Antalya Region Holidays

> > >

General

Things to do

Antalya Region Holidays – Breath-taking beaches and ancient history

One of the most popular holiday destinations in Turkey, the Antalya Region is famed for having the most beautiful coastline in the country – affectionately known as the Turkish Riviera. This is so much more than just a fantastic beach holiday destination however. You’ll find enchanting Old Quarters in Antalya city and Alanya, full of winding cobbled streets and crooked Ottoman-era houses. The Lycian Way, a 320-mile coastal path connecting Antalya with Fethiye, is considered one of the world’s most beautiful walks – ideal for hikers. Jeep safaris climb high into the Taurus Mountains through tiny, timeless Turkish mountain villages. And there are vibrant nightlife scenes in Antalya, Side and Manavgat for those looking to party the night away.

The area is littered with astounding, ancient historical sites, including the Roman Amphitheatres at Aspendos and Side and haunting crumbling ruins at Perge, Termessos and Simena. Natural wonders abound, from the thundering Düden, Kursunlu and Manavgat Waterfalls to the Köprülü Canyon and Olympos National Park. Those who like to keep active on holiday won’t be disappointed either, with windsurfing, canoeing, parasailing, mountain trekking, white water rafting, horse-riding, quad biking and boat trips – just some of the exhilarating pursuits to be experienced in the area.

All in all, there’s something for culture vultures, nature lovers, beach bums, families and party animals here.

When to go

As a well-known beach holiday destination, holidays to Antalya will be busiest during the peak summer months of June-August. This period sees the highest temperatures and most expensive prices. Visiting off-peak in spring (April-May) or autumn (late September-October) has the benefit of less crowds, lower prices and cooler, more comfortable temperatures.

There are a number of festivals and events held in town throughout the area over the course of the year. Some notable ones include:

Sunsplash – a boutique dance music festival in Antalya in late May
Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in September
Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival in June
Side International Culture and Arts Festival in September
Antalya Honey Festival in August

The weather in the Antalya Region

Located on Turkey’s Mediterranean south-western coast, The Antalya Region enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and short, mild winters. The eastern Mediterranean tends to see summer arrive around a month earlier than the west, so by May the Antalya Region will be basking in temperatures around 25C. The hottest months to visit are June-August, averaging around 30-35C. This period may be too hot to really enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hiking and cycling, so the temperatures in April-May (21-25C) or September-October (26-31C) might be more suitable if you’re thinking of getting active on holiday.

The Antalya Region is known as something of a winter sun destination, with temperatures remaining relatively warm between November – March at around 15-21C. There is an increased chance of rainfall over this period however, so it’s advisable to pack a light waterproof jacket. And nights will be considerably chillier than in the summer.

Getting the best deal

If you intend to travel during the peak season months, the best deals are to be had by booking as early as possible. The best priced rooms in the most popular hotels will always sell out first, so you need to get in there quick to nab a bargain. Visiting off-peak in spring or autumn will see generally lower prices, and the opportunity to pick up some great last-minute deals. If you have your heart set on visiting in the summer, June will be cheaper than July or August. Avoid school holiday dates such as Easter and half term if possible, as these are notoriously expensive.

An all-inclusive holiday to the Antalya Region is a good way of keeping a check on your holiday spending, with all your meals and drinks paid for upfront. There are all-inclusive hotels all along this stretch of coast, notably at Kemer, Belek and Side. Find the best prices we have to offer by looking at the deals below or alternatively by visiting our late deals offers here.

Airport and transport need to know

The airport that services this region is the Antalya International Airport (AYT). It is one of the busiest airports in Turkey; large and modern, with three terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 are for international traffic, terminal 3 is for domestic flights. The airport has a wide selection of shops, from duty free stores to luxury boutiques selling watches, ties and clothing, as well as bars and restaurants. The Arrivals, Departures and lounge areas are all well serviced, with many shops open 24 hours. Cashpoint are found at T1 and currency exchange is found at T1 and T2.

You can get to the Antalya International from a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, and smaller regional hubs such as Bournemouth and Leeds Bradford. The flight takes just over 4 hours.

There are taxis that wait outside the Arrivals halls at both international terminals. A large sign indicates the prices of fares to various resorts in the area. Make sure you confirm the price before you get in the taxi to avoid any nasty shocks when you arrive at the resort. You can arrange a shared shuttle taxi to your resort for a lower price; the journey may take longer however, depending on how many stops have to be made and to where. Companies such as HolidayTaxis.com provide both private and shared taxis to pre-book.

You can catch a public bus from the airport to main bus depot in Antalya city centre for under £1, where a number of connections are available to resorts in the region. Take the number 600, Terminal-Otogar bus from outside the domestic terminal.

Cars can be hired for the duration of your holiday, to be picked up at the airport. You should expect today around £20-£35 a day, depending on the size and model of car. Companies such as Argus Car Hire can provide this service.