Antalya Travelers Recommend

As the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya offers much more than just beaches. It’s an ideal launchpad for exploring the ancient Pamphylian cities and cruising the Turquoise Coast, and three days gives you enough time to see it all. Here’s how to spend three days in Antalya.

Day 1: Sightseeing in the City

Antalya Old Town (Kaleici) encompasses cobbled streets and lively bazaars; a walking tour is the best way for first-time visitors to orient themselves. Most tours cover Hadrian’s Gate, which dates back to Roman times, as well as other historic monuments such as the old Clock Tower and the Fluted Minaret.

Spend the afternoon at Antalya Aquarium, which ranks as one of the largest aquarium complexes in the world—to save time and avoid transport hassles, pre-book tickets with round-trip transfers included. History buffs can admire the treasures of ancient Turkey at the Antalya Archeological Museum while beach lovers can head to the nearby Konyaalti Beach, where you can rent a kayak, enjoy swimming and snorkelling, or grab a cocktail at a beachside bar.

In the evening, head back into Kaleici, where bars, restaurants, and nightclubs host live music and entertainment into the early hours.

Day 2: Discover ancient Pamphylia

Dedicate your second dat to exploring the ancient Pamphylian cities around Antalya, hailed as some of the best-preserved in Turkey. Full-day tours cover the three most popular sites—the ancient city of Perge, which dates back to before 1500 BC; the ancient Greco-Roman city of Aspendos, with its remarkable 7,000-seat amphitheater; and the coastal resort of Side, famous for its ancient theater and seafront Temple of Apollo. Touring the cities with a guide provides important historical context, and day trips often include extras, such as a traditional gözleme (Turkish pancakes) lunch and a visit to the Manavgat waterfalls.

To end your the day with a bang, book tickets to the Fire of Anatolia show, held at the Gloria Aspendos Arena. The show features up to 120 dancers that perform traditional dances and music that derive from Anatolia; tickets typically include transfers from Antalya.

Day 3: Cruise the Mediterranean

Spend your final day at sea; half- and full-day cruises set sail daily from Antalya, and options vary from adventure tours on a traditional pirate ship to family-friendly catamaran cruises or luxury private yacht charters. For the best value, look for a cruise that includes a buffet lunch on-board and features plenty of stops to swim and snorkel along the coast.

Adventurous types can spend the day white-water rafting and ziplining in Koprulu Canyon, or go scuba diving along the Turquoise Coast, while families might prefer a day pass to Antalya’s most popular water park, Aqualand.

Back in Antalya, spend your final evening at a traditional Turkish restaurant on the harbor, where you can Tuck into a classic Turkish kebab, sample tasty mezes, or enjoy fresh seafood.

Situated on Turkey’s idyllic Turquoise Coast, Antalya boasts beautiful beaches, historic monuments, and plenty of day trip options. Two days gives you enough time to take in all of the highlights, but planning ahead is essential to maximize your time. Here’s how to spend two days in Antalya.

Day 1: Sun, sea, and sightseeing

Morning: Explore Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi) on a walking tour, which reveals the history behind Hadrian’s Gate, the Old Clock Tower, and Mehmet Paşa mosque. Follow the cobbled lanes down to the waterfront to browse the many shops and admire the yacht-filled marina.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at Konyaalti Beach, where you can swim and enjoy water sports, or relax and work on your tan. Combine your visit with nearby sights such as the Antalya Archeological Museum or the family-friendly Antalya Aquarium; skip-the-line admission tickets allow you to save time on the day.

Night: Set sail along the coast on a romantic sunset cruise or join a party cruise aboard a pirate ship. Stop along the way to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean Sea or visit natural wonders such as the Duden Waterfalls.

Day 2: Explore ancient Pamphylia

Morning: Popular day trip options from Antalya include rafting through Koprulu Canyon and cruising the Mediterranean Sea, but if you’ve only got one day to spare, focus on the ancient cities along the coast. The Pamphylian city of Perge is one of Turkey’s best preserved, while the Roman theater of Aspendos dates back to AD 200.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon in nearby Side, where the ruins of an ancient city are dotted throughout the resort. Pose for photos by the seafront Temple of Apollo, enjoy a traditional gözleme (Turkish pancake) at a local restaurant, and then head to the beach for a swim.

Night: Enjoy an unforgettable night of entertainment at the Fire of Anatolia show, held at the Gloria Aspendos Arena. Nicknamed the Turkish Riverdance, the show features live music and up to 120 dancers; book in advance to secure one of the best seats.

Whether you’re a cruise passenger with just one day in port or starting your tour of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, there’s plenty to see and do in Antalya. If you’ve only got one day, advance planning is essential, in order to cover more sights in less time. Here’s how to see the best of Antalya in one day.

Morning: Explore the Old Town

A guided walking tour or bike tour of Antalya’s atmospheric Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi) is a great way to kickstart your time in the city. Express tours, which are designed with time-pressed travelers in mind, tend to stop at Hadrian’s Gate, which dates back to Roman times; the 18th-century Mehmet Paşa mosque; the old Clock Tower; and the Selçuk-era Fluted Minaret.

Then, take a stroll through the old bazaar for a glimpse into local life in Turkey and admire the colourful boats fill Antalya Marina. For lunch, head to one of the many restaurants looking down over the marina, where you can sample the local seafood or tuck into a traditional Turkish kebab with a view across the Mediterranean. 

Afternoon: Hit the Beach

Hailed as Antalya’s best beach, Konyaalti Beach stretches for several miles and has calm waters that are ideal for swimming and water sports; to get there, hop on the tram or grab a taxi from Kaleici. Avoid hitting the sands during the hottest part of the day and opt instead to explore nearby attractions such as Antalya Archeological Museum, which houses artefacts from the archeological sites of Perge and Termessos, and Antalya Aquarium, which is one of the largest in Turkey. For the best value, look out for Antalya city tours that include aquarium admission tickets tickets, or opt for a package that includes convenient round-trip transfers to avoid an expensive taxi ride. 

Evening: Party along the Mediterranean

No visit to Antalya is complete without taking a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea. You can choose from a variety of  options, which include a romantic sunset cruise, a family-friendly sail on a pirate boat, or a party cruise with an open bar. Most cruises stop at scenic spots such as the Duden Waterfalls and give you time to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Another popular evening option—if your visit coincides with one of the twice weekly performances— is attending a Fire of Anatolia show at the Gloria Aspendos Arena, a dramatic performance that showcases Turkish music and dance.

Sandwiched between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean, the Turkish province of Antalya is best known as a resort destination but is also justifiably renowned for its ancient landmarks. From Greco-Roman amphitheaters and rock-cut tombs to sunken cities, here are the key ancient sites to explore in and around Antalya.

Perge

Once the capital of ancient Pamphylia, Perge has roots that stretch back to the Bronze Age. Today, many of its ruins date to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, when it was a thriving Roman hub. Discover its well-preserved ancient theater, its enormous stadium, the picturesque Hellenistic Gate, and more.

Aspendos

Often coupled with Perge, nearby Aspendos was another bustling ancient settlement. Today it features ruins of a basilica, agora, and aqueduct, but the city’s amphitheater is unquestionably its most popular attraction. Considered one of the best-preserved amphitheaters from antiquity, it’s still used to host events and performances today.

Side

Today a thriving resort town along the Mediterranean coast, Side is also home to destination-worthy Greco-Roman ruins. Side’s ancient theater and the Temple of Apollo and Athena are among its highlights.

Myra

Now known as Demre, Myra was once an important settlement in ancient Lycia. Visitors flock to the town to see the ancient Byzantine St. Nicholas Church, while the millennia-old, rock-cut tombs and theater are further evidence of its rich history.

Kekova

Among Turkey’s most unusual—and extraordinary—ancient sites is the sunken city of Kekova. The partially submerged ruins are best viewed from the vantage of a glass-bottomed boat, through which underwater stairs and other structures can be glimpsed.