The Düden waterfall falling from the cliffs into the sea, the Antalya coast beyond
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Luxury in Türkiye

Antalya

The capital of the Turkish Riviera: an old walled town above a Roman harbour, the Taurus Mountains above the sea, golf at Belek, and ancient cities along the coast.

The Düden waterfall, AntalyaPhotograph: Muamer Ramovic

Hoş geldiniz

Where the mountains meet the sea

Antalya was founded in the second century before Christ by King Attalus II of Pergamon, and its old town, Kaleiçi, still wraps around the Roman harbour inside its walls. Hadrian’s Gate, built for the emperor’s visit in AD 130, leads into its lanes of Ottoman houses.

Behind the city the Taurus Mountains rise straight from the sea, snow-capped in spring. Along the coast lie some of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean: Perge, Side, Phaselis and Aspendos, whose Roman theatre is still used for performances.

Today Antalya is the capital of the Turkish Riviera and one of the most visited places on the Mediterranean. Its finest stays are the resorts and golf of Belek to the east and the quieter coves of the Lycian coast at Kemer to the west.

A few words of Turkish
EnglishTurkishSay it
HelloMerhabaMEHR-ha-bah
PleaseLütfenLUET-fen
Thank youTeşekkür ederimteh-shek-KUER eh-deh-reem
Good eveningİyi akşamlaree-YEE ahk-shahm-LAHR
The bill, pleaseHesap, lütfenheh-SAHP, LUET-fen

Sail

Yachting in Antalya

Yachting at our standard in and around Antalya.

Shipyards

Cruises

Antalya by sea

How the ships arrive in Antalya, and the luxury lines that call.

Ships berth at Port Akdeniz, about 12 km west of the old town of Kaleiçi.

Of the luxury lines, Star Clippers begins and ends voyages here.

The luxury lines that call here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Experience

Events and things to do in Antalya

The Antalya year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Aspendosnear Antalya

    The best-preserved theatre of the ancient world (AD 155), home of the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival since 1994.

Golf

Live

Luxury real estate in Antalya

A home in Antalya: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Türkiye Sotheby's International RealtyIstanbul

    The Sotheby's affiliate for Türkiye, opened in 2023 and owned by the Alfardan Group, with its headquarters at the Six Senses Kocataş Mansions on the Bosphorus and a sales lounge at İstinyePark, serving Istanbul, Bodrum and Antalya.

All the leading agencies in Türkiye ›

Looking for a home in Antalya? Write to [email protected] and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Antalya and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Antalya

Where is Antalya?

On the Mediterranean coast of southern Türkiye, at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. Antalya airport takes private jets and is about 20 minutes from the old town and about 30 minutes from Belek.

What is Antalya famous for?

Its old town of Kaleiçi and the Roman harbour, its beaches and resorts, golf at Belek, the ancient cities of Perge, Side and Aspendos, and the Taurus Mountains above the sea.

Do you tip in Antalya?

Around 10–15% is customary in restaurants if service isn't included. Rounding up is usual for taxis; at the hammam, tips beyond the listed fees are expected only in the most touristed places. Luxury hotels: porters the equivalent of €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, in Turkish lira.

What should you wear in Antalya?

In mosques, everyone removes their shoes. Women cover their hair, both sexes cover their shoulders and upper arms, and shorts and short skirts are out. Scarves are usually available at major mosques. Avoid visiting during the noon prayers, especially on a Friday. No hard-soled shoes on gulets or yachts.

Beyond Antalya

More in Türkiye

Istanbul and Bodrum, and the Mediterranean beyond.

TürkiyeLuxury Türkiye Holidays: Istanbul & BodrumExplore TürkiyeThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Antalya, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Antalya

How Türkiye does things.

Language
Turkish is the official language. English is widely spoken in luxury hotels, restaurants and resorts in Istanbul, Bodrum and along the Turquoise Coast.
Greetings
A handshake is standard. Friends often exchange two cheek kisses. Respect for elders is important. First names are commonly followed by Bey (for men) or Hanım (for women), for example "Ahmet Bey".
Dress
In mosques, everyone removes their shoes. Women cover their hair, both sexes cover their shoulders and upper arms, and shorts and short skirts are out. Scarves are usually available at major mosques. Avoid visiting during the noon prayers, especially on a Friday. No hard-soled shoes on gulets or yachts.
Dining
Lunch is around 12–2 pm, and dinner from about 7.30–9 pm, later in summer resorts. Book the best Bosphorus and Bodrum tables well ahead. Tea is offered constantly and is a gesture of hospitality.
Tipping
Around 10–15% is customary in restaurants if service isn't included. Rounding up is usual for taxis; at the hammam, tips beyond the listed fees are expected only in the most touristed places. Luxury hotels: porters the equivalent of €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, in Turkish lira.
Good to know
Insulting the Turkish nation, the flag, the President or Atatürk is a criminal offence carrying six months to three years in prison, and it covers online comments too. Do not photograph military or official installations, ask before photographing people, and carry photo ID. During Ramadan, whose dates move about 11 days earlier each year, avoid eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public in daytime, especially in conservative areas.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.