Hotels in Antalya

Antalya sits on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, backed by the Taurus Mountains and fronted by turquoise water that has earned the region the nickname 'Turkish Riviera'. The city proper has a population of over 2.5 million, making it Turkey's fifth-largest, but the atmosphere along the old harbour and clifftop parks feels far more intimate than those numbers suggest. Kaleiçi - the walled old quarter - dates back to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods and remains the emotional centre of the city.

Beyond the old town, Antalya is a launchpad for some of Turkey's most impressive ancient sites. Aspendos, Perge, and Termessos are all within day-trip range, and the Lycian Way hiking trail begins just west of the city. Two long public beaches - Konyaaltı to the west and Lara to the east - provide the classic sun-and-sea experience, while the Düden Waterfalls prove that Antalya's natural scenery extends well beyond the coastline.

Antalya International Airport (AYT) handles over 35 million passengers a year, with direct flights from most European cities, making the city one of the easiest Mediterranean destinations to reach. The climate is classic Mediterranean - hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters - with over 300 days of sunshine annually. The best times to visit are April to June and September to November, when temperatures hover around 25-30 °C and the ancient sites are not overwhelmed with summer tour groups.