Antalya City Over the Resort Districts
Antalya city (particularly around Kaleici and Konyaalti) has hostels, guesthouses and short-term apartments that the pure resort districts (Belek, Side, Kemer) largely lack — independent travelers are generally better served basing themselves in the city rather than trying to piece together an independent stay in a resort-oriented district.
Getting Around Without a Resort Transfer
Antalya city's public transport (tram and buses, covered in our Getting Around guide) makes independent day-tripping realistic in a way it is not from the more isolated resort districts.
Where All-Inclusive Still Makes Sense
If your main goal is beach time and relaxation rather than city-based independent travel, a short all-inclusive stay is still worth considering even for otherwise independent travelers — it isn't an either/or, and some travelers do both in one trip.
Combining With the Turquoise Coast
Kas and the wider Turquoise Coast toward Fethiye have a stronger independent-travel culture (guesthouses, hiking, diving) than the mainstream resort belt, and pair naturally with an Antalya city stay for travelers who want both city access and a more backpacker-friendly coastal stretch.
Base yourself in Antalya city rather than the all-inclusive resort belt if independent travel is the priority, and consider extending toward Kas for a more backpacker-oriented coastal leg.