Antalya City Center→Evrenseki

Evrenseki is a low-rise resort village on the Side coast. It sits between the larger names of Side and Çolaklı, 68 km east of central Antalya. Holiday brochures rarely headline it, yet repeat visitors book it year after year. The reasons are simple: a long, gently shelving beach of sand and shingle, a row of all-inclusive hotels set back behind the dune scrub, and a calmer pace than the souvenir bustle of Side's peninsula.

A private door-to-door transfer from Antalya City Centre covers the run in about 72 minutes. This page describes the whole journey. It covers the drive itself, the arrival at your hotel, the parts of Evrenseki and its neighbours, the evenings, the days out, and the trip back for your flight home.

Your driver collects you at your address in the city. That might be a boutique hotel inside the walls of Kaleiçi, a seafront hotel along Konyaaltı, a resort towards Lara, or an apartment in one of the residential districts. From there the car leaves the centre, passes Aksu and joins the D400 coastal highway. The D400 is the spine that links every resort east of Antalya.

Most of the road is a fast, well-surfaced dual carriageway. The scenery changes in stages:

• First come the city outskirts, with the Taurus ridge standing to the north and the sea hidden to the south.
• Next is the long plain around Serik, where the land flattens into greenhouses and farm fields. Rows of polytunnels run to the edge of the road.
• Then the road crosses the wide agricultural plain before Manavgat. Orange groves appear here, and the mountains look closer.
• Finally the turn-off for Evrenseki comes just before Side. It drops you south towards the sea through orange groves and the quiet back lanes that feed the hotel strip.

There are no ferries, no mountain passes and no connections on this route. It is one straightforward drive. That is why a private car beats the alternative of an airport bus to Manavgat followed by a taxi onward.

The planning figure for the drive is 72 minutes for 68 km. That is a realistic door-to-door time when the road runs freely. It is the figure to use when you plan your day.

Traffic on the D400 can be heavy in summer. Busy periods are:

• Midsummer afternoons, when day trippers and beach traffic share the road.
• Weekend changeover days, when many guests arrive and leave on the same day.
• The stretches near towns, where the road passes junctions and local traffic joins it.

Early morning and late evening usually run closer to the planning figure. If your hotel pickup falls in a busy period, your driver adjusts the departure so that you do not lose time on the road.

Many guests on this road are families and couples who start a week of all-inclusive sun. Some of them have been up since the small hours. The car is air-conditioned, which matters when you step out into the August heat. Water is on board, and child seats are available on request when you book. Tell us the number of passengers and the amount of luggage at booking, so we send a vehicle with the right space for the buggy and the large suitcases.

The road into Evrenseki is easy to follow, but the hotel strip is a network of small lanes. Many hotels sit back from the sea road, behind walls, gardens and dune scrub. A driver who knows the area goes straight to the correct entrance and does not circle the block.

Some practical points help the arrival go smoothly:

• Give us the full name of your hotel and, if you have it, the address shown on your booking confirmation. Several resorts in the Side area have similar names.
• Check the hotel's check-in time before you travel. Afternoon is the usual time for check-in. If you arrive earlier, ask reception to keep your bags and use the pool or the beach while the room is prepared.
• All-inclusive wristbands are usually fitted at reception. Keep your passport and booking voucher close, not in the boot.
• Tell your driver if a member of the group has difficulty with steps. Most hotels have a drive-up entrance, and the driver can use it.

At reception, a cold drink often waits for you before the coach crowd has even reached the right door.

Evrenseki is not a big town with distinct districts. It is better to think of it as one stretch of the coast with neighbours on either side. Each neighbour offers a different type of holiday.

Evrenseki suits guests who want a beach holiday without noise. The beach is long, with sand and shingle, and the water deepens gradually. The hotels are mostly low-rise and set in gardens. Days here follow a simple pattern: breakfast, beach or pool, a long lunch, and a quiet evening. It is a good base for guests who want to spend most of the week in one place.

Side is the nearest large name and the one most guests visit at least once. The old town sits on a small peninsula and has the ruins of the ancient city. The Temple of Apollo stands on the point at the water's edge, and the ancient theatre rises over the town. Narrow streets, souvenir shops and restaurants fill the old quarter. It suits guests who want history together with a lively evening.

Çolaklı lies on the other side of Evrenseki. Like Evrenseki it is a resort area of large hotels and gardens along a long beach. Guests who prefer a quieter stay often compare the two. The choice usually comes down to which hotel suits you, not which village.

Manavgat is the district town, a short distance inland. It has the market, the river and the waterfall that many guests visit on a day out. It is a working Turkish town, not a resort, and it gives a good view of everyday life on the coast.

The beach is the main attraction in Evrenseki. It runs for a long distance and has room for everyone. Mornings are quiet. Afternoons are busier, especially in July and August. Many hotels have their own section of beach with loungers, so check what your hotel provides before you buy anything on the sand.

Landmarks in the area include:

• The Side peninsula, with its ancient theatre, the Temple of Apollo and the old harbour.
• The Manavgat river and waterfall, which many guests visit on a boat trip or a short excursion.
• Titreyengöl, the lake behind the coast near Side, which is a quiet spot for a walk or a bike ride in the early evening.

The rest of the Antalya region offers more. Guests who know the city centre can use the same visit to add a day at Perge or Aspendos, both of which lie on the Antalya side of the coast. We say more about that in the section on day trips.

Most guests in Evrenseki stay in all-inclusive hotels, so lunch and dinner are usually served at the hotel. This is the main reason many families choose the area. The restaurants, snack bars and evening shows are close to your room.

Many guests still go out at least once. Typical choices are:

• A fish dinner on the seafront in Side, where the harbour is lit in the evening.
• A grill or a pide meal in a local restaurant outside the hotel zone. Ask your hotel to suggest a place that the staff use themselves.
• A walk through the bazaar streets of Side after dark, when the temperature drops and the shops are open late.

Evenings in the village itself are calm. Cafés, small shops and a few bars serve the hotel guests, and the sea breeze makes the late hours pleasant. If you want music and nightlife, Side is the nearest place with a livelier evening. A taxi between the two takes a short time, but ask your hotel for the usual fare before you set off.

Evrenseki is a natural choice for families. The beach shelves gently, so young children can paddle without a sudden drop. The hotels are set in gardens, and many have pools, play areas and children's clubs. Meals are served at set times and snacks are easy to find, which reduces the stress of a day with small children.

The transfer is the longest single journey of the holiday for many families. A few steps help it go well:

• Book child seats when you reserve the transfer. They are available on request.
• Keep snacks, water and a favourite toy in your hand luggage, not in the boot.
• For a late arrival, ask your hotel to keep dinner or a snack for the children.
• For an early-morning departure, put the children to bed early. The car is air-conditioned, so they can sleep in comfort.

Tell the driver if you travel with a buggy. A private car carries the buggy without difficulty, and you do not need to fold it in the middle of a crowd at a bus station.

Flights to Antalya often land at night. If your plane arrives late, your driver does not leave. We track your flight number, so the driver adjusts to the real landing time and waits for you in arrivals with a name board. A delay over Europe does not leave you stranded.

After a late landing the drive is the same 72 minutes. At night the roads are usually quieter, so the trip may feel quicker. Tell your hotel that you arrive late, so that the night reception expects you and has your key ready.

Early flights work in the opposite direction. If your flight home leaves in the morning, the pickup falls in the middle of the night or at dawn. We work back from the departure time of your flight, as described in the next section. Pack the night before, settle your hotel account early, and ask the hotel to prepare a breakfast box if the restaurant is not yet open.

The return journey is the part of the holiday that needs the most care. A missed flight spoils the last day, so timing deserves respect.

The D400 through Serik and Aksu can become slow on summer afternoons and around weekend changeovers. For that reason we build in a sensible buffer. We want you to reach the terminal with time to spare, not to sprint through security.

The calculation works in four steps:

1. Start with the departure time of your flight.
2. Subtract the time you need at the airport for check-in, baggage drop and security. Allow more time in the summer season, when the terminal is full.
3. Subtract the drive. The planning figure on this page is 72 minutes for the 68 km between the city centre and Evrenseki. Ask us at booking for the exact estimate for your own route to the airport.
4. Add a buffer for traffic on the D400, especially in the afternoon.

The result is your pickup time at the hotel. Tell us your flight number and departure time, and we calculate it with you. Your driver knows the pickup points in the Side area and the real timing on the road back, so you do not need to guess.

On the morning of departure, be ready in the lobby a few minutes before the pickup time. Settle any bar or minibar bills the evening before. Leave the room key at reception, check the safe, and keep your passport and boarding pass in your hand luggage.

Evrenseki is a good base for day trips, because the Side coast puts several well-known places within reach. Your hotel or a local agency can arrange most of them. A private car is also an option for guests who prefer to travel at their own pace.

Side is the easy first trip. Allow half a day for the ancient theatre, the Temple of Apollo and the old streets. Manavgat adds the river, the waterfall and the market. Many guests combine the two in one day, with a boat trip on the river between them.

Aspendos has one of the best preserved Roman theatres in the region. The amphitheatre is a popular day trip from the whole Antalya coast, and it lies along the road you travel on your way to or from the city. Guests with a late flight sometimes visit it on the final day and go on to the airport afterwards.

Perge is an ancient city near Antalya. It is a good choice for guests who enjoy walking among columns and streets. Visit in the morning, because the site has little shade in the middle of the day.

Guests who know the road from Antalya can plan a day back in the city. Kaleiçi, the historic old town, has Ottoman-era wooden houses, narrow cobbled lanes and Hadrian's Gate, a marble gate built for the emperor's visit in AD 130. The old Roman harbour has restaurants and boat tours. Karaalioğlu Park gives a view down onto the sea, and the Düden waterfalls are another popular stop. The Antalya Archaeological Museum holds finds from Perge, Side and Aspendos, which makes it a useful visit after you have seen those places for yourself.

The Taurus range stands behind the coast. Guests who want a cooler day often choose an excursion into the mountains. Ask at your hotel for the current options, because programmes change from one season to the next.

The region has a Mediterranean climate with more than 300 sunny days a year. Summers are hot, with temperatures above 35°C. Winters are mild, around 15°C. The sea season runs from April to November.

Spring is a comfortable time for sightseeing. The sea is still cool in April, but the days are warm. Ancient sites are less crowded, and the road is quiet. It suits guests who want a mix of beach and culture.

Summer is the high season. The beach is full, the hotels are busy, and the D400 is slow at times. Bring sun protection, drink water, and plan outdoor visits for the early morning or the evening. Allow a larger buffer on the way back to the airport.

Autumn is often the best time for swimming. The sea keeps the summer heat, the days are warm, and the crowds are smaller. September and October suit couples and families with older children.

Winters are mild, but the resort village is quiet, and many hotels in the area close or reduce their services. Check that your hotel is open before you book. The transfer runs in the same way, and the road is fast.

Book your private transfer online and choose the vehicle that fits your group. The driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight and takes you to your hotel in Evrenseki. We also arrange the return to the airport at a time that suits your flight. Child seats are available on request. Turkey Transfer drivers know the road, the hotel entrances and the real timing between Antalya and the Side coast.

For the best result, give us these details when you book:

• Your flight number and arrival time.
• The full name and address of your hotel in Evrenseki.
• The number of passengers and the number of large suitcases.
• Any child seats or buggies.
• The date and time of your flight home, if you book the return together with the arrival.

With these details the driver is ready, and the first hour of your holiday is calm. A comfortable drive, a friendly welcome and a cold drink at reception set the tone for the week that follows.

Plan on about 72 minutes for the 68 km, traffic permitting. Midsummer afternoons and weekend changeover days on the D400 can add time. For that reason we monitor conditions and adjust the pickup.

Yes. We track your flight number. If you land late, the driver adjusts and waits for you in arrivals with a name board. Normal flight delays do not change the arrangement.

The driver leaves the city through Aksu and joins the D400 coastal highway. The road continues past Serik and the plain before Manavgat. The turn-off for Evrenseki comes just before Side.

Yes. Child seats are available on request, so mention them when you book. The car carries a buggy together with the luggage.

Work back from your departure time. Allow time at the airport for check-in and security, add the drive, and then add a buffer for the D400 in the afternoon. Tell us your flight and we calculate the pickup time with you.

Yes. Side is a close neighbour on the same coast, and it has the ancient theatre, the Temple of Apollo and a lively old town. Many guests visit it for a day or an evening.