What to See & Do in Antalya
Antalya is the most well-known tourist destination in Turkey. This magnificent city offers a wealth of sights to see, from beaches to historic buildings.
And while you can certainly spend more than one pleasant day in Antalya, you can also see all there is to see in a day, except for some sites outside the city center, and move on to other sights and beaches (maps).
Today, we'll look at what there is to see and do in Antalya so you can tailor your trip more precisely to your interests.
Antalya's Top Sights
Antalya has so many iconic sceneries to witness. Here are the most popular sights in this extraordinary city.
Konyaaltı Beach
Konyaaltı Beach is the main public beach of Antalya, located just at the coast of the city center. The transportation is easy, and it is one of the leading destinations for locals to have a beach day.
So, while it is easier to reach compared to other beaches in Antalya, expect some crowds, especially in the morning. The eastern end of Konyaaltı Plajı, the part just downhill from the Rixos Downtown Hotel and Hillside Su Hotel, is organized as Antalya Beach Park.
Beach Park combines the greenery, cafes, restaurants, long dark sand, and pebble beaches of Antalya. Many locals come here to play sports, enjoy their free time, and swim at the beach. It is also great for romantic date nights at modern restaurants and cafes accompanying the beautiful sea of Antalya.
Lara Beach
Antalya's long eastern beach (Lara Plajı) is not quite as pretty as Konyaaltı, but the sand is softer, and there's plenty of it.
Moreover, Lara Beach is farther from the city center, which makes transit more challenging but results in fewer crowds.
Kalekapısı
Located at the center of Antalya, Kalekapısı (Castle Gate) is the name of a tower in the old city walls and the square surrounding it. Here, you can find many Turkish kebabs and doner restaurants, inviting customers to stop for a refreshing meal. We must mention the scenery you can find in Kalekapısı is rivaled by no other.
Also, Kalekapısı is central to most other tourist destinations in Antalya. You can find the Republic Square on your right, and just down the hill from it is Kaleiçi (Old Antalya), but why not start your walk by going around the old walls to Hadrian's Gate?
Hadrian's Gate
Hadrian's Gate is the most notable ancient structure left in Antalya. The Gate, which served as the main entrance to the city, is one of the many building projects of the great Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Today, this three-portal marble gate in the city walls (Hadriyanüs Kapısı, Üçkapılar) is still among the most iconic Antalya landmarks. Also, you can walk through the Hadrian's Gate to enter Kaleiçi.
Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi (Old Town, Old Antalya) is one of the oldest coastal towns in the Mediterranean region. It was first the Roman town, then the Byzantine, then the Seljuk Turkish, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town. Moreover, Antalya's huge, modern city didn't grow beyond Old Antalya (Kaleiçi) until after World War II.
Today, Kaleiçi is preserved under Turkish laws and is a major entertainment area with its amazing architecture, restaurants, pubs, and bars.
Broken Minaret Mosque
Broken Minaret Mosque was built as a Roman temple, a church in honor of Mary, then converted to a mosque. Now, it's just a picturesque ruin.
To reach Broken Minaret Mosque, enter Kaleiçi through Hadrian's Gate, follow Hesapçı Sokak, and soon you'll see this Antalya landmark, also known as Kesik Minare or Korkut Camii.
Hıdırlık Kulesi
Hıdırlık Kulesi is an ancient fortress-like old stone tower that stands between Kaleiçi and Karaalioğlu Parkı, with views of the Gulf of Antalya and the Roman (Yacht) Harbor. Restaurants at its foot are great for fine views.
Karaalioğlu Parkı
Karaalioğlu Park is Antalya's largest and finest city park. It stretches along the lofty promontory looming above the sea for hundreds of meters, giving you fine views of the Mediterranean from its shady benches.
There are also a few cafes and bars that might be worth visiting after a long stroll along the park.
Roman (Yacht) Harbor
Though it once sheltered Roman triremes, the Old Harbor (Eski Liman), surrounded by restaurants, now serves as a mooring for day-cruise yachts. With its historic buildings and relaxed atmosphere, it's also a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while almost feeling like you went back in time.
If you want to go on a cruise, talk to the yacht owners any evening about the cruise they'll take the next day.
Bazaar
Just inland (north) from Kalekapısı is the center of Antalya shopping, Antalya's old, historic bazaar (çarşı), with lots of jewelry shops. Here, at the beginning of Kâzim Özalp (Şarampol) Caddesi is also the place to find lots of bank ATMs and currency exchange offices(döviz buroları).
Antalya Museum
Artifacts from the many rich cities in the region, including lots of Roman marble statuary and sarcophagi, are preserved in the Antalya Museum.
Board the westbound Nostalji tram or Bus LC07 at Kalekapısı or Hadrian's Gate and take it 3 km (2 miles) to the western end of the line for Antalya's excellent archeological museum (Antalya Müzesi).
Pamphylia
Pamphylia was an ancient civilization that was based around the modern Antalya. Today, old towns and structures, such as Side, left by this amazing civilization, are among popular destinations for history lovers.
Visit Pamphylia to explore where Paul landed when he arrived in Pamphylia around 46 AD. Discover an extensive history and elaborate, centuries-old architecture.
What to Do in Antalya
Antalya serves millions of tourists annually as the country's prime tourist destination. And while it is an exceptional example of a wonder of nature, the city's tourism industry is also well-developed. As a result, there are lots to experience in this amazing metropolis.
Hit the Beaches
Antalya has become synonymous with its pristine beaches. There are many options to dip your toes in, from Konyaaltı Beach to Lara Beach; the city is full of amazing beaches.
Enjoy the Nightlife
You can't completely enjoy Antalya without experiencing the nightlife of the city. With warm Mediterranean weather, it welcomes visitors to dance all night.
Visit Historic Structures and Sites
For a very long time, Antalya was the center of civilization. As a result, the city is blanketed in historic buildings that its past residents left behind. Places like Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, and Aspendos will take you back in time when Romans and Byzantines habituated the region.
Try Water Sports
Covered by shores, Antalya is also famous for its wide variety of water sports. You can try rafting, diving, jet-ski riding, sailing, and all the sea has to offer.
Relax in Five-Star Establishments
If you prefer a more serene holiday, you can always enjoy your time in a five-star hotel, beach resort, or golf resort, away from the city's crowds and hassle.
Take Hikes in Nature
If you like taking a hike in nature, count yourself lucky! As Antalya is known as a wonder of nature. The city is home to numerous parks, beaches, hills, waterfalls, and forests. You can take walks in the famous Tazı Canyon, Düden Waterfalls, Konyaaltı Beach, Atatürk Park, and more.
Try Shopping!
Turkey is a perfect destination for those who love shopping at affordable prices; thanks to the advantageous exchange rates and quality of products, it is known as an excellent location for buying garments.
Fix Your Health
Antalya is not only a great location for a holiday but also for affordable medical treatment. With the rise of medical tourism worldwide, the city is full of reputable clinics waiting to serve their patients.
More Antalya Sights
If you need more than the places we've mentioned so far and you want to discover each corner of the city, we have more recommendations for you.
Cumhuriyet Square, a popular center for great scenery just between Konyaaltı Beach and Kaleiçi, is a favored option. Also, festivals such as Food Fest Antalya, Sandland, and Altın Portakal Film Festival are among other popular options.
Going for a hike in Geyikbayırı, Kapuz Canyon, and Tazı Canyon is a great choice for nature lovers.
If you ever visit Antalya during winter, we recommend trying snowboarding at Saklıkent Ski Center.
Visit Antalya
With so many places and ventures to enjoy, Antalya fully deserves its title as a "premium holiday destination," rivaled by no other.
With the city's abundance of natural beauty, there are numerous hotels, restaurants, and resorts. Moreover, with so many visitors and expatriates, Antalya offers a multicultural experience you can only experience in a number of cities.
Keep Antalya in mind if you ever find yourself in Turkey so you can explore all it has to offer.
—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Can Turan
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