I spent two months working in Kemer, a seaside resort town south of Antalya, so this blog detailing Antalya is solely based on my first impression of the province’s capital. But, I loved it! Who would have thought that a city could have Muslims and Russians coexisting without hate crimes and bigotry? Where else are you going to learn both Turkish and Russian? I never actually wanted to visit Turkey because to be completely honest, I avoid religious countries like the plague, but Antalya is so fake Muslim and westernized, I thought I was in any other coastal city in Europe. Antalya is one of the best cities in Turkey to visit for those not fond of super Islamic rules and regulations. Here is why I will most likely return to Antalya next summer.

You can walk around in a bikini

My titties were out all summer and no one batted an eye. In most European countries, I hate being on the beach because me in something less than a jacket gets me sexually harassed and propositioned by pervy old European men, but in Antalya, they’re used to it due to all of the Russian hookers. No one thought I was a prostitute for once and it was wonderful.

All of the Eastern European people are rich

I was looking for rich oligarchs fleeing sanctions, but unfortunately, they were not in Kemer because it’s all old people… I would have had a lot better luck in Antalya. Probably could have fought Putin himself and ended the war because he’s definitely over there. You know that stereotype of Eastern Europeans being the white trash of Europe? Well, not in Turkey. I was trying so hard to be on somebody’s uncle’s boat. Better luck next summer, I suppose… (if we’re alive)

The weather is perfect

Almost perfect because it was humid as fuck, but during the summer months I expect nothing less than 40 degrees (ya girl is using celsius now). Since I really didn’t have to do shit for my job, I spent my afternoons siesta’ing before starting my evening shenanigans. The sun does set before 8 PM though, so waking up early will make your Turkish summer days a lot longer.

It’s easy to be a tourist

There are lots of things to do in Antalya. Just walk anywhere and some Turkish dude will stalk you until you agree to one of his tours because he has the BEST price in town. You can visit the popular tourist destinations in Turkey such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale, but it’s cheaper if you plan the trip yourself. While in Antalya, it’s best not to venture too far from the city, as the further you go the more money you’ll spend. Here are the main things you can visit while in Antalya.

Düden Waterfalls

You can find these beautiful waterfalls in Düden Park, located in the Lara neighborhood of Antalya. And of course, there are guys offering photoshoots, but for the best shot away from others, just climb over the fence.

Salda Gölü (Turkish Maldives)

Advertised to tourists as the Turkish Maldives (and rightfully so), Salda Gölü, a crystal clear blue lake with white sandy shores can easily be reached by boat. The journey there is roughly two hours, as it is located in the Burdur district, and makes multiple stops along the way to swim among the many Turkish coves.

Göynük Canyon

Venturing off to Kemer, you can visit Göynük Canyon inside of the Beydağları Coastal National Park. Popular for its swimming, hiking, and canoeing, it’s a wonderful place to walk among the duck-populated river and take a dip in its idyllic lake.

Kaleiçi

The historic Old Town of Antalya is where you’ll do more of your shopping, eating, and bar crawling. Kemer’s nightlife, in comparison, sucks, so if you’re in Antalya to party, Kaleiçi is the place.

Hadrian’s Gate

Hadrian’s Gate, a historic ruin constructed in 130 AD, is one of the many Roman remains in Antalya. You will see this gate at some point during your treks around the Old Town.

Hidirlik Tower

Do we care about towers and Roman influence? According to the internet, some people believe this tower was actually a tomb, others a church, and some a lighthouse.

It has a diverse expat population

While Kemer only attracts Russian honeymooners family vacationers, Antalya has a younger population as well as more a diverse tourist sector. I was very bored during my two months in Kemer and I regret not making more of an effort to hang out in Antalya. I also ventured off to the city Olympos and met a bunch of other foreigners.

It’s cheap(er) than most places

My coworker told me she spends like 500 euros in a nice three-bedroom flat near the beach, and it had me trying to figure out how I can illegally immigrate to Turkey for a bit. 👀

Come to BrazilTurkey

Turkey is so big, I wish I would have had more time to explore, especially the less touristy places. Next time I plan to head a bit more east, as well as do all of the things in Antalya I didn’t get to do, like the Land of Legends amusement park. But, for those wanting a blend of relaxation and actual things to do besides baking on the beach, Antalya is a unique summer destination worth visiting.