Yüksekalan and Central Muratpaşa: A Neighbourhood Guide to Antalya

Yüksekalan is a neighbourhood in Muratpaşa, Antalya's central district, about 1 km from Kaleiçi and close to the tram line and the city's main roads. The metropolitan municipality's main building, a weekly street market and the Doğu Garajı stop on the T1 tram line are all inside the neighbourhood. For anyone who wants to live centrally, close to everything and without a car, it is one of the most practical addresses in Antalya.

This guide looks at Yüksekalan and the surrounding central Muratpaşa neighbourhoods in terms of daily life, shopping, schools, healthcare and transport, and is honest about who the area suits and what to watch out for.

At a glance

• District: Muratpaşa, city centre
• Kaleiçi and Hadrian's Gate: about 1 km as the crow flies
• Tram: Doğu Garajı stop on the T1 line, direct to the airport
• Market: the Yüksekalan market every Tuesday
• Shopping: MarkAntalya mall about 700 metres as the crow flies
• Suits: car-free residents, people working in the centre, investors targeting tenants

Where is Yüksekalan?

Yüksekalan is a central neighbourhood north of Ali Çetinkaya Caddesi that grew up around Doğu Garajı, the former city-bus depot and terminal for buses to the province's eastern districts. The main building of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality is also here, on Adnan Menderes Bulvarı.

The neighbouring areas are part of the centre too: the area around MarkAntalya and the historic Muratpaşa Mosque to the west, and, to the south, Balbey and Haşimişcan with their older urban fabric stretching towards Kaleiçi. Kaleiçi itself is made up of neighbourhoods such as Barbaros, Selçuk and Kılınçarslan. In short, from Yüksekalan the old town, the commercial centre and government offices are only a few steps away.

What is daily life like?

Market and shopping

Tuesday is the liveliest day. The street market set up in Yüksekalan covers most of the weekly shopping, from seasonal fruit and vegetables to cheese, olives and household goods. For bigger shopping trips, MarkAntalya, which opened in 2013, is about 700 metres away as the crow flies. Small local businesses such as grocers, bakeries, butchers and simple home-cooking restaurants are plentiful in the side streets.

Parks and the outdoors

Yüksekalan is densely built, so for large green spaces you need a short walk to Kaleiçi or to Karaalioğlu Park on the cliffs. The park is about 1.5 km away as the crow flies and is one of the city's favourite spots for a sunset stroll.

Culture and the old town

Kaleiçi's restaurants, museums and narrow lanes are within evening-walk distance. Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower and the Yivli Minaret are all about 1 km away. For residents, Kaleiçi is not a tourist outing but the usual place for a weekend coffee or dinner.

Transport: why you do not need a car

The Doğu Garajı stop on the T1 tram line is inside the neighbourhood. In one direction the line runs west to Otogar and Fatih; in the other, it continues via Meydan and Altınova to the airport and the Expo site. That means you can take the tram to the airport, luggage and all, without changing. There is also an AntalyaKart card centre at Doğu Garajı, so you do not have to go far to get or personalise your travel card.

Bus routes connect the centre with the Konyaaltı and Lara beaches, the university and other districts. We cover life in central Muratpaşa more broadly in our guide to living in Lara and Muratpaşa.

Schools and healthcare

Central Muratpaşa is one of the city's most established areas for state schools; the historic Antalya Lisesi, for example, is about 1 km from Yüksekalan as the crow flies. For foreign families, we have gathered the options in our guide to international schools in Antalya.

For healthcare, Antalya Training and Research Hospital is about 3 km away as the crow flies, and the centre has many private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. We explain insurance and SGK in our article on healthcare in Antalya for expats.

Who does Yüksekalan suit?

• Car-free residents: the market, the tram, the mall and the old town are within walking distance.
• People working in the centre: government offices, the commercial district and business premises are close by.
• Retirees: level streets and a practical setting for those who want to run errands on foot.
• Investors: tenants who work or study in the centre create demand suited to long-term letting.

What should you watch out for?

To be honest, Yüksekalan has its drawbacks too. Part of the building stock is old, some streets are narrow and parking is hard to find. Traffic in the centre builds up during working hours, and sea views are the exception here. So when looking at homes in the area, put covered parking, the age of the building and compliance with the earthquake regulations at the top of your list.

A new development in Yüksekalan: Meridien Nova

Given the neighbourhood's older housing stock, new developments carry particular weight. Meridien Nova is an eight-block development rising on a single plot in Yüksekalan. The blocks are arranged around a landscaped courtyard with a swimming pool; parking and a shelter are on the basement levels, with shops along the street front.

• Apartments: 1+1 and 2+1 flats in the residential blocks, with 2+1 and 3+1 duplexes on the top two floors.
• Offices: Block A is licensed as offices, from 1+1 units up to 4+2 duplex offices.
• Sizes: roughly 46 m² to 199 m².
• Construction: C30/37 ready-mix concrete, S420C ribbed steel, 5-chamber PVC windows and double glazing.

The project offers advantageous payment options. Ask us for the current plan and availability, and if you like, we can visit the neighbourhood and the site together.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Yüksekalan from Kaleiçi?

From the centre of Yüksekalan to Hadrian's Gate is about 1 km as the crow flies, which is a short walk at an easy pace.

How do I get from Yüksekalan to the airport by public transport?

Take the T1A tram from the Doğu Garajı stop in the neighbourhood and you will reach the airport without changing. Buses and taxis are also options.

Which day is the market in Yüksekalan?

The Yüksekalan market is held on Tuesdays. Neighbouring areas have markets on other days of the week as well.

Is Yüksekalan good for investment?

Its central location, tram link and proximity to government offices support demand for long-term lets. As with any investment, though, the building's age, parking and construction quality are decisive, and new developments have an advantage here.