1. Kaleiçi (old town)

Kaleiçi is at the top of the list of places to visit in Antalya. It is a historical neighborhoodat the heart of the city. Its houses are important examples of old architecture that connect the past and present, reflecting the life styles, behaviors, traditions and customs of the people from the pre-modern era.

Kaleiçi’s streets, lined with magnificent Ottoman buildings, overlook the sea and ancient harbor.

Although the stone houses differ in their levels of opulence, they share many common features. They have windows on the upper floors facing the bay. The houses have street facing and back gardens. The houses open to inner courtyards furnished with wooden sofas. Kitchen and storage areas are relegated tot he ground floor, with living spaces in the brighter levels above.

Many houses in the narrow streets of Kaleiçi have been restored in accordance with their original form. While Kaleici is considered a historical tourism center, it also has many entertainment venues, restaurants, and souvenir shops. While visiting the neighborhood, you should definitely see Hadrian’s Gate (Üç Kapılar), the Broken Minaret and the Old Port.

2. Hadrian’s Gate (Üç Kapılar)

Hadrian’s Gate was built in 130 BC. while the Roman Emperor Hadrian was visiting the city. It is considered to be the most important work from ancient times in Antalya. Although the sculptures surrounding the gate have disappeared over time, the Latin inscriptions are still preserved. The edifice, which was once a part of the city walls, contains marble columns in with engravings the Corinthian style.

3. Yivli Minaret Mosque

The Yivli Minaret Mosque is the oldest work in the city from the Islamic period, In the 13th century by order of the Seljuk Sultan Alâeddin Keykubat it was converted fromByzantine church into a mosque.

The exterior of its 45 meter high minaret is decorated with turquoise colored tiles. Located just to the north of the Yivli Minaret Mosque, you can also see the Zincirkıran Mausoleum, which is used now as a gallery of fine arts.

Church of St. George (Aya Yorgo)

The Church of St. George, one of the 5 Greek Orthodox churches in Kaleiçi, is among the historical buildings of Antalya that you should visit. It was used as a warehouse for a long time after the population exchange in the 1920s, then was left empty and dilapidated. In 1992 it underwent a 2 year restoration after which it began functioning as an exhibition hall for the Kaleiçi Museum.

4. Düden waterfall

Düden Waterfall is 10 kilometers away from the city center. The source where the water springs from the ground is called Düdenbaşı. From there, the river is divided into two branches. Both of the branches, but especially the Upper Düden, resemble paradise thanks to their surrounding peaceful environment, covered in rich vegetation.

5. Antalya Archaeological Museum

Antalya Archeological Museum, located in Konyaaltı, was founded in 1922 when the city was occupied by Italy. It was lead by Süleyman Fikri Erten who sought to prevent foreign archaeologists who came to the region from looting the historical artifacts.

Nearly 5 thousand pieces are exhibited in the halls of the museum, which is another must see for visitors interested in history.

In the children’s section of the facility, you can find toys that are replicas of those found in the surrounding ancient settlements.

6. Antalya Aquarium and Fear Trophy

Located to the east of Konyaaltı Beach, Antalya Aquarium and Fear Trophy has been giving nature-loving visitors to exciting memories since 2012.

The aquarium features many of the creatures that live in the seas and waters of Turkey. It has 4 thematic areas and has a total volume of 7.5 million liters of water. You can also interact with the fish while visiting.

The greater facility, which is built on 30 hectares of land, has 2 thematic extensions:WildPark, offering a tropical adventure with giant spiders and colorful creatures, and the Snow World and Ice Museum.

7. Kurşunlu Waterfall

Kurşunlu Waterfall, which was registered as a nature park in 1986, is located in a 2-kilometer valley surrounded by forest cover. Located 7km from Antalya on the road towards Isparta, the reserve comprises 7 small waterfalls, the highest of which flows from a height of 18 meters.

Restaurants, cafes, and play areas surround the visually captivating ponds that form at the base of the falls. Like the Düden, this is an ideal spot for taking Instagram photos.

8. Konyaaltı beach

Konyaaltı Beach is one of the two popular beaches near the center, the other being Lara Beach. The Konyaaltı Beach has a 7-kilometer coastline that stretches from the Özkaymak Falez Hotel to the Antalya Port.

4.5 kilometers of this long coastal area is arranged as a beach where local people and holiday makers can swim. There are many facilities where you can eat and spend time on the shore, which has been recognized as Blue Flag Beach.

The beach also surrounds the ruins of Olbia, a port city founded by the Termessians in ancient times.

9. Phaselis

The ancient city of Phaselis was founded in the 7th century BC. and became the most important port of the eastern coast of Lycia. Its ruins include is an imposing street that runs through the middle of the settlement, along which you can find the remains of the agora, the amphitheater, Hadrian’s Water Gate, and old communal baths. Although much remains in place to visit, many of the more intact sculptures were moved from Phaselis to the Antalya Archaeological Museum.

10. Aspendos

The ancient city of Aspendos was founded in the 10th century B.C. by the Achaeans. It is located in Belkıs Village in the Serik district of Antalya.  The city’s famous 12 thousand seat amphitheater was built by the Romans in the 2nd century A.D. It had an important position due to its location on the Köprüçay River, along ancient trade routes. The theater, built by the Roman Emperor Zeno, is one of the oldest structures that still survives today.

Besides the theater, the most impressive ruins are city’s aqueducts that carried water a full kilometer from the mountains in the north to the city. We strongly recommend that you see it up close to appreciate the engineering skills of the period.

Many other historical buildings have been preserved from the ancient city, including theagora, the bathhouse, cisterns, and a stadium. The site also serves as a venue fortheater and concerts events.

Aspendos was one of the first Anatolian cities to mint money. It was founded by colonists who came to Pamphylia after the Trojan War. Aspendos was occupied many times throughout it history, and fell to Alexander the Great. Its brightest period occurred during Roman. During the Seljjuk period, the city was used as a caravanserai. At the request of Atatürk, the site was restored and made open to the public.

11. Termessos

Located about 30 kilometers northwest of Antalya, the ancient city of Termessos wasprotected from enemy raids in the past, and the negative effects created by modern people thanks to its remote location at 1,150 meters above sea level.

The city, known for the strong defense of the Termessians against the siege of Alexander the Great, is located in the Milyas area of the Pisidia region. It is known that the Solymtribe, one of the oldest peoples of Anatolia, founded the city. Nothing is known about the Byzantine period and after in Termessos.

The last settlers of the city were the Romans. Many important structures in the ancient city, which is located in a national park, remain in good condition.

12. Köprülü Canyon

Köprülü Canyon snakes along the Köprüçay River, one of the most famous rafting destinations in the world, The canyon’s name, meaning “covered with bridges”, was given because of the many structures that connect the two sides. The part of the canyon located within the Manavgat District was declared a national park in 1973. It attracts holidaymakers because of its historical significance and its rich variety of plants and animals.

The region is ideal for those who enjoy nature walks and water sports. The nearby historical ruins belong to the ancient city of Selge. For accommodation, you can choose from the facilities in Beşkonak and Karabük villages to stay close to the canyon.

13. Perge

Another ancient city which smells of history and orange blossom in Antalya is Perge. You will not be able to get enough of this site.

Located in the Aksu district 18 km east of Antalya,Perge is located along the ancient road that starts in Bergama and ends in Side. Aksu (Kestros) River was a factor that made the geographical location of the city valuable. The river delta brought fertile soil and provided transportation for the city. The importance of the river to the city can be seen on its coins. It is also featured on reliefs and accounts for the river god statue, located in the monumental fountain at the foot of the Acropolis.

Alexander the Great led his army from Lycia to Pamhylia and he reached Perge by following the coastline with his high commanders. No war is mentioned between the city of Perge and the Macedonian army in the historical record, so it is thought that the city surrendered to Alexander without fighting.

Excavations made in Perge found that it was regarded as one of the most organized Roman cities of Anatolia. Important finds were all transferred to the Antalya Museum. We definitely recommend you visit Antalya Museum, which has one of the richest collections of Roman Period sculpture in the world.

After Alexander the Great took Perge, he built the city walls with half-ton stones. It is thought that the reason the city surrendered without resisting Alexander was lack of fortifications. You can start your tour in the ancient city by walking along these monumental city walls.

Do not leave Perge without seeing the water canal, the street of columns, thewatchtower, the Roman bath, the agoras, the 12,000 seat amphitheater, mosaic floors, and the horseshoe-shaped stadium.

14. Manavgat waterfall

Manavgat Waterfall comprises 2 waterfalls with different widths and is located 80 kilometers away from the city center. It has become popular among travelers due to its natural beauty. The waterfall is not very high but it falls from a large cliff, providing visitors with an ideal environment for spending a holiday in touch with nature. If you go, you can take part in activities such as rafting, jeep safari, and picnicking. You can set up camp to spend a long time in the natural wonder.

15.Myra

The ancient city of Myra is located in the district of Demre. It was one of the 6 major cities of the Lycian League. Transportation was provided by the canal to the west of today’s Demre Stream (Myros River). The history of the ancient city, which became famous as the bishopric of St. Nicholas, dates back to the 5th century. As you may guess, one of the most important structures of the city is the St. Nicholas Church. Unfortunately, it is not possible to see the original church, which was destroyed in 1034 due to Arab raids.