Antalya city: old town, museums and beaches

Most visitors only see Antalya through a bus window on the way from the airport. That is a shame: this city of over a million people has a walled Ottoman old town above a Roman harbour, one of Türkiye's best museums, a 7 km beach with a mountain backdrop and waterfalls that drop straight into the sea. It works for a city break, a few days before or after a beach holiday, or as a year-round base.

Where to stay in Antalya city

The city is spread along the cliffs and two beaches. Choose by what you want to walk to.

Times are daytime drives from Antalya Airport. Click Lara for its own guide.

Things to do in Antalya city

Kaleiçi, the old town

Enter through Hadrian's Gate, the marble triple arch built for the emperor's visit in 130 AD, and lose yourself in the lanes of whitewashed Ottoman houses with wooden balconies and bougainvillea. Landmarks are the fluted Yivli Minaret, the 13th-century symbol of the city, the stump of the Kesik Minaret, and the round Roman Hıdırlık Tower on the cliff edge, the best place to watch the sunset over the bay and the mountains.

The small Suna & İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum in a restored mansion shows how Antalya families lived in the 19th century.

The old harbour and boat trips

Steps lead down from Kaleiçi to the Roman harbour, now full of wooden gulets and fishing boats. One- and two-hour boat trips run along the cliffs to the Lower Düden waterfall, with a swim stop in summer. Agree the price and duration before you board.

Antalya Archaeological Museum

One of the finest museums in Türkiye, a short tram ride west of Kaleiçi. The hall of marble gods and emperors from Perge, the finely carved Roman sarcophagi and the finds from the region's prehistoric caves are the highlights. Allow two hours; it is air-conditioned, so ideal for the hottest part of the day.

Konyaaltı beach and Beach Park

West of the centre, a 7 km pebble beach runs below the cliffs with the Taurus mountains rising behind, snow-capped in spring. The promenade has cafés and playgrounds, and the Beach Park area at the eastern end has the large Antalya Aquarium and a water park. At the far western end, a cable car climbs Tünektepe hill for a view over the whole bay.

The Düden waterfalls

The Düden river reaches the sea in two places. The Upper Düden waterfall in a shady park north-east of the centre has a path behind the falling water, cool on hot days. The Lower Düden waterfall drops 40 m off the cliffs into the sea at Lara; see it from the clifftop park or, better, from a boat. More in our Lara guide.

Karaalioğlu Park and the cliff walk

A long park along the clifftop between Kaleiçi and the eastern districts, with views across the bay to the mountains, tea gardens and benches in the shade of pines. Locals come here in the evening; it is the nicest walk in the city.

Day trips from the city

Perge and Aspendos, Termessos in the mountains, Köprülü Canyon rafting and the coast at Kemer are all within an hour or so. See our day trips guide.

What to eat

Try Antalya piyazı, the local white bean salad dressed with tahini, often served with şiş köfte grilled meatballs; hibeş, a spicy tahini and lemon spread; fresh fish at the harbour; and gözleme and fresh-squeezed orange or pomegranate juice from street stalls. Kaleiçi's courtyard restaurants are atmospheric but pricier; the side streets of the centre and Konyaaltı have simple local places (lokanta) at a fraction of the price.

Getting around

Kaleiçi and the cliff parks are best on foot. A historic tram runs along the cliff road from the Archaeological Museum into the centre, and a modern tram line links the centre with the bus station and outer districts; pay with an AntalyaKart, sold at kiosks and stops. Taxis are metered and plentiful. From the airport, a taxi to Kaleiçi takes about 25 minutes; see our airport transfer guide.

When to go

Antalya city is a year-round destination. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking the old town and visiting the museum; summer brings beach days and very hot afternoons, so plan sightseeing early or late. In winter, when many beach resorts close, the city stays lively with mild, sunny days between rain. See our weather by month.