Antalya area Holidays

from £ 240 pp

Holidays to the Antalya area are a mixed bag. Nature gave the Turkish Riviera pristine beaches and a rich green interior, while nurture gave it glamorous marinas and bespoke hotels.

Coastal scenery

Good looks are in the Antalya area’s genes. This region, in Turkey’s south-west corner, boasts a 400-mile sweep of white-sand beaches and secluded coves. And the coast is backed by olive groves, avocado plantations and the pine-clad Taurus Mountains.

Turkish Riviera

Over the years, nature has been given a helping hand, and the Antalya area is now one of Turkey’s most upmarket regions. In fact, it’s often referred to as the Turkish Riviera. In resorts like Side, the coastline is complemented by a yacht-filled marina and avenues of designer boutiques. In Belek, immaculate golf courses sidle up to the sand. And in Lara Beach and Kemer, hotels come with a luxury label.

Traditional Turkey

For all the Antalya area’s glamour, it’s easy to experience the region’s traditional side. In Antalya town, for example, the backstreets are brimming with bazaars, Ottoman architecture and restaurants serving up sizzling kebabs. Elsewhere, Side has its fair share of historical sites. The Roman baths, Byzantine basilica and Temple of Apollo are just the start of the story here.

At a glance

Tuck into fresh seafood in Side’s upmarket marina
Wander around Alanya’s Medieval castle
Hike through the region's pine-cloaked countryside

Destinations in Antalya Area

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Turkey’s southern sands

The shores of the Antalya area are strung with beaches. If you’re staying in Lara Beach or Belek, expect lively sweeps of coast freckled with cafés and watersports centres. In smaller towns like Kemer and Alanya, meanwhile, the pockets of sand are hemmed by forests and come with a little more towel space.
The big beach

Lara Beach tends to draw the biggest crowds in the area. The park behind the sand is prime barbecue and picnic territory, and family-sized benches are scattered among the pine trees. You can often buy bottles of water and freshly cut watermelon from locals looking to make a bit of cash.
The secret beach

Moonlight Beach in Kemer runs parallel to picturesque Moonlight Park – a huge expanse of pine and cedar trees. It’s a peaceful patch of sand, which tends to attract in-the-know locals rather than hordes of holidaymakers. Walk along the shore, and you’ll eventually come to a marina brimming with Turkish cafés and seafood restaurants.

Bargain Buys

The markets in the Antalya area are among the best in Turkey. Side’s Manavgat Market, which takes place on a Monday from 8am, is one of the biggest. Haggle your way around the leather, jewellery and clothes stalls, and you’ll find some great designer copies – in particular, wallets and handbags. Antalya Town’s Saturday Bazaar, meanwhile, is the place to head for fruit and veg in every colour of the rainbow.
Mid-Range Buys

For bespoke jewellery and ornaments, don’t miss the Sunday Folks Bazaar in Kemer – you’ll find it opposite the bus terminal. Over in Belek, there are a good number of stores offering quality embroidery and furnishings. For something that’ll remind you of your trip, pick up a hippy-esque dream catcher or a necklace adorned with the symbolic evil eye – Turkish residents swear it wards off bad spirits.
Designer Buys

For the best jewellery stores and big-name fashion outlets, Antalya town’s Konyaalti Caddesi and Isiklar Caddesi avenues hit the mark. Over in Lara Beach, you’ll find glossy shopping malls like the Laura Market, which heaves with high-end department stores and designer boutiques.

Laid-back evenings

Antalya town’s old quarter knows a thing or two about romantic nights out. Stroll down any of the cobbled paths within the vast castle walls and you’ll come across tavernas turning out giant platters of meze by candlelight. Lara Beach and Belek are pretty sedate, too, with a handful of bars, hotel shows and acoustic singers providing the bulk of the after-dark entertainment.
Lively evenings

Side leads the way when it comes to nightlife in the Antalya area. The nightclubs lining its harbour don’t close until the early hours. For stylish cocktail bars and a buzzy atmosphere, meanwhile, check out the harbour-side joints in Alanya. Casablanca and The Doors are popular haunts, with the latter known for its live rock music.

Gozleme

This is the Turkey’s answer to a Cornish pasty. Hand-rolled pastry is stuffed with fried aubergines and cooked over a griddle, before being served with dollops of cool, creamy yoghurt. There are tonnes of variations of the dish – other popular fillings include spinach, feta cheese and mushrooms.
Mussels

Unsurprisingly, seafood is a mainstay on menus across the Antalya area. You’ll be able to sample everything from barbecued swordfish to lemon-soaked calamari while you’re here. A popular Turkish seafood dish is freshly plucked mussels, stuffed with pine nuts, herbed rice and currants.
Testi kebab

You can’t visit Turkey without getting your teeth into a sizzling kebab, and this is the Antalya area’s twist on the national classic. Tender chunks of lamb, crunchy peppers and juicy tomatoes are sealed in a jar and cooked over hot coals, and then the jar is cracked open and prepared for serving.
Piyaz

Piyaz is made from beans, hard-boiled eggs and vegetables, all of which are tossed together with onion, parsley and sumac. Traditionally, it’s served as a meze dish, but in the Antalya area, it’s often offered as a main course along with fluffy mashed potatoes.
Raki

It’s rumoured that Greeks knock back around 60 million litres of raki a year. This clear brandy is made from grapes and raisins, and it’s flavoured with anise, which gives it a liquorice-like taste. Sip the sticky liquid slowly after your main meal to aid digestion.

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Antalya area Holidays

Coastal scenery

Turkish Riviera

Traditional Turkey

At a glance

Destinations in Antalya Area

Top Destinations

Top things to See and Do in Antalya area

Turkey’s southern sands

The big beach

The secret beach

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Gozleme

Mussels

Testi kebab

Piyaz

Raki

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Our destinations in Antalya Area

Alanya

Belek

Kemer

Lara Beach

Manavgat

Side

Kaleici

Incekum

Beldibi

Konyaalti

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