Antalya is a resort town located in Turkey, on the Mediterranean Sea. Often called the pearl of the Mediterranean, the city boasts stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and centuries-old history.
However, knowing where to stay in Antalya can be quite tough. For that reason, I have decided to put together this guide on where to stay in Antalya. Looking for a neighborhood to stay in should be a fun process!
Knowing which neighborhood to choose depends on your style and budget. But after reading this guide, YOU will be the expert on where to stay in Antalya!
Let’s begin immediately! Here is my guide on where to stay in Antalya.
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Antalya is the third biggest city in Turkey and is located on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a popular resort town for travelling in Turkey, especially during the summer when the waters are warm, the sun is shining and you are surrounded by soft sandy beaches. Finding the right spot to stay in Antalya means you’re in for a treat!
Sibel Pension | Best Budget Hotel in Antalya
Sibel Pension is a charming hotel located in the heart of Kaleici, Antalya’s old town. It offers traditionally furnished rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a seating area, and a wardrobe. Some of the rooms also have a private balcony. A very good breakfast is served in the morning and, during the summer, guests can take it in the garden. This hotel offers free parking.
Gold Coast Hostel | Best Hostel in Antalya
The Gold Coast Hostel is located in the heart of Kaleici (the old city of Antalya), which means the city’s main attractions are conveniently within walking distance. This alone makes it one of the best hostels in Antalya. It offers private rooms with an ensuite bathroom, gender-specific dormitories, and a cheap breakfast. There’s also a nice rooftop terrace for chilling out and soaking in some views.
Luxurious Oldtown Suite | Best Airbnb in Antalya
With a great wifi speed, this luxurious suite located in the old town of Antalya is ideal for remote working. With historical places and restaurants on your doorstep, and the famous Mermeli beach just a short walk away, you’ll have tons of options to stay busy, making this place an ideal base for your first trip to Antalya.
But there’s plenty to choose from…
Below you’ll find a map for easy navigation so you can start sussing out the place. Read on through if you want to see our recommendations.
Antalya Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in Antalya
Antalya is one of the most popular places to stay in Turkey for sun-seekers. Visitors mainly come to Antalya for the beach, but also for its history and its beautiful surroundings.
Kaleici
Kaleici is the name of the old town in the centre of Antalya. It shows remains of the Greek, Roman and Ottoman past of Antalya and is definitely one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city
Konyaalti Beach
Konyaalti Beach is located just a couple of kilometres away from the centre of Antalya. As such, it is one of the closest beaches to the city. Konyaalti beach is made of a long stretch of pebbles and rough sand
Belek
Belek is a resort town located a few kilometres east from the main city of Antalya. It is dubbed to be the golf capital of Turkey
Olympos Beach
Olympos, now mainly a beach resort, is an ancient town which was first established in the 1st century AC, during the Greek domination
Lara
Lara Beach is located a few kilometres east of Antalya. It is one of the most popular beaches around the area, and one of the most beautiful in the whole of Turkey
In the main town of Antalya, Kaleici is the old town. There, Hadrian’s Gate can give you a reminder that the city was already populated during the Roman Empire times, and used to be an important political and commercial centre in the region. Its cobbled stone streets have kept a lot of building from the Ottoman period and are absolutely charming.
About a half-hour drive away from Antalya city, the resort town of Belek has specialised in welcoming tourists who are looking to have a good time on the beach without worrying about anything else. Many of the resorts there offer all-inclusive packages, and golf courses are well-developed in Belek. As a consequence, prices also tend to be a bit more expensive around the area.
Konyaalti Beach displays more reasonable prices and boasts a long pebble beach near the centre of Antalya. A lot of little cafés, restaurants, and epic bars have settled in the neighborhood to cater to the crowds of tourists flocking there on sunny days. Sun chairs and umbrellas can easily be rented and, from Konyaalti Beach, you can get an amazing panorama of the mountains around Antalya.
If you like beaches, you will also like Olympos Beach, another cool and vibrant area known for its beaches. Lara is another great place to visit for beaches, and because of the gentle waves, it’s an ideal beach area for families.
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5 Best Neighborhoods To Stay In Antalya
At this point, you may still feel confused about which neighborhood will be best for you in Antalya. Here is a more on depth look at the 5 best neighborhoods to stay in Antalya.
1. Kaleici – Where to Stay in Antalya your First Time
Kaleici is the name of the old town in the centre of Antalya. It shows the remains of the Greek, Roman, and Ottoman past of Antalya and is definitely one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city.
The entrance to Kaleici is Kale Kapisi, which is the main square of Antalya. Notable things to see there is the clock tower, built during the reign of Abdul Hamid II, an Ottoman sultan, and the statue of king Attalus II of Pergamon, the founder of the city (called Attalia at the time) in 150 BC. And let’s not forget Hadrian’s Gate, one of the biggest draws to this area of Antalya.
Inside the old town of Kaleici, take a walk around the narrow cobbled streets and look at the old Ottoman houses lining them up. A lot of the old Ottoman houses have been well preserved and are now home to charming little hotels and restaurants.
The historic harbour is also full of life, restaurants, and cafés, and locals, as well as tourists, like to come here to relax in the evening.
Sibel Pension | Best Budget Hotel in Kaleici
Sibel Pension is a charming hotel located in the heart of Kaleici, Antalya’s old town. It offers traditionally furnished rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a seating area, and a wardrobe. Some of the rooms also have a private balcony. A very good breakfast is served in the morning and, during the summer, guests can take it in the garden. This hotel offers free parking.
Aspen Hotel Antalya | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Kaleici
The Aspen Hotel Antalya is located in an old house in the heart of Kaleici. It offers spacious rooms with modern furniture and is fitted with a private bathroom with a shower, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with international channels. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a terrace with sun loungers, with views of the mountains surrounding Antalya.
Gold Coast Hostel | Best Hostel in Kaleici
The Gold Coast Hostel is located in the heart of Kaleici (the old city of Antalya), which means the city’s main attractions are conveniently within walking distance. This alone makes it one of the best hostels in Antalya. It offers private rooms with an ensuite bathroom, gender-specific dormitories, and a cheap breakfast. There’s also a nice rooftop terrace for chilling out and soaking in some views.
Luxurious Oldtown Suite | Best Airbnb in Antalya
With a great wifi speed, this luxurious suite located in the old town of Antalya is ideal for remote working. With historical places and restaurants on your doorstep, and the famous Mermeli beach just a short walk away, you’ll have tons of options to stay busy, making this place an ideal base for your first trip to Antalya.
Things to see and do in Kaleici
- Go look at the Hadrian’s Gate, reminding us of Antalya’s Roman past.
- Walk around the charming cobbled streets.
- Have a relaxing drink at the historic harbour.
- Take a Manavgat River Cruise and explore the Grand Bazaar.
- Visit the ruined city of Demre Myra Kekova.
- Take in the epic views of the Taurus Mountains.
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View on Osprey View on REI2. Konyaalti Beach – Where to Stay in Antalya on a Budget
Konyaalti Beach is located just a couple of kilometres away from the centre of Antalya. As such, it is one of the closest beaches to the city. Konyaalti beach is made of a long stretch of pebbles and rough sand. As a consequence, if you are planning to spend the day there, I recommend renting a sun lounger and an umbrella for more comfort. They are available everywhere and are not so expensive.
Konyaalti Beach is one of the beaches in Turkey with a blue flag, which means the water is clean and safe to swim in. It is a mark of quality, and means the little ones can go splash around safely as well!
The centre of Antalya is easily accessible from Konyaalti Beach, either by foot – it takes a bit less than an hour to walk and can make for a nice outing – or by taking the Nostalgi tram.
Most of Konyaalti Beach is lined by a park, where it is nice to have a stroll and a picnic. Tucked at the back is Aqualand, a water park with several pools and slides.
The Corner Park Hotel | Best Budget Hotel in Konyaalti Beach
The Corner Park Hotel is located near the Konyaalti Beach Park and Aqualand. The rooms are modern and comfortable and are fitted with air conditioning, a private bathroom, a balcony with either a mountain or a city view, a seating area and a dressing room. The hotel has a swimming pool, a bar and a restaurant.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Antalya | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Konyaalti Beach
The Crowne Plaza Hotel offers a 5-star treatment for a very affordable price in Konyaalti Beach. The modern spacious rooms are fitted with an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub, air conditioning, soundproofing, extra long beds and a free wifi connection. The hotel has multiple swimming pools, a fitness center, as well as a spa.
Ozmert Hotel | Best Hostel in Konyaalti Beach
The Ozmert Hotel is a small hotel run by a family. It offers single and double private rooms with an ensuite bathroom, a refrigerator and a tea and coffee machine. On request, the hotel can arrange a free breakfast in the morning as well as a free airport shuttle.
Beachfront Flat by the Sea | Best Airbnb in Konyaalti Beach
If you want to wake up to views across the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea, this is where you’ll want to stay. This dreamy flat is light and airy and comes with all the modern amenities you could need.
Located in the centre of Antalya and next to the sea, you can enjoy everything this beachy town has to offer. The Old Town is just 15 minutes away and you’ll be dipping your toes in the sea within mere seconds!
Things to see and do in Konyaalti Beach
- Laze the day away in the sun on the pebble beach.
- Take the Nostalgia tram to the centre of Antalya.
- Spend a fun water day at Aqualand.
- Take a sailboat over to Kas Islands.
- Take a history tour to see the ancient ruins of Perge, Side and Aspendos.
3. Belek – Best Area in Antalya for Nightlife
Belek is a resort town located a few kilometres east from the main city of Antalya. It is dubbed to be the golf capital of Turkey. As a consequence, golfing is the main activity around Belek, and the lucky ones can even hope to meet Tiger Woods on the green.
There are also some nice beaches in Belek, in case you are not into golfing or if you want to take a day off. Many of the resorts around here offer all-inclusive packages where you will not need to think about anything except applying your sunscreen in the morning!
You can find some bars and nightclubs open late in Belek, and it is a good spot if you are interested in partying the night away.
To relax and eliminate the toxins, I recommend you try one of the local hammams or Turkish baths, a traditional steam room where, after sweating, you indulge in a body scrub and a massage that will leave you feeling refreshed.
Innvista Hotels | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Belek
Innvista Hotels is a resort in Belek, with all-inclusive formulas, including 24-hour room service. The resort boasts several outdoor swimming pools, a wellness centre, a fitness centre, a bar and a restaurant. The rooms are modern and spacious and are fitted with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a free Wifi connection. Innvista Hotels is our top pick for luxury hotels in Antalya.
Massive Townhouse with Pool | Best Airbnb in Belek
Especially during the hot summer days, you’ll love this amazing Airbnb. Jump in the outdoor swimming pool to cool off or simply stay inside your massive mansion and chill in front of the TV. Accommodating up to 6 people, this home also wins the spot for the best place for a group of friends. Located within walking distance to Belek’s city center, you’ll be far enough to have a good night’s sleep but still very close to the lively streets.
Things to see and do in Belek
- Play on the finest golf courses in Turkey
- Enjoy the beach from one of the resorts
- Watch the nesting of the green turtles
- Try relaxing in a local hammam
- Take a hiking trip out to the Taurus Mountains.
- Head over to the Green Canyon for a mountain cruise.
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Grab an eSIM!4. Olympos Beach – Coolest Place to Stay in Antalya
Olympos, now mainly a beach resort, is an ancient town that was first established in the 1st century AC, during the Greek domination. At the time, it was the biggest city in the region and many remains of the period can still be seen today.
One of the main attractions in Olympos Beach is actually to visit the ancient city of Olympos. Do not miss the Acropol and the monumental tomb of Olympos. Most of the ancient city is now located underwater, but many ruins the city can still be seen around.
Mount Chimaera displays an incredible natural phenomenon: eternal fire. The mount is made of a rocky formation with multiple little fires that burn continuously without any apparent source of fuel. It is also a nice region to hike around.
Finally, Olympos Beach has a nice pebble and sand beach, where you can spend the day lazing in the sun and soaking up some sun. The waters here are also good for swimming. Olympos Beach has always been a hit with hippies and some are still hanging around.
Palm Konak Hotel | Best Budget Hotel in Olympos Beach
The Palm Konak Hotel is within walking distance of the beach and offers spacious rooms fitted with an ensuite bathroom, a private balcony or terrace, air conditioning and a free wifi connection. The hotel also offers small houses with two bedrooms to accommodate families. A good buffet breakfast is served to guests in the morning.
Aida Hotel | Best Mid-Range in Olympos Beach
The Aida Hotel offers private rooms in the main building and private bungalows located in a beautiful garden full of flowers. Each room or bungalow is fitted with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a mountain or a garden view and a mosquito net. The hotel features an outdoor pool and is a must for a stay in Antalya.
Beachside Cedar House | Best Airbnb in Olympos Beach
If you’re a beach bum, a yogi or just LOVE tiny homes – this place is for you! Located just 200m from the beach and nestled into LUSH green gardens, this wooden tiny home is the perfect home away from home in Olympos Beach.
This gorgeous tiny home comes with a yoga platform and is surrounded by small shops and restaurants. The area is peace and quiet – a real slice of heaven.
Things to see and do in Olympos Beach
- Visit the ancient city of Olympos and the surrounding ancient monuments.
- Experience the eternal fire in Chimaera.
- Spend the day relaxing and sunbathing on the beach.
- Take a Turkish bath and a relaxing massage.
- Take a scuba diving trip out to Kemer.
- Take the cable car up Tahtali Mountain.
5. Lara – Where to Stay in Antalya for Families
Lara Beach is located a few kilometres east of Antalya. It is one of the most popular beaches in the area, and one of the most beautiful places in Turkey. Families love it there as the beach is made of golden sand and stretches for 12 kilometres (no nasty pebbles around here!) and the waters are blue and transparent.
The beach also boasts a blue flag indicating it is safe to swim, which is definitely a plus when travelling with kids.
On the way to Antalya, just west of Lara, take a look at the Düden river as it falls dramatically into the sea from a 40-meter high cliff. The best way to see the waterfalls is to take a boat and get as close as you can. Thrills are guaranteed for the little ones!
Finally, Antalya and its historic old town are just a bus ride away from Lara Beach.
Holiday Inn Antalya – Lara | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Lara
The Holiday Inn Antalya Lara boasts a private beach area in Lara with sun loungers. It also features a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, a wellness centre and a fitness centre. The rooms are modernly decorated and fitted with an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, a view over the city and a free Wifi connection. The hotel offer a free shuttle to Antalya airport.
Stunning Sea View Apartment | Best Airbnb in Lara
Ever wanted to wake up to the most beautiful sea view? Then this massive apartment is the right one for you. Super stylish, spacious and homely, this Turkish style Airbnb offers space for up to 7 guests. This makes it perfect for families that want to stay in Antalya. Located very close to the beach, it’s walking distance until you feel the sand under your toes. The host is known to be extremely helpful and goes above and beyond to meet your needs.
Things to see and do in Lara
- Spend the day on one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey.
- Go check out the scenic Duden waterfalls as the river falls into the sea.
- Take the bus to Antalya and visit the old city.
- Take the kids to The Land of Legends theme park.
- Try white water rafting at Köprülü Canyon National Park.
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Hide Yo’ Money!FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Antalya
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Antalya and where to stay.
What To Pack For Antalya
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
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Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
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Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In Antalya…
So there you have it! All your questions on where to stay in Antalya are answered!
Antalya is one of the best places in Turkey to go to the beach. It also boasts centuries-old historical sites and stunning nature with wonders such as eternal fires.
My favourite place to stay is in Antalya city, as you are in the heart of the action while being a few trams a bus ride away from some of the nicest beaches in the country. Whether you’re a solo backpacker, part of a couple, or with your family, this is a place for everyone!
Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments and I will add it to the list!
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around Turkey.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Turkey.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
- Our in-depth Europe backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.
Updated December 2022 by Megan Christopher
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