Antalya, Turkey

• Antalya is Turkey's main Mediterranean resort city. The historic Kaleiçi (Old Town) has cobblestone streets and Roman ruins, while Konyaaltı and Lara beaches have the resort hotels and beach clubs stretching for kilometers. Most tourist areas operate in English - you won't have trouble in hotels or main restaurants, though local neighborhoods need basic Turkish.
• The city is generally safe to navigate alone, but dress codes matter more here than at European beach resorts. Beachwear is fine at beaches and hotels, but you'll get stares in very short shorts or crop tops outside tourist zones. Cafes are full of people sitting alone with coffee and laptops - both locals and tourists - so solo dining doesn't feel awkward.
• Public transport uses the AntRay tram system connecting the airport to city center, but you need a rechargeable AntalyaKart since they don't take cash on buses. The tram is modern and runs frequently. The city center stays busy and well-lit until late, with visible police around the harbor and main tourist areas.
• Most people stay in Kaleiçi for the old town atmosphere, or pick Konyaaltı or Lara for beach access. Kaleiçi gets packed with tour groups during the day but quiets down by evening. The beach neighborhoods stay busy until midnight on weekends with beachfront cafes and bars.

Turkish is the main language, but English works in tourist areas like Kaleiçi, Lara, and Konyaaltı. Hotel staff, restaurant workers in tourist zones, and younger people usually speak English. The emergency service (112) and tourist police (153) have English-speaking operators. The YIMER foreigner support line (157) has assistance in 6 languages including English.

• Dress codes vary by area. Beachwear is fine at hotels and beaches. In mosques, cover your hair, shoulders, and upper arms - most tourist mosques provide scarves. Local women in Antalya dress more casually than in conservative Turkish cities, but very short shorts or crop tops get stares outside tourist zones.
• English works in tourist areas, hotels, and main restaurants. Learning basic Turkish helps elsewhere - 'merhaba' (hello), 'teşekkür ederim' (thank you), 'lütfen' (please). People appreciate the effort and will try to help even with limited English.
• Turkish hospitality means frequent tea offers (çay). Accepting the first offer is polite, though you can decline after that. Locals sometimes ask personal questions about family or marital status - it's normal conversation, not considered invasive here.
• Tipping 5-10% is standard in restaurants, 10-15% in upscale places. Check if service charge is included already. Most people tip in cash even when paying by card.
• At mosques, remove shoes before entering and avoid visiting during prayer times unless you're there to pray. Major tourist mosques usually have scarves available if you need one.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (All): 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• The AntRay tram runs from the airport through city center to various districts, costing around 15-20 TRY per ride. You need an AntalyaKart (rechargeable transit card) since they don't take cash. The tram is modern and runs frequently.
• Buses cover the entire city and you'll need your AntalyaKart for payment. The system works well, though buses get crowded during rush hours. Watch your belongings in packed buses - pickpocketing happens.
• Official taxis are metered but always make sure the meter is running before you start. Uber isn't available here, so use hotel-called taxis or apps like BiTaksi. For longer trips, agree on the approximate fare beforehand to avoid arguments.
• Kaleiçi is walkable with cobblestone streets - comfortable shoes help. The beach promenades at Konyaaltı and Lara extend for kilometers. The city center has decent sidewalks and lighting in tourist areas, less so in residential neighborhoods.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Antalya with local guides and curated experiences.