08.08.2026 09:50
Antalya's historic tourism center Kaleiçi hosts approximately 100 times its resident population in visitors during nighttime hours in the summer. In the area, where about 500-600 people live, visitor traffic, which is around 10,000 during the day, reaches up to 40-50,000 people in the evening hours. The density in Kaleiçi, which attracts visitors with its entertainment, dining, and historical texture, continues until 4:00 AM.
The history of Kaleici, described as the heart of Antalya, dates back to the end of the 4th century BC. The region, which was transformed into a port city by the Pergamon King Attalos in the middle of the 2nd century BC, hosted the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods for thousands of years.
Reflecting Antalya's deep-rooted history with a history spanning over two thousand years, Kaleici welcomes its visitors in every season with its historical structures, houses bearing traces of Greek, Seljuk, and Ottoman architecture, and narrow streets surrounded by bougainvilleas.
DIFFERENT BY DAY, DIFFERENT BY NIGHT
Kaleici, which consists of 4 main neighborhoods: Selcuk, Kilincarslan, Barbaros, and Tuzcular, has a registered population of approximately 500-600 people.
Especially during the summer months and the tourism season, the population of the region increases up to approximately 100 times in the evening hours. While Kaleici, which has a high concentration of entertainment and accommodation venues, presents a calmer appearance during the daytime, the streets become crowded as it gets dark.
Holidaymakers and city residents who spend the daytime hours in the coastal areas head to Kaleici in the evening. The activity in the region starts around 20.00, increases in the following hours, and continues until 04.00 at night.
DAILY CIRCULATION REACHES 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE
Alp Ozel, President of the Antalya Hoteliers and Boarding House Owners Association (ANTOB), stated that Kaleici is a living city and explained the density in the region.
Ozel, who said that he is one of the approximately 500 people living in Kaleici, said, "A population that reaches up to one hundred times the total resident population comes here. There is a human circulation here; this is actually a very good thing for tradesmen and businesses. For those of us living here, we experience some problems, especially logistics. But we usually handle the solution during the day. There are both good and bad aspects of living here."
THERE ARE 180 ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
Ozel, stating that there is intense human circulation in Kaleici throughout the day, also drew attention to the number of businesses in the region.
Ozel said, "A population density that increases up to 100 times occurs. Our municipalities, governorship, and police have a great deal of duties here. There are 180 accommodation facilities in Kaleici. Also, the number of restaurants and cafes is between 200-250, and there are souvenir shops, car rentals, and many tradesmen working during the day. Therefore, this is a living city, and we work knowing its value."
"COMBINED WITH THE EVENING, IT REACHES 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE"
Ozel, stating that the high number of businesses also increases the human mobility in the region, explained the difference between day and night with figures.
Ozel said, "In a place with so many businesses, the circulation number multiplies accordingly. Tourists or local people come to our tradesmen working during the day, and there is a circulation of around 10 thousand people. When combined with the evening, we calculate that the circulation reaches approximately 50 thousand people."
"KALEICI IS A LIVING CITY"
Alperen Ipekoglu, a tradesman at Kaleici's Kesik Minare, also said that the density in the region increases significantly, especially during the tourism season.
Ipekoglu said, "The resident population of Kaleici is around 500-600 on average; during the tourism season and on weekends, the number of customers we host increases a lot. During the day it is around 10 thousand, and in the evening this number can go up to 40-50 thousand people. Of course, inevitably, due to this density, we host guests many times more than the resident population."
"WE HOST AN AVERAGE OF 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE DURING THE DAY"
Ipekoglu, stating that Kaleici is at the top of the places tourists want to see during their visits to Antalya, stated that the daily mobility reaches approximately 50 thousand people.
Ipekoglu said, "On a daily average, apart from the normally resident population, we are a region that hosts an average of 50 thousand people during the day. Generally, our holidaymakers come, our resident population comes, and the locals of Antalya come. Since Kaleici is an Old Town, of course, our guests coming from outside the city and from abroad definitely want to visit Kaleici. In this way, the number increases significantly. The entertainment sector here is lively and fast. In this way, we continue to serve both our tourists and our local people."