Things to Do in Antalya
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Antalya, Turkey, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Antalya. Package holiday capital of the Turkish Mediterranean, and real ancient history hiding underneath all the resort development if you know where to look. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Antalya: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the walk. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Kaleici (Old Town)
Antalya's old town, enclosed by fortifications originally built during the Roman era and expanded across Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, all sitting within the same old walls. Narrow cobbled streets, Ottoman-era wooden houses now converted to boutique hotels and restaurants, and the old harbour at its centre make this properly worth a full day of unhurried wandering.
Hadrian's Gate, a well-preserved Roman triumphal arch, marks one of the old entrances, worth seeking out as you explore. The area is compact enough to cover on foot without much planning, just wander and see where the streets take you.
Best time Morning or evening, avoiding the midday heat
Address Central Antalya, around the old harbour
The Turquoise Coast
Antalya's coastline is often referred to by its regional nickname, the Turquoise Coast, describing the distinctive blue-green water along this stretch of Mediterranean coastline. Konyaalti and Lara beaches, on either side of the city, are the main options, Konyaalti with mountain views and pebbles, Lara with sand and a more resort feel.
Beach clubs along both stretches charge for loungers and umbrellas, but public access sections exist too if you're happy with your own towel.
Best time May through September for swimming
Duden Waterfalls
Antalya's Duden Waterfalls are unusual for dropping directly from cliffs into the sea, one waterfall famously plunges straight off a coastal cliff into the Mediterranean below, a striking sight best seen from a boat looking back at the cliffs. A second, upper waterfall sits inland in a park setting, more accessible on foot and popular for picnics.
Boat trips along the coast often build in a stop to view the lower falls from the water, the classic way most visitors actually experience it.
Getting there Upper falls a short drive from central Antalya; lower falls viewed by boat
Aspendos Theatre
About 45 minutes from Antalya, one of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere in the world, built in the 2nd century and still used for concerts and performances today. The acoustics remain properly remarkable, a testament to the precision of Roman engineering nearly two thousand years on.
It's a proper half-day trip from the city, worth combining with the nearby Aspendos aqueduct ruins if you have the time and a car.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–7pm in summer, shorter in winter
Getting there About 45 minutes from Antalya by car
Antalya Marina & Old Harbour
The old harbour at the base of Kaleici, once a working Roman-era port, now lined with restaurants, cafes, and boat tour operators. Evening is the best time here, the old town walls lit up above the water and a relaxed atmosphere along the marina.
Boat trips departing from here cover everything from short coastal cruises to full-day excursions along the Turquoise Coast, worth booking a half-day trip if you want to see more of the coastline beyond the city beaches.
Best time Evening
Antalya Museum
One of Turkey's most significant archaeological museums, covering the region's Lycian, Roman, and Byzantine history with genuinely impressive statuary and artefacts recovered from sites across the Antalya region, including Aspendos and the wider Turquoise Coast.
It's a good rainy-day option or a break from the beach, and gives useful context to the ancient sites you'll see elsewhere on this list.
Hours Daily except Mondays, check current times
Address Konyaalti district, Antalya
Best time to visit Antalya
April through June and September through October give the best combination of warm weather and manageable crowds, comfortable enough for both the beaches and the old town walking without summer's peak heat and prices.
July and August are the busiest and hottest months, properly packed given Antalya's status as a major package holiday destination, worth avoiding if crowds aren't your thing, though the beach clubs are at their liveliest then if that's the appeal.
Getting around Antalya
Antalya's tram network connects the airport, the old town, and the main beach areas reasonably well, and it's cheap. Kaleici itself is best explored on foot, the streets are narrow and largely pedestrianised. For day trips to Aspendos or further along the coast, a rental car or an organised tour is the practical choice.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Antalya worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly if you look past the resort strip, Kaleici old town and the ancient sites nearby (Aspendos especially) offer genuine depth beyond the beach holiday reputation.
- How many days do you need in Antalya?
- Three days covers the old town, beaches, and a day trip to Aspendos comfortably; a week suits those planning to properly relax at the beach clubs too.
- Is Antalya expensive?
- Generally affordable by European standards, though resort areas and beach clubs charge more than the old town or local restaurants.
- What is Antalya famous for?
- Its Turquoise Coast beaches, the well-preserved Roman-era Kaleici old town, and being one of Turkey's largest package holiday destinations.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
