10 Reasons Why Antalya is the Second Best Tourist Destination in Turkey

If you're thinking of visiting Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, this is the year for you. Located behind the bustling city of Istanbul, Antalya city center is Turkey's most popular coastal area. The Antalya region encompasses the vast turquoise Mediterranean coast. It stretches for about 400 miles, from Gazipasa to the small but upscale town of Kalkan. Turkey's Aegean region is unlikely to steal second place from Antalya for a number of reasons. The beautiful city of Antalya is a great place for tourists for a number of reasons.

Why Visit Antalya - Turkey

1: Various places in Antalya

In addition to the city center, Antalya is divided into coastal towns, each with a unique atmosphere and character. Belek is known for five-star luxury hotels and pristine golf courses, while Kemer caters to tourists looking for all-inclusive hotels. Up the coast, the quaint seaside town of Side has ancient city ruins, while Alanya's lively night scene blends perfectly with beautiful daytime beaches. The city center is of course all inclusive and therefore offers all needs, facilities and amenities. Those looking for a quiet place off the beaten track will love places like Cirali and Olympos.

 

2: Antalya Airport and Public Transport

Along the coast there is the D400 motorway, which is over 2,057 kilometers long. Excellent road conditions and cheap and frequent public transport make getting around easy. These advantages appeal to self-drive holiday lovers and ensure short layover times from Antalya Airport. The bus terminal is located 4 kilometers outside Antalya's city center and is the central transport hub between east and west Turkey.

At the same time, the impeccable timetable of the well-designed airport receives 20 million international tourists every year. There is only one domestic terminal, but two international terminals accept passengers from other countries. Served by Turkish and international airlines, Antalya Airport is the third busiest airport in Turkey and millions of people use it every year.

3: Multi-nationality

Turkey's Aegean coast attracts mainly European tourists, especially British tourists, but Antalya attracts repeat visitors from many nationalities, including Germans, Russians, Georgians, Britons and Bulgarians. Also, it's hard to pinpoint why it's attractive to multinationals, but short flight times could be another reason.

4: Sail the Turkish Riviera and the Turquoise Coast

Before tourism, most coastal villages depended on fishing, boat building and sponge diving for income. In the 70s, the Turkish Riviera was born and Antalya fully embraced the concept. Citizens became experts at building and sailing the famous Turkish galleons. The region's massive investment in marinas has paid off, with luxury yachts from around the world calling every year. Besides the luxury tourists, many backpackers arrive after a four-day budget cruise from neighboring Fethiye.

5: Ideal year-round climate

Antalya has a pleasant climate all year round. The average summer temperature of 30 degrees Celsius gives way to 11 hours of sunshine per day. Evening hours are excellent, while winter conditions and rainfall aren't as cold or abundant as elsewhere in Turkey, including Istanbul and the Aegean coast. The climate is one of the reasons why many expats move to Antalya all year round.

6: Beautiful natural landmarks

Although Antalya is one of the most visited places in Turkey, it preserves natural beauty. These include Mount Tahtali, where visitors can take a cable car up for wonderful panoramic views of the coast and the Taurus Mountains. The Manavgat waterfalls are a delight for everyone and many small villages live peacefully away from the main resorts.

The bubbling waters of Koprulu Gorge lure adrenaline seekers with whitewater rafting opportunities. Meanwhile, secluded Olympus Park is home to beaches, forests and the infamous Chimera Flame, which burns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also visit Karaalioglu Park for a short visit. More information on must-see attractions.

7: Places of interest

Tourists like the historical sites and sites in the area, such as Antalya Museum. The most famous is Aspendos, a Greco-Roman city of great importance in the time of Pamphylia. Its theaters remain intact, and the Antalya Ballet and Opera Society hosts several performances each year, attracting thousands of fans.

Up the coast, Phaselis sits gently between two beaches and was an important trading post in the days of the Pamphylians, but constant invasions kept the townspeople away from pirates. Add Termossos and Perge and the historic sites in the heart of the seaside resort of Side. Also add the Antalya Museum and the Antalya Ethnographic Museum to your must-see list.

8: Konyaalti Beach Park and Lara Beach

Ah, these two stunning beaches hold the laurels of Turkey's best beaches, with front row seats to the Mediterranean Sea. Famous for its large all-inclusive themed hotels, Lara Beach attracts thousands of tourists every year to swim and sunbathe. Lara Beach is also the venue for the annual Lara Beach Sand Festival. Further west, Konyaalti Beach Park also attracts visitors. As if that wasn't enough, other beaches by bus are also worthy of admiration and fame, including Cleopatra in Alanya and Kaputas on the outskirts. For beautiful beaches, Antalya offers.

9: Ancient City of Karec and Hadrian's Gate

Many places in Turkey can have ancient city ruins, but the city of Antalya has the well-preserved old town of Kaleici with its cobbled streets. City life here seems another world as visitors explore the old town's Ottoman mansions, many of which have been converted into hotels and restaurants, line the winding streets that lead to the ancient Roman port area and ancient city walls. The city's old quarter features Hadrian's Gate, the entrance and next to the old clock tower, while the Tekli Mohammed Pasa Mosque is a famous photo-walking location.

10: All in Turkish

Antalya does a great job of luxury and modern living, but look closely and you'll find traditional Turkish culture around every corner. We can recommend a Turkish bath with a tradition dating back to the ancient Roman baths. Try Turkish coffee and tea too, but don't try the apple version available in tourist shops. Men should indulge in the Turkish shave, the smoothest, most thorough shave they'll ever experience. But the best way to learn more about Turkish culture is to sample the food sold in the many traditional restaurants that line the streets of the city.

Summary- Is Antalya a good place for tourists?

So, there are many reasons why Antalya is a popular tourist destination. Enjoy the Mediterranean Sea, the surrounding area, the old town, Antalya Beach Park, Antalya Aquarium and many more. Tourists in Antalya also get good value for their money thanks to the Turkish lira. They also enjoy art galleries, panoramas and boutique hotels, and often indulge in a boat trip or two. Turkey is also a safe country and you will enjoy all that Antalya has to offer.

More reasons to visit Antalya, Turkey

Best Time to Visit Antalya: Knowing the best time to visit Antalya, Turkey depends on leisure and entertainment preferences. The main factors are weather and temperature, but that's one thing about Antalya. Overall, temperatures and climates vary across different geographical regions of Turkey, but the Eastern Mediterranean, including Antalya, is the hottest.

Districts of Antalya: There are 19 districts in Antalya, and it is a province in the forefront of tourism and foreign-related real estate sales. Antalya is now tied with Istanbul as the second most popular region for the number of tourists and foreign home sales in Turkey. The rich historical timeline, ideal weather climate, fantastic beaches and Mediterranean shopping and nightlife scene easily explain why people visit Antalya, Turkey.