Antalya Travel Guide — Beaches, Old Town, Waterfalls & Day Trips
Antalya is Turkey’s Mediterranean jewel, a vibrant city that blends ancient history with stunning beaches, dramatic waterfalls, and a lively modern culture. As the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya welcomes millions of visitors each year who come for its turquoise waters, year-round sunshine, and proximity to some of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. Whether you are looking for a beach holiday, a cultural city break, or a base for exploring the Mediterranean coast, this guide covers everything you need for an Antalya trip in 2026.
Kaleici Old Town
The heart of Antalya is Kaleici, the beautifully preserved Ottoman-era old town surrounded by ancient Roman walls. Its narrow cobblestone streets wind between restored Ottoman mansions, many now converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, and artisan shops. Hadrian’s Gate, a magnificent Roman triumphal arch built in 130 AD, marks one of the main entrances. Inside, the old harbour with its marina full of gulet sailing boats makes for a perfect sunset walk. The Yivli Minare, the fluted minaret that has become Antalya’s symbol, rises above the rooftops and dates from the 13th century Seljuk period. The Antalya Museum on the western edge of Kaleici is one of Turkey’s finest, housing an impressive collection of artefacts from Perge, Aspendos, and other nearby ancient cities. Allow a full morning or afternoon to wander Kaleici, stopping for Turkish coffee in a courtyard cafe and browsing the small galleries and craft shops.
Beaches in and Around Antalya
Antalya offers excellent beaches for every preference. Konyaalti Beach stretches west of the city centre, a long pebble beach backed by dramatic mountain scenery with clear water and good facilities including sun loungers, showers, and beachside restaurants. Lara Beach on the eastern side is a golden sand beach with warm shallow waters, popular with families and lined with large resort hotels. For a more dramatic setting, Kaputas Beach about 200 kilometres west toward Kas sits at the base of a steep gorge, its turquoise waters among the most photographed in Turkey. Phaselis Beach combines swimming with ancient ruins, where you can walk among Roman columns and then cool off in the sea. Cirali Beach offers a tranquil atmosphere with wooden bungalow hotels and is adjacent to the ancient flames of Chimaera, natural gas vents that have burned continuously for millennia. For a comprehensive look at Turkey’s coastline, read our guide to the best beaches in Turkey.
Waterfalls and Natural Wonders
Antalya is famous for its spectacular waterfalls. Duden Waterfalls consists of two cascades: the Upper Duden Falls set in a lush park where you can walk behind the waterfall curtain, and the Lower Duden Falls where the water plunges directly from cliffs into the Mediterranean Sea, best seen from a boat. Kursunlu Waterfall, about 20 kilometres from the city centre, is surrounded by a peaceful nature park with walking trails through pine forest, perfect for a half-day escape. Manavgat Waterfall, further east near Side, is a broad, powerful cascade popular for riverside restaurants where you can eat fresh trout while watching the water thunder past. The Koprulu Canyon National Park offers whitewater rafting through a dramatic gorge spanned by an ancient Roman bridge, combining adventure sport with natural beauty.
Day Trips from Antalya
Antalya’s location makes it an excellent base for day trips to Turkey’s most impressive ancient sites. Aspendos, just 50 kilometres east, houses the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world, still used for performances today. Its acoustics are legendary, a whisper from the stage carries to the back row of 15,000 seats. Perge, even closer at 18 kilometres, features a vast Roman city with a colonnaded street, stadium, and impressive city gates. Termessos, high in the Taurus Mountains just 30 kilometres from Antalya, is one of the most atmospheric ancient cities in Turkey, its mountain-top ruins surrounded by wild forests and offering breathtaking views. Side, a resort town 75 kilometres east, combines beach life with walking among Roman temples and a beautifully situated ancient theatre. For those willing to venture further, the ancient Lycian city of Myra and its rock-cut tombs are a 2-hour drive west.
Where to Eat and Drink
Antalya’s food scene reflects its Mediterranean location and cosmopolitan character. Fresh seafood is a highlight, especially at the restaurants lining the old harbour where grilled sea bass, calamari, and meze platters are excellent. Kaleici has dozens of rooftop restaurants with views over the harbour and mountains. For a local experience, head to the Antalya Halk Pazari, the public market, where vendors sell fresh produce, spices, olives, and local cheeses. Piyaz, a white bean salad that originated in Antalya, is the city’s signature dish and served in many traditional restaurants. The Eski Bazaar area near Kaleici is good for casual dining at kebab shops and lokanta restaurants. Orange juice squeezed fresh from locally grown oranges is available from street vendors everywhere and costs next to nothing. For evening entertainment, the Lara and Konyaalti beach strips have modern bars and restaurants. Read our Turkish food guide for more culinary inspiration across the country.
Plan Your Antalya Trip
Antalya is a destination that rewards both relaxation and exploration. At Turkey Travel Agency, we can combine Antalya’s beaches and ancient sites with other destinations for the ultimate Turkey experience. Browse our Turkey tour packages and our Aegean holiday options. If you are choosing between coast destinations, our Antalya vs Bodrum comparison helps you decide.
