How many days do you need to see the city of Antalya?

You could cover the essential attractions of Antalya on a weekend break, with time to skim around the historic old town and have a meal at the marina. This wouldn't really be doing it justice, though. If you can stretch your visit to three nights or more, you can move at a more leisurely pace. You'll have time to prowl the traditional bazaars, try the local food and spend time at the beach. You could extend your visit to a week if you want to include some museums and a cultural or countryside day trip.

Should I hire a car in Antalya?

If you're visiting Antalya for a city break, then you're unlikely to need a car. The old town and historic monuments are easily walkable. A lot of the old cobbled streets are closed to cars anyway, so you can wander around freely. You'll also find a good bus and taxi service, as well as an urban rail network, so you can get out to the beach without too much trouble. For local natural attractions such as Duden falls or the Roman theatre at Aspendos, you should take an organised trip.

Is Antalya a good place for a city break?

Antalya is excellent for a city break within reach of the sea. You can walk around the historic Kaleici district comfortably on foot and you'll find many of the narrow streets pedestrianised. Along the way, you'll see buildings of the Greek, Seljuk and Ottoman eras, many of which have been restored and repurposed as shops, bars or hotels. In the evenings, you might head to the old city marina for a drink with a pretty sea view, followed by some fresh seafood or Turkish kebabs and live music in a bar.

Is Antalya a family-friendly city?

Yes, Antalya is friendly to families, with some hotels expressly designed for them. You can stay in your own theme park, with on-site water slides and other children's activities, or visit one of the aqua parks around the city. Antalya has one of the world's largest aquarium complexes with 40 themed aquariums and a 131-metre tunnel aquarium. Here your kids can meet the interesting species in the tropical reptile house, swim with rays or sharks and sail virtual seas in the Oceanride XD Cinema. You can also visit Lunapark or the giant sand sculptures at Sandland.

Is Antalya City worth visiting?

It's most definitely worth your time to visit Antalya City, whether it's for a weekend break or a longer holiday. You'll find it full of interesting sights, lots of welcoming and fascinating people and good food. In the historic area of Kaleici, you'll see that many of the old mansions have been turned into hotels or cafes where you can eat outside or stop for a cool drink in the courtyards. Antalya City is also somewhere you can visit at any time of year because, even in winter, the climate is relatively mild and there are plenty of things to do indoors.

How far is Antalya City from Belek?

You can drive there in 32 minutes. You can also catch a fast bus that will cover the distance in 40 minutes. Buses run every day and depart every hour, so you can comfortably manage a day trip, and it's not expensive. If you're staying in Belek, you can come to Antalya City for the historic sites and shopping. If you're already in Antalya City, you might want to go to Belek to see the Roman amphitheatre, play golf or indulge yourself with a spa treatment.

Antalya Holidays

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History
When you choose a city break to Antalya you'll have the best of the Turkish Riviera in a region full of history. You'll find Antalya tucked in a bay in the south of Turkey on what is known as the Turquoise Coast. The city bears witness to two thousand years of occupation. Perhaps its most magnificent monument is Hadrian's Gate, with three arched gateways and two towers set into the fortification walls. You'll also see a Roman watchtower and a Roman temple that's been converted to a mosque, as well as the ancient port and houses.
City attractions
This is also one of Turkey's largest cities, and you'll see recent urban architecture, big open squares and modern tourist attractions. Water parks and amusements are very popular, as is the huge Antalya Aquarium. You'll find Antalya City surrounded by parks and green spaces. It's in a mountainous region with waterfalls and ancient remains. You also have recently built shopping malls as well as traditional bazaars.
Beach
Let's not forget that Antalya City breaks also put you on the Turquoise Coast, and Konyaalti town beach is just on its western edge. If you have more time, 25 minutes' drive or 45 minutes by local bus will take you to the glitzy resort of Lara and its Blue Flag-certified beach. With its 12 kilometres of fine sand and clean water, you can also see the lower Duden waterfalls from Lara Beach on a boat trip.