Lycian way is famous among hikers photo via Depositphotos
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Top 15 Best Things to Do in Antalya, Turkey

What are the top tourist attractions in Antalya?

Bucket List: Best Activities and Amazing Places to Visit in Antalya, Turkey

Antalya is a city that incredibly offers a lot of things to do for all types of travelers. It is one of those cities in Turkey that early embraced the presence of tourism in the 1980s. Antalya is the largest city in Turkey, situated on the Mediterranean coast, where millions of people live.

The city is unique, and the terrain is different because of its location on the coastal cliffs. It is also surrounded by mountains where you can really see and feel the beauty of nature. Antalya is the best place for all those adventurers and a great playground of enjoyment with historical features.

Here are the 15 things you can do in Antalya, Turkey, that will surely make your visit memorable:.

1. Visit the Beautiful Ancient City of Perge

Ancient city of Perge near Antalya Turkey photo via Depositphotos
The ancient city of Perge near Antalya Turkey photo via Depositphotos

One of the most important cities of the Pamphili civilization is the City of Perge. It is listed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage for it comprises the Greek-Roman amphitheater, has lots of preserved stadiums, and the entrance is a magnificent Hellenistic gate.

It is 17 km east part of Antalya. It has an acropolis, baths, agora (circular temple), the church remains, a Turkish cemetery, Gaius Julius Cornutus, and more.

2. Be a spectator of the Antalya Museum.

Inside Antalya Museum in Turkey photo via Depositphotos
Inside Antalya Museum in Turkey photo via Depositphotos

The museum of Antalya was founded in 1922 after the First World War. It protected lots of artifacts with historical backgrounds found in the area. The most important pieces and highly valued artifacts can be found here, such as the sculptures that already existed in the Roman period, specifically those found in Perge’s old city.

The museum received an award from “The Council of Europe Museum of the Year” in 1988. Here at the museum, you will also see the displays of the large archaeological collection for the Bronze Age of Byzantium and the mosaic of Seleukia.

The museum is open every day from 8:30 in the morning up to 7:30 in the evening.

3. Breathtaking waterfalls

Waterfall Duden at Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos
Waterfall Duden at Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos

Would you like to go from one place to another and pass the way with breathtaking waterfalls? Well, Antalya will let you witness the beauty of the waterfall that lies exactly in the middle of the city. The Duden Waterfalls are divided into two, the Upper Duden and the Lower Duden Waterfalls.

There is a cave in the Upper Duden falls that you can explore when moving from your place to the market that lies behind the falls. This place is a popular spot for a picnic. Then the Lower Duden falls crash falls from the cliff falling towards the Mediterranean Sea 40 meters directly where you are also allowed to have a boat ride.

4. Explore the Town of Kaleici

Old town Kaleici in Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos
Old town Kaleici in Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos

A visit to historic streets with lively nightlife is a must. Kaleici is where you can find the ancient houses within the old city walls, Antalya’s social life center. People who live here enjoy having drinks while socializing at night. There’s also a beach nearby where anyone can safely swim.

It is better to come here during sunset if you want to enjoy this picturesque district and if you want to avoid too much sun exposure.

This is one of the best places to have a picnic, for you can sit anywhere and enjoy live music around you, especially at night.

5. Daring Adventure at the Koprulu Canyon National Park

Koprulu Canyon National Park by Patrick Muller via Flickr CC
Koprulu Canyon National Park by Patrick Muller via Flickr CC

If you would like to enjoy your vacation in Antalya with outdoor activities, well, the best place to visit is the Koprulu Canyon. It covers 366 km2 or 141 sq. mi, and it was established in 1973 by the Ministry of Forest. The canyon is 1,300 feet deep that stretches along the Kopru River by 14 km.

You can find here restaurants that serve fresh and delicious food. The Koprulu Canyon National Park lets every individual experience various educational and adventure activities.

You can do hiking, camping, trekking, river fishing, kayaking, and white water rafting adventures during summer and have a tour of the canyon by nature walks.

6. Karaalioglu Park Picnics

Karaalioglu Park Picnic photo via Depositphotos
Karaalioglu Park Picnic photo via Depositphotos

If you seek a shady and famous hangout place for the locals, Karaalioglu Park is the right place for you. It is the best place where you can capture beautiful sunset photos. You can also have a great view of the harbor while having picnics with family and friends.

You also have access to the Hidirlik, a Roman Fortress built in the 2nd century, a cylindrical tower where you watch the harbor high above the Karaalioglu Park’s edge.

The park is filled with flowers and trees that make you forget the messy city streets. There are also many cafes available here to make you enjoy your relaxation and while watching the sunset.

7. Experience the 29-Day Hike at Lycian Way

Lycian way is famous among hikers photo via Depositphotos
The Lycian way is famous among hikers photos via Depositphotos

The Lycian Way gives you one of the world’s longest and greatest hiking trails featuring the Mediterranean view, Turkey’s culture, historical remains, and mountains.

It is a 29-day trekking experience, for you will explore the 540 km footpath. You would meet many hikers along the journey; there are available stopovers and a place to eat.

On the 29-day hiking journey, you would be able to see the ghost town of Levissi over the hill, an ancient Greek ruin abandoned in the 1920s that has a close location with Kayakoy.

Kayakoy has cafes in the village where an overnight stay is highly recommended to witness the churches standing lit at night. You can also visit the Butterfly valley along your way with a plunging golden beach with a campsite.

There is also a yoga area situated on the forest platform. You would also be able to acquire the hiker’s fuel, a bunch of spinach and cheese gozleme pancakes, along with your adventure.

8. Lunch with a view of the harbor

Arma Restaurant in Antalya Turkey photo via Facebook Page
Arma Restaurant in Antalya Turkey photo via Facebook Page

Antalya’s people really love to eat, and the best way to enjoy it is to eat with a beautiful view of the ancient harbor that stood up since the 2nd century.

Restaurants located above the cliffs mainly offer fresh fish and many typical Turkish dishes that will satisfy you. One known restaurant is the Arma Restaurant, with a great location providing a panoramic view of the coast.

Arma Restaurant
Address: Selcuk Mah. Iskele Cad. No: 75 Kaleici marina, Kepez, Antalya / TURKEY
Email: info@armarestaurant.com.tr
Website: https://www.armarestaurant.com.tr/

9. Antalya gives beach lovers a sandy stretch

Hotels at Lara Beach in Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos
Hotels at Lara Beach in Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos

Lara Beach offers beautiful honey-colored sand that is close to several trendy resorts. It also has several excellent restaurants and good-service hotels.

Another excellent site for lazy beach days is Konyaalti Beach, located east of Antalya’s town center. The resort provides massive facilities to everyone, such as giant umbrellas, toilets, showers, and more.

The resort also has several shops for snacks, cafes, and restaurants.

10. Enjoy the Land of Legends Theme Park

Land of Legends Theme Park photo via Fb page
Land of Legends Theme Park photo via Fb page

The Land of Legends Theme Park offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools with air-conditioned hotel rooms and free WiFi access.

The theme park also has bars, family rooms, a fitness center, playgrounds, facilities for guests with disabilities, hospitable room service, an airport shuttle, and a Spa wellness center.

This theme park aims to provide fantasy, adventure, and, most importantly, fun to tourists by providing high-class resort facilities.

11. Be mesmerized by the carvings on the ceiling of Hadrian’s Gate

Hadrian's Gate in old town Kaleici district. Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos
Hadrian’s Gate in the old town Kaleici district. Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos

The Hadrian’s Gate was built in AD 130 in honor of the visitation of Emperor Hadrian. It is a marble gateway consisting of three arches with towers decorated with detailed and rich sculptures.

It serves as the Main Gate to enter the Kaleici district. Once you have visited the Gate, you will be amazed by the ceiling with preserved historical carvings.

12. The Ruins of Aspendos

Ruins at Aspendos in Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos
Ruins at Aspendos in Antalya, Turkey photo via Depositphotos

A trip to see the beauty of Aspendos must be part of your itinerary. It is the home of one of the top tourist spots in Turkey, the Roman theatre. It existed already in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and its remains are almost still the same as in the past.

The part of the theatre that was restored into a new one can accommodate 15,000 people. You can watch the events here annually like Ballet Festival and Aspendos Opera during summer.

13. Traverse the Karain Cave

Karain Cave Second Chamber by Ingo Mehling via Wikipedia CC
Karain Cave Second Chamber By Ingo Mehling – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, CC

The Karain Cave lies about 27 km northwest of Antalya, a home for prehistoric man and a place for the people from the Paleolithic eras.

In this cave, you would see bones and teeth that belong to ancient people, like the Neolithic man.

14. Shop at the Antalya Bazaar

Antalya Old Bazaar by Andreas via Flickr CC
Antalya Old Bazaar by Andreas via Flickr CC

The trip to Antalya will never be complete if you haven’t bought anything from the place you visited. At Antalya Bazaar, you will find different souvenir items that mark Turkey’s culture, such as clothing, food, house decorations, jewelry, art, and more.

There are different stores available on the aisle where you can also ask for discounts like in any other street bazaar.

15. Experience the relaxing Turkish Bath

Before you end your tour at Antalya, never forget to experience a Turkish bath. You can have it at the DEMIRHAN Bath, Lara Hammam Massage Salon, and FALEZ HAMAM&SPA.

Turkish Bath is a traditional bath almost the same as a Scandinavian sauna, but is similar to the Roman Bath; you will undergo 45 minutes of washing, body scrubbing with a handwoven washcloth called kese, a foam wash, and most importantly, a massage.

In other words, it is a steam bath that will provide your body relaxation and complete cleansing.

Antalya is known for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and rich cultural heritage. Some of the most popular reasons to visit Antalya include exploring the ancient city of Perge, visiting the stunning Düden Waterfalls, and experiencing the lively city center.

Antalya is also a great place for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and golfing. With its warm climate, delicious cuisine, and hospitable people, Antalya is a destination that offers something for everyone.

Antalya Travel and Tour Packages

To help you plan your journey to Antalya, we listed places to visit and other unique activities in Antalya, Turkey. We also listed some of the best travel deals and tour packages and excellent flight deals and accommodation.

Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable Antalya hotels and resorts via Agoda, and Booking or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Want more updates about new package tours and tourist spots in Antalya, Turkey? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, TwitterInstagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.

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Written by Team Out of Town

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