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Let’s unpack the 10 best things to do in Antalya. Each an unforgettable blend of exploration, relaxation, and excitement in one of Türkiye’s most beautiful regions.

I had on my list for years to see the hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Türkiye. I hadn’t yet made the trip because I wasn’t sure what I would add to the itinerary. I wanted to make the trip overseas worth it.

My boyfriend was searching Google flights for our next trip. At that time, Antalya was one of the cheapest places to fly overseas from the United States. I searched up Antalya on Google and found photos of gorgeous, jagged mountains, crystal clear waters, and never-ending experiences. Our trip was immediately booked and we never stop talking about this trip.

When to Go to Antalya

If you’re anything like me and you prefer to avoid crowds as much as possible, the shoulder season of Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to November) are ideal. My boyfriend and I went in October and thought it was absolutely perfect in Antalya and surrounding areas. If you plan on adding Cappadocia to your itinerary though, keep in mind that the closer you get to winter, the more likely the chance of wind and a cancelled balloon tour.

In Antalya, during these times though, temperatures are comfortably warm, ranging from the mid-70s to 90s Fahrenheit. This weather is perfect for exploring the historic sites, enjoying outdoor activities, or lounging on a stunning Mediterranean beach. You’ll also be more likely find better deals on accommodations.

How to Get to Antalya

If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll fly into Antalya Airport (AYT), often served via Istanbul. If you’re already in Türkiye, you can take a bus to Antalya. The bus journey provides the opportunity to enjoy scenic views along the way. However, it will be a long ride! A quicker and more convenient way is to hop on a local flight to AYT. For flights within Türkiye, we used Sun Express which had more legroom than our Turkish Airlines local flight.

Once you land at the airport, you can easily hail an Uber or taxi to the city center or your beach-side resort. When using Ubers around town though, we found it was not always the most reliable. Some areas were less served by Uber and in some cases the Uber would connect you to a taxi. If connected to a taxi, you would be asked to cancel the Uber ride. Don’t do this and let the driver cancel so you don’t receive a fee from Uber. You will then need to pay the taxi directly with either credit card or cash. If you’re unable to grab an Uber, you wave down a taxi on the street. You can also request your hotel or restaurants assistance.

Where to Stay in Antalya

We stayed in two different areas of Antalya, both of which I would recommend experiencing. First, we stayed in the Old Town. What I liked about staying here was how many different restaurants, coffee shops, and bars were at your doorstep. There was no need to be constantly trying to grab a taxi.

In the Old Town of Antalya, we stayed at Palmenhaus Antalya and loved it! Palmenhaus had rooms from $30-100 a night (2023), each with a unique design. There was also a wonderful coffee shop downstairs.

For those seeking luxury, Antalya has many hotels along its stunning coastline. Areas like Lara Beach and Belek house many different luxurious beachfront resorts. Honestly, though we had a difficult time trying to find well-designed hotels. Turkey could do better in the hotel design arena.

For our beachside stay in Antalya, we stayed closer to town, at the Akra Hotel. The Akra Hotel doesn’t have the cutest rooms. However, the resort pools and beach area have the most incredible view of the Western Taurus Mountains. This range of mountains forms an arc around the Gulf of Antalya.

For more budget-conscious travelers, there are also plenty of affordable hostels, and budget hotels scattered throughout the city. There are many particularly around the city center and the Konyaaltı Beach area.

What to Bring to Antalya

Before heading to Antalya, I read tons of blogs indicating you needed to dress modest in Antalya. While some do dress very modest, others mostly definitely do not. To put it in perspective, our local tour guide was wearing a crop top with a belly ring. You may see more modest dress the further you get from Antalya. However, it is still not so much for you to need to worry about covering up.

You may though want to ensure you bring water shoes for the rocky Mediterranean beaches. Your feet will be thanking you, especially if you end up visiting Suluada Beach. I found it very difficult to walk across those beaches and into the water barefoot. Konyaalti Beach in Antalya was much more manageable.

Best Things to Do in Antalya

Walk around Old Town

Old Town Antalya, also known as Kaleiçi, is a charming and historic district within the heart of Antalya. Wandering through its narrow cobblestone streets, you will encounter picturesque squares, ancient mosques, and traditional Turkish houses. The district is also home to numerous shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes, to immerse yourself in the local culture. One of the highlights of Old Town Antalya is its iconic Hadrian’s Gate. This triumphal arch dates back to the 2nd century AD, which serves as a grand entrance to the district.

Pamukkale Limestone Terraces

Located in southwestern Türkiye, about 3 hours from Antalya, Pamukkale is famous for its white terraces formed by calcium-rich thermal waters that flow down the mountainside. These terraces are what have inspired the name Pamukkale, which means “Cotton Castle” in Turkish. You can walk on these terraces and take a dip in some of the shallow pools. However, you must leave your shoes and walk on the terraces barefoot.

As a warning before you go, unfortunately Pamukkale does not look like the pictures on Google anymore. A lot of the pools have dried up after long summers of no rain. Make sure to visit soon before the pools dry up any further!

Paragliding over Pamukkale

Paragliding over Pamukkale in Türkiye is an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure for thrill-seekers. As you soar through the sky, you’ll get panoramic views of the Pamukkale terraces and ancient city of Hierapolis. The experience of viewing this UNESCO World Heritage Site from above provides a much more unique perspective away from all of the crowds.

Hierapolis Ancient Theatre

A visit to Pamukkale should also include the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its well-preserved ruins including the Pamukkale Theater and the Necropolis (cemetery). The theater is about a 15-20 minute walk up from the Pammukale terraces.

Cleopatra Antique Pool

After visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis, cool off exploring the Cleopatra Antique Pools. The pools are said to have been frequented by Queen Cleopatra, and supposedly she bathed in these mineral-rich waters to maintain her beauty. Fed by the thermal springs, these pools are warm and relaxing. The pools are also surrounded by ancient ruins, even under your feet at the bottom of the pools!

Suluada Island

Suluada Island is gorgeous! The orange-colored rocks and the clear water over a shore of white pebbles were so beautiful. On a tour of Suluada Island, you get time to visit two beaches and an incredible-looking cave. The music and drinks offered on the boat make for an even more fun experience.

There are a lot of people on these boats out to the island so it can get a a bit crowded. Depending on how early your bus gets to the boat will determine if you get a day bed on the top deck. Otherwise, you’ll sit at tables on the bottom deck.

Pro Tip: The beaches are full of smooth white pebbles. This is not a big deal, but bring water shoes and something to lay on for a more comfortable experience.

Konyaalti Beach

Konyaalti Beach stretches for several miles along the Mediterranean Sea. The beach is more of a pebble beach but has extremely crystal clear waters and feels incredibly clean. Adding these gorgeous mountains to the backdrop made Konyaalti Beach one of my favorite ever public beaches.

There are many beach clubs set up along the beach. We stopped at Lucky 13 because it had the best music. Other beach clubs were much more quiet and relaxing if that is what you prefer. Beware: Our waiter at Lucky 13 tried to sell us a bottle of champagne that was much pricer than for the same number of glasses.

Resort Pool/Beach

With all this moving around, some days it’s nice to hang out at your hotel pool or lounge around at the resort beach. The Akra Hotel boasts stunning sea views from its pool. The hotel also has direct access to a private beach. Get to the private beach early for a good spot though. Most guests head down to the beach rather than the pool.

Eat at 7Mehmet

7Mehmet is a popular and higher-end restaurant with beautiful, oceanside views. I highly recommend you make a reservation in advance for dinner at a time right before sunset. This is the time 7Mehmet shines the most. I would say this was the nicest restaurant we ate at during our entire time in Türikye.

The restaurant brings together modern Mediterranean flavors and traditional Turkish cuisine. All of the food in Türkiye felt very clean and fresh and 7Mehmet ensures ingredients are at their freshest with its seasonal menu. Finish off dinner with a traditional Turkish tea. This is a very common practice amongst the Turkish locals.

One of my favorite parts of this restaurant was the stray dogs roaming around the restaurant looking for scraps. Türkiye is very dog and cat-friendly. These dogs weren’t like other stray dogs though, they’re very clean and friendly in Türkiye!

Antalya Selfie Park

If you get stuck with a rainy day while in Antalya, check out Antalya Selfie Park. There are somewhere around 50 different sets to choose from to get Instagram-worthy photos. Having a tripod made it much easier to get pictures together. Without a tripod, you’ll need a little help.

Antalya is one of my favorite beach towns for so many reasons. A jagged mountain range is always so beautiful to me, but to add it alongside a beach was breathtaking. Additionally, the variety of activities made it impossible to get bored and the hospitality of the Turkish people kept me feeling in paradise throughout my stay.