Antalya
About Antalya
Antalya is the kind of city that surprises people who arrive expecting nothing more than a gateway to the beach resorts. The old harbour, framed by Roman walls and overlooked by the Fluted Minaret, is one of the most picturesque corners of the entire Mediterranean coastline. The historic district of Kaleiçi, built on layers of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman history, rewards an afternoon of unhurried walking in a way that few old towns in Türkiye can match. Beyond the city, the coastline opens up into a region of extraordinary variety; from the thundering coastal waterfalls of Düden to the ancient Lycian ruins of Myra and the otherworldly white terraces of Pamukkale, all reachable as day trips from the city centre. Antalya is the most visited city in Türkiye after Istanbul, and it earns that distinction not through any single landmark but through the sheer density of remarkable things within reach of it.
Overview
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Region
Antalya, Turkish Riviera
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Population
~ 2.600.000
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Elevation
Sea Level to 3,086m (Kızlar Sivrisi)
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Climate
Mediterranean
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Best Time to Visit
April to November
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Nearest Airport
Antalya Airport - AYT (13 km)
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Known For
Kaleiçi Old Town, Roman Ruins, Waterfalls, Turquoise Coastline
Location
Things To Do in Antalya;
1 Walk Through Two Thousand Years of History
Kaleiçi is one of the best preserved historic districts in the entire Mediterranean world, and the easiest way to explore it is simply to walk. Start at Hadrian's Gate, the triumphal Roman arch built in 130 AD that still stands exactly where it was constructed, and follow the cobblestone streets down toward the old harbour. Along the way you pass the Fluted Minaret, built by the Seljuks in the 13th century and the most recognisable silhouette on the Antalya skyline for over 800 years, the ruins of a Roman temple, Byzantine churches converted into mosques and Ottoman mansions that now serve as boutique hotels. The harbour at the end of the walk, framed by ancient walls and filled with wooden gulets, is one of the most photographed corners of Türkiye for very good reason.
2 Follow the Water
Water defines Antalya in ways that go beyond the sea. The Düden River, fed by the Taurus Mountains, makes a dramatic final plunge directly off the coastal cliffs into the Mediterranean below; a geological rarity that has drawn visitors to this coastline for centuries. The upper falls, set in a park upstream, are accessible by foot and equally impressive from the cave behind the cascade. From the old harbour, boat trips along the coastline reveal the full drama of the cliffs and the waterfalls from the sea, a perspective that no road or walking path can replicate. Further inland, the Köprülü Canyon and its white-water rapids are within easy reach for those who want their water experience with considerably more adrenaline.
3 Use Antalya as Your Base
The real advantage of Antalya as a destination is not the city itself but everything within reach of it. Pamukkale and its white travertine terraces are a full-day trip to the north. The ancient city of Myra and the sunken ruins of Kekova lie along the coast to the west. Cappadocia is a flight or an overnight drive away. Side, Perge and Aspendos (three of the finest ancient cities in Türkiye) are all within an hour. The Tünektepe Cable Car offers panoramic views over the entire bay from the hill above the city. Antalya is not simply a destination; it is the most well-positioned base on the entire Turkish Riviera for anyone who wants to see as much of this country as possible in a limited amount of time.
