5 days in Antalya

Day by day

1. Day 1: Kaleiçi old town and Hadrian's Gate

   Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate and Yivli Minaret, then The Land of Legends in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kaleiçi old town

      Walk the lanes in the early morning or around sunset; at midday in summer the narrow streets trap the heat. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Hadrian's Gate

      Enter Kaleiçi through the gate from Atatürk Avenue for the classic first view of the old town. (15 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Antalya-style piyaz

      Köfte-and-piyaz restaurants around the Kalekapısı and city-centre streets; ask for 'piyaz ve şiş köfte'.

   4. Afternoon

      Yivli Minaret

      Photograph it from the terrace near the Clock Tower, with the harbour and the mountains behind. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      The Land of Legends

      Stay for the evening show; many hotels in Belek and Lara run transfers.

2. Day 2: Antalya Museum and Konyaaltı Beach

   Antalya Museum, Konyaaltı Beach and Antalya Aquarium, then Kaleiçi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Antalya Museum

      Allow at least two hours and start with the sculpture halls and the sarcophagus gallery before you tire. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Konyaaltı Beach

      Bring water shoes for the pebbles, and use the free public sections between the paid sunbed areas. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Şiş köfte

      Long-running köfte restaurants in the city centre, where locals lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Antalya Aquarium

      Check which zones are included before buying; the basic aquarium ticket is enough for most families. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Kaleiçi

      Bars with live Turkish and rock music, courtyard pubs and terraces above the old harbour.

3. Day 3: Old harbour boat trip and Karaalioğlu Park and Hıdırlık Tower

   Old harbour boat trip, Karaalioğlu Park and Hıdırlık Tower and Broken Minaret (Kesik Minare), then Konyaaltı seafront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Old harbour boat trip

      Agree the route, duration and price on the quay before boarding; one-hour trips to the waterfall are enough for most people. (1–5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Karaalioğlu Park and Hıdırlık Tower

      Come at sunset with a glass of tea from one of the park's cafés; the light over the Taurus range is superb. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hibeş

      Meze restaurants and fish restaurants in Kaleiçi and the city; it is rarely found elsewhere in Turkey.

   4. Afternoon

      Broken Minaret (Kesik Minare)

      Combine it with a slow walk south to Hıdırlık Tower and Karaalioğlu Park. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Konyaaltı seafront

      Beach bars and lounges in the beach park, busiest on summer evenings.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Aspendos

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Car, taxi or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Aspendos

      About 45 minutes by car (Car, taxi or organised tour); about 45 km.

   2. Day

      Aspendos

      Aspendos is famous for its Roman theatre, built in the 2nd century AD and one of the best-preserved anywhere, with its stage building almost intact and seating for thousands. Best for culture, first-timers and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Antalya

      Dinner: try Gözleme.

5. Day 5: Lower Düden Waterfall and Lara Beach

   Lower Düden Waterfall, Lara Beach and Upper Düden Waterfall, then Lara in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lower Düden Waterfall

      Visit the clifftop park late in the afternoon, when the sun lights the spray and the falls face the light. (45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Lara Beach

      Use the public beach sections near the start of the strip if you are not staying in a Lara hotel. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gözleme

      Village restaurants on the roads to Termessos and Kemer, and weekly markets.

   4. Afternoon

      Upper Düden Waterfall

      Go on a weekday morning; weekends bring picnicking crowds. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Lara

      Hotel bars, lounges and clubs along the resort strip.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Kaleiçi keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Konyaaltı ($$) suits families, beach and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 24–35 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Antalya
• 2 days in Antalya
• 3 days in Antalya

Questions travellers ask