Antalya sprawls along a long bay, but the choice of base for most visitors comes down to two areas: the old town of Kaleiçi, for walkable atmosphere, and the Lara coast, for beach and resort comforts. Here is how to choose, with the five hotels we recommend.
Kaleiçi: the walkable old town
If this is your first visit and you want to step out into Roman gates, Ottoman houses and harbour cafes, stay inside or beside the walls. Everything in the old quarter is on foot, boat trips leave from the marina, and the lanes are at their best early and late. The trade-offs are cobbles, steps, some noise from restaurants and the fact that few places have a beach or large pool. Tuvana Hotel is our pick for a boutique stay in restored Ottoman houses, with a courtyard pool, three restaurants, free breakfast and, unusually, free parking. Puding Marina Residence sits a minute from the marina on Mermerli Sokak, with sea-view rooms, a spa and a seasonal pool open from April to November; note that it has no elevator. Mediterra Art Hotel, near Hadrian's Gate, is a calmer, adult-oriented option with terrace rooms and a Turkish restaurant, though it does not accept children aged twelve and younger.
Budget in the old town
Sabah Pansiyon, on Hesapçı Sokağı, is a simple guesthouse with economy rooms, a family room and an apartment, within a couple of minutes of Karaalıoğlu Park and about seven minutes from Hadrian's Gate. Rooms are compact and facilities are basic, but the location is hard to beat for the price.
Lara: beach and resort comfort
Lara lies east of the centre and is where the larger beach resorts sit. It suits families, beach-focused trips and travellers who like having a pool, spa and restaurants on site. The Marmara Antalya is the standout here: a five-star with sea-view rooms, a spa, beachfront access, a children's pool and free valet parking. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so in November lean on the spa and beach. It is about a half-hour drive from the old town, so budget for taxis, and it is well placed for the airport.
Konyaaltı and other areas
Konyaaltı, west of the centre, has a long pebble beach and the aquarium; it is quieter and a little more local. It is worth considering if you want long beach walks, but we have not shortlisted a hotel here, because the old town and Lara are the best match for the sights most visitors come to see.
How to choose
First-time visitors and couples should favour Kaleiçi. Families who want a pool and beach should look to Lara. Budget travellers will find the best value in a guesthouse in the old town. If you plan many day trips, remember that tours pick up from hotels across the city, so either base works; what matters is how you want to spend your evenings and whether you want to walk or ride.
Practical tips
Check how luggage reaches an old-town hotel before you arrive, since some lanes are not suited to cars. Confirm pool season dates if swimming matters, especially from mid-October through spring. Ask about airport transfer prices, which are often cheaper to arrange in advance. In peak summer, book early, since the best old-town rooms go first. Remember the Antalya Museum is closed for rebuilding, so choose your base for atmosphere and access rather than proximity to it.
