Spring Season: Best Time to Travel to Antalya

While other parts of Europe are still rain-sodden and windswept in spring, in Antalya things are already starting to heat up. This makes it the ideal city to make an early start on your summer. Think long walks along the beach, eating local cuisine, soaking up the sun, carousing at countless festivals on a warm evening as the sun sets.

 

Of course, the whole Mediterranean region is getting warmer at this time of year. As a result budget flights are starting to fill up all over the northern hemisphere, long weekends are being planned, and the quest for accessible sun begins. Despite this increasing competition from other destinations, Antalya remains unrivalled.

 

Antalya is Turkey’s most modern city, blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and a colorful array of cultural delights and natural beauty. So it’s little wonder Antalya has become a year-round tourist destination. The best time to travel to Antalya depends on visitors’ preferences and priorities. It’s wise to keep several factors, including weather, crowds and events in mind when planning your trip.

Spring and early summer tend to boast some of Antalya’s finest weather, with mild to warm temperatures and frequently sunny skies. The weather in May tends to be warm and clear in Antalya, minus the humidity weighing down summer months. June is another warm, pleasant month in the tourism capital and an ideal time to visit, weather-wise. By the end of June, Mediterranean waters surrounding the city are warm enough for swimming. July and especially August can get disagreeably hot, with average temperatures in the 30s and plenty of humidity, even after nightfall.

All photos are taken by Antalya City Blog

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Things to do in Antalya: How to take advantage of your time in Antalya

Antalya was until recently known as Turkey’s fastest growing city, only to be overtaken by Istanbul. It has been frequently called the ‘Turkish Riviera’ for its gorgeous Mediterranean coastline with long stretches of golden sand and aquamarine waters, upmarket shopping areas, rich history and culture and luxury hotels. Many tourists come from all around the globe to visit the sights of Antalya, so how should you take advantage of your time there?

If you want to see a lot of things and get around easily, the best time of year to visit the region is between March and June or September and November. Due to the Mediterranean climes, the temperatures can soar during the high season of July and August, plus families flock there on summer holidays. 

The winters are cooler, protected from the chilly weather by the Taurus Mountains, but often are very wet. You’ll also need to base yourself somewhere central in order to be able to reach everything you want to see and do quickly and easily. 

There are many hotels located in Antalya with spectacular views from the cliff edges, or the tiny boutique hotels nestled in amongst the Kaleici old town of Antalya. If you choose to stay here, take some time to wander the maze of streets and pop down to the harbour for a boat trip along the coastline where you’ll explore hidden coves and be offered freshly grilled fish.

Of course you’ll want to spend some time relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Antalya region, but remember to take some time to visit a few other things that Antalya has to offer. Golf is something that’s very big here with a number of golf courses set against stunning backdrops situated in the area.

The rich history is one of the biggest draws of Antalya. The old town is surrounded by ancient stone walls made up of an old Clock Tower and Hadrian’s Gate, a series of Roman arches. Head a little way out of town to Aspendos, a stunningly well preserved theatre that dates back to Roman times.

If you’re travelling with kids, there are plenty of things to keep them occupied too. When they’ve tired of playing on the beach and taking part in some of the many water sports on offer, take them to Mini-City amusement park. In around 55 acres, it houses miniature models of buildings and architectural structures from all around Turkey, both ancient and modern. Marvel at the amazing replica of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Celsus Library of Ephesus.

Don’t forget to sample some of the local cuisine too. Turkey is famous for its mixed pot of tastes from Central Asian flavours to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Meze is one of the favourite dishes for tourists because it offers something to everyone’s tastes. But if you’d like to sample a local speciality, find a street vendor selling mussels stuffed with pine nuts or patlican dolmasi, a popular stuffed aubergine dish.

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How to take advantage of your time in Antalya

Antalya was until recently known as Turkey’s fastest growing city, only to be overtaken by Istanbul. It has been frequently called the ‘Turkish Riviera’ for its gorgeous Mediterranean coastline with long stretches of golden sand and aquamarine waters, upmarket shopping areas, rich history and culture and luxury hotels. Many tourists come from all around the globe to visit the sights of Antalya, so how should you take advantage of your time there?

If you want to see a lot of things and get around easily, the best time of year to visit the region is between March and June or September and November. Due to the Mediterranean climes, the temperatures can soar during the high season of July and August, plus families flock there on summer holidays. The winters are cooler, protected from the chilly weather by the Taurus Mountains, but often are very wet. You’ll also need to base yourself somewhere central in order to be able to reach everything you want to see and do quickly and easily. There are many hotels located in Antalya such as the Adonis Hotel with spectacular views from the cliff edges, or the tiny boutique hotels nestled in amongst the Kaleici old town of Antalya. If you choose to stay here, take some time to wander the maze of streets and pop down to the harbour for a boat trip along the coastline where you’ll explore hidden coves and be offered freshly grilled fish.

Of course you’ll want to spend some time relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Antalya region, but remember to take some time to visit a few other things that Antalya has to offer. Golf is something that’s very big here with a number of golf courses set against stunning backdrops situated in the area.

The rich history is one of the biggest draws of Antalya. The old town is surrounded by ancient stone walls made up of an old Clock Tower and Hadrian’s Gate, a series of Roman arches. Head a little way out of town to Aspendos, a stunningly well preserved theatre that dates back to Roman times.

If you’re travelling with kids, there are plenty of things to keep them occupied too. When they’ve tired of playing on the beach and taking part in some of the many water sports on offer, take them to Mini-City amusement park. In around 55 acres, it houses miniature models of buildings and architectural structures from all around Turkey, both ancient and modern. Marvel at the amazing replica of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Celsus Library of Ephesus.

Don’t forget to sample some of the local cuisine too. Turkey is famous for its mixed pot of tastes from Central Asian flavours to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Meze is one of the favourite dishes for tourists because it offers something to everyone’s tastes. But if you’d like to sample a local speciality, find a street vendor selling mussels stuffed with pine nuts or patlican dolmasi, a popular stuffed aubergine dish.

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Top Reasons to Visit Antalya

An Antalya vacation maybe the perfect choice for you because it is a travel heaven and a tourist hotspot. Antalya is one of the top ten destinations in the world, according to number of visitors and revenues. Are you still wondering “why go to Antalya?” Here are some Antalya information and the top reasons why a Antalya vacation is the ideal getaway.

Sun and Sea Lovers’ Paradise: 

The unique Mediterranean climate and beautiful nature of Antalya allows almost 6 months of summertime. The sandy beaches are splendid and the sea, especially Antalya coastline, is the most amazing. Blue Voyage or Blue Crusing is the most favorite way to visit all the beaches with a yacht while enjoying the “turquoise” sea. This may surely be the highlight of your Antalya vacation. 

History: 

Antalya is extraordinary rich in history. Did you know that Antalya hosts the most arhaeological sites in the world? Anatolia is the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends. 

Main Historic sites in the city center

• Kaleiçi: the historical center of the city.
• Ancient monuments include the City Walls, Hıdırlık Tower, Hadrian's Gate (also known as Triple Gate), and the Clock Tower.
• Hadrian's Gate: constructed in the 2nd century by the Romans in honor of the Emperor Hadrian.
• İskele Mosque: A 19th century Mosque near the Marina.
• Karatay Medrese: A Medrese (Islamic theological seminary) built in 1250 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay.
• Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret) Mosque: Once a Roman temple then converted to a Byzantine Panaglia church and finally into a mosque.
• Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque: An 18th-century Mosque built in honor of Tekeli Mehmet Paşa.
• Yat Limanı: the harbour dating to Roman era.
• Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) Mosque: Built by the Seljuks and decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles, this minaret eventually became the symbol of the city

Accommodation: 

Antalya has the most amazing luxury and boutique hotels in the world. The lavishness and the extravaganza in these hotels are probably unmatched since most of them cater to Russian oligarchs and tourists as well. On the other side, you may find the most beautiful hotels at very affordable rates due to intense competition among travel agencies. 

Shopping: 

Authentic gifts, carpets, rugs, kilims are among the tourist favorites and shopping is breeze if you know where to go. There are more artistic features and special creativity in Turkish carpets than any other carpet in the world. 

Culture:

Turkey’s population is a diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins and that shows when you visit different regions of the country. Each region has different traditions, their own arts, music and foklore, and even their eating habits are totaly unique to the region. Even though they all pride themselves in being Turks, this multicultural environment adds great richness to the country. 

Eating: 

Turkish cuisine is among the best in the world. It is a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. There are so many culinary delights like the Turkish tea, Turkish coffee and the famous Turkish delight. You can find these almost anywhere in Turkey, while the most delicious kebabs are in souteastern part. The foods that are brought in small portions before the main course are called “Meze” in Turkish and they are fabulous. They are usually consumed with the most famous Turkish alcoholic drink called “Raki” (anise flavoured national drink). It is also referred to as the “lion’s milk”. Fish also holds a very important place in Turkish cuisine and Fish restaurants and taverns can be found near the bay areas. 

Turkish Bath – Hamam – Spa Experience: 

This is definitely a must if you are intending to visit Antalya. Turkish Bath or hamam as it is called here, will help you relax and unwind and get rid of all your nervous energies. A Turkish Spa is also a favorite among tourists nowadays since it combines traditional hamam experience with more Far Eastern touches like using aromatic smells and certain massages. 

Nature Sports: 

If you are into nature sports you are in the right place. Hiking, trekking, mountain biking, river rafting, scuba diving, windsurfing, wave surfing, kite surfing, paragliding, parasailing, skiing, jet-skiing are among the many nature sports that you can truly enjoy in Antalya. One more Antalya information: The golfing industry has grown very fast over the last few years and Antalya established itself as one of the leading golf destinations in Europe. The golf courses especially in Belek, Antalya are spectacular. 

Business Opportunities: 

Turkey is one of the largest economies in the world yet it is still considered a developing nation. This provides enormous business and investing opportunities, especially in the real estate sector. Your Antalya vacation may turn into a great investing decision as well. 

Relatively Cheap: 

Turkey’s national currency is Turkish Lira. Compared to Euro or Dollar, in terms of buying power, it is weaker. This presents an advantage to travellers who convert their Euros or Dollars to TL and buy stuff in TL. An important tip: Immediately convert your foreign currencies to TL upon arrival to Antalya and pay everything in TL.   

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