Antalya

Where to Stay in Antalya

Antalya spreads along the Mediterranean with the old town (Kaleiçi) and city centre in the middle, Konyaaltı beach to the west, Lara and the big resort strips to the east, and satellite resort towns further along the coast. The airport is east of the centre, so the closest practical bases are Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı and Lara; travellers who want an all-inclusive or small-town stay should expect a longer private transfer or a slow public connection. Choose by your pace: first-time sightseers do best in Kaleiçi or Konyaaltı, beach-resort fans in Belek, Side or Kemer, and repeat visitors often head to Alanya or Kaş.

Kaleiçi

Mid-range

First-time visitors Sightseeing Food Nightlife

The compact old town is the historic core, with Ottoman-era lanes, Hadrian's Gate, the harbour and a dense mix of pensions, boutique hotels and restaurants. It is the obvious base for first-time visitors who want to sightsee on foot and be near the main landmarks.

Very walkable to major sights, harbour and tram stop İsmetpaşa
Strong atmosphere with old buildings, restaurants and bars
Direct airport tram line T1A reaches İsmetpaşa, then a short downhill walk

Narrow, partly pedestrian cobbled lanes can be hilly and hard with luggage
Can be noisy near harbour bars and nightlife

From the airport AYT ~25 mins · €0.8+

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Konyaaltı Beach

Mid-range

Beach Families Food Good transport

A long beach and promenade strip west of the centre with apartment hotels, parks, and a lively but less historic feel. It suits families and beach-focused travellers who still want easy city access and a direct airport bus.

Direct airport bus 400 and Havaş shuttle serve the area
Flat promenade is easy for walking, cycling and beach access
Many restaurants, cafés and supermarkets along the beach road

Spread out; you may need a taxi or dolmuş to reach specific hotels
Beach road can be busy, and there is no old-town atmosphere

From the airport AYT ~28 mins · €0.8+

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Lara

Mid-range

Beach Families Shopping Good transport

Lara is the eastern coastal strip with sandy beaches, Düden Park and large shopping malls, plus many mid-range and upscale hotels. It is convenient for the airport and good for beach-and-shopping stays, though the much larger Kundu resort strip further east is often sold as Lara and has no direct airport bus.

Direct airport bus 800 serves Lara via Düden Park
Beach parks, waterfall viewpoints and shopping malls are close
More local life and dining than the purpose-built resort zones

Main roads can be busy and noisy
Kundu all-inclusive strip is not served by the airport bus; use taxi or transfer

From the airport AYT ~23 mins · €0.8+

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Belek

Upscale

Luxury Families Beach Quiet

Belek is a purpose-built luxury resort and golf area east of Antalya with wide sandy beaches, all-inclusive hotels and little local town life. It is best for families and golfers who plan to stay mostly within their resort.

High concentration of upscale all-inclusive and golf resorts
Quiet, landscaped resort environment with good beach facilities
Most hotels arrange airport transfers directly

No direct airport public transport; taxi or pre-arranged transfer is the realistic option
Little walkable local life outside the resorts

From the airport AYT ~40 mins · €0.75+

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Side

Mid-range

Sightseeing Families Beach Quiet

Side is a historic resort town with Roman ruins, a compact old centre, sandy beaches and many family-oriented hotels. It rewards visitors who want a mix of sightseeing and beach time but do not mind a long transfer from Antalya airport.

Ruins and beach are close together; old centre is walkable
Wide range of family-friendly hotels and restaurants
More atmosphere than many purpose-built resort strips

Long public transfer via Manavgat with changes; taxi or private transfer is easier
Can feel crowded in the old town and around the beach in high season

From the airport AYT ~63 mins · €6+

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Kemer

Mid-range

Beach Nightlife Families Good transport

Kemer is a lively resort town southwest of Antalya with a marina, pebble beach, mountain backdrop and plenty of hotels, boat trips and nightlife. It suits beachgoers and families who want a compact resort centre rather than an isolated hotel zone.

Compact, walkable centre around the marina and beach
Good bus and dolmuş connections from Antalya Otogar
Many boat excursions and outdoor activities nearby

No direct airport bus; requires a bus from the otogar or a transfer
Beaches are mostly pebble rather than sand

From the airport AYT ~58 mins · €3.8+

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Alanya

Mid-range

Beach Nightlife Sightseeing Families

Alanya is a large resort city east of Antalya with long sandy beaches, a castle-topped peninsula, caves and a busy nightlife and dining scene. It is better for longer stays or repeat visitors, especially since Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport is much closer than Antalya airport.

Long beaches plus castle and cave sights
Wide choice of hotels, restaurants and nightlife
Good for a self-contained holiday without needing Antalya centre

Long overland trip from Antalya airport via otogar bus
Can be hot and crowded in summer, and the centre is less walkable than smaller resorts

From the airport AYT ~105 mins · €8.1+

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Kaş

Mid-range

Sightseeing Food Quiet Local life

Kaş is a small, scenic coastal town with a bohemian old town, rocky coves, diving and boat trips, and excellent cafés and restaurants. It is best for slow travel and repeat visitors who are willing to make the long transfer from Antalya airport.