Best Things To Do In Antalya | The Turquoise Coast of Türkiye

Antalya, on Türkiye’s stunning southern coast, makes a great getaway, with many things to see and do. With its brilliant beaches and gentle turquoise waters framed by the beautiful Taurus Mountains, its charming old town Kaleiçi, picturesque old harbor, fabulous Roman ruins, and more, it’s an enchanting place to visit for relaxation and discovery.

Brief History Of Antalya

Antalya gets its name from King Attalus II of Pergamon, who is considered to have founded Antalya around 150 BC (although ruins here predate this). Known for his naval prowess, Antalya served as the base for his formidable fleet, which was key to his military successes and political power.

This area later became part of the Roman Empire, when Attalus II’s nephew, Attalus III, bequeathed the kingdom to Rome upon his death. Like many Roman cities, the region grew and prospered under Roman rule, here and in several neighboring cities.

After this, many others ruled here, including the Seljuk Sultanate, the Ottoman Empire, and the Italians who occupied it after World War I. Türkiye finally achieved independence in 1923.

Antalya’s rich cultural heritage combined with its picturesque beauty and its warm climate attracts over 15 million people annually, making it one of Türkiye’s most popular tourist destinations.

This post covers the best things to do in Antalya.

Best Things To Do In Antalya

The Old City Harbor

Once an important naval base in antiquity, today it’s a very picturesque harbor. Especially when seen from the terraced hilltops from the city above.

Colorful boats are lined up ready for tourists (some decked out like pirate boats), local fishermen will be fishing along the rocks by the sea, tourists and locals will be admiring the views of the Taurus mountains in the distance while boats cross back and forth in the Mediterranean, and vendors will selling sunflower seeds, which are a popular snack with locals. Wandering around the harbor area is definitely one of the highlights of a visit to Antalya.

It’s beautiful by day, and at night, it’s spectacular as the sun sets. There are several sunset points within the harbor itself, as well as on the hill up above it. One of its most popular is Kaleiçi Park, up its west side. It’s full of bougainvillea, adding to its ambiance. There’s also a glass wall so you can safely stand at the edge and not have your view obstructed.

The hills on both sides above the harbor are lined with cafes making it the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

For a fun excursion, take a short ride or a day trip on one of the many boats here to see some caves, Lower Duden waterfall, and more.

Mermerli Beach

If you want to swim in the old city harbor area, Mermerli Beach, on the west side of the harbor, is a charming little cove to swim in. Since it’s in the pedestrian old town, it can only be reached by foot.

You enter through Mermerli restaurant, which sits above the beach. Entry is free, but the sun-beds (with charming red umbrellas), towels, and anything else can be rented for a fee.

This blue flag, rocky beach area is small, but the water looks very inviting and refreshing. Especially on a hot day. Being the most convenient beach near old town, it gets crowded on weekends, so get a sun bed early.

If you look closely at the photo above, you can see the outskirts of Mermerli Beach and it’s red umbrellas.

Kaleiçi Old Town

Kaleiçi old town, which was once fortified by ancient city walls, sits on the hillside surrounding the crescent shaped old harbor. The maze of winding streets, lined with colorful Ottoman-era buildings, is full of cafes, souvenir stalls and boutique shops, making it a fun place to try Turkish foods, shop for souvenirs, and get lost in for a little while.

The local salesmen can be a bit persistent. If you’re not interested, just say teşekkür ederim, which means thank you, and walk away (the “s” with the squiggle under it makes a “sh” sound).

Hadrian’s Gate

The only remaining gate from the ancient city walls that once surrounded Kaleiçi is Hadrian’s Gate, one of the top attractions in Antalya. This gate has stood here for almost 2,000 years, when it was built to commemorate a visit by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 130 CE. It’s known as Üg Kapilar in Turkish, which means Three Gates.

Some think this gate once had a second story, possibly topped with statues of Hadrian and his family.

Hadrian’s Gate is located in the center of Kaleiçi old town on Ataturk Boulevard.

Yivli Minaret Mosque

Yivli Minaret, near Kalekapısı Square is one of the oldest multi-domed mosques in Antalya. It gets it name Yivli from the flutes in its minaret, as fluted means “yivli” in Turkish.

This UNESCO listed mosque was built over a prior church in the 13th century by one of the Seljuk Sultans. It was rebuilt in the 15th century after being destroyed. The shaft of this minaret was once decorated with blue and turquoise tiles.

The mosque is free to enter during non-prayer times, but the minaret is really best viewed as a landmark from a distance.

Mevlevihane Museum

Nearby Yivli Mosque is Mevlevihane Museum, which means Dervish House. This interesting little museum is worth a quick stop. Originally built during Seljuk rule, during Ottoman rule it became a Mevlevihane, or a Whirling Dervish Hall. The dervish monks of the Mevlevi order used this as a place to meet and study.

The 13th century building is quite charming and peaceful with its large dome and the light from the windows. It seems like the perfect place to focus on faith and connect with spiritual practices. There are some historical items on display, as well as a monitor featuring recordings of the Dervish dance.

This area is really a complex as there are also two ancient tombs, the Tombs of Nigar Hatum and Zincirkıran Mehmet Beg, as well as a hammam and a madrasah.

The museum and tombs are free to enter.

The Broken Minaret, or Korkut Cami

If you hear about the Broken Minaret, or Kesik Manare, and find yourself searching for one, it’s no longer broken. Sehzade Korkut or Korkut Cami has now been renovated and is a lovely mosque to visit.

Originally an ancient Roman Temple, it later became a Byzantine church before being converted to a Mosque during Seljuk rule. After this, it became a church once again, after the king of Cyprus took Antalya, then a mosque again during Ottoman rule.

It was destroyed in a fire in the 19th century, but has been pieced back together, with original stone in some places, and reopened in 2021. During the renovation, they even placed glass floors in areas where Roman era ruins sit below the current mosque. It’s quite lovely walk here and think of its multifaceted past.

Korkut Cami is located on Hesapci Street in Kaleici, less than a 5-minute walk inland from Hidirlik Tower (below).

Entrance is free.

Hidirlik Tower

Not much is known about this enchanting tower except that it dates to Roman times. There’s currently excavation going on around it, so you cannot access it.

Hopefully soon, there will be more to discover here. For now, it makes a stunning stop for a photo with the sea and Taurus Mountains in the distance.

You can find this tower where the western edge of old town Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park (below).

Karaalioglu Park

Just beyond Hidirlik Tower on the west side of Antalya, up on the hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean and the Taurus Mountains, is Karaalioglu Park. Being on the edge of the hilltop, there are several stunning lookout points.

This is a beautiful area to walk in the evening. There’s also a lovely open-air cafe here called Denize Karsi, which takes advantage of the views of the sea and mountains and provides daytime shade from the large trees in the park.

There’s also a swimming area here called Adalar Beach, which is about partway through the park, down by the water. There are sun decks built near some rocky outcrops where you can rent a sun bed and swim in the fairly secluded area.

Duden Falls

The two Duden Falls are on the Duden River. There’s an upper waterfalls and lower waterfall, each about a 20-minute drive from each other.

The water on the Upper Duden waterfalls falls about 131’ (49 m), creating a cloud of cool air. There’s also a hidden cave here to explore as you walk around. These falls are located about 6 miles (9.6 km) northeast of Hadrian’s Gate. There’s a small fee for entry.

The Lower Duden waterfalls are south of the airport and where the Duden River cascades into the sea. These falls are located in Duden Park, not far from Lara Beach, about 6 miles (9 km) from Hadrian’s Gate. There is no fee to enter Duden Park.

The lower waterfall is best see by boat, with many boats leaving from Antalya harbor. Make sure to book in advance in peak season.

Lower Duden Falls can also be reached by bus. To ride the bus, you need a bus card, or AntalyaKart. You can purchase an AntalyaKart at kiosks near bus stops and they are reloadable.

Beaches

Beside the small swimming area of Mermerli and Adalar, there two main beaches in Antalya. Lara Beach, to the west, and Konyaalti Beach, the east. Both are blue flag beaches.

Konyaalti Beach

Konyaalti Beach is on the west side of Antalya, stretching 8 miles (13 km) towards the Taurus Mountains. The water is crystal clear and the waves are gentle. Although beautiful, especially with the mountains as a backdrop, this is pebbled beach.

There’s a broad promenade following the length of the beach, full of many coffee shops and cafes.

Most of the beach area is public, but there are a few private areas owned by exclusive hotels, like Rixos Downtown Antalya. They not only have a private beach area here, they also provide transportation to and from the beach.

Something to watch for, the pebbles can be uncomfortable to walk on and very hot in the afternoon sun. Bring appropriate shoes. The pebbles are in the sea too, so if you plan to swim, consider water shoes.

Lara Beach

Lara beach is southeast of the old harbor of Antalya. It’s closer to the airport, but farther away from old town, up to 8 miles (13 km) away. It offers the same beautiful clear blue waters, but has a golden sandy beach with some pebbled areas.

This beach is about 5 miles (8 km) long and is known for its private beach areas, managed by clubs and exclusive, all inclusive 5-star hotels like Lara Barut. Most offer evening entertainment and DJs, with a lively night life.

Lara beach also has water sport opportunities like jet skis, windsurfing, and parasailing.

There are also some public areas on the west side of Lara. The public areas are free, except rental of sun beds and umbrellas. If you’re not happy with the public beach and are not staying at an exclusive hotel, try one of the beach clubs as the top clubs and hotels have the nicest beach areas.

Antalya Archeological Museum

The Antalya Archeological Museum is one of her largest museums in Turkey. There are 14 exhibit halls on 2 floors, and an open-air gallery with around 5,000 objects dating from pre-history to the 19th century.

Some of its most impressive items are the many, many glorious statues in the Emperors and Gods Hall, most of which are from the ancient city of Perge. There are also some massive, ancient Roman Sarcophagi, as well as coins, pottery, clothing, jewelry, and more.

The museum is located near Konyaalti Beach, about 3 miles (5 km) from Hadrian’s Gate. If you’re staying on the west side (like I did), you may be able to walk. You can also take the tramway to the Müze station.

Tunek Tepe

Tunek Tepe is a 2027’ hill on the eastern part of the city that offers spectacular views of Antalya. There’s a cable car that takes you up (or if you’re in great shape you can hike up the steep switchbacks).

At the top, there are photo several photo points, restaurants, and relaxation spots to enjoy the view from different perspectives. The image below shows Antalya in the distance.

To get here, you can taxi or take the bus. To ride the bus, you need a bus card, or AntalyaKart. You can purchase an AntalyaKart at kiosks near bus stations and they are reloadable.

The cable car fee is 321.85 Turkish Lira (about $12.50 as of June 2023). This includes return.

Ancient Roman Ruins

With Antalya’s rich heritage, there are also several Ancient Greek and Roman ruins in the area that make fascinating day trips.

When Romans ruled Antalya, the city prospered. Several smaller neighboring Roman cities also thrived.

There are many ancient Roman ruins scattered throughout the Antalya region and more excavation work still needs to be done, the the most popular include the cities of Perge, Aspendos, Side, and Termessos.

Perge

The is most magnificent of these ancient cities, and he one closest to Antalya, is Perge. Under Roman rule from the 1st century to the 3rd century AD, it became one of the most beautiful towns in Anatolia.

Perge is best visited as a tour to understand the variety of ruins here, which include a forum, theater, baths, nymphaeum, city gates, an agora, basilica, and much more. There are, however, many signs at the site explaining the ruins if you visit independently.

The ancient city of Perge is located about 10 miles (17 km) northeast of old town Antalya.

Aspendos

Aspendos is most well-known for its amazingly-preserved Roman theater, noted as one of the best in the world. Built during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, it could seat up to 7,000. It was dedicated to the gods and emperors of the time. Its spectacular two story stage wall was once filled with statues.

This theater is so well-preserved, and the acoustics are so good, it’s still used for performances today. And in June and July, it hosts the International Opera and Ballet Festival.

At Aspendos, there is also an agora, nymphaeum, a temple, basilica, stadium, and it’s aqueducts, which brought water to the city from the nearby river.

Aspendos is located about 29 miles (47 km) northeast of old town Antalya.

Side

Side (pronounced ‘sea day’), built on a peninsula, was once one of the most important harbors in the region. The ruins here are still under heavy excavation.

Unfortunately, the site feels very jumbled as the resort area of Side is built above and around ruins. It’s best to visit Side with a guide as there’s a lot to see and not much signage.

One of its most impressive sights is the Temple of Apollo down by the beach.

This area was Greek dating back to the 6th century BC and changed hands many times, once being rampant with piracy and considered the best slave market of the time. Roman rule stopped the piracy, allowing Side to really flourish.

Side is located about 46 miles (75 km) east of Antalya old town along the coast.

Termessos

Termessos is another ancient city with Roman ruins. I did not visit Termessos, but similar to Aspendos, this ancient city is best known for the ruins of its theater. There are also other ruins here including the city walls, temples, an odeon, a gymnasium, tombs, and more.

Unfortunately, Termessos was abandoned after an earthquake destroyed the aqueduct that supplied its water. Researchers are not sure when, but think it was around the 5th century.

Termessos is located about 23 miles (38 km) northwest of old town Antalya, up in the Taurus Mountains.

Manavgat Waterfalls

The Manavgat Waterfalls are beautiful not because of the drop of its cascade, but because of the sweeping setting they’re located in.

This is just a quick stop as it only takes 1-minute to walk to he falls from the entrance. There are tourist shops to wander and snack shops to relax at. Located a 10-minute drive northeast of Side, it’s a refreshing stop if you see the ruins there.

Best Time To Visit Antalya

The best time to visit Antalya temperature-wise is Spring, April to mid-June and Fall, September to mid-October. The climate is sub-tropical, which means it can be humid, making the heat feel even hotter.

If you plan to swim, summers can also be a good time to visit, but temperatures can get up to the mid 90’s F (34-35 C).

I visited in early June. During the first part of my trip, the weather was perfect, warm during the day, yet a little cool at night. The last two days of my stay, however, started getting quite warm with temperatures up around 90 F (32 C).

Where To Stay In Antalya

Antalya is a very wide city, so you need to decide where you want to stay first. If you stay near old town, you’ll be close to most of the popular sites. You can still reach the top two beaches from there, but you will need a car or use public transportation.

Likewise, if you stay near the beach, you will need a car or public transportation to come into the old town. Lara Beach is closer to the airport, but 9 to 10 miles from old town. Konyaalti is about 5 to 6 miles from old town.

I’ve listed some of the best rated places in Antalya below. Note that many places here get very mixed reviews, so make sure to always read them before booking. At least you’ll know what to expect. Also, most of these have a 2 or 3 night minimum, so make sure you open your search to multiple days.

This post may use affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you choose to make a booking or purchase through one of these links. This is at no additional cost to you. If you find my content helpful, please consider booking through me as it is completely win win!

Near Old Town

Budget

If you want a budget option, try looking for rooms in an apartment on Airbnb. I stayed at Cozy & Comfy Room With Sea View, just east of old town. It’s in a good location, about a 10-minute walk to the harbor, was quiet, and had a partial view of the Taurus Mountains. Plus the owners are really lovely (and fheir

Affordable

This renovated 19th century villa, Palm House 17 – Adults Only, is full of charm and close to many sites. It’s just a 5-minute walk to the harbor.

Hotel Lykia Old Town Antalya is a guesthouse in a charming restored historical mansion from the 19th century. It’s also located a 5-minute walk to the harbor.

Lara Beach Area

Affordable

Wolf Suites are chic apartments with a fully functioning kitchen and a pool. Lara beach is a 7-minute walk amd the old city harbor is 7.8 miles (12.5 km) away.

Splurge

The Lara Barut Collection – Ultra All Inclusive looks stunning. It has 8 restaurants, a spa with a Turkish bath, a gym, multiple pools, and is one of the highest rated all inclusive hotels here. There is private beach access with pavilions, as well as tennis, mini golf, entertainment, and more. This resort of located 11 miles (17.7 km) from old town Antalya.

Bayou Villas Ultra All Inclusive also looks stunning. It offers sumptuous, all inclusive private 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom villas. Each villa has its own private garden and swimming pool with fresh and salt water. It also includes use of pavilions on its private beach area, a gym, spa, and a personal assistant. It’s located about about 10 miles (16 km) from old town Antalya.

Konyaalti Beach

Affordable

Guden Pearl is a studio apartment is a 10-minute walk to Konyaalti Beach and 5.5 miles to the old town harbor. The kitchen has a microwave and stove top and there is a swimming pool.

Moderate

Sealife Family Resort Hotel has its own private area on Konyaalti Beach. There are two pools, a spa, and some rooms have sea views. It’s located a short walk to Konyaalti beach and is about 5 miles to the old town harbor.

Splurge

Rixos Downtown Antalya – All Inclusive offers an all inclusive option on Konyaalti Beach. The hotel and the private peach property looks amazing, yet this place does get dinged with some bad review, so make sure to read thoroughly if this is what you want.

Want To See More Of Türkiye?

Türkiye is incredible. I’ve been here three times now. I’ve not only been amazed with each city I’ve visited, there’s still so much more to see!

My favorites include the following.

Istanbul is Türkiye‘s main tourist destination, full of glorious remnants from its Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman history. It’s sumptuous Topkapi Palace, stunning mosques, Basilica Cistern, and Roman ruins are amazing.

Cappadocia, with its fantastical fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and fascinating history is truly amazing. You really need at least three days in this city to explore all it has to offer.

Ancient Ephesus, which has some of the best Roman ruins in the Mediterranean is in the modern city of Selçuk.

Pamukkale, with its unusual ‘cotton cloud’ spa terraces is interesting. I found the terraces to be a little overly touristic, but loved the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis up behind them.

To learn about all the top sites in Türkiye, as well as tips on safety, scams, money, and more, see my Türkiye Travel Guide.