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TurkeyTurkeyVisited Oct 2022 · 1 week

Antalya

The home of sun, sea & (currently) half of Russia.

Remote work hubGreat valueGreat for a holidayWould avoid
Average6.8
Accommodation5.6
Coworking6.8
Value7.5
Excitement7.3
Living costs, excl. rent~$865
Mild and dry
JFMAMJJASONDMild and dry: Jan, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Nomad visaAvailable
Population1.3 Million
Fly into

AYT

This guide was written 4 years ago

Prices, opening hours and recommendations may have changed since my visit, so double-check anything important before you book.

A major city and international tourist destination on Turkey's southern coast.

Antalya is a blend of pristine beaches, historical landmarks, and modern luxury. Known for the charming old town area, Kaleiçi, with its narrow winding streets and Ottoman-era architecture.

Give it a miss

Given the current strains on accommodation in the city, it's not a place I'd currently consider establishing a base. Worth reconsidering in the future.

At a glance

Accommodation

Ok · #55 of 62

5.6/10

Whilst the area has always been popular with Russian tourists, the events of last couple of years have seen a dramatic influx of temporary residents, fundamentally changing the local market. In lieu of any suitable apartments i opted for the Suite Laguna Hotel which was fine for a week stay.

How it compares

Coworking

Good · #49 of 62

6.8/10

There's a number of coworking and coliving options available, yet many of them are currently at capacity. If intending to work from one of them, you would be best advised to check availability in advance.

Value

Good · #38 of 62

7.5/10

Accomodation aside, prices were very similar to the rest of the country making eating out and daily living expenses affordable.

Excitement

Good · #28 of 62

7.3/10

Antalya has a lot to offer as a popular tourist destination, with plenty of attractions and activities. However, one drawback is the city's spread-out nature, with nearly 12 km separating the nightlife in Konyaaltı from the old town in Kaleici.

How it compares

Plan

Summary

Having enjoyed all my previous trips to Turkey, in the Autumn of 2022 I wanted to visit as many places on the southern coast, doing a week stint in each place. Adana was the next natural stop on from Fethiye.

Cost of living

$865a month, before rent

Basic living costs, rent not included

Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.

Affordable
  • Meal in a casual restaurant$8.00
  • Speciality coffee$2.50
  • Pint of local beer$3.00
  • Cocktail$7.00
  • Taxi for 2 miles$4.00
  • Men's haircut$10
  • Women's haircut$25
  • Gym membership, monthly$56
  • Coworking, monthly$91

Prices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: low (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: numbeo.com, coworker.com. Always check locally before planning around them.

Duration & season

Antalya is renowned for being blisteringly hot in summer. October was mild and and at no times uncomfortable. One week was sufficient for me on this occasion and was happy to move onto the next city. Would consider returning if it was easier to find a decent apartment.

By month

Typical temperatures and rainfall by month
MonthLow °CHigh °CRain mmNotes
January816126wet month
February61596wet month
March72239
April112694
May142851
June22401peak season
July254122peak season
August25405peak season
September203543peak season
October142849peak season
November112586
December816171wet month
Wettest months Peak season

Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.

Visitors a year
18M2025
Crowds
Very High
Peak season
Jun–Oct
Low season
Dec–Feb

Remote work visa

Digital nomad visa available

Turkey has launched a digital nomad visa programme for remote workers. If you're between 21 and 55 and hold citizenship from one of 36 countries across Europe and North America (including the US), you're eligible to apply.

The visa allows you to live and work remotely in Turkey for a set period, with benefits including affordable living costs, healthcare access, and the opportunity to experience Turkey's culture and scenery.

The requirements are standard for these types of visas. You'll need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, health insurance, proof of income, and documentation showing you're employed or self-employed.

The application process is handled online through Turkey's official platform. Once they've reviewed your documents and approved your application, you'll receive a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. Take that certificate along with your supporting documents to a Turkish visa centre or consulate to complete the process.

Turkey is positioning itself to attract the growing digital nomad market. For remote workers considering their next base, Turkey offers lower living costs compared to most Western European destinations.

Read more about the visa

Working hours

Turkey adheres to GMT+2 in summer, reverting to GMT+3 in winter due to the absence of daylight saving time practices.

Live & work

Where to stay

Antalya is an enormous city so for ease of convenience I would suggest one of the two options below.

Kaleiçi

Recommended

The old town is the most charming part of the city. Anywhere within a 20 minute walk of here would be good.

Konyaaltı

Situated to the West of the main city centre, there is a wealth of food, drink and entertainment options on this side of town, plus easy access to the beach.

Where to work

There's a number of coworking and coliving options available, yet many of them are currently at capacity. If intending to work from one of them, you would be best advised to check availability in advance.

Work C coworking space

Work C

Quality fit-out

A 30 minute walk from the centre of Antalya, Work C provides a a number of hot desking options as well as private offices. Filter coffee and Turkish tea is in plentiful supply in the kitchen.

The office has a great quality fit out and comfortable desks but the was about peak capacity during the duration I was there making it a bit too loud and uncomfortable. Situated a little bit out of the centre means there isn't a great selection of food options nearby either.

However, the staff are super friendly and eager to help and I would definitely return for a short stint once it has quietened down.

Safa Plaza, Yenigün, Kızılırmak Cd. D:No: 30, D:Kat 3, 07310 Muratpaşa/Antalya

Food & drink

Coffee

The Dose Coffee

Top rated

I found good coffee hard to come by in Antalya but this was by far the best I found - Great espresso & Croissants, friendly service and open late.

Food

Kilisli Mehmet Usta Kebap

A seemingly husband and wife ran place, informal setting with great quality food at very affordable prices.

Drinks

Paradise Restaurant

Great place to watch the football with a beer on the weekend. International crowd.

Off the clock

Off work

Head to Konyaaltı Halk Plajı

Head to Konyaaltı Halk Plajı

Only a short walk from the Old Town, Konyaaltı Halk Plajı has a long stretch of clean sandy beaches with a host of coffee shops and bars. Also an ideal place for a morning run.

Explore the Old Town

Explore the Old Town

Antalya's old town is home to a host of small cobbled streets, intertwined with bars and places to eat. Kaleici (as it is locally known dates back to Roman times and preserves remnants of various civilizations, including Byzantine, Ottoman, and Hellenistic periods.

Hike up to Döner Gazino

Hike up to Döner Gazino

It's worth heading up here for panoramic views of the city - if you are feeling adventurous there are some vaguely marked paths starting from around here on the map.

Exercise

Run

Beachfront Run

Popular running spot in the morning and evenings. Mainly flat with some steeped areas coming down to it from the Old Town side.

Walk

Tünektepe Manzaraları

Great views from the top - do not follow this route on Strava however as got severely lost in the middle. Poorly signposted.

People

A popular international tourist destination, which draws in holidaymakers from across Europe during the peak the summer months. There is something of a burgeoning remote work community here with several Facebook groups and coliving spaces providing more community orientated options.

This area of Turkey has always traditionally been popular with Russians and that has increasingly the case since the War in Ukraine. The density of Russians in the city is currently so high that I was actually greeted in Russian several times (by Russians), much to my bewilderment.

Notes

Positives

Beaches on your doorstep.

If looking for easy access to beaches, not many cities can compete with Antalya.

It's a large, busy working city.

Even though it is a renowned tourist hotspot, the city still has a bustling feel.

Options for coliving if that is something which interests you.

It's not something I explored but the availability is there.

Negatives

Poor availability of Airbnbs.

The influx of people to the city as a result of the War in Ukraine has put a huge dent in supply and pushed prices way up.

Not a great deal of speciality coffee shops.

As trivial as that sounds, a coffee is hard to come by.

High density of tourists.

Compared to other large cities like Izmir or Ankara, Antalya felt more transient.

Higher likelihood of getting ripped off.

This was one of the few locations in the country had been overcharged.

Tips

I would reassess in a few years time.

Personally, I would be in no rush to return to the city until the political landscape alters.

Planning a trip to Antalya?

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