Is Antalya only all-inclusive resorts?
Resorts dominate Lara/Belek, but Kaleiçi is a genuine historic town worth staying in for atmosphere.
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Antalya Travel Guide
Things to do in Antalya — Turkish Riviera old town and waterfall coastline
Photo: Esginmurat · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Antalya
Antalya's Kaleiçi old town sits above a turquoise harbour, with waterfalls, beaches and ancient theatres making it the Turkish Riviera's classic base.
Antalya is a stop in Turkey, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, Antalya Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 45–110 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: April–June and September–October. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
April–June and September–October
Weather
Mediterranean — hot dry summers, mild winters
Airport
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Getting around
Walk the old town; tours or rental car for Aspendos and beaches
Experiences
Things to do in Antalya
1
Kaleiçi old town
2
Hadrian's Gate
3
Antalya Museum
4
Düden Waterfalls
5
Karaalioglu Park and cliffs
6
Aspendos Theatre day trip
7
Kürşunlu Waterfall
8
Yacht Harbor (marina) stroll
Budget travel
Free things to do in Antalya
Kaleiçi old town
Hadrian's Gate
Düden Waterfalls
Karaalioglu Park and cliffs
Kürşunlu Waterfall
Yacht Harbor (marina) stroll
Karaalioglu Park cliffs
Kurşunlu Waterfall
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Antalya itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Fluted Minaret Mosque
- Visit Sehzade Korkut Mosque
- Visit Ethnographic Museum
- Eat at Piyazcı Sami
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Hıdırlık Tower
- Visit Atatürk House Museum
- Visit Antalya Museum
- Eat at Urfali Ciğercİ Apo
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Antalya Aquarium
- Eat at Özkan Kebap
Prefer a full 15-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Antalya itinerary guide.
Budget
Antalya trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 45–110
per person / day
Luxury
USD 125–210+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Antalya, Turkey. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Antalya
Estimated total (USD)
$2,040
≈ $1,020 per person · $291 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $80/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Antalya mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 45–110 · luxury 125–210+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Parlak Restaurant
Turkish · Kaleiçi grilled-onion classic since 1960s
- $$
Vanilla Lounge
International / Turkish · Old-town favourite
- $$
Club Arma
Seafood · Harbour-side seafood institution
- $$$
Seraser Fine Dining
Turkish / Mediterranean · Kaleiçi courtyard dining
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$
Akra Hotel
Lara / cliffs · Clifftop resort favourite
- $$$
Tuvana Hotel
Kaleiçi · Ottoman-house boutique stay
- $$$$
Rixos Premium Belek (day base / region)
Belek · Regional luxury resort hub
Shopping
- Kaleiçi boutiques
- Migros / malls outside the centre
Nightlife
- Kaleiçi bars
- Lara / beach clubs in season
Museums & culture
- Antalya Museum
- Suna & İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum
Local foods to try
- Piyaz
- Grilled fish
- Gözleme
- Turkish breakfast
Hidden gems
- Karaalioglu Park cliffs
- Kurşunlu Waterfall
- Old harbour at sunrise
Travel tips
- Combine Kaleiçi with a museum morning before beach heat
- Aspendos is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres nearby
- Summer marina evenings are lively — book harbour restaurants
In pictures
Antalya gallery
Photos: Esginmurat, Dat doris, Sharon Hahn Darlin, Bestalex, Ingo Mehling, User:E-92 in Turkish Wikipedia — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Antalya travel FAQs
What are the best things to do in Antalya?
Top picks in Antalya include Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate, Antalya Museum, Düden Waterfalls. See the full list and itinerary on this Antalya travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Antalya?
April–June and September–October.
How many days do I need in Antalya?
Plan at least 3 days in Antalya for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Antalya?
Popular stays in Antalya include Akra Hotel, Tuvana Hotel, Rixos Premium Belek (day base / region). Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Antalya cost?
On the ground in Antalya (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 20–40 per person per day, mid-range about 45–110, and luxury about 125–210+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Antalya, Turkey. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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