Antalya sits on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, backed by the Taurus Mountains and fronted by turquoise water that has earned the region the nickname 'Turkish Riviera'. The city proper has a population of over 2.5 million, making it Turkey's fifth-largest, but the atmosphere along the old harbour and clifftop parks feels far more intimate than those numbers suggest. Kaleiçi - the walled old quarter - dates back to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods and remains the emotional centre of the city.
Beyond the old town, Antalya is a launchpad for some of Turkey's most impressive ancient sites. Aspendos, Perge, and Termessos are all within day-trip range, and the Lycian Way hiking trail begins just west of the city. Two long public beaches - Konyaaltı to the west and Lara to the east - provide the classic sun-and-sea experience, while the Düden Waterfalls prove that Antalya's natural scenery extends well beyond the coastline.
Antalya International Airport (AYT) handles over 35 million passengers a year, with direct flights from most European cities, making the city one of the easiest Mediterranean destinations to reach. The climate is classic Mediterranean - hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters - with over 300 days of sunshine annually. The best times to visit are April to June and September to November, when temperatures hover around 25-30 °C and the ancient sites are not overwhelmed with summer tour groups.