Make sure every element of your experience is elevated for an unbeatable stay in Antalya, the jewel in Türkiye’s coastal crown, with this handy guide.
- Consider upgraded travel
What better way to kick off a luxury holiday in Antalya than with upgraded flights? Premium Economy gives you more space, including that all-important extra legroom, and often faster boarding and alighting. Business class, which is a considerable jump in terms of cost, ensures greater privacy and attentive service, the perfect extra touch if you’re travelling to celebrate something special.
Consider booking your airport transfers ahead of time too, saving you the hassle of having to organise them on arrival. Shuttle buses are cost-effective, while private taxis offer the convenience of direct travel straight to your hotel door.
- Choose the right location
Antalya is a travel destination that caters to a wide range of travellers, from those looking for an affordable fly-and-flop option to people after the very best. Different locations within the province, therefore, offer contrasting experiences, so finding the right spot is essential to having the type of holiday you’re looking for.
Some of the smartest holiday hotspots in Turkey are in Antalya, notably Belek, which is just 45 minutes east of the city centre and boasts pristine white-sand bays and championship-standard golf courses. Lara and Konyaaltı are popular coastal spots with long beaches close to Antalya city, giving you the best of both worlds and flexibility with how you spend your days. Kemer is celebrated for its natural beauty, which can be admired from the marina.
- Find your accommodation
You have a good choice of excellent accommodation for Antalya holidays, centred along the sensational coastline that has earned this area its titles ‘Turkish Riviera’ and ‘the Turquoise Coast’. Azure waves from the Aegean and Mediterranean seas lap quiet bays and chic modern towns, with the Taurus Mountains providing a truly majestic backdrop.
Consider whether you want to enjoy this environment from a top hotel with all imaginable amenities or in a private villa away from the crowds. Either way, you can find room options with private pools and experience delectable gourmet dining.
Some of the most-praised high-end accommodation includes the Maxx Royal Kemer Resort, where food is prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, and Rixos Premium Belek, a luxury all-inclusive option with a 700-metre-long private beach.
- Arrange your experiences
Once you’ve got the foundations of your holiday in place, take your itinerary above and beyond by incorporating unforgettable experiences. The memories of the stunning seascapes will surely last a lifetime, but if you can tear yourselves away from the beaches, you’ll find plenty of other incredible things to do to elevate your experience.
Antalya is famous for its spas and wellness centres, many of which are within the five-star resorts. Book couples’ treatments if this is a romantic venture or escape a family holiday for a few hours of peace and a much-needed massage. Prefer being active? Head to the cliffs for rock climbing or canyoning in the gorges, go scuba diving in search of vibrant marine life or hike the Lycian Way.
Other options include shopping for jewellery and handwoven carpets at the bazaars lined by colourful lanterns, experiencing the city’s nightlife and exploring local heritage in the Old Town and at ancient ruins like Aspendos, which boasts one of the best-preserved Roman theatres.
- Indulge in fine dining
You already know that there’s the opportunity for Michelin-star meals in Antalya, and that’s the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fine dining. For authentic cuisine in an upscale setting, it has to be Seraser, set in an elegant 300-year-old mansion with an intimate garden terrace. 7 Mehmet is more casual but still chic and serves an extraordinary variety of traditional Mediterranean dishes.
Don’t shy away from the local markets, too. Some of the best food to be found is here, served from modest stalls. Savour the topped Turkish flatbread known as pide, sample varied options in a meze and end with kunefe, a super-sweet, encased cheese dessert drizzled with syrup.