Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Antalya?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Antalya?
Many travelers spend two to five days in Antalya during their visit. After all, the cultural vacation spot has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the many shops, and the famous sights and museums.
Antalya is a resort city in Turkey that attracts European and international tourists. The beaches are lined with hotels and the water is a beautiful blue color. Also nearby are many historical and archeological sights.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Antalya? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Antalya?
One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Antalya, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Relax at the beach, browse the shops, wander through the museums, and go hiking on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Antalya as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend a week in Antalya
The beautiful beaches await you in Antalya, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Antalya City Tour with Boat Trip and Duden Waterfall ($42)
- Antalya City Tour: Waterfalls, Old Town, opt. Boat Trip & More ($27)
- Green Canyon Boat Trip with Lunch and Unlimited Drinks ($45)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this vacation spot, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. 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.
Public transit in Antalya is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the vacation spot quite easily. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.
Shopping in Antalya is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.
This vacation spot is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. 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.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Antalya a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Aquarium & Face2Face Wax Museum from Antalya ($66)
- Antalya Aquarium and Face to Face Wax Museum Private Transfer ($71)
Antalya is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It is a beautiful city with historic buildings and stunning beaches.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Antalya City Tour with Boat Trip and Duden Waterfall ($42)
- Antalya City Tour: Waterfalls, Old Town, opt. Boat Trip & More ($27)
- Green Canyon Boat Trip with Lunch and Unlimited Drinks ($45)
Known for it's hiking, Antalya sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.
Live music is very popular in Antalya, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Antalya City Tour: Waterfalls, Old Town, opt. Boat Trip & More ($27)
- Sightseeing Cruise from Old Town Harbor ($16)
- Full Day City Tour/2 Waterfalls, Boat Trip, Old Town ($35)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Antalya.
Perhaps the most famous place in Antalya is Hadrian's Gate, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Exciteful Scuba Diving Experience in Antalya ($44)
- Scuba Diving Tour in Antalya with Lunch and Transfer ($45)
- Scuba Diving in Kemer from Antalya & Kemer ($38)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Antalya.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Antalya?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Antalya. Many visitors prefer to spend two to five days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the many shops, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Antalya, Turkey
How to spend 2 weeks in Antalya
With 2 weeks in Antalya, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the vacation spot has to offer.
Antalya offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. Wander the streets of the historic area to escape the resorts and see a bit of the authentic town.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
After you've explored most of Antalya, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Antalya Express Pamukkale& Hierapolis Day Trip w/Meals & Pickup ($40)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Antalya.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Antalya, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Antalya offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Antalya.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Antalya. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Antalya.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Antalya, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Antalya, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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