Antalya is the capital of the Turkish Riviera — the long, turquoise stretch of Mediterranean coast that draws millions each year. But it’s far more than a beach resort. At its heart sits Kaleiçi, a walled old town of Ottoman mansions and a Roman harbour, and within an hour’s drive lie waterfalls, gorges and ancient cities that rank among Turkey’s best.
Here are the places worth building your trip around.
- Region
- Mediterranean
- Best seasons
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Old town
- Kaleiçi
- Don't miss
- Aspendos
Kaleiçi — the old town
Begin in Kaleiçi, where narrow lanes of restored mansions spill down to a horseshoe harbour. Walk through Hadrian’s Gate, a marble triumphal arch from AD 130, past the fluted Yivli Minaret to the harbour for a boat trip along the cliffs. It’s the most atmospheric corner of the city and best explored slowly on foot.
The Düden Waterfalls
Antalya is one of the few cities where a waterfall pours directly into the sea. The Lower Düden Falls drop off a cliff into the Mediterranean — best seen from a boat — while the Upper Düden Falls tumble through a park you can walk behind. The Kurşunlu Falls nearby make a shady forest escape.
Ancient cities nearby
The countryside around Antalya holds some of the best-preserved classical sites in the world:
- Aspendos — a Roman theatre so intact it still hosts performances today.
- Perge — a vast Greco-Roman city of colonnaded streets and a stadium.
- Termessos — a dramatic mountain-top city the armies of Alexander never took.
Beaches & the coast
In the city, Konyaaltı (pebble) and Lara (sand) are the main beaches, both with clear water and the Beydağları mountains as a backdrop. For quieter swims, head west along the coast toward Kemer and the cove beaches of the Lycian shore.