by Островский Александр (cropped) /[CC BY-SA 2.5

A Bustling Resort City Known for Its Turquoise Waters and Ancient History

A. About Antalya

Nickname:The Capital of the Turkish Riviera

Antalya, located on Turkey’s southwestern coast, is a leading global tourist destination, ranking as the fourth most visited city in the world. Its appeal lies in a remarkable blend of stunning natural landscapes, rich historical sites, and modern attractions.

It is a bustling resort city known for its beaches, turquoise waters, and ancient history

Kaleiçi, Antalya’s Old Town, enchants visitors with its narrow cobblestone streets, Ottoman architecture, and vibrant bazaars. Natural attractions like the Düden Waterfalls and the nearby Pamukkale and Hierapolis ruins add even more diversity to the city’s appeal.

Antalya’s well-developed infrastructure, luxurious resorts, and world-class dining, combined with its historic charm, make it a top destination for travelers. Its ability to cater to all types of tourists, from history enthusiasts and nature lovers to those looking for relaxation and luxury, is why Antalya continues to attract an ever-growing number of global visitors.


The Good

Antalya benefits from an ideal location on the Mediterranean coast, with the Taurus Mountains in the background. Its picturesque setting, proximity to beautiful beaches, and natural landscapes make it a pleasant and visually appealing city.

Furthermore, Antalya enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, sunny summers. It’s a great destination for those who prefer warm weather and plenty of sunshine throughout the year.

Finally, Antalya offers an impressive nightlife scene, especially in the tourist areas near the coast. There are various bars, clubs, and beach parties, catering primarily to tourists.

➖ The Not-So-Good

Most noteworthy, Antalya has no prominent weakness and is one of the few cities endowed with no criteria scoring lower than 4/10.

As for sights – the most important factor in our city comparison – the score is rather low compared to most of the other cities.


B. Best Things to Do in Antalya in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than fifteen sights in Antalya. The following sights contribute to a decent score of 4.80/10 in this most important category:

# Old Antalya (Kaleici) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Kaleici is Antalya's historic district, with narrow cobblestone streets, Ottoman-era houses, and landmarks like the Clock Tower and Hadrian's Gate. Its maze-like alleys are filled with cafes, boutique hotels, and small shops. 

It offers stunning views of the Mediterranean from its clifftop vantage points.

City District

by Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Antalya Museum 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The impressive Antalya Museum displays significant archaeological finds, especially ancient sculptures, spanning thousands of years.

Archaeological Museum

by Joe Wallace/ CC BY-SA 2.0

# Port (Old City Marina) 4 2 out of 5 stars

Antalya’s Old City Marina is a historic port dating back to Roman times, now a hub for boat tours, dining, and shopping.

Surrounded by cliffs and the walls of Kaleici, it's a picturesque spot to explore or relax by the sea. It retains the charm of its ancient maritime past.

Harbour

by REHBER0770 / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# City Wall and Hadrian's Gate 4 2 out of 5 stars

Hadrian's Gate is a well-preserved Roman monument integrated into Antalya's ancient city walls.

Roman Gate

by Sharon Hahn Darlin/ CC BY-SA 2.0

# Düden Waterfalls 4 2 out of 5 stars

Düden Waterfalls are a set of scenic cascades located both inside the city (Upper Düden) and along the coast (Lower Düden).

The Upper Düden is surrounded by lush greenery, while the Lower Düden dramatically tumbles off cliffs into the Mediterranean. Both offer peaceful natural retreats.

Waterfall

by Elshad / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Beaches 4 2 out of 5 stars

Antalya is famous for its long stretches of beaches, from the pebbled shores of Konyaalti to the golden sands of Lara.

These beaches offer crystal-clear waters and are lined with resorts, cafes, and beach clubs. Both locals and tourists enjoy the vibrant beach culture.

Beach

by Esginmurat / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Antalya Aquarium 4 2 out of 5 stars

Antalya Aquarium is a vast, immersive attraction featuring marine life exhibits and one of the world’s longest tunnel in an aquarium.

Aquarium

by МаратД / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Yivli Minare 4 2 out of 5 stars

Yivli Minare is an iconic 13th-century Seljuk minaret known for its unique fluted design. It is part of a mosque complex in the heart of Kaleici.

Minaret

by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Bazaar 4 2 out of 5 stars

A lively and colorful marketplace, the Antalya Bazaar offers a wide variety of goods, from spices and teas to textiles, leather products, and jewelry. Visitors can enjoy haggling with local vendors and exploring the maze-like streets filled with traditional Turkish items.

Bazaar

by Sharon Hahn Darlin / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

#10 | MiniCity Antalya 4 2 out of 5 stars

MiniCity is a miniature park showcasing scaled-down versions of Turkey’s most famous landmarks and historical sites.

Miniature Park

by Tanya Dedyukhina / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Antalya

#11 | Hıdırlık Tower 4 2 out of 5 stars

A Roman-era structure overlooking the Antalya harbor, Hıdırlık Tower is a round stone tower that dates back to the 2nd century. It was likely built as a fortification or lighthouse and today provides panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the old town.

Tower

by FELiX86 / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

    • Karaalioglu Parki 4
    • Kesik Minare 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Antalya

Close-by Excursions

Aspendos Amphitheatre 6 3 out of 5 stars

Located just outside Antalya, Aspendos is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman amphitheaters, built in the 2nd century AD with a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators. Its remarkable acoustics are still used today for performances and festivals, making it a cultural landmark.

City  Distance from Antalya: 49 km

by Dennis G. Jarvis / CC BY-SA 2.0

Ancient Ruins of Termessos with Roman Theatre 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Situated at an altitude of 1,000 meters in the Taurus Mountains, Termessos is an ancient city known for its well-preserved ruins, including a striking Roman theatre with panoramic views. Termessos resisted conquest by Alexander the Great due to its natural defenses. The site includes temples, city walls, and tombs.

City  Distance from Antalya: 34 km

by Ingo Mehling / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tunektepe Teleferik (Distance from Antalya: ca. 14 km from Antalya) 5

Mount Tahtalı (Tahtalı Dağı) (Distance from Antalya: ca. 71 km from Antalya) 5

Karain Cave (Distance from Antalya: ca. 34 km from Antalya) 4

Far Away Excursions

HIERAPOLIS & PAMUKKALE 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Hierapolis, an ancient city located near Pamukkale’s famous travertine terraces, was once a thriving spa town known for its hot springs. The ruins include a large theater, temples, and Roman baths, all set against the stunning backdrop of white calcium formations created by natural mineral-rich waters. 

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that combines history and natural beauty.

City  🌍 World Heritage: since 1987 | Distance from Antalya: 238.4 km

by Antoine Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ancient ruins of Myra (Demre) with Rock-cut tombs and Theatre 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Located in Demre, Myra is an ancient Lycian city known for its impressive rock-cut tombs carved into cliffs and a well-preserved Roman theatre. Myra was once a significant city in the Lycian League and is also associated with Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus).

Archaeological Site  Distance from Antalya: 134 km

by Ingo Mehling / CC BY-SA 3.0

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Antalya 2024 (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you visit first if you spend at least two or more days in Antalya.

Old Antalya (Kaleici) 5

Antalya Museum 5

Port (Old City Marina) 4

City Wall and Hadrian's Gate 4

Düden Waterfalls 4

Beaches  4

Antalya Aquarium  4

Yivli Minare 4

Bazaar  4

MiniCity Antalya 4