Antalya
Travel Guide

Antalya is one of Turkey's top rated tourist sites. The city is on the Mediterranean shores and its weather, natural environment and also the surrounding towns and cities give it a picturesque air. Antalya is on top of a cliff and it has an old quarter filled with narrow streets, shops, old houses and walls looking at the port, you can't miss it; besides the food in this place is almost to die for. Its... story is fascinating, because for centuries the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks lived here and this is translated into amazing architectural remains. Among many other things, there's Hadrian's Gate, one of the best preserved arches of triumph from the roman era. Among the towns and villages in ruins there are around you can find archaeological ruins that are just as amazing, or even more so, than the ones in Rome or Greece but of course the icing on the cake is the Aspendos amphitheater, the best preserved one dated from roman times in the whole world.But this isn't all... what about the beaches? Antalya, as every good Mediterranean city, is surrounded by warm waters with corners that seem to be images from a postcard in summer. The entire Antalya region is full with activity and this city is a good place to set a basecamp from where to explore the spots in this area of Turkey. Its citizens are kind, friendly, shrewd and very open, they seem to always be willing to share an apple tea with you or to tell you your future using a cup of coffee. Talking to the local people is the best way to get to known Muslim culture and ancestral traditions, a unique opportunity to learn more about the different cultures in our world. And of course we can't forget Arabian desserts, lamb stews, sunsets or boat tours. Antalya is a different and exotic destination and there's no doubt that this is one of the places you have to visit at least once in your life.

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Antalya Overview

Language

Turkish is the official language throughout Turkey and it's the common language throughout the country. Still, in Turkey and Antalya there are sectors of the population who also speak dialects of Arabic. But there are more and more people, specially those working in the tourism sector, who also speak English and German.

Weather

Antalya has the typical Mediterranean weather with loads of sunny days and mild winters. It is on the Mediterranean shores so the temperatures are fairly warm throughout the year. Summers -from June to September- are dry and hot with a temperature of about 25°C (77ºF) on average. Winters -from December to February- have an average temperature of 11ºC (51.8ºC) and it's the rainiest season along with fall that is from October to November.

Money

The official currency is the Turkish Lira, though the euro and even the pound are also used as currency. It's best to have Turkish liras with you, specially to pay for the first travel expenses and once you settle down, find out if you can pay in euros or pounds. In Antalya, you can exchange money at the airport and in several exchange offices across the city, especially downtown. Some places will ask to see your passport in order to do the exchange. Another good tip is to count the money to avoid any mistakes. And do not forget to keep the receipts so that when you leave the country you can exchange the Turkish liras back into your own currency!
Although tipping is not mandatory, it's the norm, especially in restaurants. Many Turks are accustomed to tourists -especially Americans- to leave 10% or 15% tips.

When to go

Early spring, late summer or early fall (see weather section). This is when the temperatures are more pleasant, the heat is not suffocating and it isn't rainy or cold. Even so, Antalya is pretty warm all year long so it's a good destination to visit all throughout the year.

Days

2-3 nights. Is the minimum you'll need to get to know this coastal city if it's the first time you go there. We also recommend that you spend some more time visiting the surrounding areas or to get on a plane and visit Turkey's capital, Istanbul. You can also head to Cappadocia among many other places in Turkey.

Surroundings

Kemer (seaside resort)
Olympos y Çıralı (ancient city in Lycia, coast)
Kaş (seaside town)
Rhodes (island)

Store Hours

Antalya stores generally open Monday to Saturday from 9a.m. to about 8:00pm though there are also places that close before this. Malls open longer hours, from 10:00 am in the morning to about 10:00pm. Sunday is usually a day for rest but you can find some businesses are open. Banks work from 9a.m. to 5:00pm though it's better to ask for the business hours once you're there. Schedules are slightly altered during Ramadan, between September and October.