A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antalya vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Antalya or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Antalya or Bali? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Antalya

Antalya is a vibrant, high energy, and relaxing vacation spot. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Antalya and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antalya or Bali?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Antalya than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Antalya is more popular for its museums, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Bali is known for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Antalya is popular for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. It is also home to Hadrian's Gate. Bali is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats.

How is Antalya different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bali and Antalya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Antalya or Bali?

Antalya is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Antalya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Antalya or Bali? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its restaurants. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Antalya makes for a great culinary experience. Food is excellent throughout Turkey and this city is no exception. The local cuisine offers a combination of fresh caught seafood as well as various grilled meats. Local specialties include meatball skewers, kulakli soup, and even lentil ice cream. The traditional Turkish breakfast is also popular, which usually includes hard boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and Turkish breads or pastries. It's almost always served with Turkish tea.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Bali has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Antalya is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has an insane nightlife scene with huge glamorous dance clubs that fill to the brink as well as low key bars and pubs that everyone can enjoy.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Music?

Antalya is very good for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Antalya. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Resorts?

Antalya and Bali offer a relatively similar set of world-class luxury resort options.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Antalya is a great choice. The city is famous for its resorts that range from luxury to family-friendly. Some of the most popular resorts in the area include Xanadu Resort Hotel, Susesi, and Lara Barut, but there are many more.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Bali is a perfect choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Antalya. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Antalya and Bali are world-class choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Antalya. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for its Old Town?

Antalya is a well-known place for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Antalya. The city has a beautiful old town area, Kaleiçi, that is known for its narrow streets and historic buildings. The area has many sights including Hadrian's Gate.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Antalya and Bali both have great trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Antalya. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Is the Shopping Better in Antalya or Bali?

Antalya is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Antalya make it a world-class shopping destination. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Antalya or Bali.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Antalya. The city has beautiful beaches, historic ruins, and resorts that cater specifically to families. It's a popular family-friendly destination in Turkey.

Bali is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Couples visit Antalya frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Antalya is a top-rated honeymoon destination in Turkey. It's beautiful beaches, romantic resorts, and great shopping put it at the top of many couples' list.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Antalya. Despite the many resorts in town, there are also budget accommodation options available including hostels. Backpackers appreciate Antalya's impressive old town as well as the area's stunning beaches.

Is Antalya or Bali Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Antalya is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Antalya can get you to some places easily. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Antalya or Bali a more walkable city?

Antalya is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Antalya is a somewhat walkable place. The historic area in particular is compact, filled with historic sights, and easy to explore on foot.

Bali is generally not a very walkable vacation spot. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Antalya Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Antalya?

How long in Antalya or Bali?

Both Antalya and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Antalya. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Antalya, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

Families should spend more time in Antalya than Bali. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Antalya, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Antalya. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Antalya if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Antalya or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Antalya. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Antalya or Bali?

Antalya is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Antalya or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the luxurious destination of Antalya. This vacation spot offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antalya or Bali?

The high energy vacation spot of Antalya offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Bali, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antalya is in Europe and Bali is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antalya Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antalya or Bali?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Bali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Antalya or Bali?

Antalya has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Antalya or Bali in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Antalya as well as Bali. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antalya this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

In July, Antalya is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 28°C (83°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antalya this time of the year. In the summer, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Bali. Antalya gets 376 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets less rain in July than Bali. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Antalya or Bali in the Autumn?

Both Bali and Antalya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Antalya for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Antalya is cooler than Bali in the autumn. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antalya. Antalya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bali during autumn. Antalya gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antalya usually receives more rain than Bali. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Antalya or Bali in the Winter?

Both Bali and Antalya during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Antalya in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

In the winter, Antalya is much colder than Bali. Typically, the winter temperatures in Antalya in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Bali averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In the winter, Antalya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bali. Antalya gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Antalya. Antalya usually gets more rain in January than Bali. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Antalya or Bali in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Antalya and Bali. Most visitors come to Antalya for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Antalya is generally much colder than Bali. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 16°C (62°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In Antalya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antalya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bali during spring. Antalya gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antalya usually receives less rain than Bali. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Bali and Antalya