Where to stay in Antalya

Antalya is one of the largest cities in Turkey and the capital of Antalya Province, the fifth-most populous province. Recognized as the "capital of tourism" in Turkey and a pivotal part of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya sits on Anatolia's southwest coast, flanked by the Taurus Mountains.

The city was named after its first documented ruler Attalos II (220-138 BC), king of Pergamon, though it was obviously settled much earlier. Attalos' life and wife resembles soap opera, and his epiphet Philadelphos - "brother-loving" - hints at insecurity over how his relationship with back-from-the-dead brother and co-ruler Eumenes II might be portrayed. He based his fleet here - there were few alternatives along this exposed coast, and Attaleia (Ἀττάλεια) grew up around what's now called the Roman harbour.

Lots of inexpensive pansiyons in Kaleiçi the core of Old Town and Kılınçarslan its southern extension.

Getting around

Single rides for tram or bus can be paid contactless with a credit card — costs about €1. In addition, Antalyakart is the plastic transport card you may use to get additional benefits. Buy it or reload it at kiosks along the tramway, at the airport and at the bus terminal; you probably need banknotes for this. You can also buy disposable paper cards for rided. But these don't allow transfers, nor can they be re-loaded, but you can load a suitable amount on purchase. Discount cards are only available for citizens with Turkish ID, who pay a little more upfront but get cheaper rides.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.