To fully experience Antalya’s top attractions, day trips, outdoor activities, local culture, cuisine, and relaxing beach time, I recommend spending at least 5-7 days in Antalya. This allows enough time to see the highlights without feeling rushed.
How Many Days in Antalya is Enough?
1. Exploring Antalya’s Attractions
Spend 1-2 days exploring Antalya’s top sights in the charming old town (Kaleici). Wander the cobblestone streets, take in the views from Hıdırlık Tower, and see Roman-era monuments like Hadrian’s Gate. Visit the Antalya Museum which houses artifacts from the Pamphylian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Marvel at the cascading Duden Waterfalls located just 10 km from the city center.
2. Day Trips
Take a full day to visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Perge, known for its stadium, theater, and colonnaded streets. See the best-preserved Roman theater at Aspendos nearby. Go to Side to explore ancient Greek and Roman ruins mixed with sandy beaches. Visit Kurşunlu Waterfall for a refreshing swim near nature. A boat trip to Kekova allows you to see submerged ruins and swim in secluded bays. For those seeking adventure, try whitewater rafting in Köprülü Canyon National Park or embark on a jeep safari in the Taurus Mountains.
3. Outdoor Activities
Rafting, canyoning, jeep safaris, paragliding, and hiking are popular active pursuits in the area surrounding Antalya. Spend a day river rafting and canyoning along the Koprulu Canyon for an adventurous option. Take a jeep safari into the Taurus Mountains to see rural villages and dramatic mountain scenery. For amazing aerial views, try paragliding above the beach in the Lara-Kundu area. Go on a day hike in the foothills and forests of the Bey Mountains west of Antalya.
4. Relaxing on the Beach
Allocate 1-2 days to experience these natural retreats after exploring the city. In the Lara-Kundu area, Lara Beach is known for its sandy shores while Cleopatra Beach has a mix of pebbles and sand. For a less crowded experience, Konyaaltı Beach, west of the city center, provides a pebble shoreline with a mountainous backdrop. Kaputas Beach, located between Kas and Kalkan, is recognized for its turquoise waters and narrow sandy cove. Olympos Beach, surrounded by ancient ruins and a lush forest, offers a unique ambiance with a mix of pebbles and sand. These beaches have facilities like loungers, umbrellas, and nearby cafes. Various water sports activities are available for adventure enthusiasts, while certain beaches serve as sea turtle nesting grounds, adding a unique aspect to Antalya’s coastal allure.
5. Experiencing Local Culture and Cuisine
To experience local culture, wander through Antalya’s Kaleici neighborhood and dine at one of its many restaurants. Try Turkish classics like kebabs, pide bread, and gozleme. Visit a traditional hammam for a rejuvenating Turkish bath experience. Check out a whirling dervish performance at a cultural center. Go to a local bazaar to shop for souvenirs like lamps, carpets, and ceramics. Spend an evening bar hopping and listening to live music in the Kaleici area.
With 5-7 days in Antalya, you’ll have time to see the top attractions, go on day trips to ancient sites and waterfalls, enjoy outdoor activities, relax on beautiful beaches, experience local culture and cuisine, and avoid feeling rushed. It provides the perfect introduction to the diversity of sites and experiences available in this region of Turkey.