Antalya Travel Guide: Old Town, Beaches and the Best Day Trips
Kaleiçi old town, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches, Düden Waterfalls, Aspendos, Perge, Side and Belek – the best things to do in and around Antalya, plus where to stay.
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Antalya is the gateway to the Turkish Riviera – a lively city with a beautiful walled old town, long beaches on both sides and the Taurus Mountains rising behind. Some of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean are within an hour's drive.
In the city
1. Wander Kaleiçi
Antalya's old town is a maze of Ottoman houses, boutique hotels and cafés inside Roman and Seljuk walls, sloping down to a picturesque harbour.
2. Walk through Hadrian's Gate
The triple-arched marble gate, built for Emperor Hadrian's visit in AD 130, is the grand entrance to Kaleiçi.
3. See the Yivli Minaret
The fluted 13th-century Seljuk minaret is the symbol of Antalya.
4. Visit the Antalya Museum
One of Turkey's best archaeological museums, with superb statues from nearby Perge.
5. Relax on Konyaaltı Beach
A long pebble beach west of the centre, backed by the Taurus Mountains, with a seafront park and cafés.
6. Swim at Lara Beach
East of the city, Lara has fine sand and a strip of large resort hotels.
7. See the Düden Waterfalls
The Lower Düden Waterfall plunges straight off a cliff into the sea; the Upper Düden falls are set in a shady park.
Day trips
8. Aspendos
One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, still used for performances.
9. Perge
A vast Greco-Roman city with colonnaded streets, a stadium and city gates.
10. Side
A resort town built among ancient ruins, with the Temple of Apollo on the waterfront at sunset.
11. Belek
Turkey's golf capital, with long sandy beaches and family resorts.
12. Kemer and Phaselis
South-west of Antalya, Kemer is backed by pine-covered mountains. Nearby Phaselis has Roman ruins next to three small bays.
13. Olympos cable car
The Tahtalı cable car climbs to the 2,365-metre summit for views over the coast.
14. Köprülü Canyon
Go white-water rafting on the river through this national park.
15. Alanya
Further east, Alanya has a castle-crowned peninsula and Cleopatra Beach.
Getting around
Antalya Airport is close to the city and most resorts; book a private transfer for your arrival. Trams link the airport, city centre and beaches.
Frequently asked questions
How far are the resorts from Antalya Airport?
Antalya city and Lara are about 15–30 minutes away, Belek around 30–40 minutes, Kemer about an hour, Side about an hour and Alanya around two hours, depending on traffic and your hotel.
When is the best time to visit Antalya?
May, June, September and October are ideal. July and August are very hot; winter is mild and quiet – good for sightseeing and golf.
Where should I stay near Antalya?
Kaleiçi for culture, Lara and Konyaaltı for city beaches, Belek for golf and all-inclusive resorts, Side for history and beaches, and Kemer for mountains and a pine-backed coast.
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