Top 10: Things to Do in Antalya

Did you know that Antalya is the 4th most popular tourist destination on the planet? This should come as no great surprise, with its incredible views over the Mediterranean Sea, proximity to fantastic beaches and fascinating historical sites. Whether you want to learn about the city’s Roman history at Hadrian’s Gate, or sit back and relax on a golden beach—you have plenty of options in Antalya. Today at Civitatis, we’re running through the top 10 best things to do in Antalya with activities to suit people of all interests. Within our list, we’ve included a good number of day trips and even some options which would require an overnight stay…

Before we start, let’s quickly run through some background information about the city. Antalya is the fifth most populous city in Turkey, located on the southwestern coast. The city is said to have been built in 150 BC when it was founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon. It later became part of the Roman Empire, flourishing under Roman rule as a major port city. The Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans all also left their marks on the city, with incredible architectural and cultural influences.

1. Wander Antalya’s Old Town of Kaleiçi

First things first: the walled city of Kaleiçi. This area is the historic city centre of Antalya. Wander Kaeleiçi’s narrow cobblestone streets lined with Ottoman-era houses, along with various examples of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk architecture. This cultural hub is home to most of the city’s ancient sites, from Hadrian’s Gate to the Kesik Minare Mosque. It’s also a great place to stay, with a lovely selection of hotels and restaurants to choose from.

2. Marvel at the Düden Waterfalls

One of the reasons tourists flock to Antalya is to check out its nearby waterfalls, scattered throughout the area between the peaks of the Taurus Mountains and the vast Mediterranean Sea. These falls are great places to sit down and relax and to simply enjoy the tranquillity of nature.

On this excursion to the Düden, Karpuzkaldiran + Kursunlu Waterfalls, you’ll get to visit three of the most spectacular waterfalls in Antalya. Each one provides superb photo opportunities and at the second stop of Kursunlu, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.

3. Visit the Land of Legends Amusement Park

About 40 minutes outside of the city, you’ll find what is considered to be among the top amusement parks in the world. This state-of-the-art facility caters to a fun family day out with children over 6, as well as older ‘kids’ looking to get their adrenaline fix! Bring the little ones around Masha and the Bear Land of Laughter, and enjoy circus games, shows and kid-friendly rides. Or, hop on the 62-metre (200 ft) Hyper Coaster, which has a maximum speed of 115 kmph (95 mph) or any other of the various other roller coasters and water rides.

To visit The Land of Legends, check out this day trip to the Land of Legends (including transfer) or, make your own way to the park and simply grab a Land of Legends ticket. When visiting this part of Turkey, this theme park is not to be missed!

4. Go Beach Hopping!

Fine golden sands, glittering crystal clear waters, perfectly warm weather… For many, the main attraction of Antalya is its proximity to lots of stunning beaches along the Mediterranean coastline. For us, our absolute favourite thing to do while in Antalya is to go beach hopping. Grab your towel and swimsuit and see what this area has to offer!

Your first stop should be Mermeli Beach, located right in the centre of Antalya. This is the easiest beach to get to, providing you with sea and sand without forcing you to wander to far from your hotel. The most popular beach in the city centre however is Lara. Another sand beach, Lara has gotten super popular in recent years and gets very busy during the high season, so you’ll want to get there early if you go. An hour by bus, you can reach Adrasan Bay, a pretty large stretch of sand which has lots of fantastic hotels, cafes and restaurants to enjoy. This beach is a great place to spend a day out.

If you’re looking for a bit of a day trip… our favourite beach is actually a few hours away, located between Kas and Kalkan: Kaputas Beach. To get to shore, you descend stairs along magnificent cliffs, looking out over the Med in all of its glory. This beach is highly renowned by the locals and in the international community alike, and can sometimes get pretty crowded, so try to avoid visiting during high season.

5. Explore Pamukkale (The Cotton Castle)

Next on our list is Pamukkale—easily one of the most fascinating natural landscapes in Turkey, and indeed, in the world. Located in the region of Anatolia region of Turkey, this paradise is a few hours away from Antalya by car, though it’s totally worth making your way out to if you’re spending a little bit longer in Turkey.

These gleaming white terraces were naturally formed by mineral-rich hot springs, which have deposited layers of white calcium carbonate, creating these incredible pools. Since Roman times, these thermal waters have been used for their healing properties. From Antalya, you can visit this incredible landscape on this Pamukkale & Hierapolis day trip, which includes transport, a guide and a delicious lunch!

6. Enjoy a Show at the Aspendos Theatre (and See Other Roman Sites)

With its significant Roman legacy, Antalya is home to a variety of archaeological sites which date back to Roman times. Perhaps the most impressive of these sites is the Aspendos Theatre.

Built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, this theatre is thought to be one of the finest preserved Ancient Roman theatres. The best way to get a flavour of what this theatre would have been like in its glory, attend the Fire of Antalonia show—a combination of traditional folk culture, ballet, and acrobatics.

Another of the most famous sites is Hadrian’s Gate—a memorial gate built in honour of Roman emperor Hadrian, who had visited the city around 20 years before. The gate itself was built around 150 AD, and would be incorporated into the walls that surround the city, meaning it’s just on the outskirts of Kaleiçi!

7. Sail to the ‘Maldives of Turkey’ at Suluada Island

If you’re hoping to achieve a sense of relaxation and serenity on this holiday, make your way to Suluada Island, hailed as the ‘Maldives of Turkey’. This volcanic island is home to a wonderful bay for swimming, a relaxing mineral lake along with rock lakes. What’s more, the crystal clear waters make this a prime location for swimming and snorkelling.

On this Suluada day trip from Antalya, you’ll get to experience this island’s magical Mediterranean scenery, enjoy a wonderful three course meal and enjoy the bays waters at your own leisure. A must!

8. Myra: See the Building Carved into a Mountain in Demre

Another fantastic day trip from Antalya—we highly recommend making your way to Demre. This district is home to the ancient city of Myra, a hidden gem straight out of a fantasy novel! It’s best known for these Lycian-Era rock tombs, which are carved directly into the natural cliff face. These tombs are thought to have been used for the most prominent citizens of Myra. On this Kekova & Demre tour, you’ll visit this incredible site, as well as the Church of St. Nicholas and the island of Kekova. If you’re into arhcitecture (and mystery), this is the tour for you!

9. Tour the Taurus Mountains

If you’re in Antalya and are looking to get closer in contact with nature, be sure to check out the vast Taurus Mountains. This area is home to incredible scenery, with vast pine forests, monstrous snow-capped peaks of over 3000 metres (nearly 10,000 ft), and lush valleys. If you’re at all into adventure, we’d recommend having a go of this Gebiz Jeep Tour. On this activity, you’ll hop aboard a jeep and make your way through these rugged mountains, taste a traditional tea, grab some lunch and go on a refreshing swim in a natural lagoon! What could be better?

Alternatively, check out this Green Canyon cruise, which will bring you through the Taurus Mountains, giving you fantastic views and you’ll also enjoy a delicious Turkish lunch!

10. Escape to Cappadocia

The final entry on our list, Cappadocia is an absolute must-see. Brace yourself for the surreal landscapes that await in Cappadocia. Known for its unique ‘fairy chimneys’, this region is a geological wonderland with cone-shaped rock formations and vast underground cities. This area is a little bit further away, so to enjoy this incredible landscape, you’d likely have to stay the night in Cappadocia.

In terms of activities, as is made evident by the above picture, going up in a hot air balloon is the thing to do in Cappadocia. Best enjoyed at sunrise, from a hot air balloon, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of colourful valleys and awesome rock tunnels below. Alternatively, check out this Cappadocia camel ride, during which you’ll travel across the desert as hot air balloons take off around you.

There you have it! Those are the top 10 things to do in Antalya. If you’re visiting and are still looking for more things to do, definitely check out other activities in Antalya with Civitatis.