After visiting Cappadocia and Istanbul, my cousins and I headed to our final stop in Türkiye, Antalya, the perfect place to end our trip.

We landed in the morning and took a short taxi ride to our Airbnb arranged by them. After checking in, we went straight to Konyaaltı Plajı, the city’s long and lively public beach. It was about a 40-minute walk from our apartment, lined with palm trees and cafés. The beach itself was free, and even the sunbeds were so cheap I can’t remember the price. We had lunch overlooking the sea, the food was just okay, but the view made it unforgettable, with paragliders flying above the turquoise water.

Since we stayed in a touristy area, nearby most restaurants. Many had live music and belly dance shows, which made dinners really fun. Some of our favourites were Yemenli Meyhanesi, Varuna Gezgin Café, and Route Burger House, all very different, but equally worth trying.

On the third day, a bit sunburned from all the beach time, we joined a boat trip to see one of Antalya’s waterfalls, Düden şelalesi. The scenery was beautiful, but the long ride wasn’t as exciting as we hoped, still, it was nice to admire the coast.

After my cousins flew home, I stayed for three extra days to explore alone. I walked along the quieter side of the coast, discovering peaceful parks, hidden viewpoints, lovely seaside paths, and had an extra day to the beach.

Before heading home, I spent my last day visiting the Old Bazaar and Hadrian’s Gate, a striking Roman arch right in the city centre. I grabbed a quick bite at Çıtır Balık, a small local spot famous for its fish sandwiches, simple, delicious, and cheap.

Most people come to Antalya for all-inclusive beach resorts, and I totally understand why, they’re relaxing and convenient. But our trip proved that there’s so much more to discover here: history, culture, local flavours, and plenty of charm beyond the resort walls.

This trip was a mix of group adventures and solo exploring, full of laughter, music, and moments I’ll never forget. Türkiye truly has something special for everyone, and I can’t wait to go back someday.