalya! For an all year round, fantastic holiday destination book your holiday to Antalya today!
On the Beach offers a brilliant range of self catered, half board and all inclusive cheap holidays to Antalya including hotels in Alanya, Kemer, Belek and Side. We also have access to the best deals on cheap charter flights to Antalya and can combine the two to offer the best value for money budget holiday to Antalya.
Antalya Resorts
Alanya
Your Turkey holidays would simply not be complete without a visit to Alanya. The 'Place Where the Sun Smiles' basks not only in clement sunshine but a … Read more on Alanya Travel Guide
Belek
Holidays to Belek are among Turkey's finest for the sheer level of local amenities, sports, decorative sights and wildlife on offer. If you crave a ho … Read more on Belek Travel Guide
Kemer
If you're after sun and sea on your Turkey holidays, look no further than the quiet Mediterranean coast of Kemer. Holidays to Kemer primarily mean pea … Read more on Kemer Travel Guide
Side
The white sands of Side are home to one of the most ancient cities you'll find on your Turkey holidays, with ruins scattered along the pine-strewn pen … Read more on Side Travel Guide
