When Antalya is mentioned, tourism, entertainment, hotels and historical areas immediately come to mind. Antalya is a city that nearly triples its population with domestic and foreign tourists during the summer months. As the locomotive city of Turkish tourism in every aspect, Antalya is also one of the 10 largest cities in the country. Domestic tourists who have made it a habit to visit Antalya and its districts in the summer naturally know the city life of Antalya as it is during the tourism season. However, Antalya is also a city that stands out with its agriculture, industry, historical values, and shared cultural life. In this article, we provide answers to questions such as what daily life is like in Antalya, what those wishing to settle in Antalya should know, and details about city life in Antalya.

Antalya City Information
According to 2017 population data, the total population of Antalya province was determined as 2,364,396. With a 1.54% increase compared to the previous year, the data clearly shows that the city receives significant migration. In addition to embodying all the characteristics of the Mediterranean, Antalya is also a place with advanced urban living standards, making it an appealing alternative especially for those who want to live somewhere other than Istanbul. The districts of Muratpaşa, Konyaaltı and Kepez are considered the central areas of Antalya, and with these, the city has a total of 19 districts. The total provincial area is 20,815 km². This figure corresponds to 2.6% of Turkey and 17.6% of the Mediterranean region.

With an equal male-female population ratio, the distribution between people living in the city and district centers is also balanced. The average level of education is above the national average, and Antalya is one of the rare cities where you can swim in the sea from the city center. People living in the center of Antalya enjoy both the calmness of an Anatolian town and the advantages of a metropolitan area. They can also reach nationally famous tourist destinations such as Kaş, Kemer, Alanya, and Finike, as well as the natural ski resort of Saklıkent and cool green plateaus, within approximately one hour. This makes Antalya’s city life enjoyable in all seasons. With these characteristics, Antalya is a city that confirms Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s words: “Undoubtedly, the most beautiful city in the world.”

Antalya Cafes and Restaurants
Kaleiçi, located in Muratpaşa, one of the central districts of Antalya, covers the city’s ancient castle and is an area where cafes, bars and pubs are frequently found. Every city has an old center; for Antalya, Muratpaşa and Kaleiçi represent this. Popular cafes and bar-style venues preferred by young people are mostly located around Kaleiçi and Kılınçaslan Neighborhood, while the hotels in Konyaaltı and Lara also offer various cafes and restaurants as alternative options. Antalya is home to many restaurants offering unique Antalya-style burnt ice cream, döner, meat, and vegetable dishes prepared with great mastery.

Thus, Antalya does not only have investments aimed at domestic and foreign tourists, but also a city life shaped by traditions dating back to the Seljuk era. There are restaurants where you can find Antalya’s unique flavors—from places like Yedi Mehmet offering many different dishes together, to restaurants known for their special şiş köfte. As one of Turkey’s top ten largest cities and the capital of tourism, Antalya hosts almost every national chain brand. Living in Antalya means experiencing historical traditions and vibrant social life in a calm atmosphere with extensive opportunities.

Antalya Nightlife
Antalya is one of the cities in Turkey with the most advanced nightlife, thanks to the tourism investments it receives due to its unique natural beauty. However, unless the locals of a city embrace innovation and welcome newcomers, the investments made will not yield results. The people of Antalya are a society that accepts the dynamism brought by tourism, embraces its cosmopolitan structure, and knows how to benefit from these innovations.

Antalya nightlife offers countless options and is quite vibrant with famous venues such as discos and clubs. Of course, the facilities of the five-star hotels in the city also play a significant role. In addition to disco culture, those looking for meyhanes (traditional taverns) will find many choices. Once you taste Antalya’s unique appetizers—born from its multicultural heritage—the meyhane experience becomes even more enjoyable. You can find more detailed information in our articles about Antalya nightlife and Antalya’s unique flavors.

The locals of Antalya are primarily of Yörük (nomadic Turkmen) descent. Traditional Antalyans, carrying the characteristics of plateau culture, actually live a lifestyle focused not on today’s popular sea-sand-sun trio but on Antalya’s nature and agricultural abundance. Apart from the Yörüks, the people who settled in Antalya in the mid-20th century and their following generations have also adopted a calm Anatolian lifestyle. This lifestyle can be described as a blend of the Aegean–Mediterranean and Central Anatolian models.

If you only know Antalya from the spring and summer months, we recommend experiencing its calmness, tranquility, and mild climate during winter. When the city returns to its normal population in winter, it becomes a slow-paced, serene coastal Anatolian town with historical beauty. With its small tradesmen and a community that has learned to live in harmony, Antalya promises a pleasant environment for those who want a calmer life rather than the rush of daily routines.

Antalya City Facilities
Antalya is full of features such as Akdeniz University, one of the world’s busiest international airports, a historical texture dating back to the Lycian and Pisidian civilizations, and modern urban investments. People living in this city can meet almost all their needs without having to travel to another city, regardless of the season.

Many tourists who come to Antalya on vacation choose to settle here for the rest of their lives. The city is home to national and international football teams during their training camps, and hosts major organizations such as the Turkish Airlines ATP 250 Open Tennis Tournament held in June. Additionally, almost every district and plateau hosts festivals during the summer. The internationally renowned Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, one of Turkey’s most prestigious cultural events, is one of the major opportunities available to those living in Antalya.

Antalya, containing Turkey’s cultural, historical and sociological richness, offers its residents not only a peaceful and enjoyable life but also national and international experiences. If you are planning to visit Antalya for a holiday, we recommend experiencing this special city from the perspective of urban life as well. Who knows, maybe one day you too will become a resident of Antalya.