Free Lionesses guide to Antalya

Next month the Lionesses will be heading to Türkiye to take on Ukraine as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign and our Free Lionesses team have pulled together a handy guide to the game for those making the trip.

England are playing Ukraine in Türkiye due the ongoing war in the region and the game is due to take place on Tuesday 3rd March but at the time of writing a kick-off time had yet to be confirmed.

At the time of writing, the Free Lionesses won’t be on the ground for this fixture but that could change quickly – so keep an eye out for any updates. The Fans’ Embassy team will be providing updates for this fixture as soon as we get them on our social media accounts, below:

• Twitter/X – @FreeLionesses
• Instagram – @WeAreFreeLionesses

Many thanks to Kiraz Öcal for her help on the guide.

Match information

The game will be taking place at the Mardan Stadyumu in Aksu and FA match details can be found here. As well as the confirmation of the kick-off time, at the time of writing we are still awaiting ticketing information for away fans wishing to make the trip.

Introduction to Antalya

Antalya is a Mediterranean coastal city in southern Türkiye, known for its beaches, historic old town (Kaleiçi), waterfalls and year-round sunshine. It is one of Türkiye’s main tourism and sports destinations, hosting international football camps and tournaments. The city combines modern infrastructure with ancient history, making it easy and enjoyable for visitors.

Safety and Security

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) have issued guidance on travel to Türkiye – it’s worth taking the time to read it fully here. It’s worth noting that visitors are expected to carry official ID with them at all times.

Getting to the stadium

There are multiple options from Antalya Airport, 15km outside the city centre, onwards to the stadium and beyond. For local public transport, the MoovitApp is a popular option.

Taxis usually take 20-30 minutes from the airport to the stadium, and it is the easiest option especially for those travelling in groups towards Kaleiçi, Lara, or Konyaaltı.. The cost is usually 800-1,000 Turkish lira (TL) which is £15-18 at recent exchange rates.

The stadium is not well connected by mass transit, and public transport from the airport can take up to two hours starting with the tram (TRA1 line) and then following the steps below:

STEP 1 – TRAM (T1A Line):
Get on at Airport / Havalimanı Station. Travel 5 stops.
Get off at Çırnık-2 Stop (Stop number: 15199).
STEP 2 – Walk:
Walk 70 metres to Serik Street.
Bus Stop: Serik St-1 (Stop number: 12250).
STEP 3 – Bus:
Take AA01 (Antalya – Alanya) OR BA22 (Meydan Depolama – Boğazkent).
Get off at Serik St-15 (Stop number: 12449).
STEP 4 – Bus 527:
Line 527 (Aksu Depolama – Kundu), travel 14 stops.
Get off at Kemeragzi St-1 (Stop number: 11378).
STEP 5 – Walk:
Walk approx. 4 km (30–40 minutes) to the stadium.

Eating, drinking and travelling around Antalya

Recommended transport in the city:
• Tram (AntRay) – Best for city centre.
• Taxi – Affordable compared to UK.
• Bus – Extensive but slower.

Additional public transport information

Visitors who prefer public transport are encouraged to download the Moovit app.

By selecting your starting point and destination, the app provides step-by-step directions showing which tram or bus to take and where to get off.

Airport to Kaleiçi (old town)
Take the T1A tram from Airport Station.
Get off at İsmetpaşa-2 stop.
Kaleiçi is within walking distance from this stop.

Airport to Konyaaltı beach
Take the T1A tram from Airport Station.
Get off at Emniyet-2 stop.
Walk to Vatan Boulevard bus stop.
Take VC57 or CV67 bus.
Get off at Akvaryum stop.

Airport to Lara — TerraCity Area
Take bus number 800 from the Airport.
Get off at Muratpaşa Belediyesi stop.
TerraCity shopping mall and the Lara area are a short walk or taxi ride from this stop.

Match transport — Mardan Stadium (Kundu / Belek)
Since accommodation locations may vary, the most practical way to reach the stadium is by taxi.

The journey from Kaleiçi, Lara, or Konyaaltı usually takes around 30 minutes.

It is easy to take a taxi directly from restaurants or bars to the stadium.

Visitors who prefer public transport can use the Moovit App to plan their route by selecting their starting point and destination.

Pubs & bars

In Antalya, Lara, Kaleiçi, and Konyaaltı are popular areas where visitors can find many cafés, restaurants, pubs, and bars close to each other. These areas are easy to walk around and are commonly preferred by both locals and visitors.

Lara

• Belfast Irish Pub
• Patrick Irish Pub
• Lucky Sports Pub
• Khoffner Sports Pub

Kaleiçi

• Dubh Linn Irish Pub
• Edinburgh Pub
• Tipsy Old Town
• Old House Pub
• Mono Terrace

Konyaaltı

• Cubana
• Shakespeare
• Holly Garden

Restaurants

These restaurants are centrally located, tourist-friendly, and suitable for groups.

Kaleiçi

• Vanilla Restaurant
• İl Vicino Pizzeria
• Tipsy Old Town Restaurant

Lara

• Asmani Restaurant
• Pablito Bistro
• Dialogue Restaurant

Konyaaltı

• 7 Mehmet
• Köşe by Four Hills
• Riviera Restaurant
• Quick China

Traditional Meyhane (Optional)

For visitors interested in traditional Turkish dining with meze and live atmosphere:

• Kaleiçi Meyhanesi
• Zaruri Meyhane
• Ala Franga Meyhane

Dietary Requirements
Vegetarian food is widely available – vegan options are increasing (ask specifically). – Gluten-free is possible in modern restaurants.

Nearer the stadium
Mostly resort hotels, beach clubs and hotel restaurants. Limited independent nightlife. Best option: Enjoy beachside restaurants inside resort areas.

If you’re in our around Kundu it’s worth taking the time to look at TripAdvisor suggestions for the area as well as the TripAdvisor recommendations around the stadium.

Antalya: Things to see and do

• Hadrians Gate – An ancient landmark close to the Old Town
• Explore Kaleiçi – historic old town with narrow streets, Ottoman houses, and small shops
• Visit Düden Waterfalls – famous waterfall flowing directly into the Mediterranean Sea
• Walk along Konyaaltı Beach – long seaside walking path with cafés and views of the mountains
• Day trip to Perge Ancient City
• Visit Aspendos Theatre
• Kaleiçi Marina — a scenic area for walking and sunset views

Hidden Gems
Termessos Ancient City – Mountain ruins with incredible views.
Sunset at Kaleiçi Marina cliffs.
Local Turkish breakfast in neighbourhood cafés.

Before You Travel

Read the UK Travel Advice (TA) for Türkiye and sign up for email alerts to stay informed about safety, local laws, and updates. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 150 days from travel and has one blank page. Always carry your passport or other photo ID — ID checks can happen in busy areas.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is required. EHICs and GHICs are not valid in Türkiye, even for a short trip.

Ramadan

Ramadan is underway running from Tuesday 17th February to mid-March.

Please be conscious that Türkiye is a majority Muslim country and practicing Muslims will be fasting during daylight hours, this will likely impact day-to-day activity. Double-check opening hours of shops and restaurants.

Be patient with traffic and crowds — fasting can affect behaviour and energy levels.

Emergency Info

British Vice Consulate Antalya:

British Vice Consulate
Gürsu Mahallesi 324
Sokak No: 6, Konyaaltı
Antalya
Türkiye

Contact (24/7): +90 242 228 28 11

General Emergency: 112
Police: 155
Ambulance: 112