Antalya BEST HOLIDAY EVER
Antalya BEST HOLIDAY EVER
How to Make Summer in Antalya Your Best Holiday Ever!
When holidaying during summer in Antalya, Turkey, expect memorising experiences that get holidaymakers hooked on all things Turkish. First-time visitors to Antalya may be wary and unsure of what to expect. This is normal. After all, we all want our summer holidays to consist of lots of fun, rest, and relaxation. We want to make memories of treasured times with friends or family. Well, your expectations will be met and exceeded. Turkey’s Antalya region delivers everything top holiday destinations should and even more. So, let’s look at what to know about visiting Antalya during summer.
About Summer in Antalya
1: How Hot Does Antalya Get in Summer?
Summer runs from mid-June to mid-September, and this is when temperatures slowly heat up to peak in September. However, Turkey has several different climate zones, and Mediterranean Antalya clocks up high temperatures. July and August can reach as much as 45 degrees Celsius. Warm night times are also perfect for al fresco style dining in rooftop seaside restaurants. Remember to pack sun cream, wear a hat, and drink plenty of water. If temperatures get too intense, stay indoors between 12 noon to 3 p.m.
2: What to Expect When You Visit Antalya
- Easy to get there thanks to Antalya airport and its position on Turkey’s D400 highway
- Beautiful climate during summer
- Wide choice of budget and luxury hotels with top-notch hospitality
- Scenic landscapes of natural beauty
- Some of Turkey’s best beaches
- Upmarket sailing scenes
- An abundance of historical sites
- Numerous tourist attractions to keep kids happy
- Cosmopolitan vibes welcoming all nationalities
- Varied shopping, nightlife, and entertainment scenes to suit everyone
- Laidback friendly vibes thanks to Turkish hospitality
- Antalya is Turkey’s outdoor sports capital
3: Where is the Best Place to Stay?
Antalya covers a large section of Turkey’s eastern Mediterranean coast, and various destinations offer something unique. We love staying in Antalya town centre, since this provides ideal shopping and nightlife scenes, two of Turkey’s best beaches, Konyaalti and Lara, and good transport links to get out and explore Antalya. Other places to stay include…
Side: Side features modern architecture and excellent seaside restaurants. But the old centre ruins and the shoreline Apollo temple landmark put this town on the map during summer. So if you want somewhere small but not that small, in that there is nothing to do, Side steps up to the mark as an ideal contender.
Kalkan: Expect a contemporary lifestyle and enjoyment in summer through yachting and fine dining. Nestled on the side of a hill, Kalkan delivers spectacular sea views. Unfortunately, the hills make it unsuitable for people with walking difficulties, but otherwise, this sophisticated lifestyle town promotes luxurious living in Turkey.
Alanya: Anyone visiting Alanya in summer can expect gorgeous beaches, stunning Taurus Mountain views, historic ruins, and vibrant social scenes. This colourful city centre and smaller family resort, situated around two hours’ drive east of Antalya, includes highlights like the impressive 13th-Century castle and Red Tower and the historic fortified harbour.
Belek: White sandy beaches and pine forests surround the purpose-built Belek. Belek excels at golfing, and stars such as Tiger Woods have added to the thousands of golfers who visit every year. In addition, Belek is itself an affordable alternative to golf destinations in Portugal and Spain, and 16 professional golf courses attract golfers worldwide.
4: Eating Out and Nightlife in Antalya
Various restaurants serve international menus that cater for everybody’s tastebuds. However, we recommend exploring Turkish culinary delights. Turkish restaurants called lokantas serve traditional dishes like Pide, kebab, lahmacun, soups, and desserts. Travellers on a budget love them! Seafood cuisine and rooftop dining are two other popular choices. For partying, head to places like Kemer or Antalya city centre for the large best nightclubs that stay open till dawn during summer. Otherwise, lowkey places like Belek and Side offer many sit-down family bars.
5: Best Beaches in Turkey
Cleopatras, Kaputas, Lara, and Konyaalti beaches are Turkey’s best beaches. Warm waters, sunbeds, umbrellas to rent, water sports centres, and nearby restaurants serving food and drink make great summer days out. Kaputas often appears in international travel magazines, while Lara beach in Antalya city centre holds the annual sand festival.
6: Summer Sailing in Antalya
The turquoise southern coastline includes many blue cruise sailing routes to visit hidden bays, coves, and coastal resorts. Some people book shared cabin charter, while others without a budget hire a private yacht for utmost luxury. Suppose overnight isn’t what you want; book day trips. Leaving from harbours in most holiday resorts, tickets include lunch, swim breaks, and spectacular scenery.
7: Land of Legends Summer Theme Park
Land of Legends mini-city offers exciting summer experiences, and anyone visiting never complains of boredom. Naturally, being a theme park, much emphasis is on family-friendly experiences, including shows. However, highlights include shark, tiger, and Humboldt penguin exhibits, but anyone over ten can also join professional divers to feed tropical fish and take memorable photos. Otherwise, enjoy rides like the Wave Pool, Voyager, and Rafting Rapids. The shopping avenue also includes many brand names.
8: Historical Attractions in Antalya
Anyone looking to explore historical places in Antalya during summer will be surprised by its vast range of ancient ruins and old landmarks. Antalya’s diversity of ancient buildings and cities portrays notable moments. From the first settlement to the Romans, Seljuk Empire, and Ottomans, anyone visiting is embarking on a time travel expedition exploring various ruined cities and buildings. Aspendos holds the world’s best-preserved 2nd century AD amphitheatre that seats up to 20,000 people. Nestled into a hillside, the Antalya Opera and Ballet society performs there. Drop by Kaleici’s old town section to see Hadrian’s gate. Built to honour the Roman emperor, tourists traditionally have their photographs taken here. Walk-through to find exciting spots, including harbourside cafes, the clock tower, Iskele mosque and 19th-century Ottoman houses. Kaleici, a beautiful place to shop for souvenirs, features cobblestone paths portraying Antalya’s varied history.
9: Places of Natural Beauty During Summer
Antalya is where the Lycian Way starts. This 516-kilometre trail runs through Fethiye and includes masses of Lycian historical ruins. For a fantastic sea view, visit the lower Duden waterfalls. Also, visit the upper Duden, Kursunlu or Manavgat waterfalls if waterfalls drop your jaw. Koprulu Canyon covers and attracts outdoor enthusiasts who like white water rafting. Stretching for 14 kilometres, traditional restaurants serve up fresh trout dinners. Next, ascend Mount Tahtali for the fantastic coastline and Taurus Mountain range views, then descend via cable car or paragliding. During summer, hang out at Dimcay river in Alanya. The 60-metre-long river eventually flows into the Mediterranean Sea and features numerous spots for swimming breaks and traditional quaint riverside restaurants.