Which area of Antalya is best for a beach holiday and how to get around on a budget?

You do not have to rent a sunbed at Konyaaltı: at the Kaleiçi end of the beach there is a large free section where visitors can use their own towels. Showers, changing cabins, and toilets are free, and people commonly swim into the evening.

For an independent beach day, Lara has a wide sandy shore and a gently sloping sea entry; you can use your own towel and buses stop right by the beach. Its drawback is frequent aircraft noise. Konyaaltı is a narrower pebble beach with deep water starting quite quickly, but without the plane noise.

Staying at the Mercure Konyaaltı hotel, the reception gives out sunbed tickets for Babil Beach — a handy budget way to access the beach.

Review of a budget 2-star hotel: furniture is worn, dishes and kettle are dirty and hard to clean, but it's very cheap and spacious. The beach is a bit of a walk, though the nearby beach by the cave is good, despite rough waves caused by the seabed terrain. Plenty of food options nearby — but it's cheaper and quieter one street inland from Atatürk Boulevard.

If you’re considering Konyaaltı instead of Lara, the start of the beach near Rixos Downtown Antalya and Falez is a useful map reference. Just note that the beach there is pebbly rather than sandy.

Kundu is mostly an area of expensive beach resorts, so it’s less suitable for a budget trip. It’s also the least convenient beach area for reaching the Old Town, with the longest and most awkward journey.

The hotel itself was solid — fresh rooms and decent food for a four-star. Great location for walking around. One catch: beach towels and umbrellas are not provided, so bring your own or buy them locally.

The only proper sandy beach within Antalya city is in the Lara district. Nearby resort towns like Belek and Side are also good options. When searching for hotels, use the Sera Hotel as a landmark reference on the map.

Eating out in Antalya has gotten noticeably more expensive recently, but it's still cheaper than all-inclusive packages. The most budget-friendly option is renting an apartment hotel with a kitchen and cooking your own meals.

Getting from Lara to Antalya's Old Town (Kaleiçi) by public transport takes about an hour. It's straightforward to use — top up your transit card with cash liras at the stop.