Antalya, Turkey’s tourism paradise, offers a wealth of places to visit. Welcoming millions of tourists every year with its natural beauty, ancient cities , and magnificent beaches, Antalya is full of places to explore during your vacation. To enjoy Antalya’s nature, you can organize trips to the waterfalls and go hiking in the forested areas. If you want to explore its historical texture, you can visit the castles and ancient cities dating back to the Ottoman period. Some of the most popular places to see in Antalya are as follows:
Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi, located in Muratpaşa, the central district of Antalya, is an important point that brings Antalya’s past to the present. This area, with its 3000-year history, has an extremely authentic atmosphere and is accessible on foot from the city center.
Kaleiçi, being located in the city center, is quite crowded and is one of Antalya’s main attractions. You enter Kaleiçi through the Hadrian Gate and can enjoy pleasant moments with sea views and observe historical buildings in its narrow streets.
Kaleiçi is an area where you can see many structures from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. You can visit Kaleiçi at any time during your Antalya vacation.
Patara Ancient City
The ancient city of Patara is located in Kalkan, a town in the Kaş district of Antalya. One of the region’s important historical sites , Patara is 220 kilometers from Antalya city center. You can reach the ancient city by private car following the Kaş road, or by taxi or minibuses departing from the bus station.
Patara Ancient City also has a beach on its coastal section. When you arrive here, you can enter the beach and enjoy the sea in the clear waters of the Mediterranean.
Dim River
Dim Çayı, located in Alanya, one of Antalya’s popular districts, is 150 kilometers from the city center. You can reach it by private vehicle via the Mersin-Antalya road, or by Alanya minibuses and taxis.
Dim River, one of Turkey’s important natural beauties , originates in Konya province and flows into the Mediterranean Sea over a distance of 60 kilometers. Surrounded by numerous restaurants, Dim River is notable for its refreshing effect, and its waters are quite cool and invigorating.
You can enjoy pleasant moments by the river, listening to the sound of water, and have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the restaurants. You can also participate in active activities such as rafting tours.
Aspendos Ancient Theatre
Aspendos Ancient Theatre, one of the most impressive Roman structures in Antalya , is located in Sarıabalı neighborhood of Serik district. It is 45 kilometers from Antalya city center and can be reached by private vehicle by continuing towards Sarıabalı after passing Serik. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or a minibus from the bus station to Serik, which departs every half hour.
Built in the 2nd century AD by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Aspendos Ancient Theatre owes its architecture to the Greek architect Zeno, a prominent figure of the time. One of the ancient theatres in Anatolia that has survived to the present day with minimal damage, Aspendos boasts fascinating details.
With a seating capacity of 7,000, the Aspendos Ancient Theatre is a massive structure with a diameter of 96 meters. This ancient theatre, where gladiatorial fights were also held during the Roman period, can be visited every day of the week.
Duden Waterfall
Düden Waterfall, easily accessible from Antalya city center, is a natural beauties located in the Kepez district, just 10 kilometers away. Also known as Düdenbaşı Waterfall among the locals, Düden Waterfall is a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer months, with its viewing terraces, wooden walkways, cafes, restaurants, and tea gardens .
Düden Waterfall offers a magnificent view as its waters, branching into two streams, cascade 40 meters down from the cliffs of Antalya into the Mediterranean Sea. The area known as Lower Düden Waterfall, located in the Lara district amidst hotels, restaurants, walking and cycling paths, boasts a vibrant atmosphere. You can take a boat trip close to the cliffs to witness the cascading white waters up close.
Düden Waterfall and Lower Düden Waterfall are must-see places during your trip to Antalya. Don’t forget to enjoy the refreshing waterfall atmosphere for a wonderful day out.
Side Ancient City
The ancient city of Side is located in the Selimiye neighborhood of Manavgat district, 70 kilometers from Antalya city center. This popular ancient city can be reached by private vehicle via the Manavgat road, or by taxi or minibus to Manavgat.
Built in the 7th century BC, the ancient city of Side served as an important trade center during its founding period . Thanks to its natural harbor, the ancient city has survived to the present day with very little damage and is situated on a peninsula. You can enter through the main entrance gate and explore the ancient city. The most striking structure is the ancient theater.
Damlataş Cave
Discovered accidentally in 1948 during the opening of a quarry, Damlataş Cave has become one of the most important tourist attractions of both Antalya and Alanya. Famous for being the first cave in Turkey to be opened to tourism , Damlataş Cave is located on the west side of Alanya Castle, behind the popular Damlataş Beach.
Damlataş Cave is connected to the inner areas by a 50-meter-long passage and can be explored via well-lit walkways. The cave’s humid and clean air is beneficial for respiratory problems. Thousands of people visit Damlataş Cave every year because asthma sufferers find relief by visiting the cave for 4 hours a day for 21 days.
Damlataş Cave is adorned with fascinating columns, stalactites, and stalagmites that have formed over 15,000 years. After exploring the cave, you can unwind in the clear waters of the Blue Flag Damlataş Beach and enjoy a relaxing seaside holiday.
Köprülü Canyon National Park
Köprülü Canyon National Park stretches for a total of 14 kilometers, starting from the border of Isparta province. It takes its name from the two historical bridges located within its boundaries. This canyon is a popular destination for visitors vacationing in Antalya who want to spend time surrounded by nature.
Extreme sports like rafting can also be enjoyed in this region. You can have a picnic or go on day trips such as nature walks around Köprülü Canyon National Park.
Köprülü Canyon National Park, which you can visit at any time during your Antalya holiday, is among the must-see destinations in the region.
Ancient City of Olympos
The ancient city of Olympos is among Antalya’s world-renowned historical sites and is located within the boundaries of Kuzdere neighborhood in Kemer district. The city can be reached by private vehicle from Antalya city center by following the coastal road west, or by taxi and Kemer minibuses.
The ancient city of Olympos is located within the boundaries of the Beydağları National Park and is close to the valley formed by the Olympos River. While visiting the ancient city of Olympos, you can see structures such as a necropolis, rock tombs, and a Roman theater .
On the coastal section of the ancient city of Olympos, you can also observe the nesting areas of loggerhead sea turtles. Furthermore, access to the beach, where activities such as picnicking and camping take place, is also provided via the ancient city.
Cleopatra Beach
One of the most famous beaches in Alanya district, Cleopatra Beach is 2 kilometers wide and, with its Blue Flag award, is an ideal choice for your dream sea, sand, and sun holiday. Named after the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra, this beach, with its wonderful sea and sand, is frequently preferred by local and foreign tourists. Legend has it that Cleopatra and Roman Emperor Antony swam here.
While enjoying the sun and sea at Cleopatra Beach, you can also admire the magnificent view of Alanya Castle. During your Antalya holiday, you should definitely visit Cleopatra Beach, and if you stay until evening, don’t forget to watch the unique sunset.
Manavgat Waterfall
Manavgat Waterfall, one of the most popular destinations for nature excursions and rafting tours organized in Antalya , is a natural paradise located just 76 kilometers from Antalya city center and accessible by bus in an hour. Situated 3 kilometers from Manavgat, one of the city’s tourist districts, Manavgat Waterfall stretches for kilometers amidst lush green forests and offers a breathtaking view.
Surrounded by well-maintained walking paths and viewing terraces, Manavgat Waterfall offers lively fish restaurants, picnic areas, and tea gardens; you can also enjoy fun activities such as canoeing, boat tours, and rafting. With an easy rafting course, Manavgat Waterfall is visited by over 1 million people every year and is one of Türkiye’s most famous waterfalls in the world.
Red Tower
Kızılkule (Red Tower), one of Alanya’s iconic structures , is among the must-see historical buildings during an Antalya holiday. Located 134 kilometers from the city center, Kızılkule can be reached by private vehicle following the Mersin-Antalya road eastward, or by taxi and Alanya minibuses.
The Red Tower has a reddish appearance due to the use of red stones in its construction, hence its name. Built in 1221 by order of Alaaddin Keykubat I, the Red Tower was constructed to protect against threats from the sea.
The Red Tower, which also attracts attention with its architectural features, has lights streaming in from its top, illuminating even the lowest floor. Considering that it is thought to have five floors, it is clear that it was built using advanced architectural techniques, and it also offers magnificent views.
Lycian Way
The Lycian Way, stretching from the Taurus Mountains in Antalya to the Fethiye coast, is a world-famous ancient route , a 535-kilometer trail connecting the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Considered one of the 10 most beautiful hiking routes in the world, the Lycian Way connects ancient cities on the Teke Peninsula, offering breathtaking natural landscapes. This feature attracts nature enthusiasts from all over the world.
The Lycian Way is a route used by camel caravans and merchants in ancient times, and it encompasses many historical sites such as the ancient cities of Patara, Xanthos, Letoon, Faralya, Dodurga, Sidyma, and Pınara. Walking along this route, you can discover rich vegetation and wildlife. You can also photograph the magnificent views of the azure Mediterranean coast and the Taurus Mountains.
The Lycian Way boasts dozens of well-maintained and marked hiking trails. You can join day hikes with professional guides or opt for 30-day camping trips covering the entire route. These trails have been carefully prepared to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
Kurşunlu Waterfall
Located just 22 kilometers from the center of Antalya, Kurşunlu Waterfall is one of the most popular natural beauties of the region, and its surroundings, with their rich plant diversity, have been declared a nature park and placed under protection. Open to visitors every day of the week, Kurşunlu Waterfall covers a vast area of 33 hectares.
Kurşunlu Waterfall is a waterfall where pure white waters cascade down from a height of 18 meters amidst dozens of different types of trees , offering captivating natural scenery in every season. In the summer months, you can also cool off by entering the ice-cold waters of 7 smaller waterfalls and rock pools.
The waterfall, cascading through a steep canyon, offers a tropical landscape, making it one of Antalya’s most developed areas for ecological tourism. At Kurşunlu Waterfall and Nature Park, you can go hiking, take stunning photos of the waterfall from viewing terraces, or enjoy the fresh air in the tea gardens and picnic areas. You can also encounter many wild animals and endemic plant species in the park.
Karain Cave
Located 30 kilometers from Antalya, the enormous Karain Cave is one of Turkey’s largest natural caves . Situated on the Antalya-Burdur road, this cave is a unique natural wonder formed millions of years ago through natural processes and used as a settlement throughout history. Archaeological studies carried out in the cave have revealed impressive cave paintings and personal belongings dating back to the depths of history.
Karain Cave is also noteworthy for its proposals to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can follow well-maintained walking paths to explore the cave. You can experience magnificent natural splendor by wandering among the enormous stalactites, stalagmites, and pools formed over millions of years. You can also have the opportunity to examine the Roman inscriptions in relief on the cave walls and living spaces dating back thousands of years.
Karain Cave is a unique discovery point for history, nature, and archaeology enthusiasts. With its rich cultural and natural heritage, this cave is one of Antalya’s unique tourist attractions.
Side Underwater Museum
Side Underwater Museum, Turkey’s only underwater museum , opened to visitors in 2015. Visited by tens of thousands of people every year, it is famous for being the second largest underwater museum in the world after the one in Mexico. The museum’s rich collections can be explored by diving amidst colorful fish.
The Side Underwater Museum houses a collection of invaluable artifacts, including 177 impressive sculptures, sunken ships, ancient treasures, cannonballs, coins, and other fascinating objects recovered from various shipwrecks. Here, you can swim among these unique artifacts and take unforgettable photographs. You can also explore the museum’s collections by diving with professional divers.
Side Underwater Museum is a significant tourist attraction that stands out for its preservation of cultural heritage underwater and the unique experience it offers. This underwater exploration provides an unforgettable experience for diving enthusiasts and history buffs.
