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

Should you visit Antalya or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Reykjavik? 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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Antalya and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antalya or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Antalya than Reykjavik. Antalya is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Antalya is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Antalya is more touristy than Reykjavik and is known for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. Also, Antalya is famous for Hadrian's Gate. Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Antalya different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antalya is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Antalya can be an interesting and educational experience. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Antalya is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Antalya. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Antalya is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Antalya has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Music?

Antalya is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Antalya active and fun. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Resorts?

Antalya is an amazing vacation spot to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Antalya offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Antalya is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Antalya has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Antalya is an amazing vacation spot to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Antalya are among the best in the world. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Antalya is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Antalya to see the historical old town. 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

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 Reykjavik?

Antalya is an amazing vacation spot to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Antalya. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Antalya or Reykjavik.

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.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Antalya and Reykjavik make for a very good 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 Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antalya is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Antalya is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Reykjavik is a good vacation spot to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Antalya is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Antalya is not popular with students.

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

Antalya is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Antalya. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Antalya or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Antalya?

How long in Antalya or Reykjavik?

In either Antalya or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Antalya has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Antalya than Reykjavik. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Antalya, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Antalya than Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the vacation spot of Antalya. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Antalya. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this vacation spot has to offer. This vacation spot offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Reykjavik, you'll find shopping and nightlife. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer.

Five days in Antalya or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant vacation spot of Antalya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this vacation spot makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this vacation spot has to offer.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antalya or Reykjavik?

Antalya is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antalya or Reykjavik?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Antalya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Antalya for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Antalya is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antalya in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antalya. Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Antalya gets 376 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Antalya usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antalya or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Antalya during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Antalya in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In October, Antalya is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 21°C (69°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite sunny in Antalya. In the autumn, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Antalya gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antalya or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Antalya and Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Antalya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Antalya is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Antalya gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

Antalya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Antalya usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antalya or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Antalya as well as Reykjavik. The spring months attract visitors to Antalya because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In the spring, Antalya is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antalya in April average around 16°C (62°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antalya this time of the year. In the spring, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Antalya gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Antalya