Travel guide · Turkey
Antalya travel guide
A walled harbour old town, long beaches and Roman cities below the Taurus Mountains
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Esginmurat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Antalya is the largest city on Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the gateway to the Turquoise Coast. Its historic core, Kaleiçi, is a walled quarter of Ottoman houses and lanes on cliffs above a Roman harbour, entered through the triple-arched Hadrian's Gate. Either side of the city run two long beaches — pebbly Konyaaltı to the west and sandy Lara to the east — with the Taurus Mountains rising behind. Within an hour or two are some of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Mediterranean, including Perge, Aspendos and Termessos, and the resort towns of Belek, Side and Kemer. Plan 6 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Turkey
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 6 days
- Main airports
- AYT
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$180 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches and Aspendos theatre
Why visit Antalya
- Kaleiçi's lanes lead from Hadrian's Gate to a cliff-ringed old harbour, with boutique hotels in restored Ottoman houses.
- The Antalya Museum holds one of Turkey's finest collections of Roman sculpture, much of it from nearby Perge.
- Aspendos has one of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere, about 45 minutes east of the city.
- Konyaaltı and Lara beaches are within city limits, and the sea stays above 24°C from July to October.
- The Lycian coast, Olympos and the Chimaera flames are within reach for longer trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Neighbourhood · Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi old town
Antalya's walled historic quarter is a maze of lanes lined with Ottoman houses with wooden bay windows, walled gardens and Roman fragments built into the walls.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Historic site · Kaleiçi
Hadrian's Gate
A triple-arched marble gateway built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 AD, flanked by towers and once part of the city walls.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
- Architecture
Religious site · Kaleiçi
Yivli Minaret
The fluted brick minaret, built in the early 13th century under the Seljuks and decorated with turquoise tiles, is the symbol of Antalya.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
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Museum · Konyaaltı
Antalya Museum
One of Turkey's major archaeological museums, with halls of Roman statues from Perge, including the Hall of the Gods and the Weary Herakles, finely carved sarcophagi, mosaics and finds spanning prehistory to the Ottoman era.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Experience · Kaleiçi
Old harbour boat trip
From the old Roman harbour, wooden tour boats run short trips along the cliffs to see the Lower Düden Waterfall pour into the sea, plus longer cruises with swimming stops in bays to the west.
- Time needed
- 1–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
- Outdoors
Nature · Lara
Lower Düden Waterfall
The Düden River drops about 40 metres from the cliffs straight into the Mediterranean at Lara.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Where to stay
Kaleiçi is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and nightlife
Kaleiçi
Walled old town of Ottoman houses, boutique hotels and the old Roman harbour
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Konyaaltı
Long pebble beach and seafront park with Taurus Mountain views
$$$ · Best for families, luxury and beach
Lara
Sandy beach strip of large resort hotels east of the city
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and shopping
Muratpaşa city centre
Everyday Antalya of shopping avenues, local restaurants and the bazaar
What to eat
- Antalya-style piyaz — Antalya's version of the white-bean salad is dressed with tahini, lemon and vinegar rather than plain olive oil, topped with egg, onion and parsley.
- Şiş köfte — Minced lamb or beef meatballs pressed onto skewers and grilled over charcoal, served with bread, grilled peppers and tomatoes.
- Hibeş — A sharp, creamy dip of tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin and red pepper flakes, specific to Antalya.
- Gözleme — Thin hand-rolled dough filled with cheese, spinach, potato or minced meat and cooked on a domed griddle.
- Turkish breakfast — A spread of white cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, honey, clotted cream (kaymak), jams and bread, with endless glasses of tea.
- Pide — Boat-shaped flatbread baked in a wood oven with toppings such as minced meat, cheese, egg or spicy sausage (sucuk).
When to go
The best times to visit Antalya are late April to early June and late September to October, when it is warm enough for the beach but comfortable for ancient sites. July and August are very hot and the busiest season. Winter is mild and quiet, good for sightseeing, though many resort hotels close. Turkish religious holidays (Bayram), which move about 11 days earlier each year, bring busy domestic travel.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Green countryside and snow on the Taurus peaks, comfortable for sightseeing; the sea warms up enough to swim by late May. |
| Summer | June–August | Very hot and dry with a warm sea and full resorts; plan ruins and walks for early morning. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm sea and settled weather into October, with lower prices and pomegranate and citrus harvests; rain returns in November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild, rainy and quiet, with snow on the mountains; good value for city stays and ancient sites, but many resorts are closed. |
Getting there and around
Antalya Airport (AYT) is about 13 km north-east of Kaleiçi. A taxi takes about 25 minutes to the old town, and the tram connects the airport with the city centre and the bus station. Most resort hotels in Lara, Belek, Kemer and Side offer pre-booked transfers.
Kaleiçi and the city centre are walkable, and trams, buses and dolmuş minibuses connect the beaches, the bus station and the airport. Most ancient sites and resort towns are easiest by hire car, taxi or organised tour, though intercity buses reach Side, Kemer and Olympos.
Plan your days
Three days covers Kaleiçi, the Antalya Museum, a boat trip to the Düden falls and one ancient site. Six days adds Aspendos, Side, Termessos and beach time; with ten days you can continue along the Lycian coast to Olympos, Kaş or Kekova.
Practical information
- Currency
- TRY
- Language
- Turkish
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but most residents drink bottled or filtered water, which is sold everywhere.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general emergency number)
- Tipping
- Leaving about 5–10% in restaurants is customary if service is not already included.
Antalya is generally relaxed for visitors. The main risks are summer heat and sunburn, strong currents on windy days, and overcharging by touts, unofficial guides and taxis that avoid the meter. Keep an eye on valuables on busy beaches and in the bazaar.
Flights to Antalya
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Antalya?
Three days covers Kaleiçi, the Antalya Museum, a boat trip to the Düden falls and one ancient site. Six days adds Aspendos, Side, Termessos and beach time; with ten days you can continue along the Lycian coast to Olympos, Kaş or Kekova. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Antalya?
The best times to visit Antalya are late April to early June and late September to October, when it is warm enough for the beach but comfortable for ancient sites. July and August are very hot and the busiest season. Winter is mild and quiet, good for sightseeing, though many resort hotels close. Turkish religious holidays (Bayram), which move about 11 days earlier each year, bring busy domestic travel.
+What is Antalya known for?
Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches, Aspendos theatre, Düden Waterfalls, All-inclusive resorts and Turquoise Coast. Kaleiçi's lanes lead from Hadrian's Gate to a cliff-ringed old harbour, with boutique hotels in restored Ottoman houses.
+Is Antalya expensive?
Antalya is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$180 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Antalya?
Not for Kaleiçi and the city beaches, which are covered by tram, bus and taxi. A car for a few days is the easiest way to see Perge, Aspendos, Side, Termessos and the coast towards Olympos.