‘Races, relics and relaxation’: Antalya, Turkey

From harbour restaurants where you can sample fresh seafood caught moments before, to the bustling bazaars and tucked-away backstreet bars and cafés, every inch of this incredible place has a story to tell. 

Here’s just a handful of things to do in the beautiful and historic city of Antalya.

Up and away with Corendon Airlines

When you fly from Manchester Airport with Turkey’s affordable leisure airline Corendon Airlines, you’re transported from our fantastic but often rainy city to the picturesque and often sunny (330 days a year on average) Antalya in less than five hours. Four hours and thirty minutes, to be exact. 

Passengers can choose from three ticketing options designed to suit all budgets: 

• Eco, for budget-friendly travel (including one 8kg item of cabin luggage) 
• Flex, ideal for leisure travel (including one 8kg item of cabin luggage, one 23kg item of hold luggage and free seat selection)
• Premium, for ultimate stress-free travel (including: one 8kg item of cabin luggage; two items of 20kg hold luggage; free seat selection; in-flight meal and snacks; free priority check-in and boarding; plus the flexibility to change flights or dates or obtain a refund upon cancellation)

I was kindly booked onto a Friday afternoon flight as a Premium passenger, where I got to make the most of an in-flight meal (served shortly after take-off) of Turkish meatballs with potato wedges, bread roll, side salad and a tiramisu for dessert; all of which was pleasant and a welcome accompaniment for a journey that was on the longer side of short-haul.  

Even on a rather busy Easter holiday flight, the cabin crew made light work of keeping each passenger happy, fed and watered. Nothing seemed too much trouble and every query was met with a smile. 

From Manchester Airport, you can fly with Corendon Airlines to both Antalya, Turkey and Crete, Greece multiple times per week at low cost prices. 

Luxury living at Corendon’s all-inclusive beachside hotel

The stress of planning what to eat, drink and do was taken care of for me as I was staying at Corendon Playa Kemer Hotel, an all-inclusive destination on the edge of the seaside area of Kemer, surrounded by pebbled beaches and blue-green waters making for stunningly picturesque views.

Named after one of the unique beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, this hotel is a 50-minute drive from Antalya Airport. It’s where land meets sea; the entrance of the hotel sits against a mountainous backdrop with a few small tennis courts surrounding it, whilst on the opposite side there’s a multitude of indoor and al fresco dining and entertainment options including pools for swimming and cabanas for lounging, peacefully tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Don’t think that there’s nothing to do at this secluded spot though - in fact, once you get here you’ll find quite the opposite. Complete with a hair salon, fitness centre, relaxing spa, on-site photographer, a strip of shops and even a round-the-clock ice cream parlour, however you and your group like to spend a holiday, you’ll be sure to find something that suits everyone here. 

Those looking to add a touch of adventure to their stay can take part in a variety of water sports, from jet-skiing to stand-up paddleboarding and more. 

On evenings, head to the amphitheatre for thrilling entertainment designed to wow the whole family. Or, if chill acoustic sets are more your thing, the patisserie and lounge bar has you covered. 

Little ones (aged 4-12) can enjoy exploring Cory & Friends Kids Club, an on-site children's play area with a wide range of activities planned throughout the day to keep boredom at bay.

Foodies like myself won’t go hungry either, with plenty of options including Zephyrantes Main Restaurant buffet, Bona Fides à la carte (19:00-21:30), the Patisserie (10:00-00:00), Food Court (11:00-07:00), and Pier Seafood à la carte (19:00-21:30).

Having been burned a few times on holiday previously by unreliable all-inclusive buffets with a lack of choice, I was a bit nervous of what I’d find at Zephyrantes Main Restaurant - but I’d really no need to be. In fact, the restaurant which opened for breakfast (07:00-10:00), late breakfast if you fancied a lie-in (10:00-11:00), lunch (12:30-14:30) and dinner (19:00-21:30) had more than enough dishes to choose from, including popular cuisines from across the globe and traditional Turkish delights to discover.  

As well as poolside bars and a late night disco bar (23:30-02:00), the lobby bar and court bar are open around the clock, should you need to whet your whistle. 

As for the rooms, they’re bright, modern and airy, equipped with all the amenities and technology you could need for a break away. And don’t worry if you’ve forgotten to bring your toothbrush, or your shaving kit or cotton buds either for that matter - I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in a room so well equipped with toiletries. 

Actually, you can probably just leave yours at home. Shave a few kilograms off your luggage and save it for all the fantastic finds you’ll want to bring home with you from the Old Bazaar. 

Legging it at Runtalya 2025

I wouldn’t call myself a runner by any stretch of the imagination - I can just about leg it for the tram when push comes to shove on a Monday morning - but when my alarm went off at 6am that Sunday morning, you better believe I was up and ready, raring to take part in Turkey’s largest ‘lifestyle’ marathon event, Runtalya, which hosts over 10,000 runners from across the globe every year. 

Participants can choose to compete in a number of different races, covering distances from five to forty-two kilometres. Not wanting to run before I could walk (literally), I opted for the humble 5k, stopping off for the odd unmissable picture opportunity here and there. 

Upon reaching the finish line, my partner and I (plus every other Runtalya entrant) was awarded a commemorative 20th anniversary medal for our efforts. 

Stepping back in time with Antalya’s old town

What better way to understand and explore this formative Turkish city than a guided tour of Antalya’s old town with a man who knows the place like the back of his hand. Certified Tour Guide, Ihsan Goksen, has spent the past 15 years of his life here. 

He fell in love with its vast natural landscape and rich history, which dates back to 200 BC when the city was known as ‘Attalia’ after being founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon. 

Since then, Antalya developed under the influence of various empires, including Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, which you can learn more about at one of the city’s many museums like the Antalya Ethnography Museum. Here, you’ll find historical artifacts and scenes depicting how these traditional Turkish settlers would have lived. 

Fast forward to the modern day and Kaleiçi, Antalya’s city centre, is a place that’s brimming with life, culture and warm and welcoming hospitality. Home to three million residents and counting, it’s no wonder so many people like Ihsan choose to call this beautiful place home. Follow the old city walls and, whichever way you turn down the winding cobbled paths, you’ll stumble upon a hidden gem that will have you wanting to delve deeper.

An afternoon tour with Ihsan won’t be enough to uncover everything, but it's the perfect place to start. 

Causing a racquet at the tennis centre 

Also accessible by regular shuttle bus from Corendon Playa Kemer hotel is the hotel’s tennis centre, located just 2km away. Tennis pros and novices looking to improve their skills alike can get their game on by playing a match or two on one of the site’s 14 clay courts. Warm up at the open air fitness centre or up your stamina at the sprint area and running track.

Perhaps, like me, you’re more of a watcher instead? No worries, there’s space to unwind at the Corendon Club Café which serves snacks and light meals made from fresh, local ingredients. From the cafés raised platform, you can take in the centre’s lush, green surroundings - a picturesque backdrop of the Taurus mountains. 

After all that whiplash from following the ball back and forth, it felt like the perfect time to indulge in a massage and see what these Turkish baths are all about. 

Getting squeaky clean with a traditional Turkish bath

I felt like it wouldn't have been a proper trip to Turkey without experiencing a traditional Turkish bath for myself. So that's exactly what I did when I found out there was one right at the hotel I was staying at. 

A multi-step process designed to cleanse both the body and mind, my experience started by opening the pours and relaxing the muscles with five minutes in the sauna before heading into the bath and laying on a stone surface whilst a spa therapist went to town with a rough mitt, scrubbing away any dead skin. Fully exfoliated, it was time to be lathered head to toe in a foamy soap before thoroughly rinsing away the suds with warm water. 

It's an unusual experience, having someone essentially bathe you as a fully grown adult, but as I sipped on Turkish tea in the relaxation room afterwards, I noticed how smooth my skin was. No high street body scrub I've used has ever come close. I can see why this centuries-old tradition is one that has stood the test of time.

Follow Harley Young on X @Harley__Young

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