Comparison · Antalya vs Istanbul · Turkey
Antalya vs Istanbul
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Esginmurat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Antalya for Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter; choose Istanbul for Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries. Antalya is generally less expensive, and the two are about 481 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 481 km
- Less expensive
- Antalya
- Best time for Antalya
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Istanbul
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Antalya | Istanbul | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Turkey | Turkey |
| Known for | Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate and Konyaaltı and Lara beaches | Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and Grand Bazaar |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$180 | $120–$230 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 34°C (93°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 15°C (59°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | Konyaaltı Beach | Kilyos |
| Airports | AYT | IST, SAW |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Antalya for…
Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter. Antalya is the largest city on Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the gateway to the Turquoise Coast. Its historic core, Kaleiçi, is a walled quarter of Ottoman houses and lanes on cliffs above a Roman harbour, entered through the triple-arched Hadrian's Gate…
Choose Istanbul for…
Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries. Istanbul spreads across both banks of the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Europe from Asia. The historic peninsula of Sultanahmet holds Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar within a 15-minute walk of each other, while Galata…
Top sights compared
| # | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaleiçi old town | Hagia Sophia |
| 2 | Hadrian's Gate | Topkapı Palace |
| 3 | Yivli Minaret | Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) |
| 4 | Antalya Museum | Basilica Cistern |
| 5 | Old harbour boat trip | Grand Bazaar |
Food compared
| Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|
| Antalya-style piyaz | Simit |
| Şiş köfte | Turkish breakfast |
| Hibeş | Fish sandwich |
| Gözleme | Meze and rakı |
Which is cheaper?
Antalya is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $90–$180 per person there, against $120–$230 in Istanbul (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Antalya on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Antalya and Istanbul are about 481 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Antalya and 5 in Istanbul.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Antalya or Istanbul cheaper?
Antalya is usually less expensive: about $90–$180 a day mid-range against $120–$230 (estimates).
+Is Antalya or Istanbul better for a first trip?
Pick Antalya for Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter, or Istanbul for Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries.
+How far is Antalya from Istanbul?
About 481 km in a straight line.