Experience in Antalya, Turkey by serpil

What is it like to live in Antalya? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Antalya is tourist city. Approximately 10 million tourists visit Antalya from different countries of the world. There are a lot of luxury hotels, 5 stars hotels, apart hotels, hostels or pensions.

How much does it cost to live in Antalya?

Especially prices of accomodation, food or beverages are a little bit expensive during the summer. Apart hotels and hostels are cheaper. Or you can find flatmates near campus or city center. 300-500 TL sharing room, 50-70 TL per day in pensions or apart hotels. Sometimes you can find cheaper houses or pensions. Bargain is tradition in Turkey.You can negotiate prices about everything.

What places would you recommend visiting in Antalya?

City museum, duden and kurşunlu waterfalls, beaches,

Is it good to eat out in Antalya? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Antalya has special dishes. For example, you can eat "serpme borek" for breakfast in city center. You should taste "piyaz with kofte" You can find "simit" on the road or from cafe for eating.
pasta, hamburger, some italians and turkish food: Leman Cafe
Kofte and piyaz: Aksu simsek, topcu sis.

Is the nightlife good in Antalya? Where is good to go?

Yes. There are a lot of bars, night clubs, pubs in the heart of city. I recommend to students Kaleici (oldcity), Lara and Isıklar area for enjoying.

What advice would you give future students heading to Antalya?

For Your Safety
Generally Antalya is safe city. Like everywhere in Turkey, you must be careful for your wallet and mobile phone during public transport (especially in the crowded bus) and you sholdn't be alone after midnight in the back streets. Verbal abuse may happen towards alone woman by Turkish men on the back streets. Especially if you are alone, I recommend using taxi to go home after midnight.

Traffic

There is no priority to pedestrian on the roads. (Unfortunately drivers don’t respect to pedestrians) Even if traffic lights are green for pedestrians or you are in crosswalk, please check for yourself again and be careful.