Getting Around in Antalya

Public Transportation in Antalya to your Rescue


You will need to know a lot about Antalya Transportation in order to maneuver yourself from one holiday spot to another. Antalya is a city located in the southwestern portion of Turkey, just along the coast of the Mediterrranean. Antalya is a truly attractive city, earning its reputation  as Turkey’s key holiday resort with shady, palm-lined avenues. So, here are some transportation tips.

Taxi or Car Rental

When you arrive at the Antalya Airport, the only way for you to reach your hotel or destination is by taxi. Better yet, see if you make arrangements with your hotel for airport transfer. This is because there is no public transportation anywhere near the airport, only taxis. Now if you opt to ride a taxi towards your destination, you need to ask the cost of the ride before getting inside the cab. However, when one is already touring the city, a rented car or taxi is no longer recommended because public transportation in the city of Antalya is efficient and reasonably priced.

Public Transportation

One of the best ways to get around Antalya is via buses that have their stations in the heart of Antalya. The bus routes passes by the major destinations and tourist attractions of the city. Aside from buses, the city also has a Dolmus, a local mode of transportation, which is comparable to a minibus. Payment of the fare is usually done as soon as you sit down and trips within the city may cost $0.65.

Eating Out in Antalya

There are several great Antalya restaurants around where you don’t necessarily have to pay a fortune to enjoy a good meal. Antalya’s gastronomical fare is a mixture of Central Asian, Balkan and Middle Eastern cuisine, with great Turkish influences. That means you can spend you whole vacation exploring Antalya’s food offerings without eating the same dish twice.

Dost Kofte

This restaurant has a casual atmosphere. It is not a place that is frequented too often by tourists, but offers great service and sumptuous foods. Dost Kofte serves authentic Antalian dishes in huge servings but at very affordable prices. If you order a serving of the doner kebab, you can divide it for two people and it will only costs you 10 lira, or less than $10.

Parlak Restaurant

This is a well known family restaurant located right in the center of Kalekapsi. This restaurant offers the best grilled chicken and fish in Antalya. Parlak also serves salads, mezes, local wines and Turkish Raki. The place is always packed with locals and tourists, especially during summer. The staff is very helpful and friendly, and everything is reasonably priced at this restaurant.

Cineralti Döner

Cineralti Döner serves all kind of döner kebabs, made with beef, lamb, chicken, fish, or even vegetables. It is located near the Sarampol Cadessi crossing, right next to the shopping area. Besides the döner, Cineralti Döner also serves salads, mezes and the Turkish salty yoghurt drink called Ayran. There are two Cineralti Döner in the said area; the first one is a full restaurant and the other one is a small street-side stall. Both  branches serve great food.

Lacivert

This is one of the best restaurants in the city of Antalya. It is highly recommended for tourists, and is also very popular with the locals as well. Lacivert serves delicious Turkish and Antalian dishes that are reasonably priced. Must-try dishes are the chicken brochettes and the kunufee. The restaurant also serves coffee, tea, salads, entrees, and desserts. It is located in downtown Antalya, just beside the Tourist Information Desk.

7 Mehmet

This is another phenomenal restaurant in Antalya, situated in Ataturk Kultur Parki.  7 Mehmet serves great Turkish and Antalian cuisine, and offers great view of the city. The restaurant menu includes meat entrees, tandoor kebab, fresh salads, mezes and great selection of wines. Don’t miss out on the tripe soup, which may sound a bit too exotic, but really tastes great.

Museums in Antalya

Cradled between Mediterranean waters and stone peaks is Antalya, a new metropolis and international escape. While many may wish to indulge in the long summers and breathless nights, others may instead prefer the secrets found within Antalya Museums. There is an ancient world to discover beneath the modern shine.

The Antalya Museum

One of Turkey’s greatest offerings, this massive complex of corridors and architectural wonders is certain to inspire. With over 75,000 feet to wander, travelers will easily lose themselves for the day. 5000 artifacts are displayed through 14 exhibit halls; each charting specific eras and significance. From Neolithic art to Byzantium mosaics, there is always something spectacular to see. Since its conception in 1919, it has become the historical standard. Guests are highly recommended to reserve tickets. This is one of Antalya’s most popular destinations. It is open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday.

Kaleiçi Museum

For those seeking a glimpse into what once was, look no further than Kaleiçi. This expansive home has been reinvented, every room designed to explore the culture of the 19th century. Period details have been carefully restored, accuracy is promised and travelers will find thorough displays of the past--complete with lifelike mannequins and historical artifacts. Walk the many corners and discover precious tradition. It is open from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., except on Wednesdays when it is closed. Call ahead for tickets.

Antalya Museums may not be staggering in number, but they will still delight.

Shopping in Antalya

One of the things you would not want to miss out while visiting Antalya are the several Antalya Shopping hot-spots. Antalya is indeed a shopaholic dreamland. Some of the best shopping hot spots in Middle East can be found in this magnificent destination.

Migros Shopping Mall

This is one of the most popular shopping havens in Antalya. Migros Shopping Mall is located along Yuzuncuyil Boulevard near the Konyaalti Beach Park. Here, you can find everything from international brands like Guess, Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Levi’s, Mango and Zara to the exotic Turkish arts and crafts. The shopping mall houses 124 shops and boutiques, 8 cinemas, fast food chains, cafes, an entertainment center, toy stores and much more.

Dogu Garaji Market

The Dogu Garaji Market is a large everyday market located right in the center of the city. It offers a wide array of remarkable and unique items like Turkish trinkets, cotton garments, leather goods, Turkish carpets, gold and copper works, jewelry and more.  You can also enjoy the rich and enticing aroma of fresh teas, coffees and exotic spices. Plus, you can buy different varieties of luscious fruits displayed in the most artistic manners.

Deepo Outlet Center

Another famous shopper’s haven is the Deepo Outlet Center which is located in the eastern part of the city. This is a large shopping center that houses 80 stores, 15 food stalls, a children’s playground, cinemas, an entertainment area and the first and only ice skating rink in Antalya. If you are looking for designer and international brands, this is the right place. You can also buy local merchandises like ready to wear clothing, beauty products, accessories, leather goods, toys, jewelry, home décor, souvenirs and gift ware. This is one place where everything is sold at discounted prices, 365 days a year.

Kaleici

The old historic town of Kaleici offers a wide selection of stores and boutiques situated near the city walls. The Kaleici street bazaar offers a diverse collection of dry goods, arts and crafts and locally produced items. The best part about shopping here is that everything comes with super affordable tag prices. You can also pick up a couple of Turkish carpets here, all at discounted prices.

Laura Street Market

This is a popular weekend street market in the city of Antalya that is open every Saturday. It is called Laura Street Market; however, it is not an actual street market per se. The shopping centers are called “markets” and actual markets are called “Pazash.”  That means Laura Street Market is actually a shopping center that offers wide arrays of international and local products, food and belly dancing costumes.
Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: universityen

Nightlife and Entertainment

Since Antalya is a real tourist center, its infrastructure has been set accordingly, with many restaurants, discos, clubs and taverns that offer great Antalya Nightlife for travelers. Nobody can complain of boredom in this city. The Old Harbor area also hosts many open-air concerts and activities.
Discos, Taverns and Clubs

Antalya nightlife caters to every taste and whim. During the summer, there is a multitude of bars, discos and dancing venues with upbeat music and revolving lights, filled to capacity by both locals and visitors. This excitement is taken to a new level with the Golden Orange Film Festival, an international event that takes place in Antalya in the fall.
The Inferno Club is an elegant, modern nightclub that is very crowded after midnight. This also happens to be when the music improves. With its two-thousand-head capacity, Club 29 is the largest and most frequented club on the Antalya Nightlife scene, with a stunning view over the Antalya Marina. The club is a restaurant, club and bar combined, so you can also start your night there by having dinner. The dress is casual, but lounge shirts are preferred to T-shirts.
The Beach Park
Konaalti's Beach Park boasts moonlit cafes lining the Beach Park promenade, where the adjacent lawns in front of Turkish taverns are decorated with a medley of scattered cushions.
The Marina
Antalya nightlife also expands to the narrow streets or courtyards in Kaleiçi and even to the Yacht Harbor, where visitors can challenge the balmy summer nights by enjoying ice cream and strolling along the breezy pier. Unfortunately, during slow season, the strollers may be bothered by locals waiting outside their shops.
Karaalioglu Park
Tourists seeking a quiet Antalya night out might prefer Karaalioglu Park. There the beckoning tea gardens are brightly adorned with red seats for the "not so young" or the less animated. There might even be a show at one of the hotels, so one needs to be alert to announcements in this regard.
Belly Dancing
Belly Dancing is an unequivocal part of almost every resort or town’s nightlife, and Antalya nightlife is no exception. One must know that the tradition is when the dancer approaches your table, she expects a male at the table to stuff a banknote into her bra.
Restaurants
For those who enjoy a night out eating at a good restaurant, there are the following  venues to choose from: Highlander, Kale Bar, Gizli Bahçe (Secret Garden), Kral Sofrasi, Marina Hotel and  Stella’s Bistrot. These are among the most well known restaurants in the city.

Practical Information in Antalya

This Antalya Practical Information guide will give you an idea of what to expect when you visit Antalya. Antalya is the capital city of the Antalya Province situated in Turkey. The city is surrounded by mountains and is located on the coastal cliffs, making the scenery of blue waters as attractive as it can be.

General Information

Country: TurkeyCountry Code:  90Region: Mediterranean Area Code: 242Time Zone:  EETLocal Time: GMT +2Founded:  150 BC by Attalos II, king of Pergamon, naming it AttaliaArea:  1,417 km2 (547.1 sq mi)Language: TurkishElectricity: 220 volts 50 HzBusiness Hours: Establishments are usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Airport: It is approximately a 30 minute ride starting at the city center towards the Antalya Airport.
Local Transport

You can make use of the local bus services in the city to get around. The buses will normally get you to almost any part of the city. You can also take the train that runs along the boulevard.

Visa Information

All tourists entering the city should have a valid passport with them. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Austria, Belgium and other European countries need to apply for a visa to enter Antalya. Visas are issued for 3 months, 1 month or 15 days. Citizens of Argentina, Barbados, Canada and other countries are issued with a visa on arrival. You can contact the Turkish embassy for more information.

Climate

Since Antalya is located near the Taurus Mountain range, the mountains keeps the cold winds of the north from entering the city. This gives the city a hot and dry climate that is often typical of most Mediterranean places. The climate becomes fairly tepid and wet throughout the winter. However, it is sunny for almost 300 days of the whole year. In July and August, air temperature is 40 °C (104 °F), while the sea temperature range can be as low as 15 °C (59 °F) up to 28 °C (82 °F).

Currency

The Yeni Turk Lirasi (YTL) is the currency used in Antalya, $1 = YTL 1.81. You will need to change your money into Yeni Turk Lirasi when you arrive in Antalya. You can change your money at the money changers at the airport or at any bank. You can use the ATMs to withdraw money; however, your bank might charge you a certain percentage for each transaction.

Bars and Cafes in Antalya

In Antalya, bars and cafes are plentiful. This Mediterranean city, located on the coast of Turkey, is a great spot for tourists to enjoy the scenery and experience a relaxing dining escapade. It is also home to one of the most exciting nightlife areas of Turkey, and features several bars and clubs for every kind of traveler. Below is more information on the many bars and cafes Antalya has to offer its visitors.

Cafes and Restaurants of Antalya
Turkish food is famous throughout the world, and Antalya is home to countless cafes and eateries that offer Turkish cuisine. Antalya is also known for its large selection and variety, which is great for travelers who want to continually try something new. There are numerous cafes and restaurants in Antalya where visitors can dine on traditional Turkish cooking, as well as seafood. This is a great place for visitors on a budget, since the majority of restaurants within Antalya are relatively cheap, yet offer delicious cuisine as well. Even so, there are plenty of high-class and expensive restaurants within Antalya for those looking for more a refined dining experience.
Most tourists decide to explore the many restaurants and cafes of old town Antalya, known as Kaleici. These cafes are known to be atmospheric and popular, and some even offer exquisite scenery of the city. The more daring visitor of Antalya may enjoy the less popular, but favoured restaurants of many locals. These cafes and restaurants are not located in old town Antalya, but rather on the outskirts.
For those travelers looking for traditional Turkish cuisine, the Kirk Merdiven Restaurant is what they may be looking for. The Kirk Merdiven features a large courtyard surrounded by fragrant lemon trees and offers traditional Turkish dishes. Other restaurants and cafes where visitors can enjoy Turkish dishes and pleasant ambiance include the Coco Bar, Kismet Balikcisi, and the Develi Restaurant. 
Bars of Antalya
Antalya features a lively nightlife, and offers several popular bars and clubs within the city. The majority of the bars in Antalya double as disco's, which adds to the exciting experience of exploring the Turkish east coast's bars. Those visitors just looking to enjoy a drink and relax by the sea should visit the waterfront bars of Antalya. For the more exciting nightlife experience, visitors can explore either Club 29 or Ally's, both located in Kaleici. Both of these popular bars offer night dancing and drinks.