Antalya makes most people think of all-inclusive resorts first, yet most of the 41 places we visited in our video are outside the hotel: ancient theaters, waterfalls, caves, a summit you reach by cable car and one of the most photographed coves in Türkiye. The catch is that Antalya is less a city than a region stretching hundreds of kilometers along the coast. In this article we organize the places from the video into three routes.
Route 1: Central Antalya
Kaleiçi and the old harbor
Kaleiçi, the first stop in the video, is Antalya’s historic core. Enter through Hadrian’s Gate, wander the narrow lanes down to the old harbor and explore around the Yivli Minaret and the Clock Tower. Many restored mansions now operate as boutique hotels and cafés. Coming early in the morning or late in the afternoon is the way to avoid both the heat and the crowds.
Antalya Museum
With artifacts from ancient Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia, it’s one of the richest archaeological museums in Türkiye. The statues excavated at Perge are especially impressive. Seeing the museum before you visit the ancient cities makes it easier to make sense of the structures you’ll see on site.
Waterfalls and beaches
The Lara branch of the Düden Waterfalls plunges straight off the cliffs into the sea; close to the city center, it’s ideal for a half-day outing. Konyaaltı Beach, backed by the Beydağları mountains, offers the city’s best-known view. Antalya Aquarium, which you see in the video, is also on the Konyaaltı side and is a good option for families with kids.
Karain Cave, featured in the video, is northwest of the city center and is one of the caves with the oldest traces of human settlement in Anatolia. It’s a short but rewarding stop for archaeology buffs.
Route 2: The east coast (Aspendos, Side, Manavgat, Alanya)
Along the coastal road heading east from Antalya lie some of the region’s most impressive historic sites. The ancient city of Perge is very close to town, and the Aspendos Theater is one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world; it still hosts performances from time to time.
A bit farther east, Manavgat Waterfall makes a nice cool picnic stop, and on the same day you can see Side’s ancient harbor and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo.
At the end of the route, Alanya is a resort destination in its own right. The sea view from Alanya Castle in the video and Damlataş Cave on the beach fit into the same day. Cleopatra Beach, right below the castle, is one of the best-known beaches in the region thanks to its fine sand and clear water. Alanya is roughly two hours’ drive from central Antalya, so staying overnight may be more comfortable than a day trip.
Route 3: The west coast (Tahtalı, Olympos, Kaş)
Heading west, the Kemer road runs along a coast where mountains drop steeply into the sea. The Mount Tahtalı cable car in the video climbs to a summit above 2,300 meters, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the Antalya coastline. It’s noticeably colder at the top than on the coast, so bring a sweater even in summer.
Olympos and Çıralı offer a more nature-focused stay, with quiet beaches and ancient ruins. The far end of the route is Kaputaş Beach between Kaş and Kalkan, a turquoise cove where a canyon meets the sea. Because it’s quite far from the city, it makes more sense to see Kaputaş while staying in Kaş rather than on a day trip.
You can compare bookable activities such as boat tours, rafting and ancient-city excursions among Antalya tours on Viator. Rafting in Köprülü Canyon is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the region.
Getting to Antalya
Antalya Airport is one of the busiest airports in Türkiye, with heavy domestic and international traffic. To compare flights: flights to Antalya. Within the city, tram and bus lines connect the center, Konyaaltı and Lara, but for the eastern and western routes above, renting a car or joining tours is far more practical. If you prefer public transportation, regular intercity buses run from the main bus station toward Alanya, Side, Kemer and Kaş.
Where to stay
- Kaleiçi: Historic atmosphere and restaurants within walking distance; you’ll need a short ride to the beach.
- Konyaaltı and Lara: Close to the beach, with easy access to city amenities.
- Kaş, Kemer or Alanya: A second base if you want to explore the western or eastern route.
To compare places to stay: hotels in Antalya.
The best time to visit
Beach season runs roughly from late April to late October. July and August are very hot and crowded; if you’re visiting ancient sites then, start early in the morning. For a trip focused on ancient cities and nature, spring and fall are ideal. Winters are mild, so it’s still a good choice for city sightseeing and museums.
Budget tips
- Most ancient sites and museums are run by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism; a museum pass (the Museum Pass Türkiye for visitors, the Müzekart for residents) can save a lot. Check current coverage and prices before you go.
- Public beaches are free; beach clubs charge extra for loungers and umbrellas.
- Trying to do the eastern and western routes on the same day costs you dearly in fuel and time; give each route its own day.
- Local markets and esnaf lokantası (tradesmen’s restaurants) are much cheaper than the touristy restaurants in Kaleiçi and along the coast.
Final note
Our video shows only the first 41 stops in Antalya; the region is big enough to fill several vacations. Watch the video first and pick your route by interest (history, beaches or nature), then fine-tune your plan with the practical info in this article.
