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Things to Do in Antalya, Turkey
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Antalya, Turkey
When considering the best things to do in Antalya, Turkey, start by walking through Kaleiçi's cobblestone lanes past 13th century Yivli Minare. Then visit 2nd century Hadrian's Gate, a marble triumphal arch built for a Roman emperor. Finally, cool off at Konyaaltı Beach, a 7 kilometer stretch of pebbled shoreline beneath limestone cliffs.
1. Kaleiçi
Wander 2,000-year-old cobblestone lanes where Roman arches sit alongside Ottoman mansions. You'll discover hidden courtyards with lemon trees, harbor views from rooftop terraces, and centuries of history around every corner.
Quick facts: The neighborhood's narrow, winding streets follow the same layout as the original Roman settlement from 2,000 years ago. Over 500 restored Ottoman-era houses now serve as boutique hotels, galleries, and restaurants, creating an open-air museum where people actually live and work.
Highlights: Tucked along the ancient city walls, a 150-meter stretch of original Hellenistic fortification still stands, complete with a hidden tunnel that once connected the harbor to the upper city for emergency escapes. Locals say the ivy-covered stones absorb the Mediterranean heat all day and release it at night, creating a natural warmth that makes evening walks through the alleys uniquely comfortable even in cooler months.
2. Hadrian's Gate
Stand beneath the three marble arches where Roman emperors once passed. Cobblestone streets, ancient towers, and the buzz of modern Antalya converge at this single spot.
Quick facts: Roman Emperor Hadrian visited Antalya in 130 AD, and this three-arched marble gate was built to commemorate his arrival. The gate was hidden beneath centuries of city walls until the 1950s, when a careful excavation revealed it in near-perfect condition.
Highlights: Look closely at the gate's two flanking towers: the southern one is original Roman construction, while the northern one was rebuilt by the Seljuk Turks centuries later, creating an accidental time capsule of two empires. The intricate floral carvings along the archways still show traces of the original paint that once brought them to life.
3. Yivli Minare
A 38-meter medieval tower that has marked Antalya's skyline for 800 years. Feel the cool carved stone and watch the sunset paint its brick grooves gold.
Quick facts: Rising 38 meters into Antalya's skyline, the fluted minaret features eight distinctive grooved sections made from deep red brick and turquoise tiles. Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I ordered its construction in the 13th century, and its call to prayer has echoed across the old city for nearly 800 years.
Highlights: Stand directly beneath the minaret at dusk, and you'll see the last rays of sun catch each of its eight fluted grooves in sequence, like a sundial marking the end of day. Local legend says that if you count the bricks from the base upward, you'll find exactly 90 rows, matching the number of names for Allah in Islamic tradition.
4. Düden Waterfalls
Where freshwater cliffs plunge straight into the turquoise Mediterranean. Feel the cool spray on your face while watching rainbows form in the mist.
Quick facts: Water cascades 40 meters over a rocky cliff directly into the Mediterranean Sea. A second section of the falls flows through city parks and caves before tumbling over travertine cliffs.
Highlights: The lower falls create a constant mist that produces vibrant rainbows on sunny afternoons, visible from boats approaching the waterfall from the sea. Visitors can walk through a cave passage behind the upper falls and feel the thunderous water crashing just inches away.
5. Konyaaltı Beach
Swap crowded resort pools for four kilometers of pebbly shoreline with the Taurus Mountains as your backdrop. Dip into turquoise Mediterranean waters, then stroll the seaside promenade lined with cafés and parks.
Quick facts: Stretching nearly 4 kilometers along Antalya's Mediterranean coast, this pebble and sand beach sits beneath the dramatic Taurus Mountains. The beach's crystal-clear waters earned it a Blue Flag certification, and the adjacent Beydağları Coast National Park adds to its natural appeal.
Highlights: Unlike most Mediterranean beaches, Konyaaltı offers a rare two-in-one experience: pebbly shoreline on one end and fine sand on the other, separated by a natural jetty. The mountains rise so sharply behind the beach that you can swim in the sea while staring straight up at pine-covered peaks reaching over 3,000 meters.
6. Lara Beach
Golden sands and crystal-clear waters stretch for miles along this engineered Mediterranean coastline. Wade into the shallow, warm sea or sprawl out on the impossibly soft imported sand as the Taurus Mountains watch in the distance.
Quick facts: Stretching nearly 4 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast, the fine golden sand here was actually imported and engineered for the perfect beach experience. During summer months, the beach hosts thousands of visitors daily and serves as a nesting ground for endangered loggerhead sea turtles between May and October.
Highlights: The sand under your feet isn't natural at all: it was carefully manufactured and transported here in the 1990s to create a beach that feels impossibly soft and clean. At sunset, the entire shoreline glows amber as local families gather for tea, children chase waves, and the silhouette of the distant Taurus Mountains frames the horizon.
7. Antalya Museum
Home to one of Turkey's finest collections of ancient Mediterranean artifacts. Walk through 13 halls filled with marble gods, golden jewelry, and sarcophagi that rival any museum in Europe.
Quick facts: Over 5,000 artifacts fill 13 exhibition halls, spanning from the Paleolithic era to the Ottoman period. The museum's collection includes pieces from the ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos, and Side, all excavated in the surrounding region.
Highlights: The museum's crowning piece is the "Weeping Heracles" sarcophagus, an exquisite 2nd century marble masterpiece showing the hero's twelve labors in breathtaking detail. Carved from a single block of marble, the sarcophagus was smuggled out of Turkey in the 1960s and only returned after a years-long legal battle with the Getty Museum.
8. Kurşunlu Waterfall
One of the few waterfalls in the region you can walk behind and see from every angle. Stroll suspended walkways through a cool, pine-shaded canyon as water thunders past you on all sides.
Quick facts: Three separate cascades tumble 18 meters into a turquoise pool, surrounded by a 100-meter canyon carved through ancient rock. The waterfall flows year-round, fed by the Aksu River, and powers a small hydroelectric plant nearby.
Highlights: A wooden walkway snakes behind the main cascade, letting you feel the spray on your face while looking out through the falling water at the canyon beyond. Seven smaller pools form along the canyon floor, each one a different shade of blue-green depending on the sunlight filtering through the pines.
9. Tünektepe Teleferik
Soar 618 meters above Antalya's coastline for panoramic views that stretch for miles. Watch the Mediterranean turn into a shimmering tapestry as the city shrinks beneath your feet.
Quick facts: A 10-minute cable car ride lifts visitors 618 meters above sea level, offering sweeping views over Antalya's turquoise coastline and the Beydağları mountain range. The summit station features a restaurant, café, and observation terraces that make the journey worthwhile year-round.
Highlights: As the gondola climbs, the Mediterranean shifts from a distant blue sliver to a vast canvas stretching to the horizon, with the old harbor shrinking to toy-boat size below. On clear days, the view spans from Kemer's coastline all the way to the distant peaks of Olympos, making this one of the most dramatic perspective changes in the region.
10. Aspendos
Step into a 20,000 seat Roman theater so perfectly preserved that summer opera performances still fill its ancient curves with sound. You will stand where crowds cheered 1,800 years ago, surrounded by marble, stone, and acoustic genius.
Quick facts: Over 20,000 spectators once filled this 2nd-century Roman theater, their whispers still perfectly audible from the top tier today. The architect Zenon won the design contract by demonstrating his acoustic genius to Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself.
Highlights: Legend says architect Zenon constructed a separate smaller building to prove his mastery of acoustics before getting the theater commission. Walk to the very top row and watch a friend whisper on stage you will hear every syllable as clearly as if standing right beside them.
Where to Stay in Antalya, Turkey
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Kabak Tatlisi
Kabak Tatlisi is made from slow-cooked pumpkin with sugar, often topped with tahini and crushed walnuts. It is one of Turkey's most beloved autumn desserts and a specialty in Antalya where pumpains are abundant.
Halka Tatlisi
Halka Tatlisi are ring shaped fried dough pastries soaked in sweet syrup, resembling small donuts. They are a popular street food dessert in Antalya, often sold fresh and warm from street vendors.
Dondurma (Antalya style)
Turkish dondurma is a stretchy, chewy ice cream made with salep and mastic, and Antalya's version often features locally grown fruits. The region's warm climate makes this refreshing treat a daily favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Piyaz
Antalya Piyaz is a white bean salad with tahini, vinegar, garlic, and hard boiled eggs, distinctly different from other Turkish piyaz variations. It is so iconic to Antalya that it is officially registered as a geographically indicated product of the region.
Şiş Köfte
Antalya's şiş köfte are spiced minced meat skewers grilled over charcoal, often served with sumac onions and grilled peppers. The city's version is known for its unique blend of herbs including thyme and mint that grow wild in the Taurus Mountains.
Tandır Kebabı
Tandır Kebabı is slow cooked lamb prepared in a clay oven, resulting in incredibly tender meat that falls off the bone. This dish has been prepared in the Antalya region for centuries, dating back to the nomadic Yoruk traditions.
Traditional Beverages
Şalgam Suyu
Şalgam suyu is a tangy, fermented purple carrot and turnip juice popular throughout southern Turkey including Antalya. It is often enjoyed as a refreshing accompaniment to kebabs and spicy dishes.
Sahlep
Sahlep is a warm, creamy milk drink thickened with wild orchid root powder and dusted with cinnamon. Antalya's coastal mountains are one of the few places where the orchids used to make sahlep are traditionally harvested.
Portakal Suyu (Fresh Orange Juice)
Antalya is famous for its locally grown juicy oranges, and fresh squeezed orange juice is sold everywhere from street carts to cafes. The region's citrus orchards produce some of the sweetest oranges in Turkey, making this a must try beverage.
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Most popular day trips
Olympos & Cirali Beach
Ancient Lycian ruins and a pristine beach with sea turtle nesting sites.
Perge & Aspendos
Well-preserved Roman ruins including one of the best ancient theaters.
Kemer
Coastal resort town with marinas, beaches, and mountain backdrop.
Termessos
Mountain-top ancient city with stunning views over the surrounding valley.
Side
Historic coastal town with a magnificent Temple of Apollo by the sea.
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Getting there
Train stations
Main line from Konya and other central Anatolian cities.
From Antalya Airport, take tram line T1A or T1B directly to the city center in about 25 minutes. Taxis are also readily available.
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Comments (8)
GENERAL: Honestly a bit overhyped. Beaches were nice but nothing special compared to other Med towns. Prices have gone up a lot too.
GENERAL: Loved the vibe around the marina at sunset. Felt safe walking around as a solo female traveler which was great.
TIP: Take the tram instead of taxis. It runs along the coast and costs next to nothing. Taxis will overcharge tourists every time.
GENERAL: Food was incredible everywhere we went. The fresh seafood and meze plates blew my mind. 4 days felt perfect.
GENERAL: Weather in late September was perfect. Warm enough to swim but not dying from heat. Would go back tomorrow.