Where to stay in Antalya

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Antalya is a beautiful city on the coastline of Turkey. It is a popular tourist destination, with no shortage of great things to keep you entertained – in fact, Antalya offers everything from sandy beaches to towering mountains. So, whether you’re interested in history, culture, nightlife, or beaches, Antalya won’t disappoint. However, when it comes to where to stay in Antalya, there are definitely a lot of choices.

From the pebble beach of Konyaalti to the luxurious Lara Beach and the cobbled historic Old Town, Antalya has it all You can find a number of great locations in both the city centre and its outskirts. So, if you’re looking for the best place to stay in Antalya, these are some of my top picks.

Also, discover the best things o do in Antalya

Where is Antalya?

Antalya is a city located on the southwestern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and for good reason. With its stunning beaches, great food, friendly locals, and rich history, Antalya has something for everyone.

How many days should you spend in Antalya?

Ideally, you should spend at least a week in Antalya to get a good feel for the city. This will also give you plenty of time to do a few day trips outside the city – trust me, you’ll want to see more of this beautiful country. However, if you’re short on time, three to four days is enough to see the highlights.

Which part of Antalya is best?

Antalya is rather a large city (in fact, it’s the third-largest in Turkey) and, many of the attractions are quite far apart from one another. 

So, if you’re wondering where to stay in Antalya and which part of Antalya is best, I’ve broken down the city into a few different districts, so you can make up your mind for yourself:

Kaleiçi

Kaleici is the old city district of Antalya and the city centre. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for a mix of culture and nightlife. The narrow streets are home to traditional Ottoman-era architecture, as well as a number of bars and restaurants.

You’ll also find the markets, winding cobbled streets, local markets, and little alleyways that will take you up and down the city. It’s a beautiful part of town, with colourful houses lining every tiny street. This is also where many of the best restaurants and street food stands are found.

Discover the best hotels in Kaleici

Konyaalti Beach

Konyaalti is Antalya’s main beach and is located on the west side of the city. It stretches for over 12km, making it one of the longest beaches in the Mediterranean. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for somewhere with a relaxed vibe and plenty of beach bars and restaurants.

Located to the West of the Old Town, you can sunbathe here or swim in the clear waters – it’s perfect for people who want to get away from everything and spend some time under the hot Turkish sun.

Plus, the area also has some great attractions. You’ll find amusement parks, Antalya’s famous aquarium, paragliding, and plenty more to do here. Konyaalti is also a great place for watersports, so if you’re into surfing, kitesurfing, or windsurfing, this is the place for you.

Discover the best hotels in Konyaalti

Lara Beach

The much more luxurious Lara Beach is located on the east side of Antalya and is a great place to stay if you’re looking for some sand and sun. The beach here is much cleaner and the sand is finer than at Konyaalti, making it a great place for swimming.

Lara Beach is a much more modern area of the city. The area is also home to a number of five-star resorts, so if you’re looking to splash out and treat yourself, Lara Beach is the place for you.

It’s also home to some excellent shopping malls and restaurants, as well as being much closer to Antalya International Airport. The beach here is the only sandy beach in Antalya, so it’s quite popular.

But, this popularity has made it overcrowded with high-rise hotels in recent years. Lara is an excellent place to stay if you want a resort-style hotel, but it’s probably not the best area for those who like quiet beaches.

Discover the best hotels in Lara Beach

Belek

Belek is a town located about 30km east of Antalya and is famous for its golf courses. If you’re into your golf, then Belek is the place for you. It’s home to more than 20 golf courses and is a popular spot for golfers from all over the world.

The town is also home to a number of five-star resorts, making it the perfect place for those who want to enjoy the sun and play a few rounds on the green. It has become one of Turkey’s most famous hotspots due to its fantastic selection of luxury hotels and resorts, as well as some high-quality courses for players looking to hone their skills.

But, if golf isn’t your thing, you might not find as much to do in Belek. The town is quite small and, apart from the golf courses, there’s not really much to see or do.

Discover the best hotels in Belek

What’s the best place to stay in Antalya?

So, given all that, what’s the best place to stay in Antalya? 

If this is your first time in Antalya and you’re interested in seeing a combination of history and culture, I recommend staying in either the Kaleici or Konyaalti. Both of these destinations will give you a great insight into traditional Turkish life whilst being within a reasonable distance of the city’s main attractions.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay and some excellent beaches, then Lara Beach is the place to be. You’ll find luxury resorts, shopping centres, and a great sandy beach here, which is perfect for swimming.

If you’re looking to play some golf, then Belek is the place for you. This town is home to a great range of golf courses and is a popular spot for golfers from all over the world.

Which beach is better in Antalya?

This kind of depends on your interests.

If you’re into water sports and beach activities and don’t mind sunbathing on shingle, then you may prefer Konyaalti beach. It’s closer to the centre of Antalya and has a lot going on around it. I suppose the only real downside is that it’s a shingle beach, not sand.

In comparison, Lara Beach is further away from the city centre, closer to all the expensive resort hotels (so if you plan to stay in this sort of hotel, this will likely be your closest beach anyway), and Antalya’s only pure sandy beach. So, if golden sands are what you’re after, this should be your top choice. However, for this reason, it is also pretty popular and can get rather busy.

In my personal opinion, I prefer Konyaalti beach because I like being close to the city centre, there’s always something exciting going on, and I don’t mind the shingle. As such, I think the Konyaalti area is one of the best places to stay in Antalya. But, if you’re looking for a more traditional sandy beach experience, Lara is probably your best bet.

Which is better Antalya or Alanya?

This is a pretty common question that people wondering where to stay in Antalya ask. Alanya is located about 125km east of Antalya and is a very popular spot for tourists. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches, impressive medieval castle, and lovely climate.

So, which one should you choose?

Well if you’re looking for a combination of city life and beach life, then Antalya is the place for you. You’ll find a lovely sandy beach, a historic city centre, and plenty of things to see and do. Antalya is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area, such as Aspendos and Perge.

Alanya, on the other hand, is better suited for those who want to relax on the beach and soak up the sun. If you’re looking for more high-rise resorts and a younger, livelier feel, then Alanya is probably a better choice. It’s also not bad for history with its medieval castle, but if you’re interested in seeing more of Turkey’s ancient sites, then Antalya is a much better choice. Alanya is also smaller than Antalya and has less of a city vibe to it. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s less crowded as it can get very busy in the high season.

So, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a holiday. Both Antalya and Alanya have a lot to offer tourists, and it really comes down to your preference. Personally, I prefer Antalya as it offers a bit more variety, but it really depends on what you’re looking for in a holiday.

Overall…

When it comes to where to stay in Antalya, it really depends on what you’re looking for when you travel. If you want to be close to the beach and the city centre, then Konyaalti or Kaleici are great choices. If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, then Lara Beach is the place for you.

Alternately, if none of those options sounds ideal, you could head along the coast to Side or Alanya, which are both lovely spots with plenty to offer tourists.

No matter where you stay in Antalya, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. This city has something for everyone and is the perfect spot for a fantastic getaway.

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