To some, planning a summer trip in the middle of April might seem like overkill, but seasoned travelers know that, if anything, making your reservations in spring is already a bit late, especially if you’re looking to take advantage of those early bird deals.
And for those currently contemplating where to head off to this upcoming season, I’ve got the perfect recommendation – it’s warm, beachy, and Mediterranean; in short, the perfect place to live out your summer fantasies.
Antalya is gearing up for a record-breaking year, with over 16 million international travelers expected to enter its limits this 2024, a good chunk of which will obviously be visiting the city between May and September.
And since it’s only been a couple of months since the gorgeous Turkish city announced its newest tourism record, this unwavering surge in popularity begs the question – why can’t travelers seem to get enough of Antalya?
Antalya’s Unparalleled Natural Beauty
A lot of praise has been sung to the otherworldly beauty of the Mediterranean, but the Turkish Riviera is truly something else.
Antalya, in particular, is surrounded by the Taurus Mountains, whose contrast with the crystal-clear waters creates that type of landscape that seems like it was touched by the gods.
The best place to see just how striking these views are (at least in my humble opinion) is Konyaaltı Beach, whose golden, liquid-looking sand has been photographed a million times over, and, frankly, none of the pictures do justice to what you’ll actually see once you get there.
One downside to visiting a place so famously gorgeous, though, is that you’ll probably have to share the experience with hundreds of other tourists, always assuming you don’t travel off-season or get incredibly lucky.
So for those looking to take in the Mediterranean sun somewhere more secluded, Lara Beach might be a better choice.
The water here is warm, calm, and shallow, so families or those who’re not all that confident in their swimming abilities will get a much-needed chance to practice.
If you grow tired of the beachy landscapes (though I’m not quite sure how that would happen), I can’t recommend going on a tour to see the local waterfalls enough – these start at $55 per adult and take you through some of the region’s most stunning sights.
So Much History To Explore
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about Antalya is that it’s just another pretty resort town whose relevancy is only linked with tourist-centric resorts; however, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Beyond the dreamy views, the city offers travelers the opportunity to rediscover one of Turkey’s oldest civilizations, especially through its famous historic district, Kaleiçi.
With its winding cobblestone streets and jaw-dropping Ottoman architecture, the area is the perfect place for you to relive a sliver of the country’s (very) storied past.
If you’re strapped for time, I’d recommend prioritizing a couple of unmissable attractions, like the famous Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, the Antalya Museum, and the Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, though if you’re visiting the latter, make sure to do some research on attire requirements and customs beforehand.
A Fantastic Selection Of All-Inclusive Resorts
If you were to take a person off the street and ask them what they know about Antalya, their first answer would probably be the fact that the city is known for its fantastic all-inclusive resorts, many of which are remarkably affordable, too.
However, if you still want a taste of luxury, you can’t go wrong with one of the many places that dot the famous Lara District.
Lara Barut Collection, Concorde De Luxe Resort, and Megasaray Westbeach Antalya are currently the top 3 resorts in the city according to Tripadvisor, and if you read through the entire list, you’ll find plenty of great options that don’t even exceed the $150 mark – for an all-inclusive deal, that’s incredible!
Traveling To Antalya Has Never Been Easier (Or Cheaper)
Whether you’re a more time-efficient traveler looking to book a flight or someone searching for that perfect cruising opportunity, Antalya has never been easier to visit.
Right now, there are plenty of connections taking travelers to Antalya from virtually every major U.S. city, and airfare is at its annual low at just a little over $500 for a round-trip.
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