Antalya has something to do for everyone. If you want to focus on sightseeing, you'll find a fascinating selection of tourist attractions to keep you busy. The labyrinthine old town is full of atmospheric historical sites, while the city is the perfect starting point for sightseeing tours in which dozens of great ruins await you.
However, it is not all history. This city is also a great place to start on the white sandy beaches of the turquoise Turkish coast. Beach lovers and history buffs will both leave satisfied. Plan your trip with our list of top tourist attractions in Antalya.
Old town (Kaleici)
The labyrinthine Kaleiçi district was created for strolling. Perfectly restored whitewashed Ottoman villas with red roofs line the cobblestone streets, which are now home to a variety of boutique hotels, souvenir shops, art galleries and restaurants. While it's more of a place to simply breathe in the old world ambience, there are also many small tourist attractions for those who want to see the sights.
The main square (Kale Kapisi) has a fortress gate and a stone bell tower, while the 18th-century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque is worth a look only for its impressive interior tile work. Along the Hesapçi Sokak you will find the graceful Kesik Minare (cropped minaret). Destroyed by fire in the 19th century, all that's left of a building that started out as a Roman temple, was converted into a Byzantine church, and eventually became a mosque.
Old Port
Antalya's old harbor is in a niche in the cliffs and is a picturesque cluster of boutiques, pretty cafes, bazaars and gently rocking yachts with a view of the shimmering Mediterranean. With its peaceful pleasure boat atmosphere, it is hard to imagine that this place was once Antalya's most important economic center, but from the 2nd century to the mid-20th century it was the main port that brought trade and prosperity to the city and its region.
Nowadays, you come here to shop and then watch the sun set over the sea while having a coffee, or you can take one of the many tour boats out to the Mediterranean to swim, visit sights, and spread your towel on one empty beach.
Antalya Museum
If you are interested in Turkish history at all, you should not miss this excellent museum. The dazzling exhibits show the best finds from archaeological sites on the Turkish coast. Even better, the collection is presented in an exemplary manner, which makes Turkey's rich (and rather complicated) history easy to understand. The large archaeological section offers exhibitions from the Bronze Age to Byzantium, with a special focus on ruins in the surrounding area.
If you don't have much time, head to the galleries with the Seleukeia mosaics, the Aspendos silver horticultural exhibition and the Perge statues of gods.
Yivli Minare
Antalya's most striking landmark is the Yivli Minare (fluted minaret), which was built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad (1219-36). The minaret is a typical example of Seljuk architecture. The square base is surmounted by an octagonal drum that carries the corrugated shaft. The Kraggalerie is on the top. The connected 14th century mosque is still used today. The minaret is located right next to the Kale entrance gate to the old town.
Antalya's Ottoman bell tower is opposite the minaret. There are several tombs from the 14th century nearby.
Hadrian's Gate
Hadrian's Gate is one of the most important (and most dramatic) gates to the Kaleiçi district. Significant sections of the Hellenistic and Roman city walls on the east side of the old town have been preserved, and Hadrian's Gate is the most notable of these sections. This imposing three-vaulted marble gate, built in honor of Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 AD and flanked by imposing towers, is adorned with rich sculptural decorations. As you walk through the arches, look up at the ceiling to see the best-preserved carvings.
Roman fortress (Hidirlik Kalesi)
This 14-meter-high, cylindrical tower from the 2nd century towers above the old harbor on the edge of the Karaalioglu Park. No one is entirely sure what its main function was, but most agree that it acted as a watchtower or lighthouse over the busy harbor below. Now it's a fantastic place to watch the sunset or get the important panoramic view of the old port area.
The park itself is a prime picnic area and a quiet place full of flowers to escape the city streets. Do as the locals do and come here at dusk for a walk. Excellent cafes are also nearby if you want to relax after a tour.
Aspendos
The main reason why history buffs visit Antalya is because of the day trip to Aspendos, about 47 kilometers east. This archaeological site is home to a Roman theater, which is generally considered to be the best preserved in the world and one of the most important tourist attractions in Turkey. The glory days of this dazzling ancient city were in the 2nd and 3rd centuries when most of the ruins that can be seen today were built.
Aside from the theater, which has been fully restored and can accommodate 15,000 people, much of the rest of the site is still in ruins and is probably only of interest to the most enthusiastic visitor. If you don't have much time but want to experience as many highlights of the Antalya region as possible, you can explore three of the most popular attractions in one day with the waterfall tour Aspendos, Perge and Manavgat. It includes tours to the Roman ruins of Aspendos and Perge, the entrance to Aspendos and the waterfalls (near Side), lunch, and pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Antalya.
Termessos
Aspendos may gain all the tourist fame, but Termessos, 34 kilometers northwest of Antalya, undoubtedly strikes for the atmosphere. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans managed to tame the bellicose pisids that protected their independence from Termessos mountain shelter. The well-preserved remains of this ancient city are scattered on a rugged hill with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
Wear sturdy shoes and take plenty of water with you if you want to fully explore this page. The Colonnade Road and the Upper Agora are particularly impressive, but don't miss the theater, where the views over the peaks of the Taurus Mountains are amazing.
Perge
Perge's huge and debris filled stadium, half-destroyed temples and huge agora with colonnades are steeped in an atmosphere of past glory. This was once the capital of ancient Pamphylia, which flourished first under Greek and then under Roman rule. The ruins here, about 17 kilometers east of Antalya, are not as well preserved as others on the turquoise Turkish coast. However, this also means that they attract fewer crowds and visitors can explore the long colonnade streets and half-collapsed temples in peace. The Roman baths, the Hellenistic gate and the Acropolis are particularly interesting.
Olympos and the Chimaera
The twin villages of Olympos and Çirali, about 84 kilometers southwest of Antalya, are located on a beautiful stretch of coast near the overgrown ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. Next to the ruins, the chimera is the famous attraction, a naturally occurring eternal flame that flickers from the rocky cliff above. Olympos is popular with young backpackers and has a reputation for being lively at night, while Çirali is more relaxed and relaxed on the beach. Both are perfect for anyone looking for a beach vacation away from Turkey's deliberately built tourist spots.
Konyaalti Beach
East of the city center of Antalya, Konyaalti Beach is one of the two best sand stripes in Antalya, with a picturesque mountain range that rolls up to the coast behind it. In summer, this strip (which is more pebbly than sandy) is very popular with both local and foreign visitors, and lazy beach days are simplified with numerous facilities. Sun loungers with parasols can be hired, there are good toilet and shower facilities, and the palm-lined promenade behind the beach is lined with snack shops, cafes, and restaurants when you're hungry.
Lara Beach
In the south of the center of Antalya, Lara Beach is known for its soft white sand and good family-friendly facilities that are supported by cafes and restaurants and offer a wide range of activities, from jet ski rentals to stand-up paddleboards for those who want to go on the street water. Sun beds and umbrellas can easily be rented for those who don't want to do anything more strenuous than enjoying the sun. In this area there is a large number of beach resorts in Antalya. So keep in mind that this beach can get crowded in the high summer months.
Do you need to go from Antalya airport with the old city (Kaleici), Antalya Museum, Grooved Minaret, Hadrian Gate, Roman Castle (Hidirlik Castle), Aspendos, Termessos, Perge, Konyaaltı and Lara Beach, with a fast, reliable and best price airport transfer service? You can contact us for a transfer without losing your time on the road in the fastest time, a smooth old city (Kaleiçi), Antalya Museum, Grooved Minaret, Hadrian Gate, Roman Castle (Hidirlik Castle), Aspendos, Termessos, Perge, transfer that will give you more time for your holiday reservation. You can create. From Antalya airport, you can book immediately for a great opportunity to transfer from the hotel to the Old Town (Kaleiçi), Antalya Museum, Grooved Minaret, Hadrian's Gate, Roman Castle (Hidirlik Castle), Aspendos, Termessos, Perge, and to the hotel or airport.
