What to See and Do in Antalya

Antalya is the jewel of Turkey's Mediterranean coast — a city where ancient history meets crystal-clear water and dramatic mountain scenery. Whether you're exploring on your own or joining a guided excursion, Antalya rewards every kind of traveller.

The Old City: Kaleiçi

Start your visit in Kaleiçi, the historic heart of Antalya. Walking through its narrow cobbled lanes feels like stepping back through two thousand years of history. The Hadrian's Gate, a triumphal arch built in 130 AD to welcome the Roman Emperor, is one of the most beautifully preserved monuments in the entire region.

Just beyond the gate, the Hıdırlık Tower stands at the edge of the old harbour walls — a perfect spot to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean. The Roman harbour below is still in use today, now filled with wooden gullets offering day cruises.

Antalya Museum

Don't miss the Antalya Museum, one of the finest archaeological museums in Turkey. It houses an exceptional collection of artefacts from nearby ancient cities including Perge, Aspendos, and Xanthos — marble sculptures, sarcophagi, mosaics, and everyday objects that bring the ancient world vividly to life.

Düden Waterfalls

Just outside the city centre, the Upper Düden Waterfall cascades through a shaded canyon — a refreshing escape from the summer heat. The Lower Düden Waterfall is even more dramatic: it plunges directly off a cliff into the sea, best seen by boat.

Konyaaltı and Lara Beaches

Antalya's two main beaches couldn't be more different. Konyaaltı Beach is a long pebble shore backed by the Taurus Mountains, with the old city skyline in the distance. Lara Beach, to the east, is a wide golden sand strip popular with families.

Ancient Sites Nearby

• Perge — a vast Hellenistic and Roman city with colonnaded streets, a stadium, and theatre

• Aspendos — home to the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world, still used for performances today

• Side — a peninsula city with twin temples to Apollo and Athena overlooking the sea

• Termessos — a mountain fortress city that even Alexander the Great could not conquer

Practical Tips

• Best time to visit: Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) for mild weather and fewer crowds. July and August are peak season — hot and busy.

• Getting around: Antalya has a tram line running through the city centre. Taxis and local minibuses (dolmuş) reach most sites.

• Language: Turkish. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

• Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). Card payment is accepted almost everywhere.

For a guided experience of Antalya and its surrounding ancient sites, contact Yücel Taşyürek — a local expert who has been showing travellers the real Antalya for over a decade.