The 15-Minute City: Daily Life in Central Antalya on Foot

In central Antalya, especially in the Muratpaşa neighbourhoods around Kaleiçi, most everyday needs can be met within a 15-minute walk: the weekly market, supermarkets and the old bazaar, pharmacies and health centres, schools, a tram stop and the historic old town all sit within the same radius. The clifftop seafront is just beyond that circle, about a 20-minute walk away. This guide shows how you can live in the centre with little need for a car, using Yüksekalan as the starting point.

At a glance

• A 15-minute walk at a normal pace covers about 1–1.2 km.
• Kaleiçi and Hadrian's Gate are about 1 km from Yüksekalan in a straight line.
• Yüksekalan's neighbourhood market is held on Tuesdays.
• The AntRay tram's Doğu Garajı stop is in Yüksekalan itself, on Ali Çetinkaya Caddesi.
• Şarampol, Kalekapısı and the old bazaar streets are within walking distance.
• Karaalioğlu Park and the Işıklar cliffs are about 1.5 km away.

What is a "15-minute city"?

The idea was put forward by Carlos Moreno, an urbanism researcher at the Sorbonne, and became widely known after Paris adopted it as city policy in 2020. The principle is simple: work, shopping, healthcare, school runs, culture and leisure should all be reachable within about 15 minutes on foot or by bike.

Antalya's historic centre is naturally close to this idea. Because the city grew around Kaleiçi and its harbour for centuries, homes, shops, schools and public buildings are closely mixed in the central neighbourhoods. Here, the "15-minute city" is less a planning goal than simply how daily life works.

Markets, supermarkets and the bazaar: how do you shop?

One of the pleasures of living in the centre is the weekly street market, or pazar. According to Muratpaşa Municipality's list of market sites, the Yüksekalan market is held on Tuesdays on streets 520 and 530 of the neighbourhood. Thanks to Antalya's farming hinterland, seasonal citrus fruit, tomatoes, peppers, olives and village cheese are market staples. Another well-known central market is the Muratpaşa market, held on Fridays in Kızılsaray.

For daily shopping, chain supermarkets and corner shops are on almost every street. Bigger shopping trips are close by too:

• Şarampol (Kazım Özalp Caddesi): the centre's pedestrian shopping street, with shops for everything from clothing to shoes.
• MarkAntalya: the best-known shopping centre in the centre, on Şarampol next to the Muratpaşa tram stop.
• Around Kalekapısı: the old bazaar streets around the Clock Tower and the Dönerciler Çarşısı keep the city's historic trading quarter alive.

Can you reach healthcare on foot?

For most day-to-day needs, yes. Pharmacies are plentiful in the central neighbourhoods, and a rota of duty pharmacies (nöbetçi eczane) covers nights and weekends. Family health centres for primary care are spread across the neighbourhoods. Larger hospitals are a short drive or public transport ride away: alongside public hospitals such as Antalya Training and Research Hospital, the centre has many private hospitals. For insurance, SGK and choosing a hospital, see our guide to healthcare in Antalya for expats.

How far are the schools?

Because the central neighbourhoods are long-established, many primary, middle and high schools are within walking distance. State schools largely allocate places by registered address, so it is worth looking at nearby schools when you choose a home. Most schools with international programmes are in districts such as Konyaaltı, Lara and Döşemealtı, so families who choose them will want to check school bus arrangements.

Culture and the old town on your doorstep

The real privilege of living in the centre is that history becomes part of your daily route. From Yüksekalan you can walk to Hadrian's Gate, built for the emperor's visit, and on to the Yivli Minaret, the Clock Tower and the narrow lanes of Kaleiçi. The Suna-İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum, the lanes running down to the old harbour and the cafés that fill up in the evening turn an ordinary weekday walk into a small outing. The city's major archaeological museum, Antalya Museum, is currently closed to visitors: its building was demolished in 2025 to be rebuilt. For more places close to the centre, see our local's guide to places to visit near Antalya city centre.

Where do the sea and the parks fit in?

The sea sits right at the edge of the circle. Karaalioğlu Park and Hıdırlık Tower are about 1.5 km from Yüksekalan in a straight line, which at a normal pace means a walk of around 20 minutes. Watching the sunset from the cliffs along Işıklar Caddesi is a favourite habit of people who live in the centre. The small beaches in Kaleiçi and the swimming platforms on the cliffs are also within walking distance, while the long beaches of Konyaaltı and Lara are a short public transport ride away.

How do you get around when you are not walking?

Another thing that makes the centre valuable is the rail line right on your doorstep. The AntRay T1 tram passes through the Doğu Garajı stop in Yüksekalan; on the same line, the İsmetpaşa stop serves Kaleiçi and the Muratpaşa stop serves MarkAntalya. After Meydan, the line continues to the airport and the Expo area. Public transport uses the AntalyaKart card, while the nostalgic tram line towards the coast has been suspended since summer 2026, with the temporary NT07 bus serving its route.

What are the downsides of living on foot in the centre?

An honest picture includes the drawbacks:

1. Summer heat: walking at midday in July and August is hard work; people in the centre shift errands to the morning and evening.
2. Traffic and parking: street parking in the centre is limited, so if you own a car, covered parking in your building is a big plus.
3. Noise: flats facing main roads hear more traffic, while those facing an inner courtyard are usually quieter.
4. Older buildings: much of the centre's housing stock is old, and new developments with on-site facilities are few.

If you are looking for a home in the centre

For anyone who wants to live on foot in the centre, Yüksekalan is a balanced choice thanks to its closeness to Kaleiçi and its tram connection. Meridien Nova, rising in this neighbourhood about 1 km in a straight line from Hadrian's Gate, adds the on-site comfort the centre usually lacks, with a pool courtyard and covered parking. It offers flats from 1+1 to 3+1, duplexes on the top floors and advantageous payment options; ask us for the current plan. To compare Lara and Muratpaşa in a wider frame, our guide to living in Lara and Muratpaşa will help.

Frequently asked questions

Can you live in central Antalya without a car?

In the central neighbourhoods, largely yes. Markets, supermarkets, pharmacies, schools and a tram stop are within walking distance, and trams and buses connect you to the airport and other districts. For day trips out of the city or large shopping runs, you may still want to rent a car or take a taxi now and then.

How long does it take to walk from Yüksekalan to Kaleiçi?

Kaleiçi and Hadrian's Gate are about 1 km away in a straight line; at a normal pace that is a walk of roughly 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the route.

Which day is the Yüksekalan market?

According to Muratpaşa Municipality's list of market sites, the Yüksekalan market is held on Tuesdays. Market sites and days can change from time to time, so it is worth checking the municipality's current list before you go.

Can you walk to the sea from the centre?

Yes. Karaalioğlu Park and the Işıklar cliffs are about a 20-minute walk from Yüksekalan, and the small beaches in Kaleiçi and the swimming platforms on the cliffs are close by. Konyaaltı and Lara beaches are reached by public transport.

Cover photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons (cropped).