The 12 essential things to do in Antalya

Kaleiçi, the historic heart of Antalya, unfolds its cobbled lanes behind walls dating back to Roman times. The name means "inside the castle": you enter through the monumental Hadrian's Gate, raised in the 2nd century in honour of the Roman emperor. Restored Ottoman houses, guesthouses, small mosques such as the fluted-minaret Yivli Minare and craft shops line its alleys. Walking down to the old harbour you reach the Hıdırlık Tower, of Roman origin, overlooking the sea. The quarter also concentrates cafes and restaurants for Turkish cuisine, making it the ideal starting point for a walking tour of the city.

Antalya stretches between its two main beaches. To the west, Konyaaltı rolls out several kilometres of pebbles backed by the Taurus mountains, with a landscaped seafront (Beach Park) of bars, restaurants and beach clubs; it is served by the AntRay tram. To the east, Lara is a golden-sand beach lined with hotels and resorts, prized for its sunsets. Both offer sun-lounger hire, water sports and dining. Swimming is pleasant from late May to October, the sea staying warm into autumn.

40 km east of Antalya, near the ancient Eurymedon river, Aspendos is known for its theatre, often described as the best-preserved of antiquity. Built in 155 by the Greek architect Zeno, a native of the city, it seated 7,000, and its stage wall has survived intact.

A few kilometres away stand the arches of the 19-km Roman aqueduct, whose last two kilometres form an inverted siphon. Since 1994 the theatre has hosted the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival every year.

Tucked at the foot of Kaleiçi, Antalya's old harbour (Kaleiçi Yat Limanı) sits in a sheltered cove below the cliffs. Long a Roman and then Ottoman port, it has become a marina lined with restaurants, shops and bars that come alive in the evening. Above all it is the departure point for boat trips that follow the Mediterranean coast and let you admire the lower Düden waterfall plunging into the sea. Late afternoon is especially beautiful here, as the sun sinks over the cliffs and the Gulf of Antalya.

Formed by the Düden river, which comes down from the Taurus mountains, the Düden waterfalls come in two sets. The upper falls (Düdenbaşı), about ten kilometres north-east of the centre, drop into a shaded gorge laid out as a park. The lower falls, at Lara, plunge off a cliff straight into the Mediterranean.

You can see them from the viewpoints of the coastal park or, for the most spectacular angle, from a boat leaving the marina. Both parks charge an entry fee, included in some tours.

About twenty kilometres east of Antalya, near Aksu, Perge was one of the great cities of ancient Pamphylia, at its height in the 2nd and 3rd centuries under the Roman Empire. You walk along a long colonnaded street once split by a water channel, past monumental fountains, vast baths, a Hellenistic gate with two towers and one of the largest stadiums in Anatolia.

The theatre is being restored: check on muze.gov.tr whether it has reopened. Many of the statues found on the site were displayed at the Antalya Archaeological Museum, closed since July 2025 for rebuilding.

17 km north-west of Antalya, Termessos is a Pisidian city built at about 1,000 metres on the slopes of Güllük Dağı, in the Taurus. It is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey. Founded by the Solymi, a people mentioned by Homer in the Iliad, it joined the Greek world after the conquests of Alexander the Great.

The site, in mountain forest, is explored on foot, between the theatre perched above a valley, the cisterns and the necropolis scattered with sarcophagi.

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, the Pamukkale-Hierapolis complex lies about 250 kilometres north-west of Antalya, 3 to 3.5 hours by road. There you discover the famous white travertine terraces, formed by calcium-rich hot springs, and just above them the ancient city of Hierapolis with its theatre and vast necropolis. To enjoy it without rushing, it is best to leave early or take a guided tour. Plan to walk barefoot on the travertines and bring a swimsuit for the antique pool.

A national park since 1973, the Köprülü Canyon lies about 1h30 by road northeast of Antalya, where the Köprüçay river has carved a deep canyon with clear water. It is the region's rafting hotspot: local operators run descents in calm to moderate water, suitable for beginners, beneath old Roman bridges such as the Oluk bridge. The park also shelters protected nature and hiking trails. Most visitors book a day tour that includes transport from Antalya.

About 1h15 east of Antalya, the ancient Roman port city of Side occupies a sea-washed peninsula. You can visit a large Roman theatre with a monumental stage, the agora, and above all the Temples of Apollo and Athena, whose seafront columns are stunning at sunset. The Side museum, housed in former Roman baths, gathers sarcophagi, statues and reliefs from the site's excavations. The site is open by day, with night access offered in season.

Opened in 2017, the Tünektepe cable car links the lower Sarısu station, on the Konyaaltı side, to the summit of Tünek Tepe (about 600 metres) in a few minutes. The ride reveals a panoramic view over Antalya, the gulf and the surrounding mountains. At the top, a panoramic restaurant, picnic areas and viewpoints invite a break. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset over the bay; buses serve the lower Sarısu station.

Laid out on a cliff just south of Kaleiçi, Karaalioğlu Park is a large public garden overlooking the Mediterranean and Antalya's harbour. Shaded lawns, palm trees, fountains and walkways make it a favourite stroll for locals and visitors alike, especially in the late afternoon for the sunsets. At its edge stands the Hıdırlık Tower, of Roman origin, marking the transition to the old town. Entry is free and the visit combines easily on foot with Kaleiçi.