Antalya

Antalya is a definite tourist hub, and it's one of Turkey's fastest growing cities; these days the international terminals of Antalya airport are busier even than in Istanbul. Most visitors are on package tours, but Antalya is also a popular destination among Turks. The enormous hotels east of Antalya are themed on Ottoman palaces or the great sights of European capitals and attract increasing numbers of conferences, too.

Antalya has variety, sophistication, and the attraction of having one of Turkey's best museums. It is also quite large. You can happily stay within the winding streets of the atmospheric harbor and old city, known as the Kaleiçi—where there are small houses, restaurants, pansiyons, and Mermerli Beach—hardly noticing the big urban conglomeration all around. On the hilltop above the harbor are tea gardens and bars with views that extend south to the Bey Mountains right and around to the Taurus Mountains to the north.