Antalya is the reason the phrase "Turkish riviera" exists. A long ribbon of coast backed by the Taurus mountains, packed with big all-inclusive resorts yet anchored by a genuinely charming old town. It is the easy answer when different people want different things from the same trip.
The all-inclusive coast
Resort zones like Lara, Belek, Side and Alanya are built for a switch-your-brain-off holiday: huge pools, water parks, à la carte restaurants and beaches on the doorstep. Belek leans upscale and golf-friendly; Side mixes ruins with resorts; Alanya is livelier and better value.
Kaleiçi — the old town
Do not spend the whole week behind resort walls. Kaleiçi, Antalya's old quarter, is a maze of Ottoman houses, boutique hotels and cafés tumbling down to a picture-perfect marina, with Hadrian's Gate at its edge.
Beyond the beach
The Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls, the ancient theatre of Aspendos, and boat trips along the cliffs are all easy half-day escapes. Families love The Land of Legends theme park.
When to go
May, June, September and October are glorious — hot but not brutal, and the sea holds its warmth into autumn. July and August are peak and genuinely hot.
Good to know
- Charter flights from the region land you a transfer away from the resort.
- All-inclusive quality varies a lot — read what "à la carte" and "premium drinks" actually include.
- Keep a day free for Kaleiçi at sunset.
