Top Things to Do in Antalya: Beaches, Ruins and Old Town

Kaleici is Antalya's atmospheric old quarter, a walled maze of cobbled lanes, restored Ottoman houses, boutique hotels and shaded courtyards. It is the best place to start your visit and easy to explore on foot in a few hours.

Key landmarks include Hadrian's Gate, a beautifully preserved Roman triumphal arch built around AD 130, and the fluted Yivli Minaret, a symbol of the city. Wander down to the old Roman harbour, now a marina lined with cafes and boat-trip operators, and pause at the Hidirlik Tower for sea views.

Kaleici is full of small restaurants, tea gardens and craft shops. It comes alive in the evening, making it a lovely spot for dinner after a day at the beach.

Antalya is famous for its beaches, and they vary a lot in character. Konyaalti, on the western side of the city, is a long pebble beach backed by the Taurus Mountains, with a lively promenade, cafes and Blue Flag standards. Lara, to the east, is a broad sandy beach lined with large resort hotels.

For clear water and scenery, head out of the city. Kemer and Cirali offer pebble beaches framed by pine-clad mountains, while Side and Belek have softer sand. Many smaller coves are reachable only by boat.

From roughly May to October the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming, peaking around 28 degrees Celsius in August. Most public beaches have sunbed rentals, showers and snack bars.

The Antalya region holds some of the best-preserved ancient sites in the Mediterranean, a legacy of Greek, Roman and Byzantine rule. They are a highlight for any visitor and best seen in the cooler morning hours.

Aspendos, about 45 kilometres east of the city, is home to one of the finest surviving Roman theatres in the world, still used for performances today. Nearby Perge features a stadium, colonnaded streets and Roman baths. Side, a seaside town further east, wraps its restaurants and hotels around the ruins of a Temple of Apollo and a large theatre right by the sea.

Inland, the dramatic mountain ruins of Termessos reward a steeper walk with spectacular views.

Antalya's landscape is shaped by rivers tumbling down from the Taurus Mountains, creating several scenic waterfalls within easy reach. They make a refreshing contrast to the beaches, especially in spring.

The Duden Waterfalls have two sections: the Upper Duden, set in a leafy park where you can walk behind the cascade, and the Lower Duden, which plunges dramatically straight into the sea on the city's eastern edge. The Kursunlu Waterfall, a short drive from the airport, sits in a shaded nature park popular for gentle walks.

Further afield, the Manavgat Waterfall near Side is wide rather than tall, while the green canyons and turquoise river of Koprulu, a rafting hotspot, are well worth the trip.

A boat trip is one of the most enjoyable ways to see the coast. Day cruises depart from Antalya's old harbour, Kemer, Side and Alanya, typically stopping at swimming coves, sea caves and quieter beaches, often with lunch included. Pirate-themed boats are popular with children.

Families are well served by aquaparks. The Land of Legends near Belek is a large theme and water park, while The Aqua Land and Aktur parks offer slides and pools closer to the city. The Antalya Aquarium, home to one of the world's longest tunnel tanks, is a good rainy-day option.

For wildlife, Antalya also has a zoo and several dolphin shows, though many travellers prefer the natural setting of a coastal cruise.

Because the attractions are spread along a long coastline, many visitors base themselves at one resort and take day tours. Popular options include trips to Pamukkale's white travertine terraces, the ancient city of Myra and Kekova's sunken ruins by boat, jeep safaris in the Taurus Mountains and rafting at Koprulu Canyon.

Public transport links the main towns by bus and dolmus, but reaching ruins and waterfalls is far easier with a car or organised tour. The tram and bus network within Antalya city is cheap and useful for Kaleici and the museums.

Arriving at Antalya Airport, a pre-booked private transfer is a convenient, stress-free way to reach your hotel, with a fixed price, free meet and greet, flight tracking, payment to the driver and 24/7 WhatsApp booking. Transfers typically start from around 15 euros for the closest areas.