A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antalya vs. Chiang Mai for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Backpackers

Should you visit Antalya or Chiang Mai?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Chiang Mai? 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 cultural, vibrant, and high energy vacation spot. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a temple-filled, laid-back, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Antalya and Chiang Mai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antalya or Chiang Mai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Antalya. Chiang Mai is bigger than Antalya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Antalya is more popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Antalya is well known for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. Chiang Mai is well known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Also, Chiang Mai is famous for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

How is Antalya different from Chiang Mai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Chiang Mai has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

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.

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

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

For foodies, Chiang Mai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

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 Chiang Mai Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Antalya and Chiang Mai.

Antalya has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Chiang Mai is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Music?

Antalya is a good destination for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Antalya. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Resorts?

Antalya is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Antalya for its luxury resorts. 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.

Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Antalya is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Antalya. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Beaches?

Antalya is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Antalya offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the superb old towns in both Antalya and Chiang Mai.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is an amazing city to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Antalya. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.

Is the Shopping Better in Antalya or Chiang Mai?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Antalya and Chiang Mai.

Many people travel to Antalya specifically to go shopping. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.

Chiang Mai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Antalya or Chiang Mai.

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.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly place to visit. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Antalya and Chiang Mai make for a superb place to visit.

Antalya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Chiang Mai frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is an amazing city 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 Chiang Mai, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

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 Chiang Mai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Antalya is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Antalya or Chiang Mai a more walkable city?

Antalya and Chiang Mai are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Chiang Mai is somewhat walkable. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Chiang Mai or Antalya?

How long in Antalya or Chiang Mai?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.

One day in Antalya or Chiang Mai?

With museums and nightlife around the luxurious vacation spot of Antalya, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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 Chiang Mai?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Antalya, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this vacation spot.

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer.

Five days in Antalya or Chiang Mai?

Antalya, a popular vacation spot, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this vacation spot. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antalya or Chiang Mai?

Antalya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Chiang Mai, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antalya is in Europe and Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.

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

Which is Bigger, Antalya or Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Antalya. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Chiang Mai, 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 Chiang Mai?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Chiang Mai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Antalya and Chiang Mai. Most visitors come to Antalya for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Antalya is around the same temperature as Chiang Mai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antalya in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 30°C (86°F).

In Antalya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during summer. Antalya gets 376 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun in the summer.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Antalya usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Antalya or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Antalya as well as Chiang Mai. The autumn months attract visitors to Antalya because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.

In October, Antalya is generally cooler than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 21°C (69°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antalya this time of the year. In the autumn, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Chiang Mai. Antalya gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. Antalya usually gets less rain in October than Chiang Mai. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Antalya or Chiang Mai in the Winter?

Both Chiang Mai and Antalya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Antalya this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Antalya is much colder than Chiang Mai in the winter. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. Antalya usually receives less sunshine than Chiang Mai during winter. Antalya gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Antalya. In January, Antalya usually receives more rain than Chiang Mai. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Antalya or Chiang Mai in the Spring?

Both Chiang Mai and Antalya during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Antalya for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Antalya is much colder than Chiang Mai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antalya in April average around 16°C (62°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 31°C (88°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antalya. In the spring, Antalya often gets less sunshine than Chiang Mai. Antalya gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets less rain in April than Chiang Mai. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Antalya