Being the number one tourism destination in Turkey, Antalya has great sunny weather, warm blue oceans, and a super relaxed vibe.
I most enjoyed the mix of ancient Greek history that gradually evolved into the Ottoman Empire over the millennia.
While at night time Antalya was a brisk 10*C in November, in the day time, you can casually stroll around in shorts and catch some sunshine and Vitamin D.
There is even a fantastic salsa dancing scene here.
Below is a brief video review of Antalya, Turkey.
4 Days in Antalya
Walking around Antalya was a blast, because the touristic and social parts mostly reside along the coast.
At one point, I didn’t get off at my bus stop, and ended up on a 2 hour long bus ride to the fringes of the city.
Otherwise, everything is walkable in Antalya.
Tophane Donercisi restaurant with colourful doner and Turkish food signs
A classic dark green Mercedes-Benz cruising through sunny Antalya streets
Close-up of the Ataturk equestrian monument with figures reaching skyward
Republic Square with the Ataturk monument, Turkish flags, and Yivli Minare behind
Red-tiled rooftops of Kaleiqi old town nestled among palm trees and greenery
The charming hillside houses of Kaleiqi with palm trees and stone walls climbing the hill
Kaleiqi rooftops cascading down toward the shimmering Mediterranean Sea
Panoramic view of Kaleiqi old town rooftops with the Mediterranean and mountains beyond
The iconic Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) towering over terracotta rooftops
Holding up a sesame-crusted simit in the sunshine with Antalya park behind
A street musician in red playing accordion beside flowers by the ancient walls
The Saat Kulesi clock tower and domed mosque under a perfect blue sky with locals relaxing
A narrow cobblestone alley in Kaleiqi lined with souvenir shops and painted ceramics
A quiet cobblestone lane in Kaleiqi with carpet shops and hand-painted plates on display
A peaceful cobblestone street in Kaleiqi with boutique hotels and an ancient stone wall
A massive Turkish flag draped against the ancient walls of Kaleiqi with palm trees
Panoramic view of the old harbour packed with colourful tour boats and gulets
Hotels and restaurants perched on the dramatic cliffs above the harbour
Traditional wooden gulets and tour boats moored in the old harbour beneath the city walls
Colourful warrior figurines on the deck of the Kemal Kaptan tour boat
Sunbathers and swimmers at a cosy beach club tucked into the cliffs below Kaleiqi
An elderly Turkish man playing baglama while a woman looks on in the shade
A tour boat cruising the Mediterranean with the Taurus Mountains through the haze
The old harbour filled with boats and a Turkish flag against the ancient city walls
A man in a straw hat fishing from the rocks by the crystal-clear turquoise water
Luxury apartments and beach clubs stacked on the dramatic seaside cliffs
A wooden tour boat packed with tourists leaving the harbour on a sunny afternoon
A tour boat flying the Turkish flag glides past dramatic sea cliffs and hazy mountains
Panoramic view of Antalya coastline with a beach club and tour boat below the cliffs
Standing on the rocks at the old harbour with the turquoise water and city walls behind
Hundreds of fish schooling in the crystal-clear turquoise water of the harbour
A pirate-themed tour boat with a warrior figurehead and Turkish flag in the harbour
Stone buildings and a restaurant built into the ancient harbour walls at golden hour
A ginger and white street cat with different-coloured eyes lounging on a stone step
A colourful tourist map of the Antalya region showing attractions and distances
The Saat Kulesi clock tower and mosque with its blue dome under a bright blue sky
Grilled chicken kebab with bulgur, flatbread, and pickled vegetables at a Turkish restaurant
A zigzagging staircase with blue railings leading down the cliffs to the Mediterranean
A lone boat cutting across the golden Mediterranean at sunset with the Taurus Mountains behind
A fisherman standing on a rocky outcrop casting his line into the turquoise sea at dusk
A cliffside viewpoint at sunset with a couple looking out over the pink-hued sea
The rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs glowing orange at sunset over the Mediterranean
A couple sitting on the rocks above the crystal-clear water as the last light fades
A chocolate cookie, coconut pastry, and Turkish tea at a local cafe
Cliffside cafes with colourful umbrellas perched above a narrow stairway to the sea
Close-up of the Seljuk sultan equestrian statue pointing forward against a blue sky
Modern apartment blocks with a flower-filled park and palm trees along the boulevard
Trays of baklava, cookies, and Turkish pastries gleaming in a bakery display case
The dramatic golden cliffs of Antalya with cafes perched on top and the deep blue sea below
Hotels and high-rises lining the cliffs across the bay in warm late-afternoon light
Dining among cacti and ancient rocks at a seaside terrace overlooking the Mediterranean
Golden sunset over Konyaalti Beach with the sun dipping behind the Taurus Mountains
Stunning sunset view of Konyaalti Beach curving toward the mountains with beachgoers below
A vintage street lamp in focus with the golden beach and mountains softly blurred behind
Wide sunset view of Konyaalti Beach stretching toward the hazy mountains
A beachfront cafe with string lights, comfortable seating, and a cycling path at dusk
Antalya coastal park and boulevard glowing with street lights after dark
The old harbour lit up in green and neon at night with boats reflected in the water
Ancient Roman and Seljuk stone ruins being excavated next to the Yivli Minare
A souvenir shop overflowing with colourful Turkish lamps, ceramics, bowls, and hookahs
Handmade necklaces, evil eye charms, bracelets, and jewellery on display at a bazaar stall
A tabby street cat sitting in a storage box surrounded by colourful souvenirs
A Vitamin Paradise juice bar stacked with pomegranates, coconuts, and fresh fruits
Colourful Ottoman houses with a fountain and courtyard in Kaleiqi restored quarter
The turquoise harbour, lighthouse jetty, and dramatic cliffs from a high viewpoint
Standing on a cliff overlooking the harbour, cliffs, and Mediterranean coastline
Shielding eyes from the sun while posing above the harbour and dramatic sea cliffs
Driftwood sculptures of wild mountain goats in a Kaleiqi park with colourful houses behind
Locals strolling past bougainvillea-covered Ottoman houses on a sunlit Kaleiqi street
A flower-lined cobblestone walkway through the restored Ottoman quarter of Kaleiqi
Mounds of tumerik, paprika, hibiscus, ginseng, and yasemin spices at a Turkish spice shop
The massive round Hidirlik Tower overlooking the Mediterranean with palm trees and hazy mountains
Vibrant purple morning glory flowers blooming in the warm Antalya sunshine
A giant hand sculpture rising from a flower garden in a modern Antalya park
A palm-tree-lined promenade with people strolling through the coastal Ataturk Park
Colourful paintings of Turkish scenes and landscapes on easels at a Kaleiqi art vendor
Tourists browsing art, kilim rugs, and ceramics in a courtyard of an old Ottoman house
Three calico and ginger street cats curled up together napping on a warm stone step
Selfie above the old harbour with the lighthouse, turquoise water, and cliffs behind
A street musician playing baglama against the ancient stone walls of Kaleiqi
A resort beach club with thatched umbrellas, loungers, and palm trees on Lara Beach
Bonus: A Sand Sculpture Museum
To get here, simply visit Lara beach by bus, and use your Maps app to find these super amazing sand sculptures.
The massive Sandland lion sculpture welcoming visitors to the sand sculpture museum
A Seljuk warrior in armour standing before a pyramid with a dragon at the sand museum
A sand replica of the Taj Mahal and Mayan pyramid side by side at Sandland
A colossal sand dragon with an African woman figure emerging from the dunes
A towering Mayan step pyramid sculpted entirely from sand at the outdoor museum
A mythical griffon sculpture with massive wings at Sandland near Lara Beach
A giant iguana-like creature made of sand dwarfing everything around it
An African queen sand sculpture with ornate jewellery, camels, and a pyramid behind
A Viking warrior in an ornate helmet with braided beard emerging from the sand
Sand sculptures of Ganesha and Shiva from Hindu mythology towering against the sky
Cherubs, a reclining woman, and a massive Ganesha sculpture made entirely of sand
A sand sculpture of Poseidon with fish-scale armour and a sea monster at his side
A helmeted warrior on a winged horse sculpted from sand in incredible detail
A sand replica of the Roman Colosseum with arched columns and tiers of seating
A mermaid sand sculpture lounging among waves and seashells at Sandland
A massive medieval castle with towers and ramparts sculpted from sand
A wise old man with flowing hair and beard emerging from layered sand dunes
Viking warriors rowing a longship with shields and a lookout tower in sand
A towering sand Sphinx with Egyptian headdress and paws stretched forward
A grand columned building resembling a Roman temple sculpted from sand
A sand mermaid sitting on a rock with flowing hair against the blue sky
A fearsome Viking berserker with horned helmet, shield, and skulls carved from sand
Conclusion for Antalya, Turkey
Antalya could be a great place to park yourself for a month or two, but I would say it’s more ideal for a short visit to decompress from life, and absorb some sunshine.
There is also a language barrier, so learning Turkish is a huge benefit if you decide to stay longer.
Otherwise, Antalya is beautiful, historic, and highly recommended!
Written by
Leonidas K.
Since 2010, Leonidas has been an incredible Web Developer, and amazing Digital Marketer. He is the author of various exciting case studies in digital marketing, most notably in Pay Per Call Marketing.
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