Despite my boyfriend and I having very different ideas of what the perfect holiday looks like (he loves history and hiking, I love lying on the beach), we thankfully agree on the essentials: warm weather, delicious dining and an excursion or two. A quick scroll through Jet2holidays’ latest offerings (which include flexible durations, 22kg of baggage and a range of two- to five-star hotels to choose from) and we found somewhere that ticked all the boxes: Antalya.
Located on the southern tip of the Turkish Riviera, the coastal city boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, golden beaches, designer boutiques and quaint old towns. Having been and loved it, here’s my list of recommended things to do, see and eat there.
What to do
Hike around Göynük Canyon
Wander through 3km of pine forests and picturesque waterfalls to soak up the scenery and, at the top of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the river below. Zip-line or quad bike your way back down or finish your hike with a Turkish barbecue at the canyon’s restaurant, like we did.
Head to a hammam
Turkish baths are an integral part of the Turkish culture. Aromatherapy massages, sauna sessions and a good scrub-down all come surrounded by intricate marble architecture, domed ceilings and ornate tile work.
Sail into the sunset
If ever I’m proposed to, I’d like it to be aboard an evening cruise along the coast while admiring Antalya’s awe-inspiring skyline and watching the sun dip below the Taurus Mountains. Yacht tours from the Old City Marina can be customised to suit whatever you’re after, whether that’s snorkel-friendly coves or alfresco dining.
What to see
Explore the Temple of Apollo in Side
Kaleiçi’s cobblestone culture
A maze of narrow streets, Kaleiçi is the beautiful old quarter of Antalya and home to a treasure trove of historical houses, the iconic Hadrian’s Gate and bazaars offering everything from traditional Turkish crafts to colourful spices. Spend a few hours getting lost in the streets of Cumhuriyet, Güllük and Atatürk before heading up the Kaleiçi Panoramic Elevator for unbeatable views.
Çıralı Beach’s sea turtles
Antalya has plenty of idyllic beaches, but the star of the show is Çıralı Beach where you can spot endangered loggerhead sea turtles. Located off the typical tourist trail, it’s also famous for its scattered ancient ruins and crystal-clear waters.
Endless ancient history
After exploring the ancient city of Side, we watched a gorgeous pink sunset from the steps of the Temple of Apollo. And you thought Rome’s Colosseum was cool? Check out Antalya’s Aspendos Ancient Theatre just half an hour’s drive up the coast: an incredible Roman theatre that still hosts live musical performances.
What to eat and drink
Enjoy traditional Turkish mezze
In short? Everything. Creamy hummus, velvety baba ganoush and tangy ezme (spicy tomato and pepper salad) are must-tries, along with dolma (vine leaves stuffed with aromatic rice and herbs) and sigara böreği (crispy pastries filled with feta and parsley). Wander down Atatürk Bulvarı, a wide boulevard in the heart of Kaleiçi, for traditional Turkish fare or head to Cumhuriyet Square for laid-back cafés and street food vendors.
The clifftop restaurants overlooking Konyaaltı Beach offer the perfect romantic vibe for more upscale dining, while Antalya’s coastal setting means plenty of marinated fish, like levrek marin (grilled sea bass marinated in herbs, spices and citrus), which pairs perfectly with freshly baked bread.
Where to stay
Kaleiçi
The old-town nature of Kaleiçi makes it a hot spot for boutique hotels and traditional mansions to suit all budgets. Overwhelmed by choice, we settled on a colourful, textile-laden guesthouse with citrus trees and a private terrace overlooking the red-tiled rooftops of the old town.
Belek
Private villas, spacious suites and infinity pools await guests at Belek’s endless upscale resorts. Make the most of the views by sipping cocktails on the beach as I did, or take advantage of the dreamy surroundings with one of Jet2holidays’ golf packages, as my other half did. Jet2holidays’ golf packages include the option to take 22kg of golf carriage alongside your 22kg of baggage, on-site golf ranges at your selected hotel, four rounds of golf per person and travel to and from the course.
Lara Beach
Sometimes referred to as the Turkish Las Vegas, this glitzy resort is the place to go for the quintessential all-inclusive experience with golden sands, gourmet dining and wellness experiences galore. Your days will consist of swimming, tanning and spa experiences – what more could you want, really?
Jet2holidays offers affordable, luxury getaways across a myriad of stunning locations in Turkey (Türkiye), with flexible durations and 22kg of baggage included. Packed with history, culture, delicious food and sparkling beaches, book your couples’ escape to Antalya at Jet2holidays.com