Cheap holiday Antalya

When is the best time to go?

April to June and September to October are ideal: 25 to 32 degrees, a warm sea and more bearable than the heat of July and August (regularly above 35 degrees). September may be the best month of all: the sea is at its warmest (around 27 degrees) while prices already sit 15 to 25 percent below peak season. Winter is mild (15 to 18 degrees) and cheap, but too cool for swimming. Direct flights from the Netherlands run almost year round, with the widest choice from May to October.

The best areas in Antalya

• Kaleici The walled old town on the cliffs above the yacht harbour, with Ottoman mansions, narrow cobbled lanes and boutique hotels. You sleep in the heart of the atmosphere, a short walk from Hadrian's Gate and the Yivli Minaret.
• Lara A ten-kilometre-wide sandy beach east of the centre and the heart of the all-inclusive resorts. A Blue Flag beach, ideal for a beach holiday with children.
• Konyaalti The long pebble beach on the west side, with the Beydaglari mountains as a backdrop. Less crowded than Lara, with a free public beach next to the paid beach clubs.
• Side An ancient coastal town about 65 kilometres away, with a temple of Apollo by the sea and a well-preserved theatre. Combines beach with ruins.
• Kemer & Belek Two resort towns on either side of Antalya: Kemer sits against the mountains with pine forests and snorkelling bays, Belek is known for its golf courses.

Top 5 things to do in Antalya

• Kaleici and Hadrian's Gate Wander through the old town and walk under the three marble arches of Hadrian's Gate from the year 130 AD. The old town itself is free; deliberately get lost in the alleys that drop towards the yacht harbour.
• Aspendos The best-preserved Roman theatre in the world, about 45 kilometres away, seating 12,000 spectators with a still-complete stage wall. Entry around €18 (2026). In summer it hosts opera and ballet performances.
• Duden waterfalls The Upper Duden tumbles over a cave (small entry fee), the Lower Duden drops 40 metres straight off the cliffs into the Mediterranean, free to see from the viewpoint or by boat tour. Many resort guests miss that sea-falling water.
• Antalya Museum One of the best archaeological museums in Turkey, with Roman statues of gods from nearby Perge in long marble halls. A cool, quiet morning in between the beach life.
• Tunektepe cable car In nine minutes up to over 600 metres, with views across the whole bay and the Beydaglari mountains. Entry around €14, daily except Monday (10:00 to 18:00).

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

From Eindhoven you fly direct to Antalya (AYT) in about 4 hours with TUI fly, SunExpress and Transavia; from Schiphol, TUI fly, Corendon, SunExpress and Transavia fly daily in the summer season. Note: Corendon sometimes adds a stopover, which stretches the flight time to over 5 hours. The airport sits 13 kilometres east of the centre. The AntRay tram to the centre takes 45 to 60 minutes; you pay with the AntalyaKart (card about 50 lira including credit, a ride about 27 lira) or contactless with your bank card (about 33 lira). In the old town a nostalgic tram runs past the sights. A taxi from the airport to Lara or Kaleici costs a few hundred lira.

What does a trip to Antalya cost?

Thanks to the weak lira, Antalya is one of the most affordable sun destinations around the Mediterranean. A simple room costs from €30, a mid-range hotel €50 to 90 per night and all-inclusive resorts in Lara are often surprisingly cheap. Eating out is inexpensive: a pide or kebab €4 to 7, a generous fish dinner at the harbour €15 to 25. Budget from €450 per person for a week including a direct flight. Tip: go in September for the warmest sea at near low-season prices.