Antalya, Turkey: travel guide
Gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya boasts crystalline Mediterranean waters, ancient Lycian ruins, and a charming old quarter (Kaleiçi) with Roman-era city walls. World-class beach resorts and superb seafood complete the picture.
- Country
- Turkey
- Currency
- TRY
- Time zone
- Europe/Istanbul
- Nearest airport
- AYT
Top places to visit in Antalya
Kaleiçi Old Town
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Antalya's well-preserved historic quarter wraps around a picturesque Roman harbour framed by the Taurus Mountains. Wander the labyrinthine Ottoman lanes lined with restored mansions converted into boutique hotels, restaurants and…
Hadrian's Gate
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
This magnificent triple-arched Roman triumphal gate was erected in 130 AD to honour Emperor Hadrian's visit to the city. Standing nearly intact after 1,900 years, it marks the entrance to Kaleiçi (Old Town) and is Antalya's most…
Düden Waterfalls
Waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
The Lower Düden Waterfall plunges 40 metres directly into the Mediterranean Sea from sheer cliffs at Lara — one of Turkey's most dramatic coastal waterfalls. Best viewed from the cliff path or by boat tour along the coast. The Upper Düden…
Konyaaltı Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 6 h
The pebble beach west of Antalya city backed by the Taurus Mountains — with clear blue-green water, the Aquarium, beach cafés and the dramatic mountain backdrop unique among Turkish beaches.
Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon
Beach · 4.7 rating · about 6 h · entry TRY 80
Turkey's most iconic beach image — a protected national park lagoon with still turquoise water, combined with the world's most active paragliding launch from Babadağ mountain (1,960m).
Lara Beach
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 6 h
Antalya's most famous fine-sand beach — a long sweep of Blue Flag sand with calm turquoise water, beach clubs, water sports and the grand resort hotels that define Turkish Riviera holidays.
Aspendos Theatre
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry TRY 150
The best-preserved Roman theatre in the world — a 15,000-seat 2nd-century AD theatre by architect Zeno, still hosting opera performances, 47km east of Antalya.
Alanya Cleopatra Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 6 h
The most famous beach in eastern Antalya — the long sandy strip at the foot of the Alanya castle promontory, named after Cleopatra VII who allegedly bathed here with Mark Antony.
Antalya Aquarium
Activity · 4.1 rating · about 2 h
The world's largest cylindrical aquarium tank — a 3.5-million-litre wraparound cylinder in the Antalya Aquarium complex, with sharks, rays and a tropical tunnel walk.
Side Ancient City
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry TRY 80
The well-preserved Graeco-Roman port city 75km east of Antalya — with a standing Temple of Apollo overlooking the sea, the Roman Agora and a museum in the well-preserved Roman bath building.
Antalya Museum
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry TRY 560
One of Turkey's largest and finest archaeological museums, holding treasures from Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia — the ancient civilisations that flourished along the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The Hall of Gods (with 14 remarkable statues…
Perge Ancient City
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry TRY 120
One of the finest ancient Graeco-Roman cities in Turkey — with a 15,000-seat Roman theatre, the largest bath complex in Anatolia and the colonnaded street where Alexander the Great marched in 333 BC.
Things to do
- Antalya Old Town Kaleici Walk Walking Tour · 2 h · from TRY 730 per person
- Perge Ancient City Tour Historical Tour · 3 h · from TRY 1,100 per person
- Aspendos Theatre Day Trip Day Trip · 5 h · from TRY 1,700 per person
- Side Ancient City Visit Day Trip · 7 h · from TRY 1,400 per person
- Konyaaltı Beach Day Beach · 5 h · from TRY 580 per person
- Tahtali Cable Car Attraction · 4 h · from TRY 1,600 per person
- Antalya Bazaar Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from TRY 1,700 per person
- Kekova Sunken City Boat Tour Boat · 7 h · from TRY 2,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Ancient Lycian Cities — Perge, Aspendos & Side 9 h · from TRY 1,600
- Antalya Old Town & Waterfalls Half-Day 5 h · from TRY 580
Where to stay in Antalya
- Kaleiçi (Old Town) about TRY 85 per night
Antalya's most romantic and atmospheric neighbourhood — a maze of cobbled Ottoman lanes within ancient Roman city walls, centred on a picturesque yacht harbour. Boutique hotels occupy restored 19th-century mansions;…
- Lara Beach about TRY 180 per night
Home to Antalya's mega all-inclusive resorts, Lara is Turkey's version of a luxury beach strip. Palatial 5-star hotels with multiple pools, water parks and private beaches line the coast. Ideal for families and…
Hotels
- Mardan Palace 5-star · TRY 6,000 to TRY 45,000 per night
- Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort 5-star · INR 30,000 to INR 110,000 per night
- Akra Hotel Antalya 5-star · INR 7,500 to INR 17,000 per night
- Calista Luxury Resort Belek 5-star · INR 9,500 to INR 22,000 per night
- Tuvana Hotel Antalya 4-star · INR 3,500 to INR 8,000 per night
- Hotel Sabah Pansiyon 3-star · INR 1,200 to INR 3,000 per night
Where to eat
- Köfteci Yusuf Antalya turkish, traditional, grill · about TRY 180 per person
- Big Chefs turkish, international, modern · about TRY 385 per person
- 7 Mehmet turkish, traditional, modern · about TRY 850 per person
- Konyaalti Beach Park turkish, mediterranean, modern · about TRY 385 per person
- Mermerli turkish, seafood, traditional · about TRY 550 per person
- Parlak Restaurant turkish, traditional, grill · about TRY 450 per person
- Big Chefs turkish, international, modern · about TRY 450 per person
- Antalya Köftecisi turkish, traditional, street_food · about TRY 180 per person
Getting around
- Scooter Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Transit Pass main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Jet-Ski Damage Claim
Konyaaltı and Lara beaches
Jet-ski operators offer short rides then claim you caused damage to the equipment and demand large sums (500–2,000 TRY). They photograph "pre-existing" scratches as if you caused them.
How to avoid it: Photograph the jet-ski thoroughly from all angles before riding. Use reputable operators recommended by your hotel. Insist on a written damage clause and insurance before starting.
Overpriced Harbour Restaurants
Kaleiçi old harbour waterfront
Restaurants without posted menus seat tourists at prime spots and present bills with items never ordered or inflated prices. Fish "by weight" dishes can cost far more than expected.
How to avoid it: Always review the menu and confirm prices (especially fish by weight) before ordering. Choose restaurants with clearly posted menus and prices. Ask for an itemised bill.