Best Things to Do in Antalya Turkey

Turkey is one of the SIMOVO crew's best-loved Mediterranean getaways - and, while you might be tempted to visit Istanbul first, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider making Antalya, a city on the southern coast, your first port of call.

Whether or not you've already read up on our Turkey facts and just want to explore somewhere new, we've put together this quick guide to show you what Antalya has to offer, and why you might want to head here for the history, food, and incredible sunshine the nation is so popular for.

Things to do in Antalya certainly come thick and fast, so let's dive straight in and see what the city has to offer to travelers from all walks of life.

Antalya travel overview

As you'll see from our guide on building the perfect Turkey itinerary, this is a nation absolutely bursting with character, beach getaways, and friendly folk. Antalya is a city along the Turquoise Coast that does sometimes get overlooked, but it's won the fantastic accolade of becoming the heart of the Turkish Riviera.

Certainly, it's very popular with beach lovers, mainly thanks to around 300 days of pure sun every year, and its selection of sparkling sandy stretches. That said, just as you'd expect from any major resort in Turkey, the area is also packed with incredible empirical history, as well as a truly vibrant dining and hospitality scene. 

For many people traveling to and staying in Antalya in style also isn't too expensive, even if you're looking for a luxury break. We therefore recommend taking a close look at flights and accommodations here long before you travel so you can get the best deals before it's too late.

Best things to do in Antalya Turkey

Whether you're a first-time visitor to Antalya or not, there's always something surprising around the corner here - and we mean that in a good way. So, as we always do with our location breakdowns, we surveyed the SIMOVO team members who have visited Antalya before and have lined up some recommendations for your itinerary here.

We suggest you check out Kaleici Old Town, Hadrian's Gate, Duden Waterfalls, Konyaalti Beach, and the Antalya Museum - at the very least! If you find any other things to do in Antalya along the way, by all means add them to your itinerary.

Kaleici Old Town

Kaleici Old Town is certainly one of the cobbled highlights of Antalya, with traditional street vendor scenes, cafes to sample that famous Turkish coffee, and a handful of marvelous historical buildings (one of which we'll come to shortly!). Kaleici may be quaint, but it's usually the number one destination choice for Antalya travelers - and if you don't want to explore it all on your own, you can book guided tours.

Hadrian's Gate

Hadrian's Gate is a famous memorial location that you'll find in Kaleici Old Town. It was thought to have been raised all the way back in the first century AD, in honor of the Emperor Hadrian. Ornate, impressive, and still standing, it's had a few embellishments over the centuries, but this monument continues to court history lovers. The best part is, it's completely free to visit!

Duden Waterfalls

Time to check out some of Antalya's natural highlights! The Duden Waterfalls are accessible from Antalya via boat tours, cascading into the sea from as high up as 40 feet! There are plenty of opportunities for swimming close by, and you can access the upper and lower levels to the falls. There's a fabulous atmosphere out here, and if you're hungry, there are usually vendors!

Konyaalti Beach

We really couldn't talk about Antalya without mentioning its fabulous coastline, and Konyaalti Beach tends to sit at the top of many visitors' must-visit lists. It's a nice, long walk, replete with cafes, loungers, and playground facilities. You can see the majestic Taurus Mountains just beyond - but do wear footwear, as much of the beach is pebbled!

Antalya Museum

Lastly for our list, history lovers will certainly want to check out the Antalya Museum, or Antalya Archaeology Museum - packed full of display halls showing off ancient discoveries and Ottoman treats alike. However, at the time of writing, the location is closed, set to reopen at some point later this year.

Best beaches in Antalya

We've already listed Konyaalti as a key highlight in this guide so far, but there are - naturally - a few more brilliant beach zones that you'll want to sun yourself on when visiting Antalya. For example, we recommend the wild but quiet Cirali Beach, which is famous for being a sea turtle nesting site (so always check signs depending on when you visit, to make sure you are keeping local wildlife safe).

Lara Beach, too, is a famous spot in Antalya for sun lovers, and you won't have too far to travel from the Duden Waterfalls. It tends to be popular with families because it's nice and soft, and it's managed with tourism in mind. If you have a very specific beach experience in mind and don't fancy getting pebbles underfoot, head here with your towels and sunscreen first.

Best time to visit Antalya

When it comes to coastal vacations in Turkey (Antalya or elsewhere), we generally recommend heading across in the spring. Travel between March and May, and you'll have access to comfortable weather compared to what you might expect during the summer - though, there's a greater chance of rainfall, and things can get rather humid!

The further benefit to traveling to Antalya in the spring is that the crowds are likely to be smaller, and there's likely to be plenty of attractions open. You can, of course, plan a summer getaway if you prefer - but you're always likely to find more humidity on the coast than in land, say, in Istanbul. The warmest sea waters are likely to be enjoyed around June, so mark it in your calendar if that's a priority.

Antalya travel tips

Now you have a good idea of the best things to do in Antalya, let's close our guide with some general tips on how to make the most of any adventure out here.

• If you're completely new to Turkish food, you'll find some of the tastiest served in Antalya. We recommend taking a look at our guide linked so you can get a good idea of what your taste buds can expect. And, if you can, try dining at a Turkish restaurant closer to home to sample what's in store.
• Download and install a SIMOVO eSIM for Turkey, and you'll always have access to the best possible mobile data connection in the city. Plus, you pay for the data you need before you travel, and as soon as you arrive, it connects to a network - meaning there's no need to hunt around for WiFi.
• Always keep sensitive and valuable items locked away or close by - unfortunately, busy tourist areas in Antalya are popular with pickpockets.
• Make sure to carry cash wherever possible, and if you can, to exchange it into Turkish Lira before you arrive. This ensures you can easily pay for goods and services (as some areas reject foreign currencies due to counterfeiting, and not everywhere - especially traditional street vendors - accepts cards).