Kaleiçi (Old Town)
Winding Ottoman streets, restored colonial houses, boutique hotels, touristy but authentic core
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Why visit
Antalya delivers Mediterranean beaches, Greco-Roman ruins, and mountain landscapes without the overcrowding of Greek islands. The Old Town's narrow streets and the nearby Taurus Mountains give you variety within easy reach.
Best time: April-May and September-October offer warm weather (25-28°C) without peak summer heat and crowds. June-August hits 35°C+ with packed beaches; December-February is rainy but uncrowded.
Things to do
- ▸Walk through Hadrian's Gate and explore the Roman columns and Ottoman architecture in Kaleiçi Old Town
- ▸Hike to Düden Waterfalls and swim in the pools where water cascades into the Mediterranean
- ▸Take a boat tour to the submerged city of Kekova and swim over underwater Lycian ruins
- ▸Visit Aspendos Theatre, one of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters still hosting concerts
- ▸Paraglide from Ölüdeniz beach in nearby Fethiye for coastal views (30 minutes away)
- ▸Explore Perge's Roman remains—stadium, temples, and colonnaded streets inland from the coast
- ▸White-water raft the Köprülü Canyon River with lunch stops
- ▸Day trip to Paşa Pazar beach for less-crowded swimming and fresh seafood lunch
Food & flavour
- ★Piyaz—chickpea and bean salad with tahini sauce, eaten for breakfast or light lunch
- ★Şiş kebab from Antalya's famous lamb, skewered and grilled over charcoal
- ★Manti—handmade pasta pockets filled with meat, topped with yogurt and spiced butter
- ★Balık ekmek—grilled fish sandwich from waterfront vendors, best eaten standing by the harbor
- ★Künefe—crispy shredded pastry with melted cheese and pistachios, drizzled with warm syrup
Where to stay
Neighbourhoods, vibe, who they suit.
Lara Beach
Modern resort strip with all-inclusive hotels, sandy beaches, water sports, nightlife
Konyaaltı Beach
Western beach with pebbles, local atmosphere, cheaper dining, less polished than Lara
Muratpaşa
Central neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and local markets away from tourist focus
Side (day trip, 50km east)
Smaller resort town with theater ruins on the beach, quieter than Antalya proper
3-day itinerary
A cheat-sheet you can run with.
Day 1
Old Town and Harbor
- Morning
- Arrive and head to Kaleiçi. Walk Hadrian's Gate, explore narrow streets, browse shops in converted houses. Stop at a tea garden.
- Afternoon
- Lunch at a harbor-side restaurant. Visit the Antalya Museum to understand Lycian, Roman, and Byzantine history in the region. Swim at Konyaaltı Beach if time permits.
- Evening
- Dinner in Kaleiçi. Walk the harbor at sunset, explore the marina. Drink raki at a rooftop bar.
Day 2
Ancient Sites and Waterfalls
- Morning
- Drive to Aspendos Theatre (45 minutes). Explore the Roman stadium and aqueduct remains, walk the theater seats. Early arrival beats crowds.
- Afternoon
- Stop at Perge ruins (30 minutes back toward Antalya). Walk the colonnaded streets and stadium. Grab lunch at a roadside kebab stand. Drive to Düden Waterfalls for a swim in the pools.
- Evening
- Return to Antalya. Casual dinner in Muratpaşa neighborhood with locals, not tourists.
Day 3
Kekova Boat Tour
- Morning
- Day trip to Kekova (90 minutes by car/minibus). Join a boat tour from Kaş or Kalkan. Swim over submerged Lycian ruins, visit Simena Castle on a hilltop.
- Afternoon
- Lunch at a harbor restaurant (usually included in tour). Explore the small village of Kaş on foot—shops, galleries, quiet beaches.
- Evening
- Return to Antalya. Pack or do final shopping. Light dinner near your hotel.
Practical tips
- ✦Use dolmuş minibuses for trips to nearby sites—cheaper and faster than taxis, locals use them constantly
- ✦Book boat tours the evening before rather than with touts on the street; you'll pay 20-30% less
- ✦Bring reef shoes or water sandals for pebbly beaches and rocky swims; Konyaaltı and Lara have different textures
- ✦Tap water is safe but tastes of chlorine; buy bottled water (cheap everywhere) or ask your hotel for filtered jugs
- ✦Haggle in bazaars and with private drivers, but prices at restaurants and shops are fixed—don't insult vendors by trying
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Things to do
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