Perhaps the most famous Turkish resort – Antalya has been in constant demand among our tourists for many years. A beautiful harbor, bright sun, warm climate, blue sea and streets of ancient cities, plus the highest level of service, spa treatments, entertainment programs for all ages – this is what an all-inclusive holiday in Antalya is – the system by which most hotels operate in Turkey, has long been appreciated by our fellow citizens.
Resort Features
Antalya is a large administrative center of Turkey, the capital of the province of the same name. Speaking of a resort, they usually mean the coast within the city and the Lara beach adjacent to the east. Just 12 kilometers from the city is Antalya Airport, which in many ways provided the city with the glory of the tourist capital. The history of the city begins before the birth of Christ. The streets, houses, mosques and towers of the city have preserved traces of the past centuries.
At the same time, it is a modern, rapidly developing city with a diverse tourist infrastructure – hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and, of course, beaches for every taste – sandy, pebbly and even on rocks. There will be no language problems here, our compatriots have long loved this resort, and all representatives of the service sector speak Russian quite tolerably.
View prices for tours to Antalya
Best time to travel
Most tourists come here from May to September, when the weather is warm and the water in the sea warms up to almost +28°C. The hottest months in every sense are July and August. The air warms up to + 40 ° C, in hotels, on beaches and city streets there are crowds of vacationers. If you do not tolerate the heat, you can come here in May-June or September.
Comfortable weather, warm sea and excellent service await you. It is very convenient to go from Moscow, for example, on a tour for the May holidays. Those who wish not to lie on the beach, but simply admire the extraordinary landscapes, see historical sites, can come here from October to April. It should be borne in mind that not all hotels will operate at this time.
Advantages of the all-inclusive system
Turkey is one of the first countries that began to apply the all inclusive system. Today, most tourists choose this particular system when going on vacation. “All Inclusive” – a system that includes not only hotel accommodation and three meals a day, unlimited access to drinks, including alcoholic ones; but also the use of almost the entire infrastructure of the hotel, the beach, the pool, participation in entertainment programs that are held at the hotel.
This allows you not to think about the main problems on vacation related to catering, entertainment, especially for those who vacation with children. All you need to do is to choose a suitable tour in advance and book it while the minimum prices are valid.
Vacation with children
Antalya is considered one of the most convenient and safe places for families with children. The warm sea, mild climate, comfortable beaches and all-inclusive hotels make it a very popular place for family vacations. Most hotels have a wide entertainment infrastructure not only for adults but also for children. Shallow pools with heated water allow even the smallest guests to splash around without a threat to their lives.
All hotels are equipped with children's playgrounds and rooms, many have children's clubs, in which, according to a special program, children are occupied by animators. You can always order babysitting services. And the food system is organized in such a way that you can feed any picky eater. The Aqualand water park is very popular in Antalya, where, in addition to slides and pools, you can watch dolphin shows and swim with them. Children will be interested in visiting the Oceanarium, Aquarium, as well as numerous amusement parks.
Which hotel to choose
Most of the complexes operate on an all-inclusive basis. We carefully studied the reviews of tourists and chose the best hotels located on the first line of the most famous Konyaalti beach. Most of them are family-oriented, have a wide entertainment infrastructure, and employees are ready to fulfill any request of guests and do everything to make your stay in Antalya memorable for you for a long time.
Akra Hotel 5 *
Combining effortless luxury, impeccable service and a prime location, this complex will make you feel like you're in the gossip column. All balconies offer an unforgettable view of the mountains and the sea. Several restaurants and bars offer gourmet meals, fresh vegetables and fruits, drinks and snacks throughout the day.
The complex of swimming pools, operating all year round, including the magnificent panoramic pool, have their own areas for relaxation and sunbathing. For younger guests, a children's pool is equipped, there are playgrounds. The SPA center offers health and beauty treatments, a massage room, a sauna and a hammam. For the best effect, you can use the services of the gym.
Located on the first line, 100 meters from the beach. The private pebble beach is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas. The entrance to the water is from the platform. Most of the resort's attractions, shopping centers, many city cafes and restaurants are within walking distance.
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Sunis Hotel SU 5 *
Designed by famous Turkish designer Eren Talu, the complex takes you to the era of unrestrained, carefree disco. All hotel guests have VIP access to the Aqualand water park, located nearby.
It has 12 slides, a wave pool, children's slides and pools. Unforgettable performances with dolphins are also held here. The heated outdoor pool with panoramic views and underwater music system features an African oak terrace with sun loungers and parasols. Another indoor pool is equipped with a relaxation area.
Sanda-Spa is a wellness center where guests are offered a variety of programs: anti-stress, relaxation and general healing procedures. Guests can try several types of massages, visit the baths: sauna or Turkish, experience the rituals of Balinese masters. There is a beauty salon that offers a range of services for facial skin and hair care. The hotel's beach is a 2-minute walk away and is marked with the Blue Flag.
Show programs are often held here, you can go in for water sports or play beach football and volleyball. About ten restaurants, cafes and bars will satisfy the taste of the most demanding guests: dishes of national cuisine, Asian, Italian, Mediterranean and other types, combined with the best drinks and cocktails. A children's menu has been developed, there is a small children's buffet. The complex is located near the Aquarium, close to shopping centers, miniature park and other places of interest for walking.
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Crowne Plaza Antalya 5*
Located on the most famous beach – Konyaalti. All comfortable rooms offer mountain and sea views. It offers indoor and outdoor pools, equipped with a relaxation area, sun loungers, the cleanest protected beach, marked with the Blue Flag. The hotel's main restaurant serves buffet breakfast and dinner.
The Ambrosia Restaurant is open on the outdoor terrace in the evenings and dinners are accompanied by live music. From the SPA-center “Aphrodite”, one of the best in Turkey, located on the 10th floor of the complex, offers an unforgettable view of the Mediterranean Sea. Here they accept only women and help them to completely immerse themselves in the atmosphere of serenity and feel like real goddesses of love and beauty.
Another SPA-center “Zeus” is designed for all guests, they are waiting for a sauna, a hammam, a Russian bath and a snow room, several types of massage. You can rent a car or a bicycle at the hotel, and managers will be happy to help you make a travel route to the most beautiful and interesting places.
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Rixos Downtown 5*
Rocky shores, shady alleys of gardens, the emerald expanse of the Mediterranean Sea – just the view from the hotel windows will take your breath away. The lagoon-shaped swimming pool, equipped with sun loungers and parasols, is immersed in the greenery of palm trees. Adjacent is the Tropic Bar, which offers light snacks throughout the day. For younger guests – a children's pool, a club, playgrounds.
In the evenings, musical shows and discos are held. During the day, guests can enjoy tennis courts, water aerobics lessons, and water polo. The hotel has its own comfortable area on the famous Konyaalti beach. The SPA center offers a wide range of massage and beauty treatments, using luxury Bruno Vassari cosmetics.
In the bar you can drink a vitamin cocktail, and in the fitness room, in addition to modern equipment, you can do yoga or aerobics. The location is ideal for those who want to combine beach holidays and sightseeing – close to the Old Town, Antalya Museum.
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Sealife Family Resort Hotel 5*
Family complex a stone's throw from the purest Mediterranean coast. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms, several pools with slides, playgrounds, game centers, equipment for water sports, diving, snorkeling – there are all conditions for an unforgettable vacation for adults and young guests.
In the SPA center you will find body and face treatments, Turkish bath and sauna, solarium, jacuzzi. Several of the hotel's restaurants offer a varied menu, including dietary and special children's menus. In the evenings, show programs for children and adults are waiting for you, a disco bar is open. You can rent a car to see all the sights nearby.
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Holiday prices
You can arrange the most carefree and comfortable vacation for yourself by purchasing a package tour. It is worth taking care of the purchase in advance, in this case the savings are very significant. If you decide to travel spontaneously, you can purchase a last-minute tour 1-2 days before departure, which can also be very profitable.
Below are the prices for tours to popular hotels for 2 adults departing from Moscow, including round-trip flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and medical insurance.
sights
Lovers of history and antiquities will not be bored, there are more than enough relics and ancient artifacts in the city.
Hadrian's Gate is the main evidence that the city was founded in ancient times, and the most ancient landmark of the city. Erected in 130 in honor of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Once they were part of the wall that surrounded the city and harbor, but the wall has not been preserved. They consist of 3 marble arches, decorated with columns with capitals.
Previously, they had a superstructure, on which, in all likelihood, statues of Hadrian and his family members towered. Through the cover of organic glass, you can see the road of the era of Ancient Rome with furrows from the transport of those times. Now the gates perform the same role as in ancient times – they lead to the Old City. Not far from the gate there is a cozy park where tourists and locals relax.
The Old Town, or Kaleici, is an area that has preserved the style of the Ottoman Empire of the 19th century. All the streets are pedestrian, there are many shops, restaurants, coffee houses where you can have a cup of aromatic drink. Many old houses are used as hotels, but the prices are quite high. The mosque of the 18th century, the minaret of Kesik with a damaged mosque (13th century), which was previously a Roman temple of the 2nd century, has been preserved.
The Antalya Museum is the largest collection of curiosities illustrating the history of Turkey from the ancient civilizations of Lycia to the present. The total area of 13 exhibition halls is 7000 sq. meters, more than 5,000 exhibits are offered for viewing, and 30,000 are in storerooms. In the garden of the museum there is an open gallery where monuments, tombstones, large statues are exhibited.
In the very first hall of the museum, you can see the tablets on which the children of ancient times performed calculations in the process of learning. The hall of the prehistoric period contains exhibits of the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras, hand axes, stone and bone tools found in the Beldibi caves.
The Gallery of the Gods, the Hall of Emperors, the Hall of Cult Burials store full-length statues of emperors and empresses, tombs and burial items, gold and silver jewelry, dishes with unique images of gods and battles.
The Duden waterfalls are the main natural attraction. There are two of them, but they usually inspect the Lower Duden, for this a special observation deck is equipped. The waterfall looks especially beautiful from the sea, sightseeing boats and boats sail here. Located in the east of the city, at the beginning of Lara beach.
The Sand Sculpture Park, or Antalya Sand Sculpture Museum, is an interesting collection of structures and monuments made of sand. There are more than 150 of them, after sunset the figures are spectacularly illuminated. Located on the western edge of Lara Beach.
Entertainment
If you are fed up with the aromas of antiquity, you can go to the water park, go in for sports, visit the amusement park. And in the evening – a disco, a bar or a nightclub, which is also enough.
Aqualand and Dolphinland is the largest and oldest water park in Antalya, on the territory of which a dolphinarium operates. It is located next to the Konyaalti beach, at the beginning of the hotel zone. There, adults and children are waiting for pools with caves and lagoons, a 100-meter twisted Black Hole slide, a very high Komikaze slide and many other amusements. The dolphinarium hosts shows of dolphins and fur seals, you can swim with dolphins. It is better to visit the water park on weekdays, as it is popular and heavily loaded.
Across the road from the water park you will find the Antalya Aquarium. There are collected 10,000 marine life, which can be observed both in separate aquariums and after passing through a 131-meter underwater tunnel. At the exit – a large gift shop with magnets, mugs, toys and more.
Nearby is the thematic Aktur Park with interesting and varied attractions. The best time to visit is in the late afternoon, when the heat subsides and the park is beautifully illuminated. There are two Ferris wheels, several types of swings, a musical carousel, a fear room. There are also attractions for the little ones.
The daytime entertainment ends and the nightlife of the city begins. The oldest club ALLY is considered the most European establishment. Gourmet cuisine is the strong point of the ARMA club. Both are located in Kaleici. Club SALINAS, located next to Lara Beach, will be appreciated by true connoisseurs of music.
Excursions
Having a rest on the Antalya coast without getting acquainted with the history of Antalya, numbering 22 (!) centuries, is a big mistake. Excursions with experienced guides will help prevent it. They will lead you through the streets of the Old Town of Kaleiçi, where people live in houses built during the Ottoman Empire, and show you ancient squares, towers and mosques. You will ride over the city on a cable car, admire the sea distances and the panorama of the Taurus Mountains, see the magnificent Lower Duden waterfall, tumbling into the sea from a 40-meter height.
After enjoying the beauties of the city and its surroundings, you can go to Pamukkale and swim in the Cleopatra pool, see the ancient Hierapolis, the ancient cities of the World with an amphitheater carved into the rock, and Demre with the church of St. Nicholas of the 6th century. On a yacht, you can get to the picturesque island of Kekova, visiting the city of Dolihiste, sunken as a result of an earthquake, along the way.
Stylized boats moor in the port, and you can, for example, take a trip on an almost real pirate ship, see the ruins of ancient Phaselis and swim in one of the picturesque bays of Kemer.
Beaches
The beaches are varied. The most popular and visited is Lara. It stretches for several kilometers to the east of the city and consists of the purest white sand, awarded the Blue Flag. It is convenient to relax here with children, the entrance to the water is smooth.
There are many cafes, shops along the beach strip, beach volleyball courts are equipped. There is a barbecue area. The beach is municipal with free entrance, but there are separate areas for hotel guests. In the presence of beach activities – bananas, scooters, catamarans.
In the west of the resort there is a wide 8-kilometer strip of Konyaalti beach, which also regularly receives the Blue Flag. It is pebbly with sand and pebbles, sometimes large ones. Depth builds up fairly quickly. Admission is free, changing rooms and showers are also free. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented. This place is appreciated by the locals who come here in the evening and sometimes even stay overnight to sleep under the sound of the surf.
Beach Park Beach is the most fun and rich in entertainment, loved by young people. Consists of sand and pebbles. Entrance is paid, all beach infrastructure is available. Many playgrounds with swings, houses, trampolines, sports grounds, water rides.
There is a windsurfing school, you can go water skiing and master parasailing. It is part of the park area, and its distinguishing feature is the abundance of greenery and the beauty of the surrounding nature. During the day it is good for family holidays, in the evening discos open here.
Topcham is a godsend for lovers of semi-wild beaches. The infrastructure is not very developed, but not so crowded either. Located in the Olympos National Park. The purest clear water, pine trees, the combination of the aroma of pine needles and the sea attract both tourists and local residents who come here with their families. Coverage – pebbles and sand. Not far from the coast, near the island of Sichan, you can go scuba diving.
Mermerli is a small, cozy and picturesque sandy beach almost in the historical center, adjacent to the harbor. Entrance is paid, through the restaurant, you need to go down a rather steep staircase. There are sunbeds for relaxing on the original pontoons above the water. After swimming with a mask, you can watch fish and small crabs in clear water.
Adalar is an unusual beach built on twin rocks in the territory of Karaalioglu Park. A stone staircase leads to the beach, you also need to go down the stairs into the water. Entrance is paid, sunbeds, umbrellas are provided, changing cabins, a shower, a toilet are available. The park has restaurants and bars where you can have a bite to eat.
shopping
Serious purchases are best done in large shopping centers such as Erasta, Mark Antalya, Migros 5M, Terra City, Deepo Outlet Center. It makes sense to pay attention to inexpensive Turkish brands that are not represented in Russia. Cheap textiles are bought in the markets, and not in the stationary Old Bazaar in the center, but in migrating markets that are organized in different areas – prices for the same goods are much lower there.
Of course, you can't buy real branded things in the markets, but many are satisfied with brands, as it were. It's nice to bring home something authentic from a trip – painted ceramics, designer jewelry, oriental sweets, pomegranate or plum wine, spices, handmade carpets.
You can buy fur and leather products of excellent quality, which are sold both in shops at factories and in markets. Market prices are much lower, but there is a high risk of buying a low-quality fake. Products made of gold and silver are cheaper than in Moscow. They are quite diverse, but as a rule, they do not shine with originality of design. You need to buy in company stores, again because of the large number of fakes in the markets.
You can and should bargain not only in the markets, but also in stores, the price can be reduced by 50%. The exception is goods with a fixed price.