Must See And Do In Antalya
Most Popular Places and Activities to Explore in Antalya
Old City Marina: Get a Boat with a View
Also known locally as the Kaleici Marina, the city's harbour features more than quiet, docked boats bobbing gently and waiting to be sailed. Numerous local restaurants provide stunning views of the marina, where travellers can rest up and enjoy a variety of fresh seafood.
You can also get a ready-to-hire boat, choosing from private, luxury boats or group cruises that offer shorter, 2-hour trips ideal for tourists. Make use of the
elevator, moving people from the main street level down to the harbour, where a viewing platform allows for a truly panoramic view.
Neighbouring the marina, the 19th-century İskele Mosque can be found. This beautiful building is built of cut stone and constructed on four pillars over a
natural spring.
Hadrian's Gate: Going Back in Time
The Gate of Hadrian is a stunning monument built back in 130 CE to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian. Apart from being a beautiful relic, Hadrian's Gate is the entrance to Kaleici, Antalya's charming, historic quarter. The breathtaking gate used to be a part of the city's outer walls and exhibits how history is more than just words written in a book - that people once lived here in the past, whose monuments have survived the test of time.
Duden Falls: Flowing into the Mediterranean Sea
Found just 7.5 miles northeast of the city of Antalya, this collection of waterfalls is more than just a natural wonder. They are a protected haven for local wildlife and birds that nest by the water. The Lower Düden Falls feed directly into the blue Mediterranean Sea.
This group of waterfalls is part of a local water station and feeds water into artificial cascades and irrigation trenches, facilitating the distribution of water to the region. To get the best view of the waterfalls up close, tourists can take a boat trip from the Antalya harbour and visit the surrounding park.
Antalya Müzesi: Even More History
With over 5,000 works of art displayed over an area of 7,000 m², the grand Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of Turkey's largest and richest museums. It features a combination of exhibition halls, open-air galleries, and gardens. There are 13 permanent exhibitions on display that feature art, crafts, statues, maps, artefacts, ruins, as well as live excavation sites along the long coastal strip of the Mediterranean. This means that historical artifacts spread as far as the eye can see.
Aspendos: An Evening of Theater
The well-preserved Aspendos Theatre is an exemplary monument of Roman Construction. Erected during the rule of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180), today, the theatre features the yearly Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, with opera and ballet collaborators from across the globe.
Endless Beaches
There is no shortage of beaches near Antalya. Some of the beaches that we recommend visiting include:
- Konyaaltı beach, located 3 km from Antalya
- Lara beach (12 km long). Surrounded by a beautiful pine forest, it is a fine sand beach located east of Antalya.
- Topçam beach, found east of Antalya, can be reached by road in 15 minutes.
- The smaller beaches of Mermerli and Adala. The rocky beach of Adalar is next to Karaalioğlu Park, while Mermerli beach is at the foot of the park itself.
Where to Eat
Club Arma
With superb views of the Kaleiçi, Antalya's old town, the marina, and the Bey Dağları mountain range, great care is taken at Club Arma to the presentation of dishes, which present visitors with the freshest locally sourced fish.
II Vicino Pizzeria
Wish to hop across the Mediterranean Sea and have some authentic Italian cuisine? Il Vicino Pizzeria has a central location in the old streets of central Antalya and serves traditional Italian pizzas along with some signature creations.
Lara Balikevi
Since 2002, Lara Balikevi has built a reputation for serving some of the best seafood in Antalya while simultaneously offering equally pleasing views of the sea.
Mermerli
Mermerli is a stone building overhanging a cliff with direct access through wooden steps to the beach a few metres below. Overlooking the sea, a long series of stone arches and columns line the tables of the restaurants. The relaxing swish of the sea and the dim lighting create a romantic ambience.
Patio Bistro & Restaurant
The Patio Bistro greets diners with a homely and rustic yet refined ambience. The menu is a journey through many countries touched by the Mediterranean Sea: there are dishes from France, Italy, Japan and many more.
Seraser Fine Dining
This restaurant is located in the historic centre of the city. It is one of the most renowned dining spots in Antalya. A visit to this restaurant is a feast for all the senses: the nose will be delighted by the smell of the Mediterranean garden in the open courtyard, while the eyes will be pleased by the elegant ambience and the warm light illuminating the stone walls, statues, and velvet chairs. Finally, the tongue will be tickled by the wide selection of traditional Turkish cuisine.
