Çankaya and Masa Dağı: Living on Antalya's Balcony Above the City

Çankaya is a neighbourhood in Kepez, one of Antalya's central districts, on the slopes of Masa Dağı, where new construction has picked up pace in recent years. Because it sits higher than the coast on the northern side of the city, summer evenings are breezier and the views take in the whole city and the bay. Its proximity to Antalya City Hospital and its spacious apartment types make it a strong option for families and anyone who wants a quieter life.

This guide covers the pros and cons of living around Masa Dağı, transport and healthcare in the area, and who it suits best.

At a glance: Çankaya and Masa Dağı

• Location: the slopes of Masa Dağı in Kepez, on the northern side of the city.
• Highlight: views over the city and the Gulf of Antalya, with breezier summer evenings thanks to the elevation.
• Healthcare: Antalya City Hospital in Kepez is a few kilometres away.
• Homes: mostly spacious 3+1 and 4+1 apartments and garden duplexes in new complexes.
• Keep in mind: the sea and Kaleiçi are about 11 km away by road, so a car makes daily life much easier.

Where is Masa Dağı, and why is it called "the balcony of the city"?

Antalya sits on a broad travertine plateau squeezed between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. Most of the city spreads across this plateau as it slopes down towards the sea, but in Kepez, to the north, the land starts to rise. Masa Dağı is one of these heights. From its slopes you can see the city below, the coastline from Konyaaltı to Lara and, on clear days, the Beydağları range across the bay.

This wide panorama is why the slopes of Masa Dağı are known as "the balcony of the city". In 2019, Kepez Municipality opened a scenic boulevard at the foot of the hill, 30 metres wide and about 1,200 metres long, linking the Kütükçü and Fevzi Çakmak neighbourhoods from the north. Since then, as new planned roads have opened, residential projects have been rising one after another.

Is it really cooler on Masa Dağı?

Summers on Antalya's coast are hot and humid, and in July and August even the nights stay warm. It would be wrong to quote an exact temperature difference for Masa Dağı, but the elevation and open position generally bring two advantages: the evening breeze is more noticeable, and the humidity feels less oppressive than by the sea.

There is a winter side too. Higher, exposed spots can feel a little cooler than the coast on winter evenings, which is why heating solutions such as underfloor heating and natural gas matter in the area's new complexes. For more on the seasons, see our article on Antalya's weather through the year.

What is daily life like in Çankaya?

Healthcare

One of the area's biggest strengths is access to healthcare. Antalya City Hospital, in the Göçerler neighbourhood of Kepez, is a large public hospital with 1,500 beds according to the Ministry of Health, and many bus lines connect it with the rest of the city. Akdeniz University's campus, home to its hospital, is about 8 km away. We explain how foreigners can use the health system in our guide to healthcare in Antalya for expats.

Shopping and services

Kepez is Antalya's most populous district, so supermarkets, street markets, schools and banks are easy to find across it. The slopes of Masa Dağı, however, are a newly developing area, and commercial life is not yet as busy as in the older neighbourhoods. For many errands you will need a short drive.

Getting around

The area is a short drive from the city centre and the main roads of Kepez. The airport is about 12 km away in a straight line. Public transport is available, but on the new hillside streets a car makes everyday life noticeably easier.

Pros and cons of buying on Masa Dağı

Pros

• Views of the city and the bay; on a slope, the risk of the view being blocked is lower than on flat land.
• A calmer, greener setting than the city centre.
• Spacious apartments in new complexes with pools and covered parking.
• Proximity to the City Hospital.

Cons

• The sea, Kaleiçi and Beach Park in Konyaaltı are about 11 km away by road.
• Shops and social facilities are still developing.
• Sloping streets make running errands on foot harder than in flat neighbourhoods.
• As a new area, construction around you will continue for some time.

An example project in the area: Terra Modern

Terra Modern is a good example of the new complexes at the foot of Masa Dağı. Built on a 6,853 m² plot, it has two six-storey blocks with 56 apartments and 5,200 m² of shared space. Facilities include an outdoor pool and children's pool, a gym and sauna, walking paths, covered parking, a full-capacity generator and 24/7 security.

The apartment mix reflects the area's family focus: 3+1 units of about 112–121 m² net, 4+1 units of about 125–128 m² net, and garden duplexes of more than 170 m². Underfloor heating with natural gas, a smart-home system and multi/VRF air-conditioning infrastructure are standard. The project is 3.4 km from Antalya City Hospital.

Who is Masa Dağı right for?

Çankaya and Masa Dağı make sense for families who want space, a view and peace, and who use a car day to day. For people working at the hospital or in business areas in northern Kepez, being close to work is another plus. If you are torn between a villa and an apartment, the garden duplexes here can be a middle ground; we discuss this in villa or apartment in Antalya.

If walking to the sea and the historic centre, or living without a car, is your priority, the central neighbourhoods may suit you better. For example, Meridien Nova in Yüksekalan, about 1 km in a straight line from Hadrian's Gate, offers more compact apartments with advantageous payment options for that profile.

Frequently asked questions

Which district is Masa Dağı in?

Masa Dağı lies within Kepez, one of Antalya's central districts, on the northern side of the city. The Çankaya neighbourhood and its surroundings cover the new residential areas at the foot of the hill.

Can you see the sea from Masa Dağı?

Yes. Thanks to its hillside position, the city and the Gulf of Antalya are visible from many points. The view depends on each building's position, floor and orientation, though, so it is worth seeing every apartment in person.

How far is Masa Dağı from the sea?

Kaleiçi and Beach Park in Konyaaltı are about 11 km by road from Terra Modern. Depending on traffic, the drive usually takes less than half an hour.

What are winters like on Masa Dağı?

As in the rest of Antalya, winters are mild and snow is not expected. Because of the elevation and open position, evenings can feel slightly cooler than on the coast, so homes with underfloor heating and natural gas have an advantage.