Top 10: What to Do in Antalya, Turkey (2025)

Antalya ranks as the planet’s 6th most-visited city. And yet, most Americans have never heard of it. Really, this should come as no surprise at all. Antalya offers a wonderful and unique Mediterranean escape. Dramatic sea views, golden beaches, ancient ruins, and much more.

Founded in 150 BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon. Antalya went on to become a vital Roman port that thrived for centuries under various peoples, including the Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans each of whom has left their mark, leaving behind them a stunning architectural legacy that makes every corner worth exploring.

Today at Civitatis, we’re running through our list of what to do in Antalya, with activities to suit people of all interests. We’ve also included a number of day trips and even some options which involve an overnight stay, giving you lots of options!

1. Wander Antalya’s Old Town of Kaleiçi

First things first: the walled city of Kaleiçi. This is the historic city center of Antalya, where its 2,000+ year history is contained within ancient Roman walls. Kaeleiçi’s narrow, crooked, cobblestone streets have been carved out by Roman legions, Byzantine merchants, and Ottoman traders, and its history is palpable as you walk the streets.

The most notable landmark in the old town is probably Hadrian’s Gate, a triumphal, triple-arched gate built in honor of Roman Emperor Hadrian, who visited the town in 130 CE. Built by the Romans, the Turks (who later inhabited the city) maintained the gate and left Arabic inscriptions. The Kesik Minare Mosque is another fascinating example of cultural exchange. Originally built as a Roman temple, the Keisk Minare Mosque was converted to a Byzantine church in the 7th century, and then a mosque (and shortly after, back into a church) in the 13th century.

Accommodation: Kaleiçi is also a great place to stay, with a lovely selection of hotels and restaurants to choose from.

2. Marvel at the Düden Waterfalls

One of the reasons tourists flock to Antalya is to explore gorgeous nearby waterfalls, scattered throughout the area between the peaks of the Taurus Mountains and the vast Mediterranean Sea. These falls are great places to sit down and relax and to simply enjoy the tranquility of nature, cool off in natural pools, listen to the soothing sounds of rushing water, and experience some of Turkey’s most pristine natural beauty.

We highly recommend this day trip to the Düden, Karpuzkaldiran + Kursunlu Waterfalls, during which you’ll get to visit three of the most spectacular waterfalls in Antalya. A highlight of this fantastic tour is the spectacular Lower Düden (Karpuzkaldiran) where a 130-feet (40-meter) waterfall plunges directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you have fantastic photo opportunities from both cliff-top viewing areas as well as from the bottom. Your final stop at Kurşunlu offers something completely different: a serene nature park setting where you’ll enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch among pine forests, natural swimming holes, and if you’re lucky, some beautiful wildlife!

3. Visit the Land of Legends Amusement Park

About 40 minutes outside of the city, you’ll find what is considered to be among the top amusement parks in the world. This state-of-the-art facility caters to a fun family day out with children over 6, as well as older ‘kids’ looking to get their adrenaline fix! Bring the little ones around Masha and the Bear Land of Laughter, and enjoy circus games, shows and kid-friendly rides. Or, hop on the 200-foot (62-meter) Hyper Coaster, which has a maximum speed of 95 mph (115 kmph) or any other of the various other roller coasters and water rides.

To visit The Land of Legends, check out this day trip to the Land of Legends (including transfer) or, make your own way to the park and simply grab a Land of Legends ticket. When visiting this part of Turkey, this theme park is not to be missed!

4. Go Beach Hopping – Mermeli, Lara, Adrasan Bay

Fine golden sands, glittering crystal clear waters, perfectly warm weather… For many, the main attraction of Antalya is its proximity to lots of stunning beaches along the Mediterranean coastline. For us, our absolute favorite thing to do while in Antalya is to go beach hopping. Grab your towel and swimsuit and see what this area has to offer!

Your first stop should be Mermeli Beach, located right in the center of Antalya. This is the easiest beach to get to, providing you with sea and sand without forcing you to wander to far from your hotel. The most popular beach in the city center however is Lara. Another sand beach, Lara has gotten super popular in recent years and gets very busy during the high season, so you’ll want to get there early if you go. An hour by bus, you can reach Adrasan Bay, a pretty large stretch of sand which has lots of fantastic hotels, cafes and restaurants to enjoy. This beach is a great place to spend a day out.

If you’re looking for a bit of a day trip… our favorite beach is actually a few hours away, located between Kas and Kalkan: Kaputas Beach. To get to shore, you descend stairs along magnificent cliffs, looking out over the Med in all of its glory. This beach is highly renowned by the locals and in the international community alike, and can sometimes get pretty crowded, so try to avoid visiting during high season.

5. Explore Pamukkale (The Cotton Castle)

Next on our list is Pamukkale—easily one of the most fascinating natural landscapes in Turkey, and indeed, in the world. Located in the region of Anatolia region of Turkey, this paradise is a few hours away from Antalya by car, though it’s totally worth making your way out to if you’re spending a little bit longer in Turkey.

These gleaming white terraces were naturally formed by mineral-rich hot springs, which have deposited layers of white calcium carbonate, creating these incredible pools. Since Roman times, these thermal waters have been used for their healing properties. From Antalya, you can visit this incredible landscape on this Pamukkale & Hierapolis day trip, which includes transport, a guide and a delicious lunch!

6. Enjoy a Show at the Aspendos Theatre (and See Other Roman Sites)

With its significant Roman legacy, Antalya is home to a variety of archaeological sites which date back to Roman times. Perhaps the most impressive of these sites is the Aspendos Theatre.

Built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, this theater is thought to be one of the finest preserved Ancient Roman theaters. The best way to get a flavor of what this theater would have been like in its glory, attend the Fire of Antalonia show—a combination of traditional folk culture, ballet, and acrobatics.

Another of the most famous sites is Hadrian’s Gate—a memorial gate built in honor of Roman emperor Hadrian, who had visited the city around 20 years before. The gate itself was built around 150 AD, and would be incorporated into the walls that surround the city, meaning it’s just on the outskirts of Kaleiçi!

7. Sail to the ‘Maldives of Turkey’ at Suluada Island

If you’re hoping to achieve a sense of relaxation and serenity on this holiday, make your way to Suluada Island, hailed as the ‘Maldives of Turkey’. This volcanic island is home to a wonderful bay for swimming, a relaxing mineral lake along with rock lakes. What’s more, the crystal clear waters make this a prime location for swimming and snorkelling.

On this Suluada day trip from Antalya, you’ll get to experience this island’s magical Mediterranean scenery, enjoy a wonderful three course meal and enjoy the bays waters at your own leisure. A must!

8. Myra: See the Building Carved into a Mountain in Demre

Another fantastic day trip from Antalya—we highly recommend making your way to Demre. This district is home to the ancient city of Myra, a hidden gem straight out of a fantasy novel! It’s best known for these Lycian-Era rock tombs, which are carved directly into the natural cliff face. These tombs are thought to have been used for the most prominent citizens of Myra. On this Kekova & Demre tour, you’ll visit this incredible site, as well as the Church of St. Nicholas and the island of Kekova. If you’re into architecture (and mystery), this is the tour for you!

9. Tour the Taurus Mountains

If you’re in Antalya and are looking to get closer in contact with nature, be sure to check out the vast Taurus Mountains. This area is home to incredible scenery, with vast pine forests, monstrous snow-capped peaks of over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), and lush valleys.

If you’re up for an adventure, we’d recommend having a go of this Gebiz Jeep Tour. On this activity, you’ll hop aboard a jeep and make your way through these rugged mountains, taste a traditional tea, grab some lunch and go on a refreshing swim in a natural lagoon! What could be better?

Alternatively, check out this Green Canyon cruise, which will bring you through the Taurus Mountains, giving you fantastic views and you’ll also enjoy a delicious Turkish lunch!

10. Escape to Cappadocia

The final entry on our list, Cappadocia is an absolute must-see. Brace yourself for the surreal landscapes that await in Cappadocia. Known for its unique ‘fairy chimneys’, this region is a geological wonderland with cone-shaped rock formations and vast underground cities. This area is a little bit further away, so to enjoy this incredible landscape, you’d likely have to stay the night in Cappadocia.

In terms of activities, as is made evident by the above picture, going up in a hot air balloon is the thing to do in Cappadocia. Best enjoyed at sunrise, from a hot air balloon, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of colorful valleys and awesome rock tunnels below. Alternatively, check out this Cappadocia camel ride, during which you’ll travel across the desert as hot air balloons take off around you.

There you have it! Those are the top 10 things to do in Antalya. If you’re visiting and are still looking for more things to do, definitely check out other activities in Antalya with Civitatis.