We will be visiting Antalya during the first week of May 2026. We’re hoping to see a beautiful, laid-back mid-sized seaside resort. Are we instead heading for a crowded coastal metropolis? We will stay near the historic center of Antalya, and have scheduled a walking tour for our first morning there to orient ourselves. Any suggestions for restaurants and shopping would be appreciated. We have visited, and enjoyed Istanbul and Cappadocia in recent years.
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Salem, Oregon, USA
3575 posts
Are we instead heading for a crowded coastal metropolis?
Not sure what you mean by this, it is a popular resort town so you won't be alone by any stretch and it's also a cruise port stop (check the schedule for your dates). I stayed there with a RS tour group in early October and it was busy but not overwhelming. Our group rented a private boat to tour the coastline and go for a swim (ask at your hotel) and went to a great bath (Demirhan Hamam). I have heard the archaeological museum there is a good one. The nearby Aspendos ruins are really interesting as well.
I don't have any specific restaurant suggestions, I ate at a pizza place one evening because I was growing tired of kebab near the end of my travels. There are dozens of choices in the historic central area.