Why Antalya is a Good Holiday Destination
If you are wondering if Antalya is a good holiday destination, our answer is a wholehearted yes. We can provide proof as well. Historically, this Mediterranean delight is Turkey’s top beach holiday destination and the second most popular place for tourists. Antalya also ranks as the second most popular place for foreigners and Turks buying property, either as a holiday home or to live here all year round.
Sitting on the southern coastline, the name refers to the larger region, resorts and the city. Overall, many attributes lure in travellers from everywhere, including a diverse nightlife scene, blue waters, beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and of course, copious amounts of sunshine. Whether you want relaxation, picturesque landscapes, or a lively party scene, Antalya provides hence its reputation as one of Turkey’s best holiday destinations. Let’s look at the tourist region in-depth.
Why Antalya is a Good Holiday Destination
1: Beach Holiday Accommodation
When we go on holiday, the most crucial aspect is where we stay, and this is where Antalya comes up trumps. Across the region, hundreds of hotels host overnight guests with professionalism and style. The choice is fantastic, from all-inclusive resorts to old town boutique pensions. Villas make ideal accommodation for those who want self-catering. At the same time, the Lara Beach district, nicknamed Turkey’s version of Las Vegas, is excellent for half-board, last minute and all-inclusive holidays. Stay in the city centre if the purpose of your trip is city breaks, otherwise book into a resort & Spa for relaxation and pampering. Last-minute late deals are big business in Antalya, so every holidaymaker always finds their ideal place to stay.
2: Antalya Airport: State of the Art
Cosmopolitan Antalya makes a great getaway destination because its ultramodern airport focuses on getting people through quickly and smoothly. Its itinerary features many direct flights to hundreds of countries, and usually, passengers find great airfare deals at bargain prices. Operating all year-round, during regular times outside of COVID, Antalya airport hosts 20,000 air passengers a year, making Turkey’s top touristic airport and third busiest air travel hub. Stylish departure lounges make waiting for your flight comfortable, while for those arriving, jump in a taxi or use car-hire to reach your chosen destination in Antalya.
3: Sail the Turkish Riviera
Beachside Antalya is part of the Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast. This stretches from the Aegean to the Mediterranean Sea and encompasses many villages, towns, coves, bays, and coastal resorts. As a sailor’s playground, set routes called Blue cruises delight everyone. To be traditional, jump on board a Turkish gulet boat, a time-honoured vessel harping from the days of small, Turkish fishing villages. Many people also go sailing on a modern yacht. Book a private blue cruise and enjoy a tailor-made itinerary to take in sights and blue-water. To be clear, Antalya has a solid reputation in the leisure sailing scene, bringing in fans from everywhere.
4: Sandy Beaches and Water sports
Antalya is the top beach vacation destination in Turkey, and one look at its tranquil seaside and pristine sands explain why. Pick up any good travel guide, and they mention numerous beach resorts. Additionally, four of Antalya’s beaches, Lara, Konyaalti, Cleopatra’s and Kaputas, regularly rank on Trip Advisor as the best in Turkey. As well as offering a fantastic sea-view, holidaymakers participate in numerous water sports, including snorkelling and scuba diving. Otherwise, all popular beach destinations offer umbrellas and sunbeds to rent, so indulge in that idyllic blue sea and gorgeous sunbathing weather.
5: Sightseeing and the Best Places to Visit
Backed by the Taurus mountains and fronted by golden sands, Antalya is just one big family-friendly playground to be adventurous. Take time out to see beautiful waterfalls, explore old town Ottoman landmarks, and finish with lunch in the harbour district. Take a day-trip excursion to Pamukkale, Turkey’s top sight of natural beauty. Head off into the countryside to discover roman ruins and archaeological places of interest, or spot tombs from the Lycian way trekking route, as seen in Myra and Kas. Go bazaar shopping, visit theme parks like Land of legends, go rafting in Alanya or indulge in a relaxing Turkish bath. Go golfing in Belek, and during winter, you can even go skiing in Antalya! As you can see, nobody ever asks where to go in Antalya.
6: Eating out and Nightlife
When tempting the tastebuds, Antalya delivers in bucket fills with cuisines from all around the world. On all holidays, we like to indulge, and a favourite pastime in Antalya is the rooftop terrace or seaside dining for the Mediterranean vibes. Also, know Turkish cuisine extends far more than a typically stereotyped kebab, and we wholeheartedly recommend trying the mezes, desserts, and main dishes. Whether you want street food, pavement cafes or a fine dining establishment, expect to put on a few pounds while in Antalya.
7: Best Destinations in Antalya
Alanya Beach Resort: Ah glorious Alanya. Such is the growing reputation of this bustling town; increasingly, more holidaymakers flock every year. Sitting at the far eastern tip of the Antalya region, Alanya is roughly a 2-hour drive from the airport. However, nearby Gazipasa airport is frequently being used as it expands its flight schedule. The Mahmutlar district of Alanya is also popular with foreigners looking to find a holiday home to buy.
Belek Holiday Resort: This town boasts about being Turkey’s top golfing capital. Having hosted many famous championships and players like Tiger Woods, the golfing world holds it in high esteem thanks to the state-of-the-art courses. Aside from that, Belek boasts gorgeous beaches and large five-star hotels selling spa packages for wellbeing.
City Centre: As one of the most popular holiday destinations in Antalya, the city centre is for those who want to be in the beating heart. Places like Kaleici, the old part of town, attract hundreds of holidaymakers, as do Konyaalti and Lara beach district. A museum and aquarium make the city centre a great place for children, and it serves as a suitable hub to road trip the destination thanks to the central bus station.
Kalkan and the Kas Peninsula: Secluded Kalkan and laid back Kas sit side by side on the outskirts of the Antalya region before it ventures into Fethiye. Kalkan is the place to soak up luxury vibes on the Turkish travel market, while many a traveller puts Kas on their bucket list thanks to the rustic and traditional ambience. Kalkan is also great for family holidays because the accommodation market stems around large, private, self-catering villas.
More Area Guides: So, Antalya is excellent for a winter or summer holiday, as you can see. The proof is seen in the growing number of Turks and foreigners who flock to the region to buy holiday homes. In the COVID era, a surge in requests for detached villas in places like Belek boosted its profile. Antalya takes first position on the holiday home real estate market of Turkey, cementing its reputation as one of the best destinations for vacations. Find out more about the region and popular beachfront destination in our area guides, including useful local information to help plan a visit.
About Us: We are Turkey Homes, a property and investment specialist with offices all around the country, including Antalya. We hope we have answered your question as to whether Antalya is a good holiday destination and shown proof and reasons to visit. Alternatively, our blog about Turkey includes much more information about Turkish food, places, history, culture, and beautiful Antalya.
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