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

Should you visit Antalya or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Phoenix? 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 high energy, relaxing, and luxurious vacation spot. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Antalya and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antalya or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Antalya than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Antalya, Antalya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Antalya is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. It is also well known for Hadrian's Gate. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Antalya different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antalya is a great vacation spot for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Antalya. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Antalya is a great vacation spot for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Antalya has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Antalya has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Music?

Antalya is a vacation spot with good options for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Antalya. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Antalya is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Antalya is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Antalya is a vacation spot with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Antalya. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Antalya is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Antalya is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Antalya is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Antalya for the hiking trails. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Antalya or Phoenix?

Antalya is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Families?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Antalya is a great vacation spot if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Antalya or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Antalya or Phoenix 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. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Antalya. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Antalya or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Antalya is a vacation spot with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Antalya?

How long in Antalya or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Antalya and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Antalya than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Antalya, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Antalya than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Antalya than Phoenix 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 Antalya.

One day in Antalya or Phoenix?

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

In Phoenix, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Antalya or Phoenix?

In Antalya, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. 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 Antalya has to offer.

In Phoenix, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer.

Five days in Antalya or Phoenix?

Antalya 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 Antalya has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antalya or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antalya. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Antalya. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antalya is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, 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 Antalya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antalya 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Antalya.

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

Which is Bigger, Antalya or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Antalya. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Antalya or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Antalya and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Antalya in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Antalya is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix 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 Phoenix during summer. Antalya gets 376 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Antalya usually receives less rain than Phoenix. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antalya or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Antalya as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Antalya for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Antalya is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antalya in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antalya this time of the year. In the autumn, Antalya often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Antalya gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antalya or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Antalya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Antalya because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In January, Antalya is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 11°C (51°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Antalya usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Antalya gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Antalya. In January, Antalya usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antalya or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Antalya during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Antalya this time of year.

Antalya is cooler than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 16°C (62°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antalya. In the spring, Antalya often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Antalya gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Antalya